Alaska Nushagak River Salmon and Trout Fishing

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Alaska Private Guide Service

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Smokey Don Duncan,
Master Guide #136

Alaska Remote Nushagak River Fishing July 1- Oct 1

The Nushagak River is located 300 miles west of Anchorage and north of Dillingham. The Nushagak River has the largest King Salmon run in the world. Millions of Reds and tens of thousands of Silver Salmon, 28” Rainbow Trout and more await you on this trip. We specialize in remote riverside camps but we also have lodging at Dillingham and the village B & B’s. You may Fly Fish or Spin Cast. Groups are welcome.

Species Available. KING SALMON (July), RED SALMON (mid July-late Aug.); SILVER SALMON (mid Aug.-Sept.); Chum Salmon (July-Aug.) PINK SALMON (Aug); PLUS THE YEAR ROUND SPECIES: BIG RAINBOW TROUT up to 28”, DOLLY VARDEN, ARCTIC GRAYLING, ARCTIC CHAR and NORTHERN PIKE. We even have suckers and whitefish!

Nushagak River Trip Options

I offer 3 basic set ups and some alternate combinations to provide you with the trip you want and can afford. Below is a description on the style of fishing in each area. You will fly commercially from Anchorage, to Dillingham, to Koliganek on all trips except for the Dillingham B and B trips listed in option #3. This can be done from most anywhere in the U.S. in one day.

Option 1 - K1 Base Camp

I will meet you in Koliganek and we will go upriver 32 miles to camp in the jet boat. We can stop and fish along the way. We can handle most any fishing style. The K1 Base Camp is located on the main Nushagak River. I use jet boats to move up/down the river increasing the actual fishing area. The camp is located at the start of the "braids" where the river splits into smaller channels that split into even smaller channels with numerous side sloughs. The mouth of the K2 creek is just up river and is a staging place for the salmon headed up the K2 camp creek. Multiple channels close to camp provide unlimited fishing opportunities for different angling styles. You can drift fish productive stretches or get out and wade along the shore working the holes, structure and channel junctions. All of the migrating salmon will pass by my camp while some will be spawning in the various channels and side sloughs. The resident species: rainbows, grayling, dolly varden, char and pike, will be located all up and down the river, particularly near spawning salmon. The Nushagak boast the largest runs of king salmon in the world, but not the biggest size king. A big one is 50 pounds. Average is 25 lbs. The red run may or may not be the largest in numbers, but who needs to count when the numbers are in the millions. Their shear numbers offset their reluctance to bite. The silvers are plentiful and they are aggressive, chasing and taking most any proper presentation. The Rainbows top out at about 28”. With most in the 16-24 inch range. F. G. says the 28” don’t exist in this area and “if so rarely”. I guess we catch a lot of rare rainbows! The best rainbow hole on the whole river is closer to camp than you would believe. The area around camp is a Trophy Rainbow Trout Management Area. So it is catch and release for rainbow trout. You know instantly when you hook one of these. If a rod tip made noise; it would sound like a machine gun! We find some of the big rainbows in places you would never think to fish for them. The Grayling sizes vary since any size Grayling will bite. The bigger ones will push 20 inches. The tall fin of the strong arctic grayling allows them to put up a terrific fight in swift water. They are plentiful and tear up dry flies. The Dolly Varden are numerous and fight hard. You don’t catch many small dollies for some reason. Most are in the 14-24 inch range. The Silvers, Rainbows, Grayling, and Dollies actively take flies. The pike are not as plentiful or as big as one would think they would be in the fish rich area. But we have located several areas that produce pike up to about 40”. This area does not have as many Char as the K2 camp but we catch some in the 14-22” range. Chum Salmon, or dog salmon run on the even number years in good numbers. They strike aggressively and fight surprisinigly hard. They are actually pretty good when smoked.

The boats are 18-20 foot flat bottom jet boats with seats and floor boards. The open boats are powered by jet drive outboards so we can reach the shallow back waters seldom fished.

K1 base camp can handle 8 clients. Most weeks we only have 2-4 clients. Far from any combat fishing, you may or may not see 2 other boats in a day. K1 is my main river base camp with the most amenities. The freezer and smoker are only at the K1 camp. The smoker can handle 6-8 salmon at a time. Our recipe produces the best smoked fish you ever had. They will keep a considerable time with out refrigeration. We will filet and freeze some fish for you to take home but freezer space is limited. To take home more fish, you should catch them the last day and have them chilled at camp then frozen and shipped in Dillingham. With a river so full of so many different species; when you cast out, you never know what you are going to reel in. The K1 and K2 accomodations are discussed below.

