They are in the 3 to 6 pound range, and so can be a lot of fun on a little lighter tackle. Their eclectic diet provides numerous options for choosing the perfect fly. Minnow imitations are also deadly in small to medium sizes. Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, The 9 Best Northern Lights Viewing Spots Near Anchorage, How to Travel to Alaska in January and February, The Best Large Family & Group Vacations in Alaska, How to Get from Anchorage to Your Cruise Port in Whittier or Seward (or the reverse! Recommended Tackle: She is the official camp photographer and the desert chef. Wildlife encountersbears, moose, caribou, wolves and countless waterfowl along these remote rivers are extraordinary, so be sure to bring a good camera and moderate telephoto lens. Since that trip, we have treated hundreds upon hundreds of guests Continued. Lonesome Lands Arctic Char - Fly Fisherman These begin showing up mid-June, building throughout the month. The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge was on fire, but the fishing was not Grayling at Idavain: If the water is discolored, 10 and 12mm beads are deadly. a 7 foot spinning rod with 30 pound braid for casting, a 9 foot spinning or casting rod with 30 pound braid for back-trolling and a 9 for a 10 or 11 weight for flyfishing. They must be immediately released, of course. Sockeye: The stream is full of sockeye spawning by mid August, so beads are at great bet here, with or without a fly following behind. The best offerings include large rabbit strip and marabou leeches in black, olive and dark brown. Arctic char can sometimes live for over 20 years, and their growth is slow due to the cold waters of their natural habitat. Spawning male Arctic char also have a much smaller kype (hooked lower jaw) than spawning male Dolly Varden. Our area abounds with a variety of species including all five Pacific Salmon: Kings (Chinook), Reds (Sockeye), Silvers (Coho), Pink (Humpy) and Chum. 3x to 5x tippets. A floating line with either a strike indicator or a few split shot will also work well. Line. King season closes at the end of July, but many will be hooked throughout most of August. They are similar in appearance to Salmon and can reach up to 20 lbs. Like their cousin the brook trout, Arctic char and dolly varden are eager takers and strong fighters, but it is their physical appearance that most sets them apart. Not Included: You must bring your own personal gear and fishing equipment (we will send you a detailed list of our gear recommendations upon booking). Just bring your PJs, your toothbrush, your fishing gear and your sense of adventure. I would want to have a shooting line, a floater and, possibly, a 200 to 300 grain sinking tip. Jim will supply everything else. Fishing Trips - Becharof Lodge On The Egegik River Most of the spawning area is single hook only. June & July: Our picks for the best tours and experiences during your Alaska Cruise. I like trout beads mottled beads in orange, dark roe and pinks in sizes 6mm 12mm. **Early Season Fishing June & July:** NOT egg sucking leeches. Package: 6 - 10 Day Float Fishing Trip Fishing Adventure in Western Alaska. The fly reel should employ a 400 600 grain sink tip line. The largest Arctic char in Alaska probably occur in some of Bristol Bay's large lakes, where good fishing can be had from late May through early October when these fish congregate to feed on salmon smolt as they move toward the sea. The river and creek mouths around Naknek Lake will also be full of them. Bait is allowed during this time. Recommended Tackle: His wife is head of housekeeping, the chef and a full time licensed guide. These beautiful fish are a great species to target for both novice and experienced anglers. Not Included: You must bring your own personal gear and fishing equipment (we will send you a detailed list of our gear recommendations upon booking). Recommended Tackle: The stream is full of sockeye spawning by mid August, so beads are at great bet here, with or without a fly following behind. Come experience the smolt migrations in June, the huge runs of salmon in July, the acrobatic silvers in August and the incredible trophy Rainbow fishing in September. The best rods are 9 -10 for a 7wt or 8wt. That is why the crew at Naknek River Camp has gone the extra mile to make Alaska affordable. By late July, they will begin moving into the rapids to prepare for spawning. Line. After about two . The cabins include towels, pillows and linens. Late in the season, flesh flies might be needed. Annual sport catch, effort and harvest data is captured by the Division of Sport Fish through the Alaska Sport Fishing Harvest Survey. They are in the 3 to 6 pound range, and so can be a lot of fun on a little lighter tackle. His specialty is netting big