Fish possess a suite of sensory mechanisms that assist them in the detection and capture of prey. Their sense of sight allows them to peer through the water column to target a preferred species of insect or a smaller fish. Their delicate sense of smell and an effective olfactory system help fish to identify the presence and direction of food from a long distance. Senses of hearing, taste, and even the perception of electromagnetic fields that are emitted from other living organisms contribute to a fish’s ability to detect prey. When all gears are turning, the result of these sharpened senses is often a fantastic strike!
When considering my list of ‘greatest strike experiences,’ fishing Arctic grayling on the Chena River near Fairbanks in late summer or fall is certainly near the top. From under the protective cover of cutbanks and deep water, grayling use their senses to detect the arrival of a prey item on the top water. They rise to it and pop at it with their mouths, hooking themselves with a small splash. The grayling is a unique fish most commonly recognized by its large, sail-like dorsal fin. The species belongs to the salmon family (Salmonidae), but is actually much smaller and remains in freshwater for life.
It’s not the size of the grayling that makes fishing this species so grand; they can’t rival the size of salmon and large trout found in Alaskan waters. Rather, it is the unbridled passion in the grayling’s attack of dry flies that makes them so fun to catch. When fished with a light-weight rod, fighting graying can be as exciting as battling any other species.
Grayling Rise to the Occasion
I discovered the enjoyment of fishing dry flies for Chena River grayling one fall, following an unsuccessful moose hunt in the Interior. I remember thinking of the experience as a fine consolation prize to a disappointing hunt that year. If I wasn’t going to get a moose in the freezer, I was at least going to hook into a few of these little Chena River beauties before returning to civilization. Little did I know, I was about to discover a new favorite pastime and a reason to return to Fairbanks regularly.
Catching grayling is an art form that has been perfected by many long-time interior fly fishermen. Successful anglers possess an arsenal of various dry and wet flies, along with keen discernment and discipline to change out different patterns every 5 to 10 minutes upon not catching. I once observed one particular expert in spring try a few different wet flies before switching to a small beaded nymph - black with green highlight tint - to induce a strike just after the snowmelt.
In spring, Chena River grayling spawn in May as soon as the water warms enough. The fish forage along the bottom, picking immature insects out of the rocky riparian substrate. In wide sections of the river (e.g., below the interstate overpass near the Fairbanks Airport) they can be found at varying distances from shore. It is best to stand on dry land to keep from disturbing the water and cast out into different depths. The more time the nymph is allowed to drift in the water, the better chance of a hard strike coming in the form of a quick tug on the tippet beneath the surface.
In summer, the most effective weapon in the angler’s toolbox is the dreaded tan elk hair caddis fly, size 14. Fish shudder at the mention of its name, as they cannot resist its presence. Floating dry flies into slower water where rivers bend will gain the interest of fish holding just beneath the surface and cause them to rise at it with reckless abandon. Depending on conditions and on the hatch of a given year, fly selection may be necessary to optimize the fishing experience. Mosquito patterns, along with blue dun flies, sparkle duns, and other various mayflies can also instigate a forceful strike in summer months. However, if dry flies aren’t working particularly well in mid-to-late summer, it could be time to try a large red bead, pegged above the hook. Egg patterns floated on the bottom of the Chena can be effective at certain times because the river has a moderate return of Chinook that arrive via the Tanana River each July. When the salmon drop their eggs, it’s a new food source available for grayling in the lower portion of the water column.
In fall, the tan elk hair caddis fly is still very effective, but on some days it seems like any dry fly will do. Salcha pinks also produce nice-sized grayling this time of year. The best advice is to keep an eye on what comes along in the water, but if it’s on the surface, chances are it won’t be there long. In fact, the best way to find grayling is to simply sit and watch a stretch of water for a few minutes to see if they are striking insects on the surface. If they are, just toss your fly right in with the others and watch as the grayling slap the water.
When canoeing the Chena on a hot day, many anglers prefer to troll a shiny lure on a light-tackle trout rod and 4wt line. A silver spinner, white twister tail or a variety of small Mepps lures are good bets. Spin casting from shore is also a nice way to get kids involved in learning to fish grayling.
