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River Fishing Trip in King Salmon

Naknek River All-Inclusive

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Damn Good

River Fishing Trip in King Salmon

Naknek River Camp Do-It-Yourself

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Damn Good

River Fishing Trip in King Salmon

Naknek River Camp Deluxe Package

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River Fishing Trip in Healy

Alaska Float Fishing

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Most Popular Types of Arctic Char Trips

“Our Damn Good Guides go above and beyond to provide you an incredible trip, and we’ve handpicked every single one. We’re passionate about the outdoors and about empowering people to find the perfect-match guide for the trip of a lifetime, every time.”

Jonathan and Attison   |   Co-founders   |   Austin, Texas

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More Arctic Char Fishing Guides

For those seeking the ultimate Alaska wilderness fishing adventure, we have the float trips. For these, we fly into the remote headwaters of some of the most productive salmon and trout rivers on the planet, in southwest Alaska (see Where We Fish link), hundreds of miles from real civilization, for exciting multiday float/fish/camp safaris down crystal-blue rivers filled with fish. Using SOTAR (State of the Art Raft) inflatable drift boats, we float silently through lonely alpine valleys, canyons, rolling tundra, and forested lowlands−sanctuaries of solitude, where man’s world is but a dream. 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. 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. You will make camp along the river each evening at a great fishing spot, allowing for maximum time to enjoy your sport (unlike at the fishing lodges where your day ends at the dinner call.) Meals on these trips are hearty and wholesome and include superb, grilled fish lunches and dinners, fresh from Alaska’s cold, clean waters. Floating silently in rafts through the heart of these wild rivers allows for a much more intimate experience of Alaska’s fabled backcountry than is possible staying in a lodge or permanent tent camp. Wildlife encounters−bears, moose, caribou, wolves and countless waterfowl− along these remote rivers are extraordinary, so be sure to bring a good camera and moderate telephoto lens. As you will be getting in and out of the rafts and wading and casting in moderate to swift flowing waters, you should be in good physical condition. The season for these float fishing expeditions runs from mid-June to mid-September. What We Provide: All necessary camping and rafting equipment (except your personal gear and fishing equipment), meals, guides, transportation from and back to point of departure in southwest Alaska (Aniak, Bethel or Dillingham). Accommodations: Deluxe tent camps along the river 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). You are responsible for flight arrangements from Anchorage to and from southwest Alaska (we will tell you the specific point of departure to book your flight to). Also not included are hotel and meal costs incurred by extended layovers due to weather or other factors beyond our control, fishing licenses, alcoholic beverages, and gratuities. Tour Length & Price: 7 days/6 nights, $4200/person, all-inclusive from POD. Sample Float Trip Itinerary: 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. Day 1: Depart Anchorage for Southwest Alaska early AM. Weather permitting, fly out to headwaters in late morning or early afternoon. Depending on time, either set up camp and spend leisurely late afternoon-evening fishing around camp or launch rafts and begin float fishing adventure. Day 1-6: Float, fish and camp, making your way down river, setting up final camp on evening of the 6th day. Day 7: Spend morning fishing around camp, while guides break down gear and prepare for pickup. Pick up and return to point of departure in early afternoon. Catch early evening flight back to Anchorage, then red-eye back home or spend night in Anchorage hotel with return to home the following morning. Read More