Don’t forget the added bonus of the wildlife viewing? Moose, bears, eagles, otters, beaver, owls, waterfowl, etc? -- top

Option 1 - K1 Base Camp Trip Prices

Option 2 - K2 Base Camp - Ideal small stream fly fishing

The K2 camp is accessible by our wheel plane only. K2 is 19 air miles up a tributary creek from K1. The creek is about 300 yards from camp. This is small clear water and relatively fast stream. You fish by wading up or down the creek. The K2 camp ridge parallels the creek and has easy to walk caribou trails allowing you walk up or down the ridge and fish back. This is extremely remote and I have never seen anyone but my clients fishing this fish rich creek. There are lots of undercut deep side banks, holding pools and feeding rifles around each corner. The fly fishing is somewhere between excellent and unbelievable. I usually only take 1-4 clients, but I can handle more if needed. You or your group, are the only anglers. This is remote as it gets. Vast 360 degree scenic views are at your doorstep and it is as pristine as it gets. We do not use jet boats at K2 so you must be able to walk and wade. The primary species are grayling, dolly varden, char and some rainbows but not quite as many as at K1. Some salmon get this far up but, you will not catch as many salmon since you are on a small spawning creek instead of the main river. Since the views from camp are expansive, this is one fishing trip you may want to bring good binoculars or a spotting scope to look for wildlife. -- top

Option 2 - K2 Base Camp Trip Prices

Limits and Special Regulations K1 and K2 camps

This area is a Trophy Rainbow Trout Management Area and is single hook only and no bait is allowed. Rainbow Trout are catch and release in front of camp and King Salmon can not be targeted or kept. But, we can take a boat ride down river 30 minutes from K1 to Harris Creek where you can keep Rainbow Trout and King Salmon and you can use treble hooks with bait. Limits for fish include: King Salmon (Below Harris Creek) 2/day with one over 28", 4/year. The limits everywhere : Other salmon, including, Red, Silver, Pink (humpies) and Chum Salmon combined Limit of 5/day; Rainbow Trout (Below Harris Creek) 2/day with 1 over 20"; Arctic Char and Dolly Varden 3/day, Arctic Grayling 2/ day and Northern Pike 5/day. -- top

Option 3 - Bed and Breakfast

Option 3-A) Based in Dillingham. This trip is available August 1-30. My pilot Tom O'Connor has 3 separate houses in Dillingham. He calls B and Bs. But they are really stand alone houses. They are fully equipped with everything including Cable TV. And Phone. Tom can fly you out everyday to a new fishing location on the Nushagak River, a tributary or up to the Tikchik Lakes areas. Tom’s primary livelihood is commercial fishing in June and July so he can only offer this in August. Since the number of possible variations abound along with the length of stay; you should talk to him directly. Ideal for 1-3 persons. Call 907-842-2720 or e-mail him at kingfisherhouse@hotmail.com

Option 3-B) The Koliganek Village B and B can be booked on a daily or weekly basis from July 1- Aug. 30. The village is right on the river. The B and B has semi private rooms along with cable TV, Phone, freezer and limited internet access. You will fish below Harris creek so you can keep some rainbows and kings, use bait and multiple hooks (aren’t necessary) etc… Salmon limits and species are the same as mentioned above. You will go out to the fishing areas daily. Most, but not all, of the fishing here is from the boat. Both anchored and drifting. You can wade out from a gravel bar or grassy bank on the smaller side channels. Since the river is bigger, we may use prop boats instead of jet boats depending on the river levels. You’ll see wildlife in this area also. An added bonus for this trip is seeing how a remote but modern, mostly eskimo village operates. Ideal for 1-6 persons. -- top

Option 3 - Koliganek Bed and Breakfast Prices

Alternative Trip Options

These are trips are a combination of or an alternative to the 3 main trips listed above. -- top

K2 Base Camp to K1 Base Camp

This trip starts by flying into the K2 Base camp and ends up at the K1 base camp. The two camps are 19 air miles or about 30+ creek miles apart. There are no other camps or fishermen in between K2 and K1 except for maybe the last 2 miles. We can fish the K2 camp area for a day or two before loading a spike camp in the raft and start fishing downstream. The spike camp will consist of tall dome tents, cots, pads, chairs, cooking gear, table and food. Each turn in the creek provides a suitable gravel bar with driftwood for an evening fire or a morning warm up fire. The guide will break down, load up the camp and catch up to you each morning. You can fish from the raft as you float along or you can walk and wade in front. In this small clear creek you can expect the best fishing for big rainbows, grayling, dollies, char and some salmon (spawning and running). You must be able to hike and wade, travel fairly light, be proficient with a pistol (bears fish here also) and help as needed setting up the tents, lining the boat or raft etc… The shear number of big Rainbows, one in every log pile, will astound you, along with the number of Dolly Varden and Arctic Grayling striking nearly every cast. Rainbows and King Salmon must be released. -- top

