WARNING...Fly fishing for King salmon at Alaska West is not for the traditionalist fly angler with a clicker drag and a cane rod or for the egocentric, know it all, been there done that crowd. These fish will kick your butt and leave you a quivering, second guessing bag of goo, more times than not. Kings will alter the standard you will judge all other fish by... and it's the best fresh water game there is baby!
Alaska West is a remote fixed-base tent lodge. You will sleep and eat in semi-permanent tents. You won't need a coat and tie to wear to dinner, nor will you have to worry about tracking mud on the carpet. No one will be offended by your cigar smoke or your drink spilled laughing around the campfire. You will catch fish till your arms are sore and your back aches, and you'll take home a box of Kanektok treasure for your efforts.
You'll spend quality time with quality people like yourself and you won't believe what a special river you are fishing.You will leave camp a little heavier than when you arrived and if you're like the majority of the anglers that visit Alaska West, you will return.
- Deluxe tent lodge
- Guests tents feature heaters, carpeted wood floors, double occupancy
- Large dining tent serves up Alaskan gourmet meals Electricity & hot showers
- Separate drying tent for wet waders & clothes
- 2:1 angler to guide ratio
- One of Alaska's most fly-fishable rivers
- Over a decade of experience on this river system
Chinook Salmon (“Kings”)
The biggest of the Pacific Salmon, they got their name by default. Notorious for holding in the deepest darkest hiding places, most "anglers" hope them up with heavy, shiny, noisy, smelly, gaudy, greasy gear saving the fragile fly fishing tackle for easier prey. However... At Alaska West we have honed and refined our fly angling skills and collective knowledge to a point where we consistently hook and land these behemoth masses that more resemble chrome plated sea lions than fish. This is a big game fish adventure and once bitten by the bug, it's a hard habit to cure. The adrenaline rush of the fight and the conquering confidence of a battle won are feelings second only to the humiliating frustration of a war lost. Atlantic salmon anglers leave bewildered by the awesome power of these fly gobbling giants. Steelhead bums wonder how they can get their VW busses close to here. No one can wait to do it again, and most make sure they do.
The teaching skills at Alaska West are supreme. Our staff are proficient instructors who not only enjoy teaching newcomers to our sport, but are pleased to help even an experienced caster get a few more feet or get the hang of that new double hander.
Double hander?... Yes-siree... Double hander. Fast becoming the rod of choice for those who are looking to push the envelope a little further and reach out and touch the big boys, usually left to the gear guys.
How about tying your own flies? We are pleased to offer instruction and materials for you to use to tie up your own concoction of fur, feather and fancy.
Where in the world is Alaska West?
Alaska West operates a fixed base tent lodge located in the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, 5 miles upriver from the Alaska Native village of Quinhagak, on the banks of the Kanektok River in far western Alaska along the coast of the Bering Sea. It is 425 miles WSW from Anchorage, 75 miles due South of the hub village of Bethel and 190 miles WNW from Dillingham. We are right in the middle of nowhere.
The area is habitat to over 48 mammal species, 31 land-bound including caribou, wolves, moose, brown and black bear, foxes, beaver, muskrats, minks, river otters, voles and porcupines. 17 marine mammals live in the refuge including sea lions, walruses and whales.
Three main river drainages host all five species of pacific salmon, rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, arctic grayling, arctic char and pike. Over 200 bird species nest in the refuge including golden and bald eagles, peregrine falcons, murres, numerous species of waterfowl and shorebirds. Willow and cottonwood make up the scrub forests along the riverbanks and
the tundra is flush with lichen, berries, dwarf trees and grasses.
We call our facility a ‘tent lodge’. It is made up of a combination of permanent and semi-permanent structures, and is designed to combine comfortable living, eating and lounging areas with a location right on top of a phenomenal river.