As Fall begins to turn to winter, fish that are still in the Chena River may still strike a wet fly, but they will be much more difficult to find and hook. Ice fishing the lakes along the Chena River in the Chena River Recreation Area will produce fish, but probably more rainbow trout than grayling. Fish will be more sluggish at this time of year, and it will take some skillful jigging or baiting to interest grayling under the ice.
Mysterious Migrants
During the winter months the Chena River becomes a frozen highway for snowmachines and dogsled teams, and the grayling are nowhere to be found. Tanana Area management biologists have studied the interesting migration and overwintering process of some Interior grayling. They have tagged the fish and have found that some migrate out of the Chena in late Fall towards the larger Tanana River. Initially, they were surprised to find that once grayling reach the Tanana, they find a deep pool and don’t really move again until Spring. They don’t alter their position, forage or eat during this time. They just wait out winter until the temperature increases – then they begin to migrate back up into the Chena again. Their movement is related to a seasonal environmental cue, although biologists have not yet determined which factor(s) are the primary drivers.
Not all Chena River grayling migrate; some will remain in the upper Chena, but in deep holes. Fish will find and share the deepest holes in the river that won’t freeze during winter. It is not recommended that fish be targeted in the Chena once air temperatures get far below freezing. Ice conditions may be unstable or dangerous, fish will be difficult to find, and there is a potential danger to removing the fish. Fish pulled through the ice from a warmer water temperature (e.g., 34 degrees F) into a freezing air temperature (e.g., 0 degrees F or lower) will not fare well upon their return to the river in this catch-and-release fishery. A better option for fishing this region from November through April is to try one of the stocked lakes along Chena Hot Springs Road where grayling and trout can be harvested. These lakes can be found at miles 25, 30, 45.5, and 47.9 of the road.
The earliest chance each year to hook the mysterious migrating grayling, is at Badger Slough near the Nordale Bridge outside of North Pole. This is a great place to fish right after breakup, but the location could be a waste of time later in the summer after fish have moved on. Spring, grayling can also be hooked near the Fairbanks airport (see above) or from the boat launch at Pike’s Landing. By mid-summer, grayling will have migrated well into the upper portion of the Chena River, and will be accessible at various locations along Chena Hot Springs Road, including areas within the Chena River State Recreation Area. From the turnoff at mile 4 of the Steese Highway in Fairbanks, Chena Hot Springs Road meanders past some amazing scenery and farmland until reaching the Chena River Recreational Area boundary at mile 26.1. There are several excellent roadside fishing spots, as well as a number of trailheads, campgrounds, landmarks, and river access points for canoe launching.
In early Fall (i.e., mid to late September), a preferred grayling spot is the Angel Rocks area at mile 48.9 of Chena Hot Springs Road. Just upstream of the highway from the parking area there are several bends in the river that hold nice-sized fish. On a moderately-warm September afternoon, the soft cast of a dry fly is likely to produce a gorgeous grayling in these waters. Hooking grayling can be a stronger challenge in October than in earlier months, but some fish can still be caught if the right holes are detected. Some migrating fish are also found in fall in the lower stretches of the Chena right in Fairbanks between the interstate and the airport.
Consider the Alternatives
Grayling are the most sought after species in the Chena by sport fishermen from Spring through Fall, but there are also many alternatives available. The Chena River holds burbot, chum salmon, king salmon, northern pike, whitefish, sheefish, and several smaller native species.
If the Chena River area becomes too familiar, but grayling are still your preferred species to fish, there are other nearby streams and waterbodies that also provide suitable grayling habitat. The lakes along the Chatanika River on the Steese Highway, not too far from Chatanika Lodge, contain grayling that can be hooked later into the year. In fall, the Delta-Clearwater River near Delta Junction is just a couple hours drive south down the Richardson Highway from Fairbanks. The Delta-Clearwater has a late Coho salmon run that helps to keep grayling biting egg patterns later in the year before migrating out.
