Alaska Float Trips 

Alaska

There is no denying that the self-contained, down river float trip remains the ultimate wilderness angling experience. Here, in the deafening silence of the Alaskan bush, the only sounds are those of the elements, the animals, and the gentle dipping of oars. The only curfew on one’s angling exploits are set by stamina, as the waters you have come to fish are never more than a few yards away and the days are nearly endless. 

The list of available rivers is as impressive and diverse as the fisheries themselves. The Aniak, Kisarolik, Kanektok, American, Alagnak, Stuyahok, and Lake Creek are among Alaska’s finest rivers, as are the outfitters we use to float them. Whether you are interested in a five-day float targeting trophy rainbows or an epic 100-mile wilderness float targeting multiple species of salmon and everything else that inhabits these unspoiled systems, we can organize a trip that will fit your party’s specific needs.
All floats include fine meals, comfortable tents, experienced guides, and emergency communications should they ever be needed. Our outfitters are among Alaska’s most seasoned and include Marty Decker, Mike Trotter and Theo Copeland, all of whom provide the highest level of safety, service and angling expertise. Travel logistics, rates, and prime dates vary according to elected systems and group objectives.

 

 

ALASKA FLOAT TRIPS RIVERS--

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Katmai Region:

American Creek - An American Creek float trip is the pinnacle of Alaska fly fishing experiences. The river offers three entirely different ecological zones, providing a great variety in the fly fishing habitat and surrounding scenery. This trip begins at Hammersly Lake in the Walatka Mountains on the Alaska Peninsula. The upper portion of the 45 mile long river is classic wilderness Alaska fly fishing trout stream habitat which hosts unusually abundant insect hatches and features the finest dry fly fishing in the state.

The character of American Creek quickly changes as you float westerly into the mid river canyon section of rushing tail out pools that hold broad shouldered Alaska rainbow trout and arctic char. The braided lower section of American Creek offers an Alaska fly fishing experience like no other. The rainbows are very large in this river, up to 30 inches, with most fish ranging 17-23 inches. The char can be almost as large, and many tens of thousands of sockeye salmon will navigate, spawn, die and nourish the river system. This is one of the only rivers in Alaska where the sockeye salmon will aggressively pursue a streamer.

The American Creek Alaska float trip is comparatively strenuous, and is for the adventurous and sturdy group. There are many class II+ rapids to navigate, as well as a class III+ waterfall. Log jams and shifting channels in the braided portion of the river may lead to lining or portaging the rafts. A float fishing trip on American Creek will provide incomparable Alaska bear viewing opportunities, as well as the likelihood of seeing caribou, wolf, moose and other species. American Creek is one of the ultimate Alaska fly fishing trips.

Alagnak River - The Alagnak River Alaska float trip offers a laid-back and very pleasant Alaska fly fishing and rafting experience. A designated National Wild and Scenic River, the Alagnak's upper portion skirts the edge of the Walatka Mountains and originates from both Nonvianuk Lake and Kukaklek Lake, then continues flowing some 60 miles to the west and north. Alaska trophy rainbow trout hold at the out falls of both these lakes, fattening up for the winter on aquatic insect life and sockeye salmon roe and flesh. There is an opportunity for Alaska dry fly fishing.

A days journey from either headwaters lake the two streams merge and the character of the fishing changes to one of numerous islands and wade-able submerged gravel bars. Below this the Alagnak offers many miles of splendid clear water habitat, structure and spawning beds. The braided mid river portion of this Alaska float trip offers superlative fly fishing, and the gravel bars of the lower river are very also very productive "big water" fly fishing. The Alagnak River system is nourished by being home to one of the world's largest sockeye salmon runs.

The Alagnak River also hosts runs of all five species of Pacific salmon as well as excellent numbers of rainbow trout (commonly 15-22 inches, with the largest at 27+ inches), Dolly Varden, char and arctic grayling. The Alaska bear viewing is very good and other wildlife abound. While the Alagnak River offers Alaska flyfishing at its best, the river fishes well with either fly or spin tackle.

Moraine Creek - A Moraine Creek Alaska fly fishing trip will take you to the home of the really big rainbows. This is where the trophy guys hang out. Although the Moraine is a very short river and does not offer the solitude, adventure and variety of other Alaska float trips, if a person wants to catch very large rainbows (to 32 inches), this may be the place of choice. Moraine Creek offers consistent Alaska trophy rainbow trout fly fishing, with the average being 18-24 inches.

