Now that we are on the September slide into fall, it's time to concentrate on those beautiful silvers entering the streams -- although they are still draggin' their butts getting here.

The Anchor River weir count total as of Aug. 31 was only 1,516 with 40 counted that day and 49 the previous. Although those counts majorly suck, the hardcore fisherdudes and dudettes still know how to nail them. Simply put, attack the streams at the crack of dawn and the crack of night. Silvers are spooky and avoid daylight like it's a skunked-soaked dog with a breath that could melt the paint off a truck. They also love the rain and tend to motor upstream as the water level rises and the water temperature is as cool as you think you are in new wading gear that costs more than a vehicle payment.

As most of you know, spin casting is a prolific way to fish for cohos. When casting, it is important not to stop retrieving until the spinner or spoon is almost at your feet. Silvers often will follow your lure all the way in before striking at the lure. I've had them slam the rod just before I was ready to take the spinner out of the water. It startled the hell out me, and I lost a few because I stood there frozen like a dork without a clue. But I learned.

Another suggestion: While retrieving the lure, move the rod to the left or right once in a while to change the direction of the lure. Also, just stop reeling altogether for a second allowing the lure to flutter to see if that inveigles a strike.

If you are using a fly rod and targeting fish holding in slower currents, don't cast your fly and line on top of them. Cast beyond or to the side of where the fish are and then start your retrieve as short strips with the occasional pause. Coho will leave the school to chase and bite the fly.

Remember, when hooked, silvers cop a nasty attitude and will normally blast out of the water with a tendency to roll in the line and leader.

Flies commonly used for this type of fishing are Muddler minnows, flash flies in greens, blues and reds and wooly buggers in different colors.

Of course everyone has their favorite lure -- especially if they've made it themselves and it looks like something a cat coughed up. Use what works for you. That includes techniques.

Emergency Orders and Regulation Reminders

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is requesting that persons participating in the noncommercial fisheries for Tanner crab in Kachemak Bay refrain from setting crab pots in the outer bay (i.e. outside the Homer Spit), particularly in deepwater areas until Sept. 9.

The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration is conducting a sonar survey to provide detailed bottom and habitat mapping.

This is very important to note: As of 12:01 a.m. Sept. 1 through Dec. 31, the flowing waters of the Anchor River, Ninilchik River, Deep Creek and Stariski Creek were restricted to single hook and no bait.

Fresh Waters

Anglers fishing the lower sections of the Anchor River and Deep Creek report fair to good catches of silver salmon, especially during high tide. The limits for salmon are three per day and three in possession, only two of which can be silver salmon.

It doesn't matter how many times I read this, I don't see where it allows two silvers in the morning and then two in the evening. Come on, gang. Just because you leave the area and then come back doesn't mean you can start all over again.

Steelhead trout are starting to enter the rivers. Because steelhead runs are not large, the rainbow/steelhead fishery is catch-and-release only.

Dolly Varden fishing remains good. The limit on these streams for dollies is two per day and two in possession. A small bead imitating a salmon egg or even stuff with a shrimp pattern above a small single hook is a turn-on for Dolly Varden.

Salt Waters: Halibut

Halibut fishing remains viable in September even though bad weather frequently forces boats to remain in the harbor. Larger halibut have begun their migration off-shore although a few are still hanging around. Note the 197.4-pound hawg caught Aug. 29.

The daily bag limit is two halibut, with a possession limit of four.

For the complete Reeling 'Em In, please see www.homernews.com.

Salt Waters: Salmon

Silver salmon fishing is sludge slow at the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon. Silvers are supposed to be available in the lagoon until mid-September. They must be waiting until the next series of high tides. Yep, that's it.

Try using prayer and/or cured salmon eggs on the incoming tide. During slack water in the lagoon, try fishing bait below a bobber and a lot of patience.

The daily bag and possession limit for silver salmon is six in the lagoon area. The fishing lagoon is currently closed to snagging. I don't think anyone has to worry about either one of those facts.

Trollers are catching silver salmon around Point Pogibshi and Flat Island although some of the bigger concentrations of silvers seemed to have moved on.

As usual, anglers will find success trolling for "feeder" king salmon throughout late fall. Popular trolling tackle includes herring, Hootchies, tube flies, and spoons. Dodgers or flashers are also recommended for getting the critters interested.

Other Saltwater Fishing

Rockfish are occasionally caught in Lower Cook Inlet while trolling for king salmon. Rockfish may be kept year-round. The daily bag limit in Cook Inlet is five rockfish, no more than one of which may be non-pelagic species. Check the rockfish identification pages in the regulation booklet to identify non-pelagic species.

Personal Use

The Kachemak Bay coho salmon gillnet fishery is still open. A permit is required and available at the Homer Fish and Game office. Please check with Fish and Game for the status of this fishery.

Shellfish

The next series of good clamming tides runs Sept.16-21. Remember, the best time is one hour before to two hours after low tide.

Fisheries for king crab, Dungeness crab and shrimp in Cook Inlet remain closed.

The Tanner crab sport, personal-use and subsistence fisheries in Cook Inlet are open. A permit is required and available at the Anchorage, Soldotna and Homer Fish and Game offices.

Nick C. Varney is a fishing fanatic in search of semi-truthful tales, tips and facts associated with anything that includes bait and a pole. If you have some, he can be reached at ncvarney@gmail.com.