Interior streams and waterbodies are great producers of Arctic grayling - that mysterious, yet aggressive little migrant of the north. If you’re lucky, you might find some great grayling fishing in the wilderness that is Interior Alaska. It’s a highly recommended trip for experiencing a great strike, in a serene and relaxing location.
Noteworthy fishing spots and landmarks along Chena Hotsprings Road:
mile 25 – Lake fishing
mile 26.1 - Boundary for Chena River Recreational Area
mile 27 - Rosehip Campground, facilities, trails, fishing (fee area)
mile 28.6 and mile 31.4 - River access
mile 30 – Twin Bears site, lake fishing
mile 36.4 - Trailhead for Stiles Creek and shooting range
mile 38 - River access
mile 37.8 - North Fork Chena River (first bridge)
mile 39.5 - North Fork Chena River (second bridge).
Tors Trail Campground, camp sites, facilities, trails, and fishing. Handicap accessible. (fee area)
mile 39.6 and mile 41.6 - River access
mile 42.8 - Red Squirrel Campground ($8 fee), camp sites, facilities,
lake fishing
mile 43.9 - River access
mile 44.1 - North Fork Chena River (third bridge).
Fishing, canoe launch / float trip access point from here to first bridge
mile 45.5 - West Fork trailhead, lake fishing
mile 46.7 - Fishing in river
mile 47.9 – Lake fishing
mile 48.9 – Angel Rocks and Angel Rocks Trailhead, Chena Hot Springs Trail
mile 49.1 - Lower Chena Dome Trailhead, facilities
mile 49.8 - Angel Creek, grayling fishing
mile 50.5 - Trailhead for Upper Chena Dome and Angel Creek Cabin, facilities
mile 50.7 - Chena River Recreation Area boundary.
mile 52.3 - West Fork Chena River
mile 55.3 - North Fork Chena River
mile 56.5 - Chena Hot Springs Resort
Fish possess a suite of sensory mechanisms that assist them in the detection and capture of prey. Their sense of sight allows them to peer through the water column to target a preferred species of insect or a smaller fish. Their delicate sense of smell and an effective olfactory system help fish to identify the presence and direction of food from a long distance. Senses of hearing, taste, and even the perception of electromagnetic fields that are emitted from other living organisms contribute to a fish’s ability to detect prey. When all gears are turning, the result of these sharpened senses is often a fantastic strike!
When considering my list of ‘greatest strike experiences,’ fishing Arctic grayling on the Chena River near Fairbanks in late summer or fall is certainly near the top. From under the protective cover of cutbanks and deep water, grayling use their senses to detect the arrival of a prey item on the top water. They rise to it and pop at it with their mouths, hooking themselves with a small splash. The grayling is a unique fish most commonly recognized by its large, sail-like dorsal fin. The species belongs to the salmon family (Salmonidae), but is actually much smaller and remains in freshwater for life.
It’s not the size of the grayling that makes fishing this species so grand; they can’t rival the size of salmon and large trout found in Alaskan waters. Rather, it is the unbridled passion in the grayling’s attack of dry flies that makes them so fun to catch. When fished with a light-weight rod, fighting graying can be as exciting as battling any other species.
Grayling Rise to the Occasion
I discovered the enjoyment of fishing dry flies for Chena River grayling one fall, following an unsuccessful moose hunt in the Interior. I remember thinking of the experience as a fine consolation prize to a disappointing hunt that year. If I wasn’t going to get a moose in the freezer, I was at least going to hook into a few of these little Chena River beauties before returning to civilization. Little did I know, I was about to discover a new favorite pastime and a reason to return to Fairbanks regularly.
Catching grayling is an art form that has been perfected by many long-time interior fly fishermen. Successful anglers possess an arsenal of various dry and wet flies, along with keen discernment and discipline to change out different patterns every 5 to 10 minutes upon not catching. I once observed one particular expert in spring try a few different wet flies before switching to a small beaded nymph - black with green highlight tint - to induce a strike just after the snowmelt.
