Alaska West Lodge is considered to be one of the best valued Salmon Fly Fishing destinations in Alaska, but that doesn’t mean a compromise on the fishing, the accommodation or more importantly the service received. Alaska West is a tent lodge that operates a fixed, tented base located in the Togiak National Wildlife refuge approximately five miles upriver of the Alaskan native village of Quinhagak.
Alaska West offers anglers the chance to fish many different rivers using many different methods from single-handed fishing to Spey rod anglers. All the rivers you will fish will keep the most competent angler busy while offering new challenges each day, from willow-lined back streams to wide-open pools, this really does suit many peoples abilities.
Alaska West Fly Fishing
The location of Alaska West couldn’t be in a better position with it only being 5.5 miles from the mouth giving access to fresh run fish on a regular basis. Being on the banks of the world-famous Kanektok River you will have the chance to fish for all five species of Pacific Salmon and if that wasn’t enough you can also target at certain times of the season, Leopard Bows, Char and Grayling.
The river, locally known as the ’Fish Factory’ offers anglers a huge variety of fishing opportunities for a large population of species and it is hard to believe that such a small river can hold such large biomass of fish.
Further downstream the river widens and gives way to long gravel bars which are ideal homes for King Salmon as they lay in deep pockets regaining their strength either side of the bars. You will also find many snaggy channels which offer great protection for the large population of Rainbows. Making your way passed these fishing holding areas you will start to find slow backwaters which are teeming with Silver Salmon which a few hours before were in saltwater.
Location
If you were to travel upstream towards the mouth of the Kanektok River, passed Alaska West fishing Lodge, the river certainly gets a lot narrower and transitions to a smaller more intimate river with side channels and tributaries. These smaller areas are ideal for a little bit of hiking up side channels while stalking the Rainbows and in some of the smaller pools you will find a few Salmon. These smaller systems offers a great days fly fishing as you simply will be fishing for anything that takes your well-presented fly.
As you will see, the options for Alaska West and the Kanektok River system are endless and the opportunities you will be presented with each day will keep the most skilled angler busy for many years to come. You can learn more about Salmon Fly Fishing at Alaska West over on our YouTube Channel.
Fishing
The season is short, just 12 weeks of fishing, but things change very quickly during this period. From mid-June to mid-July, King Salmon is the most popular target, with Rainbow Trout and Dolly Varden making an appearance in July as well. The second half of July provides a shot at the Salmon grand slam (all five species, all in one day). In August through the beginning of September, Silver mania sweeps the Kanektok and the Trout just keep getting fatter as fall arrives.
At this lodge, you will be utilising 16 to 18 feet jet-powered flat bottomed boats. They come equipped with stern and bow anchors, two swivel seats and for your safety, life jackets. Each day the boats will be loaded with lunch and drinks and stored in a cooler box.
The boats will be used in different ways depending on the style and chosen species you wish to target. For the Salmon fishing, you may be anchored up while swinging or stripping flies which is a very effective method. When fishing for Trout, the guides will simply remove the seats and drift down the river while you cast, this is a great way of seeing the river while covering a lot of water.
Even though fishing from the boats are fun, most anglers like to fish from the easy wading gravel bars and this is where the jet boats come into their own as they can draft across very shallow areas meaning they can gain access to shallow streams opening up many different fishing opportunities.
Guides
The Alaska West fishing guides all speak very good English and know the area very well as they have worked these waters for a long time so will give you the best possible fishing experience available. They are used to helping many different fishing abilities from first-timers to the more seasoned anglers so you will be in the greatest of care.
Other activities
Being situated in the Alaskan wilderness this camp does not have many other activities, the relaxed atmosphere at this camp means that night times you will be kept entertained.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about our Alaska West Salmon Fly Fishing holidays or any of the Alaska fishing trips we offer, then contact us in the office. Our experienced team will be happy to help you with any queries you have. Make sure to explore all our Alaska fishing destinations and additionally, you can request a free brochure.