You put in near the confluence of Moraine Creek and Funnel Creek, and camp two nights each at the upper, mid and lower portions of the river. The entire length of Moraine Creek is above tree line, set in beautiful high tundra country. This is primarily a late summer fishery where you are casting egg patterns behind spawning sockeye salmon. The Moraine also has a population of huge grayling in the mid river canyon section. All the fishing on Moraine Creek involves wading and fly fishing from the bank. Fly out lodge operations and their guided groups do frequent these waters. The bear viewing opportunities are incredible. Moraine Creek is an exotic Alaska fly fishing vacation that will forever remain etched in your memory.
 

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Alaska Range:

Lake Creek - A Lake Creek Alaska float trip is always fun. Lake Creek offers a very accessible and economical wilderness Alaska fly fishing trip due to its proximity to Anchorage. Lake Creek flows 65 miles southerly from Chelatna Lake, located at the base of North America's tallest peak, Denali (Mt McKinley). Enjoyable, modest white water stretches keep the power boats off all but the first two miles and the last five miles of Lake Creek, and create excellent tail out pools, eddies, boulder fields and other habitat that hold vast numbers of large rainbow trout, commonly 15-22 inches (occasionally to 26+ inches) and beautiful arctic grayling.

There are strong runs of all five species of Pacific salmon in Lake Creek and this is a particularly great place to catch king salmon on the fly rod. Through the summer, Lake Creek offers a variety of Alaska fly fishing and spin fishing opportunities, from early season dry fly fishing to late season flesh patterns and other streamers. An Alaska float trip on Lake Creek can offer incredible views of Denali and the Alaska Range; there is the likelihood of a variety of wildlife to observe.

Talachulitna River - Talachulitna River float trips offer a nice variety of fly and spin fishing scenarios. The trip starts at Judd Lake, located at the base of the Tordillo Mountains in the Alaska Range, and proceeds for a 20 mile journey down the crystal clear waters of Talachulitna Creek and then another 30 miles through the canyons and forests of the Talachulitna River itself.

Although the Talachulitna is a popular river that is not too far from Anchorage, it offers excellent wilderness Alaska fly fishing and spin fishing opportunities for rainbow trout generally ranging from 14-21 inches and occasionally coming in at up to 25+ inches. Arctic grayling and all five species of Pacific salmon abound. The Talachulitna River's many tail out pools, eddies and gravel spawning beds give the rainbows places to congregate. Sweepers and log jams create a further variety of structure and fish habitat.

The Talachulitna River sports some fun white water races and canyons, camping and wildlife viewing are good and the river benefits from south central Alaska's generally warm and mild weather conditions. The Talachulitna and other Susitna River tributaries are best fished either early or late in the season.

Stuyahok River - The Stuyahok River offers an Alaska float fishing trip of unparalleled solitude. Very few people fly fish or spin fish on this beautiful little river. The Stuyahok offers a unique Alaska fly fishing experience that it is less confined to specific holes and pools than with many riverse, instead consisting of some 25 miles of perfect classic trout waters that may be waded without interruption.

The Stuyahok River float trip initially travels easterly through exotic high tundra country and continues on that bearing through the boreal forests of Lake Clark National Park. The Stuyahok eventually joins the Mulchatna River on its journey to the sea. This is a small Alaska fly fishing stream of very predictable character, in a beautiful setting.

The float fishing trip is only 35 miles in length on the Stuyahok, yet it features mile after mile of productive fish habitat. Although the rainbow trout are incredibly numerous, they are somewhat smaller than on the trophy Alaska fishing rivers, instead ranging 13-20 inches (with some larger fish up to 24 inches). There are countless beautiful large arctic grayling in the river, as well. Excellent runs of king salmon and silver salmon contribute to the quality of an Alaska fishing vacation spent on this river and the other tributaries to the Mulchatna.
 

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Western Alaska:

Kisaralik River - The Kisaralik River's remoteness and difficulty of access have long protected the quality of the fishing from being being depreciated over the years, as has occurred elsewhere. The Kisaralik River Alaska float trip offers unadulterated fishing such as was experienced in the area 25 years ago. There are no lodges on, or fly out operations, working the river.

