With a temporary lodge location, and a hard-core staff comprised of returning veteran guides and chef, and a full calendar of absolutely amazing and enthusiastic steelheaders to take fishing, it was one of the best seasons in the Company’s history… and the fishing and weather cooperated accordingly, with 8 solid weeks of productive Steelhead fishing.
The 1st week can sometimes be hard work hunting down the first push of Steelhead of the season, but good numbers of bright coho are always around to keep anglers busy… This past season, though, we had Steelhead in the system from day one, with the guides even getting a chance to tie into a couple of dimers before guests even showed up. Needless to say, then, we were all jacked up and ready to charge from the gate. Our main river is accessed by drift boat and power drifter, and we have been securing property on the water for better put-in and take-out access points to enhance the fishing program even more. We are stoked to continue to offer access like this in 2026.
Within a week, our smaller rivers started firing as well. We got a little rain that swelled the flows and brought in a solid push of dime bright fish. By week 2 our helicopter kayak program was giving anglers access to water that no one can get to. It is one of the most special and intimate Steelhead experiences I have ever personally guided, an experience that is difficult to explain… We have explored these waters in depth for 2 seasons now, and we have established 3 different floats to utilise. It is a highlight of the ASC program and is not to be missed.
With each rain, as is typical in the Steelhead world, we would navigate the rise for a day or 2, but then take advantage of the predictable dropping and clearing water that we all dream of, with a fresh push of dime bright missiles on every bump. Every time we felt the fishing getting stale we would get the deck shuffled and be back full steam in the game.
Rain is not something we worry about, it is something we look forward to. It is Mother Nature reinvigorating the system, always with the promise that tomorrow is going to be epic. And, our home river does not blow out, so even after a proper gully washer we can get everyone out in the river with a chance at fish, which is a rarity in this game. The weather and fish could not have been more cooperative, giving us what we needed, when we needed it and we landed Steelhead on both the first day of the season, and the last… Consistency that is hard to find this time of the year at these latitudes.
Every day we hear someone say that his version of whatever dish he delivered that night was the best they have ever had. Every night. You almost get numb to it. He is that good. Every night is going to be the best meal of your life. It’s kind of a problem, especially when you go home and look at your own cupboard’s options… Even lunch is epic, a different sandwich every day, made with bread he baked the night before… and the soups he sends every day are life altering when you crack the Yeti thermos at 2pm after getting rained on all day… It’s like sipping on sunshine.
This year’s opening and farewell night parties were epic as well… With the guides living on campus, in a slum we called Tent City, next to the lodge, they weren’t in a hurry to escape this year! Chef Felix kept the pizza oven hot and fresh homemade pizza pie would just keep coming out, molten cheese bubbling, as live music blasted on the back porch of the lodge and out over the river, all of us singing along… Mostly Matt. The kegerator flowed freely, and our bartender earned his keep on those closing ceremonies, as we celebrated and embellished the week’s heroic victories in the river…
Writing this now, I can’t wait to get back up there. It is by far my favorite 2 months of the year, fully immersed in a life that revolves around nothing but Steelhead. What Matt and Rosie have built around that singular idea is just crazy. With so many options and moving parts, it is just amazing how seamless the logistics are. You can count on ASC to always have over the top comfort and luxury accommodations no matter where they stay… They have thought of everything, all so that we only need to think about one thing. Steelhead… and how we are going to convince the next one to come and play.
We have some exciting news to share for 2026, so stay tuned!
Contact Us
At Alaska Steelhead Co, we live and breathe steelhead fishing. If you have any questions about our trips, the rivers we fish, the best time to visit, or what to expect on your adventure, we’d love to hear from you.
Our team is always happy to talk steelhead, walk you through trip details, and help you plan the perfect experience in Alaska.
Get in touch with us today on 01603 407596 or by email at info@sportquestholidays.com — we look forward to helping you chase the fish of a lifetime.
