Destination Highlight: Alagnak River Alaska

Let’s just say, not all Alaska fishing vacations are created alike. During prime fishing season “The Last Frontier” state of Alaska swells to over 8 times its population with visitors. This causes many of its rivers to take on more and more fishing pressure each year, especially on rivers within a 2-3 hour circumference of Anchorage. Luckily, that is not the case with the Alagnak River, it is still as pristine and unspoiled as it gets fly fishing Alaska.

Why Fly Fish The Alagnak?

The Alagnak River flows through captivating wild lands that are home to abundant wildlife. For anglers exploring the area, it is not uncommon to see moose lingering by the riverbanks, a bald eagle resting in a spruce tree, or a brown bear feasting on salmon spawning in the waters.

For many centuries, locals who lived near the Alagnak River relied on its natural resources for food and water. To this day, natives situated in nearby villages still hunt and fish the area. Many adventurers flock the Alagnak River for its combination of fly fishing, Class I to III rapids, wonderful wildlife, and breath-taking scenery. Additionally, fish abundance, both in terms of numbers and species, has made its waters one of the most popular fly fishing destinations in Alaska.

Overview Map by Pere Marquette Outfitters

As one of the major rivers in the Bristol Bay Watershed, the Alagnak River is one of the tributaries of the Kvichak River, which originates from Lake Iliamna. Its waters flow through Kvichak Bay before meandering into Bristol Bay. This allows anglers to raft or wade any stretch or distance from its sources at the Kukaklek and Nonvianuk lakes to its mouth. Notably, the Alagnak River has massive runs of various salmon species. While other rivers have incredible runs of just Chum or Sockeye, the Alagnak River is known to have solid runs of all five species of salmon.

The five-species run starts in late June with King Salmon and Sockeye. Towards early September, Coho (Silver), Chum, and Pink salmon begin their huge runs. Rainbow trout can be fished in the entire system, with the largest concentration found in the Alagnak River braids. Anglers will also find Grayling and Dolly Varden in the braids and other areas where the salmon spawn.

One thing to keep in mind as you plan your trip, is that there is a big difference between the lower versus upper Alagnak rivers. The lower Alagnak is a larger river with access to lodges and more boat access.  By contrast, the upper Alagnak, accessible only by float plane to the lakes that feed it as a source, can only be rafted and takes a minimum of a 6-7 day trip to navigate class 1-3 water, with more primitive camping accommodations.

What To Expect Fishing The Alagnak

The very best fly fishing spots on the upper Alagnak River are only accessible by float planes.  So, you can expect a true wilderness experience. Here are a couple of videos highlighting what you can expect when you visit the lower Alagnak River for a lodge and guide supported trip:

It is quite challenging to plan a trip to the upper wilderness part of the Alagnak River on your own. Therefore, it is best to hire a reputable guide to help you start off on the right foot. There are many companies that offer their services for reaching the Alagnak River.  For an outfit that will plan and execute every part of your trip, consider Pere Marquette Outfitters. They will provide you with insider tips on everything you need, even arrange your lodging and airport transfers.  For further information about Pere Marquette Outfitters, and some additional informational websites about the Alagnak, here are some useful websites:

• http://www.peremarquetteoutfitters.com/alaska-fly fishing.html
• https://www.myalaskanfishingtrip.com/blog/view/fly fishing-the-alagnak-river
• https://alagnaklodge.com/fishing-in-alaska/alagnak-overview/
• http://www.alaska.org/detail/alagnak-river

Alaska Fly Fishing Lodges

If a wilderness float camping among the bears isn’t your thing, you may want to stay at an Alaska fishing lodge instead, that allows you to kick back indoors after a long day on the river.  Some of the most well known Alaska fishing lodges include the following.  Some of these are on the (lower) Alagnak, while most of these are not on the Alagnak, but are on other rivers and bays known for excellent fishing. Some specialize in an area such as Bristol Bay fishing (where the Alagnak river eventually flows), others cater to anglers after specific fish such as king salmon lodges::

• Alagnak Lodge Alaska
• Afognak Wilderness Lodge
• Ampersand Bay Resort
• Angler’s Alibi Lodge
• Bristol Bay Lodge
• Driftwood Lodge Alaska
• Murphy’s River Lodge
• Pherson Lodge
• Salmon Rapids Lodge
• Salmon River Lodge
• Sea Otter Lodge Alaska
• Wind River Lodge

Finally, if you are really smitten with the lodge life in Alaska, especially some of the best fishing lodges in Alaska, and are looking for a change, consider looking at Alaska lodges for sale!  Fly fishing AK really can’t be topped, so consider owning and running your own fly fishing lodge.  Just remember when you run your own lodge, some people who haven’t been to Alaska before are thinking in terms of an “Alaska river resort” and are surprised when accommodations are more rustic than they may be used to from warmer weather beach vacations.  And you’ll get calls from people who have heard about a famous river, think it’s in Alaska when it isn’t or even confuse different places, such as salmon rivers lodges (which could be in Idaho or Alaska!).  So as long as you can keep a sense of humor, and don’t mind the twists and turns of working with customers of all kinds – some experienced fly fishermen and some not – you’ll do terrific.  Or, consider if you’d prefer to run an outfitter and guide shop instead.