Dining Tent
The dining tent is a spacious 24’x 60’ heated structure with wood floors and is always kept neat and clean. Our kitchen has the state of the art equipment such as gas ranges, convection oven, microwave, refrigerators and freezers. Please contact the Alaska West office in
Anchorage with any questions or concerns regarding specific dietary requirements.
Lounge Tent
The lounge is great place to relax after a full day of fishing. This large heated tent is furnished with comfortable chairs and tables. At your disposal are a refrigerator with cool soda, juices and mixers, poker chips with cards, board games, dart board, magazines, books, map board, telephone, satellite television and an online camp computer. We also have a fly tying bench with a limited supply of fly tying materials and vises. Serious tiers are advised to bring their own vise and tools.
Drying Tent
After returning from your day’s fishing adventure this tent serves as a place for you to hang your wet waders, coats, boots and anything else you don’t want wet or dirty in your sleeping quarters. This tent’s heater is lit every night to ensure that your things are nice and dry by morning.
Gazebo/Viewing Deck
This split-level wood structure is located close to the dining and lounge tents and has a great river view. The bottom area is open aired and enclosed with fine mesh bug screen. This is a great place to sit and enjoy the midnight sun without being bothered by our little biting buddies. Directly above is the viewing deck. You will be surprised how being up just ten feet changes your view. Bring your camera-- the sunsets can be breathtaking!
Showers and Restrooms/Outhouses:
Our showers have hot and cold running water with a sink basin and chair. They are cleaned daily. Our restrooms are indeed outhouses. They too are cleaned daily and they are strategically located near your tent cabin.
Tent Cabins/Sleeping Quarters:
Your heated tent cabin is furnished with two single beds with full bedding and pillow, clean shower linen, nightstand, hang-down bug net, lantern, carpeted floor and clothes hangers. Our housekeeping staff will come through daily to make beds, empty trash and tidy up to ensure your new home stays neat and clean.
Electrical Devices
Due to our remote location, we have a limited supply of electricity. Please rely on battery- powered devices. Electricity for recharging batteries is available during daytime hours.
Gratuities
For anglers who feel that they have received good service, tipping is customary at Alaska West. Our tips are all pooled and divided evenly between everyone who contributes to your experience during the week, including guides, housekeeping staff, kitchen staff and maintenance crew. We are often asked for a guideline on tipping, so we let anglers know that our average tip per angler for a week of fishing is $425. We encourage you to tip at a level that you feel is consistent with the service that you received. Tips are collected at the end of your week. Alaska West strongly prefers cash for tips, but credit cards are also accepted.
Our typical day starts at 7:00 AM with a buffet-style breakfast. At this time fixings are put out for you build yourself a custom-made lunch. You may also request a shore lunch—a lunch of fresh-caught fish and trimmings cooked for you, by your guide, right on the shore of the river! If you choose to have shore lunch it is best requested the night before so your guide can get prepared in advance. Shore lunch adds about 20 minutes of cooking time to your lunch break.
Your guide and boat will be ready to leave the beach at 8:00 AM and will be at your service until 6:00 PM, when all boats are due back to camp. This is a long day of fishing! Appetizers are put out at 6:30 and dinner is served at 7:30.
Our boats are 16 to 18 foot flat-bottomed john boats and are powered by 40 HP jet pumps. They are equipped with bow and stern anchors, two swivel seats and life jackets. A cooler is on board to store lunches and drinks.
Our jet boats are used in several different ways. While fishing for salmon you might fish from the boat. Anchoring up and swinging or stripping flies can be very effective. While fishing from the boat is fun, most anglers also choose to fish from the wader-friendly gravel bars. This is where the jet boat shines! We can also run over very shallow water and
get you to many small side channels that can be hiked up and fished from shore with your guide.
Taking Fish Home
Alaska West adheres to all state fishing regulations, including catch and release on all rainbow trout. We are happy to offer our anglers the opportunity to take home fresh frozen, vacuum-packed fillets of salmon. In an effort to apply reason to our use of this resource we restrict each angler to 50 pounds of salmon fillets per week, a limit below that set by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. 50 pounds is a lot of salmon!