K2 to K1 Trip Price

Main Rivers Up And Back

This jet boat fishing adventure trip covers more areas than any other. From Koliganek you’ll be picked up by boat and head up river or be picked up by plane and flown towards the headwaters where the boat will meet you. Either way, we will fish new areas every day using the boats and portable camps (more fully equipped than the spike camp listed above). Beside picking and choosing from a variety of fishing locations, you’ll also enjoy a varied landscape as the river leaves the flat land and weaves through the mountains. Great fishing for all species, lots of wildlife and beautiful scenery await you. We can return to the K1 base camp anytime we want, but we will finish the trip fishing out of that camp. -- top

Main Rivers Price

Float Trip; Do It Yourself

On this trip, you will be transported by plane or jet boat to the headwaters area you wish to start fishing. At the end of you trip you’ll be picked up and returned to Koliganek or Dillingham. I can’t quote a price since I do not know where you want to go, for how long, how much equipment/food you may need etc. So you’ll have to call me and discuss your needs and desires and I can set a price for you and arrange the dates. 2 anglers minimum. Call 907-457-8318 May-Sept. -- top

Float Trip Prices

Licenses and Stamps

Fishing License Prices

King Salmon Stamps

APGS will sell you the license and stamp.

Group prices can be quoted based on the guide to client ratio and number of guest; up to 8 at K1 and 4 guest maximum at K2.

Please call for quotes on customized needs or stays. Non-anglers are charged 3/4 price. We also have photography trips in the same area. So the wife can fish while the husband stalks with a camera. Or vice versa! I hope to see you soon! -- top

Accommodations

My K1 and K2 camps are the same except for their locations. These are not your normal tent camps. The sleeping tents are 10’x12’ and 12’x12' foot, steel frame tents (200-300 pounds) covered with rubberized and vinyl coated fabrics and are sturdy, wind and waterproof. They sit on plywood frame floors with a full stand up walk in heavy duty zippered door. The door and window have separate ventilation screens. Inside the tent is a rear shelf across the back of the tent. Your gear bags are stored on the side of the tent or under your bed. You sleep on the most comfortable cot made, a rollo-cot, made in Spokane Wa. It has a 3 inch foam and air pad on top. A wood stove is located just inside the tent near the door. The tents are equipped with 120 V lights and a wall receptacle for charging batteries, etc... a seldom used lantern hangs from the back. There is a larger, separate cook tent dining hall sometimes called the liars den. It is fully equipped with a freezer, cooler, full size stove and oven and stocked with good food, snacks and drinks. All food is provided and meals are prepared for you by our experienced chef who can add the extra touch just the way you like it. Fried, boiled, baked and smoked fresh fish are menu favorites along with fried chicken and pork chops and home made soups and stews. The morning starts with a big breakfast. For example, ham or bacon, eggs, french toast or pancakes, toast, hash browns, fruit, coffee and tang. You won't go hungry and if you do it is likely that you won't quit fishing long enough to eat. And most important....! Each camp has an enclosed hot water shower and enclosed privy close to your tent for comfort and privacy. In the center of the camp is a covered fire pit. What would a camp be with out a fire pit to gather round and swap lies, I mean tell stories. At K1 we have a lighted path to the steps leading to the boats. All camps are in communication with Sat phones or VHF radios to other camps or the village. The freezer and smoker are only at the K1 camp. The smoker can handle 6-8 salmon at a time. We will filet and freeze some fish for you to take home but freezer space is limited. To take home more fish, you should catch them the last day and have them chilled at camp then frozen and shipped in Dillingham. -- top

Logistics

Travel

Book your flight to travel through Anchorage to Dillingham and on to Koliganek if needed. You can make camp in 1 day. Some people overnight in Anchorage coming or going. We will return you to Koliganek about noon for the trip back to Dillingham and Anchorage.You should schedule an afternoon or evening flight out of Dillingham to home. Anchorage has lots of red eye flights putting you home early the next day. So you do not need to stay in Anchorage overnight on your return. IF needed we can help schedule a flight from Dillingham to Koliganek once you have your Dillingham arrival time.

