As most fly anglers know, Alaska is world-famous for its Pacific Salmon fishing along with the stunning Rainbows, Dollies and huge Grayling. However, Alaska still has another ace up its sleeve, and that is the Alaska Steelhead freshwater fly fishing in the fall each year. We believe that this Steelhead fly fishing is some of the best in the world for both sheer numbers of fish and suitable average sizes. With our partners Alaska Steelhead Co, we are proud to offer you a unique operation each fall, allowing you to fish as many a four different rivers each week. These rivers provide both walk and wade fishing and full-day float trips where you can target wild Steelhead in the 6lb to 15lb range with both swinging flies or indicator fishing.
At Steelhead Fishing Alaska we can virtually guarantee stable river conditions (a rarity for Steelhead fishing) to eliminate those annoying lost fishing days. Our rivers provide multiple catching opportunities on a typical day, more than enough to keep you enthusiastic, anticipating a take at any time. If you combine all this with our luxury lodge, sitting on a unique position overlooking Cook Inlet and one of the most famous Steelhead rivers. An operation that’s only 1 hour by road from Kenai airport, you could say we have something exceptional for all the Steelhead anglers out there.
As mentioned, each day, you will have access to up to four river systems that all empty into Cook Inlet during your week. Usually, we would name the rivers you will be fishing, but as we intend to keep these rivers with our guides as pristine and extraordinary as possible, we try to keep the names out of the public eye. Suffice to say, though, three of the four rivers you will fish will be accessed either by kayak, drift boat, or power drifter, and access to the last river is on foot.
River one is the smallest river and the one you will always access on foot. Although this river has the smallest number of Steelhead running the river, you would never know it. The total lack of fishing pressure (The way we would like to keep it) means we have sections of this river all to ourselves. As it only takes 15 mins by truck to gain access to this river from the lodge, it is very convenient and makes the perfect location to fish the first afternoon and last morning of your stay. Many customers find this an enjoyable river to fish, with lots of action, so it’s not uncommon to fish this river for 2 or 3 full days during your stay. Be prepared for some coastal off-road adventures to access the mouth of one of these rivers for some epic dry fly fishing for Steelhead at low tide.
The second river is the largest of all rivers we fish and it not too dissimilar, the main difference is the sheer numbers of Steelhead in the run of this river. Our guides intimate knowledge of the river is key which is a little more challenging to wade than the others. However, one way we can combat more challenging wading conditions during higher water levels and more substantial flows is the unique ability to use our inflatable kayaks. Using these kayaks to cross the river instead of hiking makes things a lot easier, plus using them is tremendous fun. When the water levels are lower and the flow less intense, hiking and wading are easy; therefore, the kayaks are unnecessary. Travel time to this river is about 40 minutes from our lodge and cabins. You can expect to fish this river for 1-2 days during your stay.
Saving the most special until last as this river has Steelhead’s most extensive run in the Kenai Peninsula. This river, combined with the expert guides, gives us the confidence to say we believe there is no fly fisherman on the planet to not produce a steelhead for on this river. This river is the jewel of Alaska, for unlike the other rivers we concentrate on, this river is not susceptible to the elements. This river is glacial fed from a lake giving it a beautiful turquoise colour, and, most importantly, it cannot blow out, which is the most concerning of all issues when booking any steelhead trip. Again, this river is only a 30 min drive from the main lodge and cabins, with your guide to the boat slip where you will launch your boat for the day. Although you can, and we do fish from the boat, it is mainly used as transportation to access the various hot spots along the river, where you start to wade and fish. This river is vast from each bank; it offers the aspiring two-handed Spey fisherman an almost guaranteed opportunity to hook their first Steelhead on the swing. Most fish are caught in 2-3 feet of water and even less as the season progresses. Being such a wide river and relatively a shallow river, experienced Spey fishermen will fall in love with this river and find it hard to leave each day. You can expect to fish this river for three days during your stay with us, but we can arrange for you to fish there more if you are more comfortable in a boat as opposed to wading.
One real advantage of our program is we can and do adjust where we fish to suit each customer during your week.
