There are a few places that are the undisputed title holders when it comes to being described as “the best place in the world to catch (name it)” Many of the fish species and locations one might plug in there, such as Trout, Steelhead, Bonefish, and even Tarpon would certainly be challenged in any location; however, “Kings on the Fly” brings one destination to the forefront – the Kanektok River. King season on the Kanektok is what we’ve focused on for
our Alaska bookings, although the Kanektok and several other bountiful Alaska fisheries get great runs of all Salmon species with seasons that extend into September. The King season on the Kanektok is the latter half of June. This is also a great time to catch Rainbows up to 30” on the Arolik, which is included in your trip itinerary.
Many of the smaller (16-24" Rainbows will be caught on mice!) This
Kanektok trip is for anglers who want to feel a bump and set the hook on a chrome bright freight train that may cover 2-3 MILES in a battle that could last up to an hour. Your arm will hurt, your back will ache, and even though it’s still light at mid night, you will be ready for sleep and eager to wake up the next day only to do it all again. This is not a 4 star lodge. It’s a semi-permanent tent camp that is clean and comfortable, and most importantly it’s located right on the bank of of a watershed that hosts one of the most prolific runs of King Salmon that enter the Alaskan territory. After a country breakfast, your guide will meet you at his boat and you will fish as hard as you can for the next 10 hours. A great dinner will greet you at camp and evening cocktails always complement the days fishing reports. We will carefully review your gear list for this trip, as many a 2 piece rod has come back in 3, and reels that were supposed to “click” don’t make it through yet another big run by a fish that you “didn’t think was that big.” This is a great opportunity to cast spey rods, and even learn the art of spey fishing, as many of the guides are expert spey casters and teachers.
Contact Persons
Tony Robins, Gary Thompson, Steve Joyce, or Joe Rotter
Tony has been to AK 5 seasons in a row. He landed his largest King on the Kanektok 3 years ago, which weighed an estimated 45 pounds. The fish was released unharmed to pass its’ genes on to future generations of fish and fishermen..
Itinerary
This trip is
one week long and will give you plenty of angling. Your arm will be sore and
your belly full! Flights will connect from Anchorage to Bethel, Alaska
and are easy to purchase using Frequent Flyer miles. Most round trip
tickets from Seattle are only about 30-40K miles. Red's will provide
you with exact flight and travel itineraries upon booking. Cost
$4900 per angler.
This includes 6 full days on the Kanektok River and up to 2-3 full days targeting Leopard
Rainbows on the nearby Arolik River Preserve. The Arolik days are an
additional $100 per day.
Productivity
There will be days when an angler during King Season will have 10+ hookups
in a single day, and at time the AVERAGE fish be 20lbs with Sea Lice still on
them!
After King Season ends in early July, the gammet of Pacific Salmon enters the
system and there will be no shortage of action. During the 3rd week in
July you will have the opportunity to try and hit a Grand Slam and land all 5
species of Pacific Salmon during your stay. By late summers the big Leopard
Rainbows will be gorging themselves on Salmon Eggs making the trout fishing
incredible and the fish oversized in the mid-section.
There is no bad time to be on the Kanektok, it offers so many species and each
season brings forth new opportunity.
Reservations
Call (509) 933.2300
“Simply put, this
trip is for the angler who likes to fish hard and catch big fish.
Most rivers do not have a run of Kings that is eager to chase and
eat a swinging fly, the Kanektok River is an exception. These
fish and this river are different and the reason anglers worldwide
travel here to fish Kings, Silvers, Sockeye, Chum, and Pink Salmon
with flies. Oh yea, don't forget the Leopard Rainbows, Dolly
Varden, and Arctic Grayling too! For me however, the Salmon
are the highlight. Not only will these fish eat a swung fly,
but they'll take you for ride that you will never forget. You will
see your backing - again, and again, and again!"