salmon. June & July: Most of the fishing is down in the lower Naknek, where tide is important and the water is deep. Sockeye: These fish are stocked in the following lakes: Anchorage. The best offerings include large rabbit strip and marabou leeches in black, olive and dark brown. I would use a 4 or 5 weight fly rod with a floating line. Required fields are marked *. No longer will a trip to Alaska have to be once in a lifetime, because, according to Jim, a onetime shot of Alaska just isnt going to get it done. They are usually turning red by early August. The WF floater is the most popular choice, although sink-tips (130 grain to 200 grain) will work as well. Chrome sockeye begin their trip from the ocean around June 20th. They are in the 3 to 6 pound range, and so can be a lot of fun on a little lighter tackle. Some dwell primarily in fresh water, and are resident to coastal waters, though many populations are anadromous, migrating to sea. If you're wondering why Jim gets away with listing this trip for half of most Alaska lodging/fishing trips, ret assured there is no catch; Jim keeps costs down by maintaining a family-run camp. an 8 to 10 foot fly rod for a 5-6 weight line. NOT egg sucking leeches. Char average 16 to 18, and some have measured over 27. The best rainbow fishing is close to camp. In every river system, the possibility to catch a larger rainbow trout always exists so it does not make sense to drop down to a 5 wt. Recommended Tackle: The spots are pink or red and occur on their back and sides. **Late Season Fishing August & September:** By early August, silvers should be running into the Naknek on each high tide. Easily find an Alaska fishing guide that fits your needs. They are extremely aggressive, hitting all of the flies and lures listed for silvers, and then some. The rainbows will still take salmon smolt and leeches migrating downstream to the ocean, but by far the biggest food source is salmon eggs. Silvers: Rainbows at Brooks: They must be immediately released, of course. Read More. Alaska Arctic Char Fly Fishing Trips | No See Um Lodge Here are the several exciting species of fish you can expect to target depending on the time of year: Rainbows at Brooks: **Late Season Fishing August & September:** Depending on time, either set up camp and spend leisurely late afternoon-evening fishing around camp or launch rafts and begin float fishing adventure. (Remember it is illegal to fish live bait in Alaska.) The above map shows the areas of overlap between Dolly and Arctic char ranges, with the one area in northeast Alaska that has Arctic char only. His wife is head of housekeeping, the chef and a full time licensed guide. The rainbows concentrate on salmon smolt and leeches migrating downstream to the ocean. Tour Length & Price: 7 days/6 nights, $4200/person, all-inclusive from POD. The classic Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. The problem is that the same can be said of Salmon. The fly reel should employ a 400 600 grain sink tip line. By mid to late August, the sockeye spawning kicks in and 6mm 8mm plastic beads are king. Thank you for a most memorable moment of a all-together memorable trip. Pinks: The cabins include towels, pillows and linens. from our damn good guides. Fairbanks Arctic Char Fishing - Fish Alaska Magazine It is very common on some of the rivers we target to land over 50 char in a day! Most of the fishing is down in the lower Naknek, where tide is important and the water is deep. Sockeye eggs are 6mm, silvers and pinks are 8mm and kings are 10mm. **What to Bring:** Amazingly productive sight fishing for salmon, rainbow trout, charr and grayling is yours to enjoy at a leisurely pace as you serenely drift along, taking time to stop and fish secret holes, or stretch legs with a short hike to take pictures, view wildlife, pick berries or just admire the magnificent surroundings. Treble hooks are legal. If you want to bring some, I would recommend a 7 foot spinning rod with 30 pound braid for casting, a 9 foot spinning or casting rod with 30 pound braid for back-trolling and a 9 for a 10 or 11 weight for flyfishing. Light spinning rods with 8 pound line or fly rods in the 5-7 weight range are perfect. Wool head sculpin also work well. The Arctic char is the larger of the two represented char species, and colorful specimens topping 30 inches can be targeted by sight fishing in the latter half of the season. Come experience the smolt migrations in June, the huge runs of salmon in July, the acrobatic silvers in August and the incredible trophy rainbow fishing in September. The best rods are 9 -10 for a 7wt or 8wt. The rainbows will still take salmon smolt and leeches migrating downstream to the ocean, but by far the biggest food source is salmon eggs. Since then, even larger fish have