River Fishing Trip in Healy

Alaska Float Fishing

NEW
Damn Good

A deluxe 7-day trip to the best trophy rainbow river in Alaska is now available for under $7000 per person! 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. No longer will a trip to Alaska have to be ‘once in a lifetime’, because, according to Jim, a onetime shot of Alaska just isn’t going to get it done. No, for the true big fish junkie, once in a lifetime just isn’t enough. That is why the crew at Naknek River Camp has gone the extra mile to make Alaska affordable. 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. His wife is head of housekeeping, the chef and a full time licensed guide. His older son, an avid fisherman and 4 time Michigan State Casting Champion, is Jim's right hand man around camp. His daughter has also been the Michigan State Casting Champion. She is the official camp photographer and the desert chef. And his youngest son is just starting his career as a fishing guide. His specialty is netting big salmon. Here are the several exciting species of fish you can expect to target depending on the time of year: **Early Season Fishing – June & July:** Smolting Rainbows on the Naknek: The best rainbow fishing is close to camp. The rainbows concentrate on salmon smolt and leeches migrating downstream to the ocean. The best offerings include large rabbit strip and marabou leeches in black, olive and dark brown. NOT egg sucking leeches. Minnow imitations are also deadly in small to medium sizes. Rainbows at Brooks: Brooks is flies only. In June, July and early August, rainbows will eagerly take mice, dead drifted small dries, sculpins and leeches. Recommended Tackle: an 8 ½ to 10 foot fly rod for a 5-6 weight line. The WF floater is the most popular choice, although sink-tips (130 grain to 200 grain) will work as well. 3x to 5x tippets. Grayling at Idavain: This fishing starts out with a 1 mile hike to the better fishing grounds. Grayling are best fished with light tackle. I would use a 4 or 5 weight fly rod with a floating line. #12 and #14 adams, caddis and stoneflies (dry), small beadhead nymphs, leeches, woolybuggers and deer hair mice will all work here. Kings: These begin showing up mid-June, building throughout the month. Most of the fishing is down in the lower Naknek, where tide is important and the water is deep. Treble hooks are legal. By late July, they will begin moving into the rapids to prepare for spawning. Single Hook Only. Recommended Tackle: We have a lot of heavy rods and reels – spinning, revolving spool and fly – that guests can use. 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. The fly reel should employ a 400 – 600 grain sink tip line. Sockeye: Chrome sockeye begin their trip from the ocean around June 20th. This migration continues until late July (timing varies, of course, depending on weather). Until the spawn in mid- August, sockeye will hold in slow pools and side channels. They are usually turning red by early August. Recommended Tackle: A 6-8 weight fly rod in 9’ to 11’ lengths with a Climax Zip Line is by far the best choice. A floating line with either a strike indicator or a few split shot will also work well. **Late Season Fishing – August & September:** Rainbows on the Naknek: The best rainbow fishing is close to camp and in the rapids. The rainbows will still take salmon smolt and leeches migrating downstream to the ocean, but by far the biggest food source is salmon eggs. Sockeye eggs are 6mm, silvers and pinks are 8mm and kings are 10mm. Sometimes, oversize imitations work better. I like trout beads mottled beads in orange, dark roe and pinks in sizes 6mm – 12mm. Don’t forget #8 and #10 short shank hooks and toothpicks (or the clear plastic pegs). For leeches, I like articulated and bunny strip versions without eggs in front in black, olive, purple and flesh colors. Wool head sculpin also work well. Late in the season, flesh flies might be needed. Rainbows at Brooks: Brooks is flies only. In early August, rainbows will eagerly take mice, dead drifted small dries, sculpins and leeches. By mid to late August, the sockeye spawning kicks in and 6mm – 8mm plastic beads are king. Margot Creek: This is some of the best arctic char/ dolly varden fishing around, along with a decent population of rainbows. The stream is full of sockeye spawning by mid August, so beads are at great bet here, with or without a fly following behind. All the same patterns listed for Brooks work well here as well. If the water is discolored, 10 and 12mm beads are deadly. The rest of the time, 6mm and 8mm work best. Silvers: By early August, silvers should be running into the Naknek on each high tide. Bright marabou streamers in purples and pinks and other bright colors, spinners in sizes 3-5 in pink, orange, chartreuse, and silver all work very well at times, as do wiggle warts in the same colors. Lots of local guides prefer jigs in 1/8 and 1/16 ounce in pink and purple, fished with or without an indicator. When they get spooky, however, nothing compares to a shooting line, a very small split shot or 2 and a small marabou streamer (like a woolybugger or PM Wiggler) in black, purple, pink, olive and cream, fished on 2x-3x fluoro. The best rods are 9 ½-10 ½ for a 7wt or 8wt. Line. I would want to have a shooting line, a floater and, possibly, a 200 to 300 grain sinking tip. For spinning, a 7 ½ med light rod, a reel with a smooth drag and 8 – 12 pound test line is best. Pinks: Every even year is a pink year on the Naknek, which means that 2012 will likely bring another strong run starting in July and continuing into mid-August. They are extremely aggressive, hitting all of the flies and lures listed for silvers, and then some. Small silver spoons and spinners work very well also. They are in the 3 to 6 pound range, and so can be a lot of fun on a little lighter tackle. Light spinning rods with 8 pound line or fly rods in the 5-7 weight range are perfect. Same lines as silvers. Kings: Early in August, the kings begin moving to their spawning areas, either up the feeder streams or in the rapids of the main stream. King season closes at the end of July, but many will be hooked throughout most of August. They must be immediately released, of course. Most of the spawning area is single hook only. Large streamers, small marabou streamers and large eggs all work well. Sockeye: Reds are thick in August and most of September. They are either spawning, or holding in slower seams waiting to spawn. The river and creek mouths around Naknek Lake will also be full of them. **Lodging:** 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. Also equipped with a nice kitchen to cook in, a dining room to enjoy great meals in, and a toilet in every cabin. Naknek River Camp also has a few conveniences that neither one of us expected to have in the Alaskan bush, including phone service for both us and our guests. There is road access to the towns of King Salmon and Naknek, offering medical services, a general store, groceries and even fishing and hunting supplies. **What's Included:** A private riverfront cabin, all food and meals in your own comfortable dining room, and transportation to and from the King Salmon Airport. The cabins include towels, pillows and linens. Just bring your PJ’s, your toothbrush, your fishing gear and your sense of adventure. Jim will supply everything else. **What to Bring:** Jim has a lot of heavy rods and reels – spinning and fly – that guests can use. If you want to bring some, he would recommend: June & July: 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. The fly reel should employ a 400 – 600 grain sink tip line. August & September: a 7-9 foot spinning rod with 30 pound braid for casting and a 9 ½ for a 9 or 10 weight for flyfishing. The fly reel should employ either a 400 – 600 grain sink tip line, a floating line with a strike indicator, or a Climax Zip line (or other suitable shooting line). Other equipment needed or recommended: Split shot in sizes b, bb and 3/0. Cone sinkers in 1/64th, 1/32nd, 1/16th, tapered leaders in 0x and 3x, fluorocarbon tippet in 2x – 5x, strike indicators in both 1 inch foam and yarn style, #12 black barrel swivels, forceps, nippers, floatant, brown or amber polarized sunglasses with strap, hat with brim, rain jacket, chest waders, wading belt, some like a wading staff, fleece pants, fleece sweater(s), wool socks, windproof fleece fingerless gloves, headnet, insect repellant, sun screen. REMINDER- felt soles are illegal in all of Alaska! Please make sure you have rubber soled wading boots. Read More