In spring, Chena River grayling spawn in May as soon as the water warms enough. The fish forage along the bottom, picking immature insects out of the rocky riparian substrate. In wide sections of the river (e.g., below the interstate overpass near the Fairbanks Airport) they can be found at varying distances from shore. It is best to stand on dry land to keep from disturbing the water and cast out into different depths. The more time the nymph is allowed to drift in the water, the better chance of a hard strike coming in the form of a quick tug on the tippet beneath the surface.
In summer, the most effective weapon in the angler’s toolbox is the dreaded tan elk hair caddis fly, size 14. Fish shudder at the mention of its name, as they cannot resist its presence. Floating dry flies into slower water where rivers bend will gain the interest of fish holding just beneath the surface and cause them to rise at it with reckless abandon. Depending on conditions and on the hatch of a given year, fly selection may be necessary to optimize the fishing experience. Mosquito patterns, along with blue dun flies, sparkle duns, and other various mayflies can also instigate a forceful strike in summer months. However, if dry flies aren’t working particularly well in mid-to-late summer, it could be time to try a large red bead, pegged above the hook. Egg patterns floated on the bottom of the Chena can be effective at certain times because the river has a moderate return of Chinook that arrive via the Tanana River each July. When the salmon drop their eggs, it’s a new food source available for grayling in the lower portion of the water column.
In fall, the tan elk hair caddis fly is still very effective, but on some days it seems like any dry fly will do. Salcha pinks also produce nice-sized grayling this time of year. The best advice is to keep an eye on what comes along in the water, but if it’s on the surface, chances are it won’t be there long. In fact, the best way to find grayling is to simply sit and watch a stretch of water for a few minutes to see if they are striking insects on the surface. If they are, just toss your fly right in with the others and watch as the grayling slap the water.
When canoeing the Chena on a hot day, many anglers prefer to troll a shiny lure on a light-tackle trout rod and 4wt line. A silver spinner, white twister tail or a variety of small Mepps lures are good bets. Spin casting from shore is also a nice way to get kids involved in learning to fish grayling.
As Fall begins to turn to winter, fish that are still in the Chena River may still strike a wet fly, but they will be much more difficult to find and hook. Ice fishing the lakes along the Chena River in the Chena River Recreation Area will produce fish, but probably more rainbow trout than grayling. Fish will be more sluggish at this time of year, and it will take some skillful jigging or baiting to interest grayling under the ice.
Mysterious Migrants
During the winter months the Chena River becomes a frozen highway for snowmachines and dogsled teams, and the grayling are nowhere to be found. Tanana Area management biologists have studied the interesting migration and overwintering process of some Interior grayling. They have tagged the fish and have found that some migrate out of the Chena in late Fall towards the larger Tanana River. Initially, they were surprised to find that once grayling reach the Tanana, they find a deep pool and don’t really move again until Spring. They don’t alter their position, forage or eat during this time. They just wait out winter until the temperature increases – then they begin to migrate back up into the Chena again. Their movement is related to a seasonal environmental cue, although biologists have not yet determined which factor(s) are the primary drivers.
Not all Chena River grayling migrate; some will remain in the upper Chena, but in deep holes. Fish will find and share the deepest holes in the river that won’t freeze during winter. It is not recommended that fish be targeted in the Chena once air temperatures get far below freezing. Ice conditions may be unstable or dangerous, fish will be difficult to find, and there is a potential danger to removing the fish. Fish pulled through the ice from a warmer water temperature (e.g., 34 degrees F) into a freezing air temperature (e.g., 0 degrees F or lower) will not fare well upon their return to the river in this catch-and-release fishery. A better option for fishing this region from November through April is to try one of the stocked lakes along Chena Hot Springs Road where grayling and trout can be harvested. These lakes can be found at miles 25, 30, 45.5, and 47.9 of the road.