Alaska West is located in remote bush Alaska. You can purchase certain items in the village store, but the selection and availability is very limited. Tobacco products, film, batteries and fishing gear should be purchased in advanced of your trip. Use Anchorage as your last supply stop. For your convenience fishing licenses can be purchased in camp. We recommend water-repellant luggage with soft sides. Always have your rain gear near or at the top for easy access.
Weather in Alaska is very unpredictable. No matter when you visit, be prepared for highs in the 70s and lows in the 40s. July is typically the warmest month, with cooler temperatures in June and August. Always be prepared for rain and wind. No Alaskan goes anywhere without good rain gear.
Camp clothing should be casual and comfortable. Remember to keep all important medications separate from your luggage. Because we are exposed to the elements even around camp, warmth and dryness should be considered in all clothing choices. We recommend layering your clothing for warmth and versatility.
- Jeans Fleece tops and bottoms to wear under waders
- Long-sleeved shirts
- Polypropylene long underwear
- Sweater
- Socks
- Vest or warm jacket to wear under rain gear or waders
- Underwear
- Warm socks – several pairs
- Casual shoes
- Warm, waterproof and lucky fishing hat
- Waterproof footwear
- Warm fishing gloves
- Light weight jacket Rainwear - Gore-Tex and other breathables are best
- Rain coat and pants
- Waders - Gore-Tex and other breathables are best
- Shoes for wet and dry weather
- Wading Boots - please no studs as they damage our boats
- Toiletries
- Polarized sun glasses
- Shower sandals
- Camera
- Battery powered reading light
- Film or memory cards and extra batteries
- Books or games
- Sun block
- Alarm clock
- Bug repellant
- Fly tying vise and tools
- Head net
- Bag for carrying your gear on boat—dry bags are best
Alaska West supplies all leader material, terminal tackle and flies for your use, all at no charge. A limited number of fly and gear outfits are available as loaners. Please call if we can help outfit you for your trip.
KING SALMON
Fly Tackle
Rods: 10 weight to 12 weight rods are recommended, with 9 weight being on the light side. In most cases the line and flies are heavy so high modulus good quality rods are best. Spey or two handed rods are also a popular alternative because of their power and line control capabilities.
Reels: We recommend very durable reels with a strong disc type drag and a large spool capacity of at least 200 yards of 30 pound backing.
Lines: 100 to 500 grain, fast to extra fast shooting heads, and sink tips of 15 to 30 feet are all very common. Versatility is important. An interchangeable shooting head system is a good way to address varied water conditions.
Leaders: Leader should be abrasion resistant monofilament of 15 to 20 pound strength.
CHUM SALMON
Fly tackle
Rods: We recommend 7 weight to 9 weight quality rods with actions that are well
suited for casting in windy conditions.
Reels: Durable reels with a medium to strong disc drag are necessary. Spool capacity
should be at least 150 yards of 20 pound backing.
Lines: A floating line along with at least one sink tip is usually best. Sink tips should be 5 feet to 15 feet with a medium to fast sink rate.
Leaders: 10 to 15 pound monofilament.
SOCKEYE SALMON (RED)
Fly tackle
Rods: 6 weight to 8 weight.
Reels: Durable reel with strong drag to match rod.
Lines: Floating lines.
RAINBOW TROUT
Fly tackle
Rods: 6 to 7 weight high quality, fast action rods capable of casting mouse patterns and split shot, and dealing with the occasional rouge salmon that will strike your trout fly. Drift fishing can be snag intensive so be prepared to use a little heavier leader for trout than most people are accustomed to. Rainbows on the Kanektok can ranch from 12 to 30 plus inches!
Reels: To match rod with medium to strong drag.
Lines: Floating lines with 120 yards of backing are most common. Strike indicators
are also very effective.
Leaders: 8 to 12 pound leaders.