River Fishing Trip in King Salmon

Naknek River Camp Deluxe Package

NEW
Damn Good

A trip to the best trophy Rainbow Trout river in Alaska is now available for under $4000 per person! 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. No longer will a trip to Alaska have to be ‘once in a lifetime’, because, according to Jim, a onetime shot of Alaska just isn’t going to get it done. No, for the true big fish junkie, once in a lifetime just isn’t enough. That is why the crew at Naknek River Camp has gone the extra mile to make Alaska affordable. 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. His wife is head of housekeeping, the chef and a full time licensed guide. His older son, an avid fisherman and 4 time Michigan State Casting Champion, is Jim's right hand man around camp. His daughter has also been the Michigan State Casting Champion. She is the official camp photographer and the desert chef. And his youngest son is just starting his career as a fishing guide. His specialty is netting big salmon. Here are the several exciting species of fish you can expect to target depending on the time of year: **Early Season Fishing – June & July:** Smolting Rainbows on the Naknek: The best rainbow fishing is close to camp. The rainbows concentrate on salmon smolt and leeches migrating downstream to the ocean. The best offerings include large rabbit strip and marabou leeches in black, olive and dark brown. NOT egg sucking leeches. Minnow imitations are also deadly in small to medium sizes. Rainbows at Brooks: Brooks is flies only. In June, July and early August, rainbows will eagerly take mice, dead drifted small dries, sculpins and leeches. Recommended Tackle: an 8 ½ to 10 foot fly rod for a 5-6 weight line. The WF floater is the most popular choice, although sink-tips (130 grain to 200 grain) will work as well. 3x to 5x tippets. Grayling at Idavain: This fishing starts out with a 1 mile hike to the better fishing grounds. Grayling are best fished with light tackle. I would use a 4 or 5 weight fly rod with a floating line. #12 and #14 adams, caddis and stoneflies (dry), small beadhead nymphs, leeches, woolybuggers and deer hair mice will all work here. Kings: These begin showing up mid-June, building throughout the month. Most of the fishing is down in the lower Naknek, where tide is important and the water is deep. Treble hooks are legal. By late July, they will begin moving into the rapids to prepare for spawning. Single Hook Only. Recommended Tackle: We have a lot of heavy rods and reels – spinning, revolving spool and fly – that guests can use. 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. The fly reel should employ a 400 – 600 grain sink tip line. Sockeye: Chrome sockeye begin their trip from the ocean around June 20th. This migration continues until late July (timing varies, of course, depending on weather). Until the spawn in mid- August, sockeye will hold in slow pools and side channels. They are usually turning red by early August. Recommended Tackle: A 6-8 weight fly rod in 9’ to 11’ lengths with a Climax Zip Line is by far the best choice. A floating line with either a strike indicator or a few split shot will also work well. **Late Season Fishing – August & September:** Rainbows on the Naknek: The best rainbow fishing is close to camp and in the rapids. The rainbows will still take salmon smolt and leeches migrating downstream to the ocean, but by far the biggest food source is salmon eggs. Sockeye eggs are 6mm, silvers and pinks are 8mm and kings are 10mm. Sometimes, oversize imitations work better. I like trout beads mottled beads in orange, dark roe and pinks in sizes 6mm – 12mm. Don’t forget #8 and #10 short shank hooks and toothpicks (or the clear plastic pegs). For leeches, I like articulated and bunny strip versions without eggs in front in black, olive, purple and flesh colors. Wool head sculpin also work well. Late in the season, flesh flies might be needed. Rainbows at Brooks: Brooks is flies only. In early August, rainbows will eagerly take mice, dead drifted small dries, sculpins and leeches. By mid to late August, the sockeye spawning kicks in and 6mm – 8mm plastic beads are king. Margot Creek: This is some of the best arctic char/ dolly varden fishing around, along with a decent population of