What freshwater fly fishing method you use is down to your preference and what is suitable for the river you are fishing and the water conditions. On the smaller rivers, effective methods are indicator fishing with small nymphs, drifting them down the small runs and lies that the fish will be resting in. However, even on these small rivers depending on water levels, it is possible to dead drift and skate dry flies and even fish swinging flies. On the smaller rivers, you will be using single-handed rods, mainly with floating lines. Alternatively, fishing with switch rods using smaller sinking tips or weighted flies is the perfect set up to cover more water.
The main larger river is best suited to anglers who love to use double-handed Spey rods. You can still fish them with single-handed rods. However, the double-handed versions will allow you to both fish with a longer line, have more control over your swing, and enable you to use various heads to control the depth of the swing, meaning you are covering more fish. If you are new to Spey fishing, do not worry; our guides are vastly experienced and love nothing more than teaching, so why not learn while in the water and catch a few fish.
The best times to visit for Steelhead Fishing Alaska is the fall season which runs from mid-September through to the 1st November. The Steelhead start their migration into the freshwater rivers in September, with bright chrome fish continuing to enter the rivers well into the winter months. As usual, the fall Steelhead arrives sexually immature and, however, as with all Steelhead, they will only spawn the following spring. During the season, the Steelhead on these rivers are all wild fish, and the fishing tends to be very consistent, with most days producing multiple hookups.
Fishing is based on two or three customers per guide each day. Our guides are experienced and show a high level of professionalism. They are fun, down to earth, and a pleasure to spend the day with. All have many years guiding and many more years fishing for Steelhead and Atlantic salmon.
As proud as we are to provide world-class Steelhead Fishing Alaska, we are just as pleased to offer you a world-class Alaskan fishing lodge experience. Working with our partners Alaska Steelhead Co, we can offer five stars rated accommodation at Deep Creek Fishing Lodge. The main lodge and cabins are perched perfectly on the edge of a 200ft bluff overlooking Kachemak Bay, Cook Inlet, glaciers, and the famed active volcanoes. The views are breathtaking morning, day and night. There is nothing better than closing an incredible day of Steelhead fly fishing by watching one of the most beautiful sunsets one can ever see! All while trading stories and pictures over drinks and hors d’oeuvres before dinner in the main lodge.
Customers stay on a twin room basis in one of the three spacious duplex cabins. Each cabin has two king-sized beds, a satellite TV, a propane fireplace, and an ensuite bathroom. All cabins also come fully equipped with a small mini-bar with a refrigerator and large sliding doors to the outside deck and stunning views.
The impressive main lodge is connected to the cabins by an elevated wooden walkway. The main lodge offers a lounge filled with couches facing a large stone wood-burning fireplace and bar where you will find appetizers served each evening. There are drink mixers plus an ice machine available, so please bring along your spirits. There is a games room with billiards, a poker table, and a jukebox.
Meals are of the highest quality and the chef often serves local seafood, steak or other protein dishes with thoughtfully prepared salads and side dishes. Breakfast is served family-style, with eggs, pancakes, bacon and sausage. Yogurt, granola and fruit are available for those that prefer a lighter start. A bagged lunch is packed each day by the guides and consists of a sandwich and snacks.
Food & Drink
Your chefs begin the day before sunrise by preparing good, strong coffee and a hearty breakfast. Everyone then leaves stocked for the day with a custom-packed shore-side lunch, as well as plenty of snacks and drinks to keep you going. On the colder days, guides prepare coffee, hot cider and hot chocolate on the boats. Feel free to bring a flask as well you’ve got to love a hot cider with a bit of splash of whiskey to warm you up!
You all sit at a large round table in the dining room for the evening meal, which keeps the fishing stories flowing. Expect the dinners to be local and fresh, consisting of sushi, scallops, shrimp, halibut, salmon, king crab, clams, oysters, caribou, beef, to name “a few”. We spare no expense on the finest Alaskan fare there is to offer. Our chefs are always more than happy to accommodate specific dietary needs or even just a request for a particular craving!
Although the fishing days are fixed, the below itinerary is still flexible should you require additional free days to explore at the beginning or end of your holiday; we can tailor this itinerary to suit you personally. Feel free to talk to our travel consultants who can explain all options available.
Depart Any international Airport (See Details)
Arrive Seattle Depart Seattle
Arrive Anchorage
On arrival and once you have collected your luggage make your way out of the terminal building and take a taxi to the Anchorage Hotel. (taxi not included)
Overnight accommodation: Anchorage Hotel (Twin rooms) R/O
Early in the morning, you will take a taxi to Anchorage Airport where you take a small internal flight with Ravan Air.
