Hello board,,,,
I have a question about fishing for kings and sockeye up on the GULKANA AND KLUTINA RIVERS(ALASKA) in the middle to end of July.
I have a 17ft Jet boat that I can use and am wondering if it would be helpfull for fishing that river, and if you could share some techniques on what to use and where to go.

Thanks,
Tazzz

Gulkana is a pretty shallow river from what I've seen of it. Klutina is a 'wild' river. Was told that it averages 13 knots. When we were there 2 years ago it was in full flood..whole trees were floating down river..roots included.

I fished those rivers the last two years in July. The Klutina was a raging mess both years. We had to drive 18 miles up the Klutina river "road"(I use that term very loosely) just to get to some descent water. All the charters were fishing from about mile 15 through 18. It looked pretty scary getting those boats on/off the trailers.
I think by the middle to end of July the Gulkana is pretty well done for kings.We went the third week in july two years ago and totally missed the kings. We went last year the first week in July and it was just the tail end of the run. The river was gin clear the day we got there last year. Then it rained 4 days straight and was blown out the rest of the week.
We caught all our kings on the klutina both years. But the river is going so fast you barely stand a chance landing them from the bank.(But boy is it a kick when you hook into a big one!) I have floated the gulkana one year and don't remember seeing any motors. I'm pretty sure there is a no combustion motor restriction, but I could be wrong.
We are going up this year from June 14-23. We are going to forget the Klutina for kings and try to hit the gulkana run instead. The fish are smaller, but they are brighter fish and a lot easier to land.
A good buddy of mine grew up in Glennallen, and his parents still live there. You can email me if you have any questions and I might be able to help you out.
davison.roofing@verizon.net
Good luck!

Tazzz, I fished the Gulkana years ago and had a great trip. My buddy and I floated the river late June early July with an inflateable Avon rented from U-haul. It was a easy float. Never saw a motorized boat above the highway. We used drift gear with med-heavy poles and large corkies with eggs. Thirty pound test leaders and twenty pound main line worked for us. Kings all day and night. My largest was fifty and my buddy's forty five. You'll find the kings in the deep head of the pool. Hope this helps.

SS,
Regarding the Klutina River road, is there much bank access along the way, and was there any fishing pressure? I've only fished the Gulkana, but would like to give the Klutina a try.

ob, The road follows the river all the way to the glacier. I've only been up to about mile 20. I think you can only fish for kings up to mile 18 anyway. Mile 20 is about as brave as I wanted to get in our rental car(blazer). A four wheel drive is a definite must if its been raining at all. The road goes right along the river for most of the way. Easy walk or five minute hike right to the water. There are a couple of miles where you are a long way above the river. We didn't see too many other people up there, but the river was really high and there weren't to many holes to fish either. We did two days of exploring to find two descent holes. Just us and all the guides up that high. There are some nice camp sites along the road. You have to pay the Ahtna native corporation to drive on the road. But if the only fishable water is up high what are you gonna do?