rainbows. The stream is full of sockeye spawning by mid August, so beads are at great bet here, with or without a fly following behind. All the same patterns listed for Brooks work well here as well. If the water is discolored, 10 and 12mm beads are deadly. The rest of the time, 6mm and 8mm work best. Silvers: By early August, silvers should be running into the Naknek on each high tide. Bright marabou streamers in purples and pinks and other bright colors, spinners in sizes 3-5 in pink, orange, chartreuse, and silver all work very well at times, as do wiggle warts in the same colors. Lots of local guides prefer jigs in 1/8 and 1/16 ounce in pink and purple, fished with or without an indicator. When they get spooky, however, nothing compares to a shooting line, a very small split shot or 2 and a small marabou streamer (like a woolybugger or PM Wiggler) in black, purple, pink, olive and cream, fished on 2x-3x fluoro. The best rods are 9 ½-10 ½ for a 7wt or 8wt. Line. I would want to have a shooting line, a floater and, possibly, a 200 to 300 grain sinking tip. For spinning, a 7 ½ med light rod, a reel with a smooth drag and 8 – 12 pound test line is best. Pinks: Every even year is a pink year on the Naknek, which means that 2012 will likely bring another strong run starting in July and continuing into mid-August. They are extremely aggressive, hitting all of the flies and lures listed for silvers, and then some. Small silver spoons and spinners work very well also. They are in the 3 to 6 pound range, and so can be a lot of fun on a little lighter tackle. Light spinning rods with 8 pound line or fly rods in the 5-7 weight range are perfect. Same lines as silvers. Kings: Early in August, the kings begin moving to their spawning areas, either up the feeder streams or in the rapids of the main stream. King season closes at the end of July, but many will be hooked throughout most of August. They must be immediately released, of course. Most of the spawning area is single hook only. Large streamers, small marabou streamers and large eggs all work well. Sockeye: Reds are thick in August and most of September. They are either spawning, or holding in slower seams waiting to spawn. The river and creek mouths around Naknek Lake will also be full of them. **Lodging:** 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. Also equipped with a nice kitchen to cook in, a dining room to enjoy great meals in, and a toilet in every cabin. Naknek River Camp also has a few conveniences that neither one of us expected to have in the Alaskan bush, including phone service for both us and our guests. There is road access to the towns of King Salmon and Naknek, offering medical services, a general store, groceries and even fishing and hunting supplies. **What's Included:** A private riverfront cabin, all food and meals in your own comfortable dining room, and transportation to and from the King Salmon Airport. The cabins include towels, pillows and linens. Just bring your PJ’s, your toothbrush, your fishing gear and your sense of adventure. Jim will supply everything else. **What to Bring:** Jim has a lot of heavy rods and reels – spinning and fly – that guests can use. If you want to bring some, he would recommend: June & July: 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. The fly reel should employ a 400 – 600 grain sink tip line. August & September: a 7-9 foot spinning rod with 30 pound braid for casting and a 9 ½ for a 9 or 10 weight for flyfishing. The fly reel should employ either a 400 – 600 grain sink tip line, a floating line with a strike indicator, or a Climax Zip line (or other suitable shooting line). Other equipment needed or recommended: Split shot in sizes b, bb and 3/0. Cone sinkers in 1/64th, 1/32nd, 1/16th, tapered leaders in 0x and 3x, fluorocarbon tippet in 2x – 5x, strike indicators in both 1 inch foam and yarn style, #12 black barrel swivels, forceps, nippers, floatant, brown or amber polarized sunglasses with strap, hat with brim, rain jacket, chest waders, wading belt, some like a wading staff, fleece pants, fleece sweater(s), wool socks, windproof fleece fingerless gloves, headnet, insect repellant, sun screen. REMINDER- felt soles are illegal in all of Alaska! Please make sure you have rubber soled wading boots. Read More