The Kisaralik River Alaska fly fishing trip begins at Kisaralik Lake and continues 80 miles to the west through the Kilbuck Mountains. The scenery is varied and beautiful, the wildlife abounds: bear, caribou, wolf, even wolverine have been spotted. The solitude is complete; rowing or portaging an impressive class IV+ waterfall restricts even the number of unguided parties wanting to float the river.

The fly and spin fishing is off the charts on the Kisaralik River, offering pools, "aquariums", holes, back channels, spawning beds, structure and a variety of holding waters loaded with beautiful rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, arctic char and grayling. Major runs of king, chum and silver salmon provide sport fishing opportunities and later give nourishment to the jaw dropping numbers of very large rainbow trout (commonly caught at 15-23 inches, occasionally up to 28 inches) that reside in the Kisaralik. Not only is this a great river for mousing big rainbows, but the silver salmon will consistently rise to surface flies. This is a one of a kind Alaska float trip.

Aniak River - An Aniak River Alaska float trip is a sweet experience. It is uniquely the most northerly river offering rainbow trout habitat, and fortuitously hosts a huge run of sockeye salmon to fatten them up for the extreme winters of those latitudes. These are some big rainbows for this far north, commonly running 16-24 inches. The Aniak River sports excellent numbers of resident grayling, Dolly Varden and migratory arctic char, as well.

The trip begins at the confluence of Cripple Creek and the Salmon River, crystal clear, easily waded creek and laden with a healthy population of arctic grayling that are eager to respond to dry flies and streamers. Gradually, as the Salmon River winds through the Kilbuck Mountains, you reach a region where the clean gravel riverbed meets the spawning needs of the king salmon, and then begin to encounter very large, beautiful rainbow trout, Dolly Varden and arctic char.

From the confluence of the Salmon River with the Aniak, the character of the trip changes to back channel braids and other secluded and highly productive holding waters. Although a handful of outfitters and small lodges do operate on the river, the Aniak River float trip offers absolutely first class Alaska fly fishing and spin fishing as well.

Kwethluk River - An Alaska float trip on the Kwethluk River is like a step back through the portals of time. This is the way Alaska fly fishing was down in Bristol Bay 25 years ago: countless wild rainbow trout that have almost never been fished to. Shangri-La. Shorter and not quite as scenic or varied as the nearby Kisaralik, the Kwethluk still offers amazing fishing with its bounteous supply of Pacific salmon, large rainbow trout (to 24 inches) and the other resident species of the region.

The trip begins by floating down the small creek connecting Boundary Lake to the Kwethluk River. Skirting the edges of the Kilbuck Mountains, you find easily waded upper waters holding dolly varden and grayling. Soon you are descending into a network of braids, big eddies and back channels that are additionally loaded with rainbow trout (commonly 14-21 inches, ranging up to 25) and both chum and silver salmon. Abundant camp sites with adjacent fishing holes are a hallmark of the Kwethluk River. This is an Alaska float trip which offers total wilderness solitude for your group.

 

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Alaska Float Trips Accommodations and Meals:
As you work your way down river through incredibly beautiful and varied terrain, comfortable camps are set up on the river bank by your guides. Sleeping accommodations consist of roomy three person tents, shared by you and your fishing partner. Guides set up screened and covered eating shelters, when necessary, and you will eat like a king: robust breakfasts, hearty lunches and a world palate of incredible dinners. Anglers will be responsible for providing their own sleeping bags camp pillow and sleeping pads (like Thermarests) while guides will provide all other camping equipment.

Alaska Float Trips Climate:
In general, during June and July average temperatures are in the 60's to mid 70's. Temperatures in the fall are quite a bit cooler and average in the 50's-60's. Temperatures can drop into the 30's and 40's at almost any time in Alaska. Keep in mind that Alaska has unpredictable weather...it is good to always come prepared. You will encounter some biting insects such as mosquitoes, no see-ums, and white sox, but typically a light coating of insect repellent is enough to keep them off. On the river, where there is usually a light breeze, you should hardly notice them. If the weather is perfect for bugs sometimes a head net is nice to have. We provide insect repellant.