The earliest chance each year to hook the mysterious migrating grayling, is at Badger Slough near the Nordale Bridge outside of North Pole. This is a great place to fish right after breakup, but the location could be a waste of time later in the summer after fish have moved on. Spring, grayling can also be hooked near the Fairbanks airport (see above) or from the boat launch at Pike’s Landing. By mid-summer, grayling will have migrated well into the upper portion of the Chena River, and will be accessible at various locations along Chena Hot Springs Road, including areas within the Chena River State Recreation Area. From the turnoff at mile 4 of the Steese Highway in Fairbanks, Chena Hot Springs Road meanders past some amazing scenery and farmland until reaching the Chena River Recreational Area boundary at mile 26.1. There are several excellent roadside fishing spots, as well as a number of trailheads, campgrounds, landmarks, and river access points for canoe launching.
In early Fall (i.e., mid to late September), a preferred grayling spot is the Angel Rocks area at mile 48.9 of Chena Hot Springs Road. Just upstream of the highway from the parking area there are several bends in the river that hold nice-sized fish. On a moderately-warm September afternoon, the soft cast of a dry fly is likely to produce a gorgeous grayling in these waters. Hooking grayling can be a stronger challenge in October than in earlier months, but some fish can still be caught if the right holes are detected. Some migrating fish are also found in fall in the lower stretches of the Chena right in Fairbanks between the interstate and the airport.
Consider the Alternatives
Grayling are the most sought after species in the Chena by sport fishermen from Spring through Fall, but there are also many alternatives available. The Chena River holds burbot, chum salmon, king salmon, northern pike, whitefish, sheefish, and several smaller native species.
If the Chena River area becomes too familiar, but grayling are still your preferred species to fish, there are other nearby streams and waterbodies that also provide suitable grayling habitat. The lakes along the Chatanika River on the Steese Highway, not too far from Chatanika Lodge, contain grayling that can be hooked later into the year. In fall, the Delta-Clearwater River near Delta Junction is just a couple hours drive south down the Richardson Highway from Fairbanks. The Delta-Clearwater has a late Coho salmon run that helps to keep grayling biting egg patterns later in the year before migrating out.
Interior streams and waterbodies are great producers of Arctic grayling - that mysterious, yet aggressive little migrant of the north. If you’re lucky, you might find some great grayling fishing in the wilderness that is Interior Alaska. It’s a highly recommended trip for experiencing a great strike, in a serene and relaxing location.
Noteworthy fishing spots and landmarks along Chena Hotsprings Road:
mile 25 – Lake fishing
mile 26.1 - Boundary for Chena River Recreational Area
mile 27 - Rosehip Campground, facilities, trails, fishing (fee area)
mile 28.6 and mile 31.4 - River access
mile 30 – Twin Bears site, lake fishing
mile 36.4 - Trailhead for Stiles Creek and shooting range
mile 38 - River access
mile 37.8 - North Fork Chena River (first bridge)
mile 39.5 - North Fork Chena River (second bridge).
Tors Trail Campground, camp sites, facilities, trails, and fishing. Handicap accessible. (fee area)
mile 39.6 and mile 41.6 - River access
mile 42.8 - Red Squirrel Campground ($8 fee), camp sites, facilities,
lake fishing
mile 43.9 - River access
mile 44.1 - North Fork Chena River (third bridge).
Fishing, canoe launch / float trip access point from here to first bridge
mile 45.5 - West Fork trailhead, lake fishing
mile 46.7 - Fishing in river
mile 47.9 – Lake fishing
mile 48.9 – Angel Rocks and Angel Rocks Trailhead, Chena Hot Springs Trail
mile 49.1 - Lower Chena Dome Trailhead, facilities
mile 49.8 - Angel Creek, grayling fishing
mile 50.5 - Trailhead for Upper Chena Dome and Angel Creek Cabin, facilities
mile 50.7 - Chena River Recreation Area boundary.
mile 52.3 - West Fork Chena River
mile 55.3 - North Fork Chena River
mile 56.5 - Chena Hot Springs Resort
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Kalb Stevenson is an experienced biologist and fisherman and a long-time Alaskan. He is the owner of Axiom Environmental LLC., a consulting company based in Anchorage, Alaska. Dr. Stevenson has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles, agency reports and popular press pieces in the areas of fish and wildlife ecology and environmental science. He enjoys spending time with family and friends and fishing around the state.
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