River Fishing Trip in King Salmon

Naknek River Camp Do-It-Yourself

NEW
Damn Good

An all-inclusive trip to the best trophy rainbow river in Alaska is now available for under $5000 per person! 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. No longer will a trip to Alaska have to be ‘once in a lifetime’, because, according to Jim, a onetime shot of Alaska just isn’t going to get it done. No, for the true big fish junkie, once in a lifetime just isn’t enough. That is why the crew at Naknek River Camp has gone the extra mile to make Alaska affordable. 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. His wife is head of housekeeping, the chef and a full time licensed guide. His older son, an avid fisherman and 4 time Michigan State Casting Champion, is Jim's right hand man around camp. His daughter has also been the Michigan State Casting Champion. She is the official camp photographer and the desert chef. And his youngest son is just starting his career as a fishing guide. His specialty is netting big salmon. Here are the several exciting species of fish you can expect to target depending on the time of year: **Early Season Fishing – June & July:** Smolting Rainbows on the Naknek: The best rainbow fishing is close to camp. The rainbows concentrate on salmon smolt and leeches migrating downstream to the ocean. The best offerings include large rabbit strip and marabou leeches in black, olive and dark brown. NOT egg sucking leeches. Minnow imitations are also deadly in small to medium sizes. Rainbows at Brooks: Brooks is flies only. In June, July and early August, rainbows will eagerly take mice, dead drifted small dries, sculpins and leeches. Recommended Tackle: an 8 ½ to 10 foot fly rod for a 5-6 weight line. The WF floater is the most popular choice, although sink-tips (130 grain to 200 grain) will work as well. 3x to 5x tippets. Grayling at Idavain: This fishing starts out with a 1 mile hike to the better fishing grounds. Grayling are best fished with light tackle. I would use a 4 or 5 weight fly rod with a floating line. #12 and #14 adams, caddis and stoneflies (dry), small beadhead nymphs, leeches, woolybuggers and deer hair mice will all work here. Kings: These begin showing up mid-June, building throughout the month. Most of the fishing is down in the lower Naknek, where tide is important and the water is deep. Treble hooks are legal. By late July, they will begin moving into the rapids to prepare for spawning. Single Hook Only. Recommended Tackle: We have a lot of heavy rods and reels – spinning, revolving spool and fly – that guests can use. 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. The fly reel should employ a 400 – 600 grain sink tip line. Sockeye: Chrome sockeye begin their trip from the ocean around June 20th. This migration continues until late July (timing varies, of course, depending on weather). Until the spawn in mid- August, sockeye will hold in slow pools and side channels. They are usually turning red by early August. Recommended Tackle: A 6-8 weight fly rod in 9’ to 11’ lengths with a Climax Zip Line is by far the best choice. A floating line with either a strike indicator or a few split shot will also work well. **Late Season Fishing – August & September:** Rainbows on the Naknek: The best rainbow fishing is close to camp and in the rapids. The rainbows will still take salmon smolt and leeches migrating downstream to the ocean, but by far the biggest food source is salmon eggs. Sockeye eggs are 6mm, silvers and pinks are 8mm and kings are 10mm. Sometimes, oversize imitations work better. I like trout beads mottled beads in orange, dark roe and pinks in sizes 6mm – 12mm. Don’t forget #8 and #10 short shank hooks and toothpicks (or the clear plastic pegs). For leeches, I like articulated and bunny strip versions without eggs in front in black, olive, purple and flesh colors. Wool head sculpin also work well. Late in the season, flesh flies might be needed. Rainbows at Brooks: Brooks is flies only. In early August, rainbows will eagerly take mice, dead drifted small dries, sculpins and leeches. By mid to late August, the sockeye spawning kicks in and 6mm – 8mm plastic beads are king. Margot Creek: This is some of the best arctic char/ dolly varden fishing around, along with a decent population