Depart Anchorage, Arrive Kenai
On arrival, an Alaska Steelhead Co guide will be there to greet you. While in Kenai, there will be time to make a quick stop at the liquor store and/or pick up anything you may have forgotten to pack. You will then take the scenic 45-minute drive to the lodge and cabins.
Overnight accommodation: Deep Creek Cabins (Twin rooms) F/B
Remember if there is a certain way you would prefer to fish for Steelhead like with either swinging flies or trying with dry flies, make sure you discuss the previous night with our guides and they will then try to accommodate and make the best plan for the next day on whichever river they think gives the best chances. Each day you will depart with your guides to different rivers and sections all subject to your preference and the current weather and water conditions. Lunch each day will be served on the riverbank
Overnight accommodation: Deep Creek Cabins (Twin rooms) F/B
After breakfast, you will be driven back to the Kenai Airport by our host to catch your Ravn flight back to Anchorage.
Depart Kenai, Arrive Anchorage
On arrival, you will take a taxi back to your Anchorage Hotel. (taxi not included)
Overnight accommodation: Anchorage Hotel (Twin rooms) R/O
Dependent on your flight time, make your way back to the airport for your homeward flights. The hotel can pre-order you a taxi but this isn’t included.
Depart Anchorage
Arrive Seattle Depart Seattle
Arrive Home
The season runs from Beginning September to 1st November.
Season: September to November
Peak: October
Weight: 4lb to 25lb
Average Weight: 9lb
N/A
Remember that Sportquest Holidays' services are completely FREE! When you book a trip with Sportquest Holidays, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge and flights independently.
| From | To | Duration | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30/08/2024 | 08/09/2024 | 10 | £8,695 | Enquire Now |
| 06/09/2024 | 15/09/2024 | 10 | £8,695 | Enquire Now |
| 13/09/2024 | 22/09/2024 | 10 | £8,695 | Enquire Now |
| 20/09/2024 | 29/09/2024 | 10 | £8,695 | Enquire Now |
| 27/09/2024 | 06/10/2024 | 10 | £8,695 | Enquire Now |
| 04/10/2024 | 13/10/2024 | 10 | £8,695 | Enquire Now |
| 11/10/2024 | 20/10/2024 | 10 | £8,695 | Enquire Now |
| 18/10/2024 | 27/10/2024 | 10 | £8,695 | Enquire Now |
| 25/10/2024 | 03/11/2024 | 10 | £8,695 | Enquire Now |
| 29/08/2025 | 07/09/2025 | 10 | £8,994 | Enquire Now |
| 05/09/2025 | 14/09/2025 | 10 | £8,994 | Enquire Now |
| 12/09/2025 | 21/09/2025 | 10 | £8,994 | Enquire Now |
| 19/09/2025 | 28/09/2025 | 10 | £8,994 | Enquire Now |
| 26/09/2025 | 05/10/2025 | 10 | £8,994 | Enquire Now |
| 03/10/2025 | 12/10/2025 | 10 | £8,994 | Enquire Now |
| 10/10/2025 | 19/10/2025 | 10 | £8,994 | Enquire Now |
| 17/10/2025 | 26/10/2025 | 10 | £8,994 | Enquire Now |
| 24/10/2025 | 02/11/2025 | 10 | £8,994 | Enquire Now |
Prices are based on two adults sharing transfers, fishing and accommodation (unless otherwise stated) and are correct at the time of going to press. Subject to time of year or date and currency fluctuations, these prices may fluctuate slightly due to flight price increases or fuel surcharges.
Having been on multiple trips with Matt and Alex this is by far my favourite. I’m about to book for the third season, and could not be more excited. This trip provides it with all. Great fishing, top-notch accommodations, and the food that a 5-star restaurant would provide. This is a trip that doesn’t make you feel like a customer. You feel like you are part of the team, and like you’re fishing on your home river with friends. This is something I will do every single year no questions asked.
When people ask me about my steelhead trip to Alaska, I usually am rendered speechless. Matt, the host, said “this trip will change your life” – I thought he was crazy. He was right. I have never been anywhere that has made such an impact on me. And I have never been sadder to leave somewhere. The sheer numbers of fish we caught were reason enough to go. But when you factor in everything else from the fun, EXTREMELY knowledgeable guides to the delicious food, it adds up to one of the best experiences of my life.
