tkhour
Just finished a River Runs Through it!
Just got back last week from my first fishing trip to the Alagnak River in Alaska. I went from sept 3rd till the 9th with AK Rainbow adventures for a week float trip for wild rainbows. Trip started out with 3 flights (Newark to Seattle- Seattle to Anchorage- then Anchorage to King Salmon. When we arrived in King Salmon all I can say is that it is a culture shock. 500 people in all of the town with 10 to 1 guy to girl ratio. So some local said. We stayed at the King Ko inn which is 250 a night for a dump of a room. Went with two of my buddies and we all shared the room. Went to the local supermarket and prices were ridiculous. We spent 100 bucks on two cases of beer. Bud Light and MGD. WOW. How do people live up there. Anyway, the next morning we were on our way to meet the guide and owner of the lodge at the mouth of the Nonvianuk river. The Alagnak is formed by both the Nonvianuk river and the Kukaklek. We had 8 people in our party, my two buddies, 1 guy from Canada, two friends(1 from CO and 1 from MT) and the two guides. One of which is the owner of the lodge.
In summary of the trip here is what it entailed. We took pontoons down the river with all the gear and food and each day set up camp at our resting spot. We covered 40 miles or so of river in a week with 4 camp sites. Each day we would set up tents and the guides would make dinner. Lunch was served on the river usually and breakfast was served everymorning when we woke at 8am or so. Fishing was done two ways. Floating from the boat and dead drifting or wading around in the hundreds of spots we encountered. The Braids section of the river has more water to fish then you can imagine. It would take you a month to fish all the fishable water in that section alone. The river for the most part throughtout the trip was high. Higher than typical or this time of year which made it tougher to find fish. We did very well though. Each day we caught between 10-15 rainbows between 14inches and 19inches. The biggest fish measuerd 23 or so. We were very pleased to say the least, but the owner said we had from their standards a slow trip. We also had the pleasure of catching Silvers, Grayling and Chum salmon which was a bonus. Thank God the fishing was good because the weather was lousy. Rain everyday,with one day being real windy. We had rain gear and dry bags for our stuff but it was miserable setting up camp and taking it down everyday in the rain. Stuff did not dry out for us if it did get wet because it was so damp each day. Food was very good for example bacon and eggs in the morning to steaks at night. Beer and cigars were staple everyday. Brought cubans with me and handed some out everyday to the other guests. The patterns that worked best were flesh flies, egg sucking leeches and beads. Technique that worked all trip was dead drifting all patterns. Some guys used indicator to help. We caught some fish swinging flies as well, some on popsicles and articulated leeches. The fish for the most part are strong fighters. I would argue however that a 15inch Delaware rainbow would out match a 19 inch Alagnak rainbow any day of the week. The accomodations and staff were solid and I would highly encourage anyone that wants a true Alaska experience to do a float trip. The advantage was that we did not have to fly into the river everyday to fish it. We fished from sunrise till sunset everyday with great water right in front of the campsite. The one downside is the shower situation. They do not provide a shower on the trip. Wet ones and changing my clothes everyday had to make due until I got back from the river into King Salmon. That by the way was one of the best showers of my life. I attached a bunch of photos for your enjoyment. Have lots more but dont want to over do it. Contact me if your interested in going next year. I will be booking a trip with them again for a combo trip Moraine Creek/Alagnak. Its a 10 day float for under $4500.00. It will be in late Aug. Enjoy the fish porn
In summary of the trip here is what it entailed. We took pontoons down the river with all the gear and food and each day set up camp at our resting spot. We covered 40 miles or so of river in a week with 4 camp sites. Each day we would set up tents and the guides would make dinner. Lunch was served on the river usually and breakfast was served everymorning when we woke at 8am or so. Fishing was done two ways. Floating from the boat and dead drifting or wading around in the hundreds of spots we encountered. The Braids section of the river has more water to fish then you can imagine. It would take you a month to fish all the fishable water in that section alone. The river for the most part throughtout the trip was high. Higher than typical or this time of year which made it tougher to find fish. We did very well though. Each day we caught between 10-15 rainbows between 14inches and 19inches. The biggest fish measuerd 23 or so. We were very pleased to say the least, but the owner said we had from their standards a slow trip. We also had the pleasure of catching Silvers, Grayling and Chum salmon which was a bonus. Thank God the fishing was good because the weather was lousy. Rain everyday,with one day being real windy. We had rain gear and dry bags for our stuff but it was miserable setting up camp and taking it down everyday in the rain. Stuff did not dry out for us if it did get wet because it was so damp each day. Food was very good for example bacon and eggs in the morning to steaks at night. Beer and cigars were staple everyday. Brought cubans with me and handed some out everyday to the other guests. The patterns that worked best were flesh flies, egg sucking leeches and beads. Technique that worked all trip was dead drifting all patterns. Some guys used indicator to help. We caught some fish swinging flies as well, some on popsicles and articulated leeches. The fish for the most part are strong fighters. I would argue however that a 15inch Delaware rainbow would out match a 19 inch Alagnak rainbow any day of the week. The accomodations and staff were solid and I would highly encourage anyone that wants a true Alaska experience to do a float trip. The advantage was that we did not have to fly into the river everyday to fish it. We fished from sunrise till sunset everyday with great water right in front of the campsite. The one downside is the shower situation. They do not provide a shower on the trip. Wet ones and changing my clothes everyday had to make due until I got back from the river into King Salmon. That by the way was one of the best showers of my life. I attached a bunch of photos for your enjoyment. Have lots more but dont want to over do it. Contact me if your interested in going next year. I will be booking a trip with them again for a combo trip Moraine Creek/Alagnak. Its a 10 day float for under $4500.00. It will be in late Aug. Enjoy the fish porn
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