DO NOT LET THE AIRLINES SCARE YOU OR SCREW YOU WITH HIGH FARE QUOTES!!! Of course the fare will be determined by where you fly from, the east coast or west coast or from somewhere in between. Most major airlines fly to Anchorage and almost all code share with Alaska Airlines which has the most flights into and out of Anchorage. Alaska Airlines now has several flights originating from the east coast and one non-stop flight from Chicago to Anchorage. Northwest has a non stop from Minneapolis and Delta has one from Salt Lake City to Anchorage. Continental has some non-stop flights. Other than those non-stop routes; most people will travel through Seattle which is served by all airlines. Many airlines will route you to Alaska Airlines in Seattle. Getting to Anchorage from anywhere USA should cost somewhere around $300-$600. Getting from Anchorage to Dillingham will cost $300-$400. This leg is served by three airlines. Alaska Airlines will fly a jet 1 time /day. They code share with Pen Air which has 3-4 flights/day. Penair flies from the lower level of the Anchorage airport and you do not go through security but the check in is on the upper level. They are usually cheaper but they have a 80 pound total baggage limit with extra weight charged at about $1/pound. PenAir flies 20 seat turbo props. -- top

Gear List

We will send you a list of appropriate items. Basically, all you need to bring is your clothes, waders, camp/lodge shoes, rain suit and fishing gear and we can rent you the fishing gear. Plus, personal medications, alcohol, camera/s, film, chargers, towel and wash cloth for camps.

We can provide a selection of fly rods so you don't have the extra baggage and threat of loss or damage, we prefer you bring and break your own before turning to ours for back up. You should bring your own reels, line, flies, etc... and your personal gear. Generally expect warm weather but as Sept. approaches it might lightly frost at night. Bring a pair of shirts, one heavy and one light along with a couple pairs of pants with extra underwear, a light rain suit, camp shoes and rubber boots, chest or hip waders. You can also mail ahead all your gear to Koliganek and we will have it in camp. You can bring your own booze, place your alcohol order with me, or buy it in Dillingham or Anchorage. -- top

Suggested Fly Fishing Gear List

The main areas near camp that we fish are single hook, no bait. To retain Rainbows or King Salmon we must go 35 minutes down river where multiple hooks and bait are legal. Scents are considered bait. We can/will supply the rods.

Rods and Line. Match the line to the rod. A 5-7 weight rod is normally sufficient for everything except for King Salmon where an 8-9 weight rod is recommended with a 7 weight as a minimum. For Silver and Red Salmon 5-8 weight. For Grayling, Char, Dolly 3-5 weight. For feisty Rainbows on the large side a 5-7 weight rod.

Fly Choices. For the Salmon you want to use mainly streamers.

Our best picks are the:

For the resident species like Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden, Arctic Grayling and Arctic Char.

Bruce Tyson who has fished both K1 and K2 had these recommendations.

Also, I agree with Wayne. 90% of the fishing you do, floating line is sufficient, but you don't go to Alaska without bringing a sinking or sink-tip line, intermediate to fast sinking. I use the strike indicator/split shot technique for all species except for silvers, where the standard streamer fishing technique is most effective (no strike indicator). Fish slightly up and across, dead drift, swing, and strip back).

Master Fishing Guide, Wayne Gregory, recommends heavier tippet material. He says: "The fish aren't line shy, so it makes sense to go heavier and save flies and the time it takes to tie on new line and a fly. I use 10-20 LB test of flourocarbon and catch just as many fish with out worrying about snags and big fish in strong current snapping my line." He adds that; "You definitely do not want sinking line at K2 because the water is too shallow in many places." At K1, "I recommend the floating line with a intermediate to fast sinking tippet and or split shot with a strike indicator mainly to keep the fly at the proper depth close to but not on the bottom. The new flourocarbon lines are so thin and strong you can tie higher pound leaders directly to the fly."

Other gear would be hip boots or chest wader (recommended), nail clippers, hemostats, camera with lots of film and new and or replacement batteries, sunscreen lotion and polarized sunglasses. -- top

Fishing Questions

Fly fishing questions should be directed at Wayne Gregory in N.J. He can be reached at: Cell Phone# 609-304-3737, Hm# 609-894-1907. His wife Georgia can answer most of your questions if Wayne is out. For business questions call APGS owner and Master Guide, Smokey Don Duncan, 907-457-8318 or e-mail apgs@gci.net -- top

See our References for anglers who will talk to you about their experience!

Smokey Don Duncan, Owner, Master Guide #136 and P.H.
Tom O'Connor Registered Guide #1204 and Pilot
Don E. Young Registered Guide #1205
Wayne Gregory A.G., Fishing and Waterfowl Guide
299 Alvin St. Fairbanks AK 99712
Phone: 907-457-8318 Email: apgs@gci.net

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