This truly was the trip of a lifetime. I will NEVER forget catching my first steelhead – and tons more throughout the week. The scenery is unreal, the food was fantastic, and the camaraderie was so much fun. Coming back to the lodge and cabins after an epic day of fishing and sharing pictures and stories with everyone is a blast. I cannot wait to go back
I’ve been on the steelhead trip 2 years in a row and I plan on going back this year. The steelhead fishing is incredible! I’ve never been anywhere that you could consistently catch several steelheads every day. I’ve never been skunked on any day there which is typical for steelhead fishing. The staff are top-notch. The guides are fun and experienced and the lodging staff cater to your every need. The meals are fantastic and the lodging is so much better than your typical fish camp. I can’t say enough about this trip, it’s quite affordable and I plan on going back for many years.
Dear whoever is thinking about fishing with this team of great people. I have tarpon, redfish, billfish, salmon fished and have the pictures to prove that I have been in the top 5 per cent for those trips. These guys gave me the holy grail of fishing. One cannot believe that people can create a situation where humans and nature mate and we can love that day so in our dreams we can smile about it every night. Can’t wait to make it back. I had such a great time, as close to heaven as I have ever been
Matt does it again!
From the lodging to the food, to the exceptional guides. It is certainly a trip for all abilities and would recommend for anyone looking to fall in love with Alaska and the magnificent steelhead. Thanks again
In every way, this trip exceeded my expectations! I knew from the end of the first day that this ‘once in a lifetime’ trip will probably become an annual trip. The fishing, scenery, accommodations and staff were second to none. Our Alaskan guide was super knowledgable and was probably the most patient instructor I’ve ever had fly fishing. This trip is not just for ‘experienced’ fly fishers as I learned plenty and never felt like I was out of my league. Catching chrome bright steelhead is a total life changer and has consumed my thoughts since my flight home from Alaska. Already planning my trip for next year.
My brother-in-law and I just went on the Alaska trip in late September. The fishing was simply amazing. I can’t believe we caught that many steelheads. All six days of fishing were great. I liked that we got to fish four different rivers – this mixed things up and kept things interesting. Changing from drifting one river, to cruising another with the powerboat, to hiking the other rivers really kept things fresh. The two Alaskan guides were excellent and had great knowledge of every river we fished. The chef/host Billy is such a great guy. He took excellent care of us, made sure everybody had what they needed, and made sure all fishing logistics were set every day. His food was off the charts and he did a super job meeting my special dietary needs. The cabins are well-appointed and very comfortable, and the location (between all four rivers) and views absolutely cannot be beaten.
The Haida Gwaii Steelhead are some of the most potent strains of Salmon in the world and will test your tackle and angling ability to the limit. Many of the fish caught are fresh from the sea, and the neon glow from their bright silvery scales have the ability to illuminate an entire pool. These winter-run fish are well known for their strength and impressive size.
The Coho or Silver Salmon, as they’re also known, are powerful game fish, famed for their hard fighting qualities and aerial acrobatic displays. They get found in good numbers throughout the Skeena region from around the middle of August until the end of October, and our Nicholas Dean Trophy Coho package runs right through the peak summer and fall seasons.
Our famed Nicholas Dean Steelhead fishing packages cover the whole of the Steelhead season in Canada, fishing on the mighty Skeena River and all of its watershed. These ultra-chrome rockets on the Skeena average between 8lb and 20lb; however, there’s always the chance of a more significant specimen and each season fish to over 20lb and even 30lb grace anglers nets.
Flowing for an incredible 570 kilometres, the Skeena River is the second largest river in Canada, behind only the Fraser. Originating in northwestern British Columbia, the river and its basin is one of the most famous spots in the world for Salmon fishing. The river and its tributaries host vast numbers of migrating Steelhead, Chinook and Coho.
Designed for complete beginners and experienced fly fishers alike, this hosted Kalum River Lodge trip with our Sportquest Holidays host is perfect for either single anglers or small groups of friends. Enjoy the benefit of having a fully qualified host with you at all times, as well as enjoying privacy and comfort with private single rooms.