GRAYLING
Fly tackle
Fly rods: Here’s your chance to use that 3 weight! 3 to 5 weight soft to medium to fast action.
Reels: Quality reels that match rod. Light drag is fine.
Lines: Floating lines.
Leaders: Longer leaders up to 12 feet. 10 pound butt section with a 6 to 8 pound
tippet.
Suggested Fly Patterns
Alaska West provides flies to our anglers free of charge, but if you decide you’d tie or bring your own, here are some recommendations, by species.
KING SALMON
Bjorn Super Prawn
Marabou streamer tied on asize 2/0 streamer hook in chartreuse, pink, purple, black, orange or any combination of these colors. This fly is not weighted.
Skagit Minnow
Articulated marabou streamer tied on a 2/0 octopus style hook, in chartreuse, purple, pink, orange and black or any combination of these colors. This fly is not weighted.
Mother of All Leeches
Articulated rabbit strip streamer tied on a 2/0 octopus style hook, in chartreuse, purple, pink, orange and black or any combination of these colors. This fly is tied incorporating a jig or cone head.
Hare-ball Leech
Bunny strip streamer tied on a 2/0 streamer hook in chartreuse, purple, pink, orange and black or any combination of these colors. This fly is tied with lead eyes for weight.
Kilowatt
Bunny strip streamer tied on a 2/0 down turned jig hook in chartreuse, purple, pink, orange and black or any combination of these colors. This fly is tied with lead eyes for weight.
Fat Freddy
Glow bug yarn puff ball tied on a 3/0 octopus hook. This fly can be weighted.
CHUM SALMON
Mother of All Leeches
Articulated rabbit strip streamer tied on a #2 octopus style hook, in chartreuse, purple, pink, orange and black or any combination of these colors. This fly is tied incorporating a jig or cone head.
Hare-ball Leech
Bunny strip streamer tied on a #2 streamer hook in chartreuse, purple, pink, orange and black or any combination of these colors. This fly is tied with lead eyes for weight.
Kilowatt
Bunny strip streamer tied on a #2 down turned jig hook in chartreuse, purple, pink, orange and black or any combination of these colors. This fly is tied with lead eyes for weight.
Starlight, PF Salmon, Egg Sucking Leech
Hackle wrapped, chenille bodied and marabou tailed leech patterns tied on a #2 streamer or jig hook in chartreuse, purple, pink, orange, white and black or any combination of these colors. Almost all leeches are tied with jig heads or barbell eyes for weight.
SOCKEYE SALMON (RED)
Any sparse pattern tied on a #2 heavy wire straight eyed unweighted hook, including nymphs and small streamers. Color is not critical-- straight eyed hook is.
Starlight, PF Salmon, Egg Sucking Leech
Hackle wrapped chenille bodied and marabou tailed leech patterns tied on a #2 streamer or jig hook in chartreuse, purple, pink, orange, white and black or any combination of these colors. Almost all leeches are tied with jig heads or barbell eyes for weight.
RAINBOW TROUT
Flesh Fly
Bunny strip weighted streamer to imitated salmon flesh. White and ginger are the most common colors tied on size 4 and smaller long shank streamer hooks. Jig heads and barbell eyes are popular. Articulated variations utilize an octopus style hook and are very effective.
Cotton candy
Roe fly tied with a chenille body and glow bug yarn wing and tail. This is a weighted fly tied on size 4 to 8 streamer hooks.
Sculpin
Brown and olive wool head rabbit strip sculpin pattern weighted on 2 to 6 hooks.
Mice Any mouse pattern works great, whether hair or foam size 2 to 6.
Egg patterns
Plastic beads in 6 to 10 millimeter diameter in various colors of pink to orange.
Leeches
Various streamer leech patterns in olive, brown, purple, white and black in sizes 2 to 8.
ARCTIC GRAYLING
Leeches
Various streamer leech patterns in olive, brown, purple white and black in sizes 2 to 8.