of rainbows. The stream is full of sockeye spawning by mid August, so beads are at great bet here, with or without a fly following behind. All the same patterns listed for Brooks work well here as well. If the water is discolored, 10 and 12mm beads are deadly. The rest of the time, 6mm and 8mm work best. Silvers: By early August, silvers should be running into the Naknek on each high tide. Bright marabou streamers in purples and pinks and other bright colors, spinners in sizes 3-5 in pink, orange, chartreuse, and silver all work very well at times, as do wiggle warts in the same colors. Lots of local guides prefer jigs in 1/8 and 1/16 ounce in pink and purple, fished with or without an indicator. When they get spooky, however, nothing compares to a shooting line, a very small split shot or 2 and a small marabou streamer (like a woolybugger or PM Wiggler) in black, purple, pink, olive and cream, fished on 2x-3x fluoro. The best rods are 9 ½-10 ½ for a 7wt or 8wt. Line. I would want to have a shooting line, a floater and, possibly, a 200 to 300 grain sinking tip. For spinning, a 7 ½ med light rod, a reel with a smooth drag and 8 – 12 pound test line is best. Pinks: Every even year is a pink year on the Naknek, which means that 2012 will likely bring another strong run starting in July and continuing into mid-August. They are extremely aggressive, hitting all of the flies and lures listed for silvers, and then some. Small silver spoons and spinners work very well also. They are in the 3 to 6 pound range, and so can be a lot of fun on a little lighter tackle. Light spinning rods with 8 pound line or fly rods in the 5-7 weight range are perfect. Same lines as silvers. Kings: Early in August, the kings begin moving to their spawning areas, either up the feeder streams or in the rapids of the main stream. King season closes at the end of July, but many will be hooked throughout most of August. They must be immediately released, of course. Most of the spawning area is single hook only. Large streamers, small marabou streamers and large eggs all work well. Sockeye: Reds are thick in August and most of September. They are either spawning, or holding in slower seams waiting to spawn. The river and creek mouths around Naknek Lake will also be full of them. **Lodging:** 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. Also equipped with a nice kitchen to cook in, a dining room to enjoy great meals in, and a toilet in every cabin. Naknek River Camp also has a few conveniences that neither one of us expected to have in the Alaskan bush, including phone service for both us and our guests. There is road access to the towns of King Salmon and Naknek, offering medical services, a general store, groceries and even fishing and hunting supplies. **What's Included:** A private riverfront cabin, all food and meals in your own comfortable dining room, and transportation to and from the King Salmon Airport. The cabins include towels, pillows and linens. Just bring your PJ’s, your toothbrush, your fishing gear and your sense of adventure. Jim will supply everything else. **What to Bring:** Jim has a lot of heavy rods and reels – spinning and fly – that guests can use. If you want to bring some, he would recommend: June & July: 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. The fly reel should employ a 400 – 600 grain sink tip line. August & September: a 7-9 foot spinning rod with 30 pound braid for casting and a 9 ½ for a 9 or 10 weight for flyfishing. The fly reel should employ either a 400 – 600 grain sink tip line, a floating line with a strike indicator, or a Climax Zip line (or other suitable shooting line). Other equipment needed or recommended: Split shot in sizes b, bb and 3/0. Cone sinkers in 1/64th, 1/32nd, 1/16th, tapered leaders in 0x and 3x, fluorocarbon tippet in 2x – 5x, strike indicators in both 1 inch foam and yarn style, #12 black barrel swivels, forceps, nippers, floatant, brown or amber polarized sunglasses with strap, hat with brim, rain jacket, chest waders, wading belt, some like a wading staff, fleece pants, fleece sweater(s), wool socks, windproof fleece fingerless gloves, headnet, insect repellant, sun screen. REMINDER- felt soles are illegal in all of Alaska! Please make sure you have rubber soled wading boots. Read More

