Fishing Day

Since the camp is located at the top of the tide line on the main branch of the river (there are three distinct, and very fishable branches, each with its own character), the vast majority of salmon fishing for all 5 species is for chrome bright, sea-lice fish fresh from the salt.

Since the river is at it widest and deepest in tidewater, some of the king fishing is best done from one of 10 skiffs that carry two anglers (or 3 if there is a party that wishes it). There is everything from high powered skiffs for a long run upriver, to a drift boat. However, there is ample opportunity to wade fish both the tidewater areas, the mouths of all three branches as they split off the main tidal section, and miles of river, if that is what the angler wishes. There are wonderful opportunities to swing a fly on one or two-handed rods for all of the salmon species. Silvers are best caught wading, but can also be fished for from a boat. Each evening all guests are given the opportunity to decide what they wish to fish for, where they would like to fish, and how they want to fish for the following day.

The fishing day is normally 8:30 am to 5:30pm. Most guests find this ample time. However, during King season when the tide is right, the guides, by request of their anglers, will take anyone wishing back out after dinner until 10:30 pm. Due to the location of the camp, there is also great fishing right out in front of the camp, especially for silvers and chums as they make their way upriver.

Most fly anglers can expect to hook up on 10-15 chrome bright kings per day, with an average size of 20-30#. There are many kings landed over 30# each week, and some that push 50. Plug pullers can expect to do even better. Along with the kings come the chums, and in recent years, a staggering amount of sockeye, all of which can be caught alongside the kings, or targeted specifically. Pinks runs are heavy every other year on the even years. But the silver run is epic, and arguably the best fishing the river has to offer. Starting around the 20th of July and continuing well through the end of the season, they pour into the river by the thousands. These are chrome-bright fish that just love to eat poppers on the top, and 30-50 fish landed per day is the norm. After a few days of this hot action, most anglers need a break.

The Rainbow fishing starts in the early season with fish aggressively hitting streamers, and then the Mouse when the water temp hits 48 degrees. This is done by wading, drifting, or a combination of both in all three branches of the river, and as much as 30+ miles upriver. As the salmon start to drop eggs, the bows congregate below them, and a bead egg is pretty hot, but you can still get them to take a mouse. Our bows average 18-24" and are readily available most of the season. Good anglers can expect 15-20 bows per day, based on the week.

The sea run dolly varden hit the river in mid-July, and move upriver as they track the salmon. These fish just love to hit skated dry flies, and catches of up to 50-80 dollies per day from 14-22" are not uncommon, and can provide a welcome break from wearing your arms out catching silvers.