Egg patterns
Plastic beads in 6 to 10 millimeter diameter in various colors of pink to orange.
Cotton candy
Roe fly tied with a chenille body and glo bug yarn wing and tail. This is a weighted fly tied on size 4 to 8 streamer hooks.
Dry flies
Various selection of dry flies size 10 to 18 including Adams, humpies, black gnats and olive stoneflies.
Alaska West is fairly remote, so getting to our facility takes several steps. We think you’ll agree that the effort is worth it!
Here are the legs of the trip--
1. Fly to Anchorage Alaska
2. Flying from Anchorage on Alaska Airlines to Bethel, Alaska
2. Flying on Hageland Aviation from Bethel to Quinhagak
3. Taking a short boat ride from Quinhagak to our facility on the river
Flying to Bethel
Tickets on Alaska Airlines should be purchased through any normal air travel channel. Our changeover day is Friday. Connecting with our Hageland flights requires that you book specific flights on Alaska Airlines. Your reservations should be made to connect to the following flights on Friday:
Inbound flight on Friday: Alaska Airlines Flight 47
Departs Anchorage: 10:28 AM
Arrives Bethel: 11:43 AM
Outbound flight a week later: Alaska Airlines Flight 44
Departs Bethel: 3:54 PM
Arrives Anchorage: 5:05 PM
Note that travel from most locations requires an overnight stay in Anchorage or Seattle in order to connect to the appropriate flight from Bethel.
When you arrive in Bethel, you will be met at the Alaska Airlines terminal by a representative from Hageland Aviation. Hageland will help you with your bags and provide you with a very short van ride to Hageland’s terminal in Bethel. If necessary, Hageland can be reached in Bethel at 907-543-3800.
Bethel to Quinhagak
We fly between Bethel and Quinhagak on Hageland Aviation. You do not need to make a
reservation with Hageland—Alaska West will contact Hageland to make the reservation for you. The price for the round-trip ticket on Hageland is $200. This fee is not included in the price of your Alaska West trip, and you will be required to pay this in Bethel. The flight is 25 – 35 minutes long and covers a wide, flat stretch of coastal tundra.
Quinhagak to Alaska West
When you arrive in Quinhagak, you will be met on the airstrip by representatives from Alaska West. You will board a jet boat for the 25 minute ride upriver to our facility. Be sure to pack your raingear in an accessible spot—if it’s raining you’ll want it for the ride upriver.
Guests typically arrive at Alaska West between 1:30 and 3:00pm on Friday, allowing time to purchase an Alaska fishing license and spend a few hours fishing on Friday afternoon.
Please remember that travel in bush Alaska requires flexibility and that a variety of factors, including weather, may impact your travel and therefore your arrival time.
Overnight in Anchorage
It is possible for person traveling to Alaska not to overnight on the way in or out. That is a great convenience to some, not to mention the cost savings. However, there are advantages to staying overnight in Anchorage or Bethel that are tough to put a price on. Alaska Airlines has the monopoly on jet service between Anchorage and Bethel. To take full
advantage of the arranged flight out of Bethel to Quinhagak on Hageland Aviation, anglers must be at the Hageland terminal in Bethel before noon. There are two flights from Anchorage to Bethel that arrive before noon. One leaves Anchorage before 7:00 AM and the other leaves about 10:30. Any angler wishing to fly straight through on any given day must be prepared for the possibility of a flight being cancelled or arriving into Anchorage later than originally scheduled. This will put the angler into Bethel too late for any Hageland flight.
There are other options and we are happy to help arrange other flights accommodating different schedules. However, the angler will often arrive later than previously planned because there was no cushion in the flight schedule. By factoring the overnight cushion into the equation, late arrival issues are mitigated. The same is true in reverse for outbound anglers. Poor weather can delay the flights returning to Anchorage, necessitating an overnight and creating unnecessary stress at the end of an awesome vacation. Planning for an overnight cushion, though it comes at some expense, can save a lot of stress.