been taken from the Wulik, including the current recordan immense 20-pound, 12.5-ounce Dolly Varden. Recommended Tackle: #12 and #14 adams, caddis and stoneflies (dry), small beadhead nymphs, leeches, woolybuggers and deer hair mice will all work here. By late July, they will begin moving into the rapids to prepare for spawning. The river and creek mouths around Naknek Lake will also be full of them. We prefer 6 or 7 wt. Remember that the largest Arctic char are in the Bristol Bay and Brooks Range area. Recommended Tackle: Sometimes, oversize imitations work better. REMINDER- felt soles are illegal in all of Alaska! Pipeline lakes (Cordova) are a fun spot for catching cutthroat trout. Amazingly productive sight fishing for salmon, rainbow trout, charr and grayling is yours to enjoy at a leisurely pace as you serenely drift along, taking time to stop and fish secret holes, or stretch legs with a short hike to take pictures, view wildlife, pick berries or just admire the magnificent surroundings. Wool head sculpin also work well. A floating line with either a strike indicator or a few split shot will also work well. Meals on these trips are hearty and wholesome and include superb, grilled fish lunches and dinners, fresh from Alaskas cold, clean waters. All the same patterns listed for Brooks work well here as well. Dry fly fishing for dolly varden is excellent during the first half of the Crystal Creek season, and they can be caught alongside some large grayling (up to 20 inches) in several streams near the lodge. This migration continues until late July (timing varies, of course, depending on weather). 3x to 5x tippets. See here for more information on fishing licenses in Alaska, bag limits for target species, and fishing season regulations in Alaska. This fishing starts out with a 1 mile hike to the better fishing grounds. Here are the several exciting species of fish you can expect to target depending on the time of year: Arctic Char - Charlie Kindel For spinning, a 7 med light rod, a reel with a smooth drag and 8 12 pound test line is best. Arctic Char Fishing with Angler's Alibi - Angler's Alibi Brooks is flies only. They reach farther north than any other species of freshwater fish, and their range extends across the northern polar regions. Single Hook Only. The best rods are 9 -10 for a 7wt or 8wt. For spinning, a 7 med light rod, a reel with a smooth drag and 8 12 pound test line is best. This is some of the best arctic char/ dolly varden fishing around, along with a decent population of rainbows. If you're wondering why Jim gets away with listing this trip for half of most Alaska lodging/fishing trips, ret assured there is no catch; Jim keeps costs down by maintaining a family-run camp. They come in many shapes and sizes. His daughter has also been the Michigan State Casting Champion. Just bring your PJs, your toothbrush, your fishing gear and your sense of adventure. Grayling are best fished with light tackle. The rest of the time, 6mm and 8mm work best. His older son, an avid fisherman and 4 time Michigan State Casting Champion, is Jim's right hand man around camp. Sometimes, oversize imitations work better. Recommended Tackle: August & September: A 6-8 weight fly rod in 9 to 11 lengths with a Climax Zip Line is by far the best choice. Sockeye eggs are 6mm, silvers and pinks are 8mm and kings are 10mm. The best rainbow fishing is close to camp. The rest of the time, 6mm and 8mm work best. Single Hook Only. Same lines as silvers. When they're in the sea, they have a bright silvery hue that lights up in the sun and shines through the water. Until the spawn in mid- August, sockeye will hold in slow pools and side channels. Pinks: Until the spawn in mid- August, sockeye will hold in slow pools and side channels. Also equipped with a nice kitchen to cook in, a dining room to enjoy great meals in, and a toilet in every cabin. a 7 foot spinning rod with 30 pound braid for casting, a 9 foot spinning or casting rod with 30 pound braid for back-trolling and a 9 for a 10 or 11 weight for flyfishing. Arrive in Anchorage late afternoon or early evening the day before start of expedition; check into hotel, then meet with guides that evening to go over gear and any last minute instructions. Jim has a lot of heavy rods and reels spinning and fly that guests can use. The trips are done with small groups (4-6 average, 8 people max), led by the best river guides in the business (guide to client ratio of 1:2 usually on these trips), who will assist you any way they can to ensure your safety, comfort and enjoyment. The most popular cities to book an Arctic Char charter in Alaska are King Salmon and Healy. The lodging for this trip includes hard sided cabins, real mattresses, a porch to enjoy the sunset and a hot shower at the end of the day.