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(All photos by James Evans / University of Alaska Anchorage)

Fishing is Alaska’s favorite pastime. And while much of our state’s reputation as a premiere angling destination revolves around trophy-sized catches in famous rivers and remote locations, Alaska — and even the city of Anchorage — have a lot more to offer adventurous anglers.

The South Fork of Chester Creek, a mispronunciation of its Dena’ina name, Chanshtnu, “Grass Creek,) is familiar to anyone who has visited UAA. It flows under the Spine that connects the Student Union to the east end of campus and past the residence halls. Mostly ignored as a fishery by residents and visitors alike, a few diehard anglers on the Anchorage campus have discovered that it offers an opportunity to pursue beautiful — albeit small by Alaskan standards — wild trout and Dolly Varden in picturesque surroundings in the heart of our city and campus. 

UAA Department of Automotive & Diesel Technology Director Darrin Marshal, Diesel Power Technology Professor Nate Berry and others from the Transportation and Power Division have made an annual tradition of “fishing UAA” together in the fall. This is when the creek’s resident trout congregate around spawning salmon to eat their eggs, which makes for exciting fishing. This year, the crew invited UAA Marketing and Communications Photographer James Evans along to document and join the fun. 

Remember, if you fish Chester Creek at UAA: Respect the land, the stream and its fish. Much work has been done to restore salmon runs in Chester Creek and it seems to be helping. Their numbers continue to improve, but salmon fishing is completely off limits and will likely remain so. Trout may be fished from June 15–April 14 and up to five may be kept, but everyone who fished this day practiced catch-and-release and asked that you do the same. They would like UAA to maintain its quiet status as a university with an awesome trout stream.