River Fishing Trip in King Salmon

Naknek River All-Inclusive

NEW
See All Arctic Char Trips

Everything to Know About Booking a fishing trip

What are the best arctic char fishing trips?

Our Damn Good Guides currently offer 4 arctic char trips, and the most popular trips are Naknek River All-Inclusive guided by James, Naknek River Camp Do-It-Yourself guided by James, and Alaska Float Fishing guided by Rene.

All guides on Captain Experiences are licensed, insured, and vetted by our team. You can access their reviews, click through trip photos, read bios to get to know them, and preview trip details like species, techniques, group sizes, boat specs and more.

Looking for kid friendly arctic char guides? Check out our beginner and family friendly arctic char guides.

What types of arctic char fishing trips are common?

River fishing is the most popular for arctic char.

The most common fishing techniques are fly fishing and sight casting.

How much does an arctic char fishing trip cost?

for arctic char prices can range anywhere from an affordable $3,495 to $3,000 and up, but the average price for a full day trip for arctic char is $14,590.

What month is best for arctic char fishing?

The most popular season for arctic char fishing is summer, and most anglers book their trips 136 days in advance.

Do I need a fishing license for arctic char and what are the bag limits for arctic char?

See here for more information on arctic char fishing licenses, arctic char bag limits, and fishing season regulations for arctic char. When in doubt, your fishing guide will always know the right arctic char rules and regulations.

What is an Arctic Char?

Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus), also known as red charr and golden trout, is a cold, brackish water fish in the Salmonidae family that they share with salmon, trout, freshwater whitefishes, and graylings. They are known to be the northernmost fish found in freshwater, even residing in the Canadian Arctic. They are also known for being one of the rarest fish in Britain and Ireland.

