Big Ku Lodge
Alaska
Located in the heart of the greater Katmai/Iliamna region, the Branham’s Big Ku Lodge is Alaska’s most unique and strategically located trophy rainbow fly fishing camp. Perched on a bluff overlooking the outlet of Lake Kukaklek, Big Ku guests enjoy easy walking access to one of the best beats of trophy rainbow fly fishing water in the world, as well as numerous and diverse fly-out fly fishing options available.
Limited to 4-6 anglers per week, Big Ku Lodge is an intimate, remote, no frills Alaskan fly fishing camp that offers small groups of serious anglers the ultimate private hub from which to fly fish the Big and Little Ku, Battle and American Creek, the Moraine, Kulik, and Kvichak systems. Drawing from the experience, aircraft and guide pool of their renowned sister operation, Royal Wolf Lodge, Big Ku guests often fly fish their home water in the morning before flying out to the region’s other premier systems. Early morning and late night unguided fly fishing is both encouraged and expected.
Accommodations are in simple duplex cabins with private baths and meals are served in the main mini-lodge overlooking the lake and river. For rainbow trout enthusiasts who cherish exclusive use of a small facility, long hours on the water, quality swing and spey fly fishing opportunities, true value and short flying times to smaller trophy systems, this “diamond in the rough” is as good as it gets. Stays of varying lengths welcomed.
Big Ku Lodge Location:
Big Ku lodge is located about 2 hours by air from Anchorage in the greater Katmai/Iliamna region of Alaska. The lodge is immediately south of Lake Iliamna overlooking the outlet of Lake Kukaklek.
Big Ku Lodge Fishing Program:
Big Ku works its Alaska fly-out fishing program in conjunction with their parent lodge Royal Wolf. Royal Wolf guests are dropped first and on fly out days, anglers at Big Ku are encouraged to fish the home water while waiting for the planes to arrive. Please ask the lodge manager if Royal Wolf guests are flying into the Big Ku for the day, as we would like them to have first crack at Big Ku’s water on those days. In the evening, no such requests need apply. Short daily fly-outs in well-maintained floatplanes take anglers to the stream where they will access the water by raft, jet boat or foot. After hours unguided fly fishing (typically after dinner) is both encouraged and expected, making Big Ku a top pick for serious anglers that like to put in long hours on the water.
Big Ku is a large system and can fly fish well with spey rods especially early and late in the season. It is a classic swing fishery where large fish respond well to large flies. June and July see some very respectable dry fly fishing and fish can also be taken on mouse patterns. The Big Ku can slow down a bit from mid-July through August so we encourage anglers during this time period to take advantage of as many fly outs as possible. For Anglers looking to fly less, June and September are our top picks.
Big Ku Lodge Fisheries:
Big Ku Lodge fishes the premier rainbow waters of the greater Iliamna/Katmai region of Southwestern Alaska. These waters include Moraine Creek, Battle Creek, American Creek, Kulik River, Brooks River, and others with an emphasis on fishing their home water known as “Big Ku”. Technically the headwaters of the Alagnak, Big Ku is under private lease thus greatly limiting the pressure on one of Alaska’s best pieces of trophy tout water . While all five species of pacific salmon, arctic char, Dolly Varden, and grayling abound in the surrounding waters, Big Ku Lodge is first and foremost a lodge dedicated to providing their clientele with unparalleled trophy rainbow fly fishing.
Big Ku Lodge Accommodations and Meals:
The lodge can accommodate four to six guests in duplex cabins overlooking Kukaklek Lake. All accommodations are double occupancy. All cabins have heat, private baths and comfortable beds. Meals are served family style in the main lodge. Big Ku Lodge is compact and comfortable but is by no means fancy. It does, however, have one of the best and most dramatic locations in the state.
Sample Itinerary for a 5 Night / 5.5 Day, four fly-out package (most popular)
Day1: Fly to Anchorage and overnight.
Day 2: Take charter flight to lodge. Unpack and go fishing.
Days 3-6: Full days fishing with fly-outs (weather permitting).
Day 7: Fish local waters until early afternoon. Fly back to Anchorage and overnight.
Day 8: Fly home.
Typical Daily Schedule:
7:00AM: Generator turns on (Coffee available in rooms or cabin shortly thereafter).
8:30AM: Breakfast served.
9:00-9:30AM: Depart for fishing.
Note: On fly-out days anglers still start the day on the Big Ku and then depart for their fly-out between 9:30AM and 11:00AM.
12:00-2:00PM: Lunch stream side or at the lodge depending on guest preference.
5:30-8:00PM: Guests return to lodge.
7:30-8:30PM: Dinner served.
10:00PM: Generator shuts down, battery power engages.
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"We loved this little six angler lodge, the lodge managers, Brian & Katy, and our guides. The whole experience just seemed to match what we enjoy in a fishing trip. All logistics were executed like clockwork. The location of Big Ku as home water, plus being in the heart of a large system of fisheries, make this a very special place. The consistently large and acrobatic rainbows far exceed the norm in the lower 48, at least in my experience." M.L., CO
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