Though the topside of a char is dark, depending on the time of year and the environment they are in, they can range from red to yellow, to white on their bellies. This variance caused differently colored fish to be labeled as different species until 1974 when it was discovered they’re all the same.

The best way to distinguish an arctic char from their cousin, the salmon, is to look at their sides. Arctic char will have light pink or white spots, while salmon will have dark spots.

How big do Arctic Char get?

There can be quite the variance in the size of arctic char due to not only environment size and food availability, but also due to the species' size dimorphism. Size dimorphism is when there are two different-sized forms of the same species, in this case, dwarf and giant. Dwarf char can be between seven ounces and five pounds, one ounce, and three inches long. Giant char typically weigh up to nine pounds and are 16 inches long on average.

Female and male arctic char can live up to 30 years after reaching maturity at four to ten and are typically the same size. Arctic char that migrate to the sea are usually larger than their land-locked brethren.

What's the biggest Arctic Char ever caught?

The IGFA world record is held by Jeffrey Ward who caught a 32 pound, nine-ounce gigantic arctic char out of Tree River, Canada in 1981. However, there have been unofficial reports of even larger ones caught out of Tree River, the biggest claiming to be over 34 pounds. There are rumors of even bigger monsters than that coming from Russia.

Where is the best place to catch Arctic Char?

Arctic char are considered to be circumpolar, which means they are situated around one of the Earth’s Poles, in this case, the North Pole. They can be found as far south as New Hampshire in the United States, and the Pyrenees in Europe, and as far north as Ellesmere Island in Canada. They are then spread around the globe in areas like Alaska, Russia, Iceland, and the Alps.

They are anadromous, unless completely landlocked, meaning they migrate from sea to freshwater to spawn. One in freshwater, they will stay in lakes or pools of the river over a gravel bottom. Those that are stuck inland, which are the majority, stick to cold rivers and lakes, including glacial lakes.

When should I catch Arctic Char?

The best time to fish for arctic char depends on the area you are in. If you are fishing along the migratory route of anadromous fishes, catching them on their way in to spawn is an excellent time, which will typically happen between May and July.

Following their movement, the next best time of the year will be to catch them during their spawn, which can be anywhere from autumn to winter. It will typically begin to happen once water temperatures reach around 40 degrees Fahrenheit, so be sure to check out the yearly patterns in the area you intend to fish.

How do you catch Arctic Char?

Fishing for arctic char is often compared to Atlantic salmon fishing. They tend to be fierce and sometimes acrobatic fighters and can be caught both conventionally and on the fly. No matter how you choose to fish, it is recommended you use bait that most similarly resembles the char’s natural diet of plankton, insect eggs, small fish, and crustaceans.

For fly fishing, bright-colored leech, streamer, and smolt imitations as well as beads work best with a plethora of dry flies. When spin casting, large baits with heavy spinners work best while using a large rod that can handle some fast spinning action.

Keep in mind that these guys tend to school, and can also be easily spooked even by your shadow. It is important to not cast too much in one spot and to watch your movement. For all of the specificity, it is recommended to use a guide, who will have the local knowledge and experience to give you the expertise you need to land a trophy arctic char.

Are Arctic Char good to eat? What are the best Arctic Char recipes?

Arctic char is considered excellent table fare and is often compared to having a taste somewhere in between trout and salmon. It has a naturally bright red to pale pink-colored flesh, which is caused by its diet of crustaceans like pink shrimp. Also, it is hard to overcook since it has a fatty texture that gives plenty of room for even the most inexperienced of cooks to nail it.

Some common ways to prepare arctic char is by baking, grilling, poaching, and pan-searing, which are similar methods that are often used with salmon or trout. They can also be paired with a variety of flavors like mustard, brown butter, shiitake, eggplant, salsa verde, and more.

They also have a skin perfect for creating a crisp-skinned dish. To do so, heat oil in a pan, then cook the fillet skin side down seasoned with salt and pepper. This technique will cook from the bottom up, keeping the flesh moist and making the skin crisp. Then simply serve with a lemon wedge or pair with mashed potatoes.

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