Some friends and I want to do a float trip out of Anchorage next summer. Prefferably for 5-7 days targeting mainly silvers. Has anybody floated Lake creek or the Talachulitna around the end of July or first week of August? Or does any body have any other suggestions for a different river. Looking for lots of fish and few people. Thanks.

I used to guide the Alagnek and would recommend that river as a good river. I never floated it because I worked out of a lodge but we frequently had people that floated the river join us for dinner.

The source of the Alagnek comes from two lakes; the Kukaklek (koo-kok-lek) and the Nonvianuk (non-vee-on-uck). At the confluence of the Kukalek and the Nonianuk rivers, the Alagnek is born. The float in from the Kukalek would be about 7 days and the float in from the Nonvinuk would be about 5 days.

I don't know about the float down the Kukalkek because I never took that branch of the river but I have been up (and down) the Nonvianuk all the way to the lake from our lodge and that stretch is easily navigable, with a couple places that will make your trip interesting :).

There are three lodges that operate within the last 4 miles of the river before the bay, the first yo would come to is the Katmai Lodge (where I worked from), the Branch River Lodge (Alagnek means branches), and the Alagnek Lodge. I believe there are lodges on the Nonvianuk and the Kukalek Lakes at the mouth of those rivers you could orient yourself from (they go in and out of business on a routine basis).

You'll have a lot of bears to contend with so pack and live accordingly. On one 4 mile stretch of the Alagnek in the morning hours during the Silver season I walked upon 19 brown bears ranging is size for 900-1200lbs. This is by no means unusual for this area of Alaska so research before your go.

For protection most guides used a short barrel 12 ga shot gun with a pistol grip. Loading the shells 00, 00, Slug, 00, 00, Slug, Slug, Slug. Generally speaking, most side arms won't have much of an effect on a bear if you have to use it. Wear bells, it may sound stupid but get a bell and wear it. Walking through bear grass that's 7 feet tall and turning the corner to come face to face with a bear that didn't know you were there is NOT the right way to make friends with a bear.

I would recommend packing two pair of waders; rip factor and dry out between days plus a repair kit. First aid equipment (you don't get a second chance here). Two types of super glue, slow set with a catalyst kicker and fast set (you can close wounds with the stuff - I glued my thumbnail back on when a king hooked it with it's snagletooth as it rolled). It rains a lot (our weather is born in this area) so make sure you have the necessary equipment to keep you warm and dry. Some of the stuff like a pack tent and the raft you can rent at Kink Salmon, which is where you will depart to most of the float trips in this area (Anchorage to Kink Salmon to your choice).

Branch River Air Service is a highly regarded bush plane service in this area with good pilots. They have more information here http://www.branchriverair.com/

I agree with Mark, but would add a couple of more considerations. While I have not worked that Katmai lodge I have spent eight weeks there in the past 10 years. I see a couple of issues with the float. Yes it's mostly benign, but there are some pretty dang interesting areas in the braids, and choosing the wrong braid could be a serious problem. My main concerns are rain, bugs, bears, and timing.

The rain, bugs and bears can really put a damper on a trip. If you can get a few dry days it’s great, but if every day is spent in rain it can be ugly. In August the bugs are still significant and as Mark said the bears are everywhere. They are not usually a big problem but they are definitely something to consider. For example I would not camp where I eat and I would be mighty careful about leaving good smelling goodies where the bears can smell them A few years back there was a wounded two years old bear near the camp. I most defiantly would not have wanted to be in a tent near him.

The last concern is timing .The silvers typically begin arriving about Aug.2-10 and build all of August. The rainbow fishing in the upper river can be pretty good in August, but once you get below the rainbow you need to be concerned that you don’t get below the silvers. Once you are below the silvers there isn't much to fish except funky pinks and chums.

If you go Aug 15-25 the silvers should be spread out pretty well. Before that you may find on any given day that you are either above or below the fish.

I have made t a point to chat with numerous groups that have floated the river, as I always wanted to do it myself. Many had a great times but other were damn glad to get away from the bug, rain and bears.

Have a great trip. Stam and I will be ther Aug.15-22. Maybe we will see ya there.

I guided on lake creek. shoot me a PM if you want info

Capt. Keith,

There are any number of places to float and fish for silvers. The Bristol Bay tribs begin getting good numbers the second week of Aug. The float trips that are easiest to access yield the least solitude. If you're willing to land on a pond and tote your raft and all your gear to the river, you can have it all to yourself since there are so many easier places to land on lakes and begin floating.

There are bugs in all of Aug and into Sept. Use DEET and wear Buzz Off clothes or treat your own with Permithrin. Take a head net. I haven't used mine yet, but would have last Sept one day if I'd taken it with me that day.

I haven't had a bear problem yet. It's probably just a matter of time. I like floating rivers that are not in the national park. The bears along the rivers on native corporations lands are hunted and get shot at occasionally and don't seem to want to have much to do with us. I think I'd be more concerned about park bears that are habituated to humans. Anyway, you can get this electric fence set up, powered by a deep cycle battery, and put around your tents and ice chests and food tote at night. Looks like they work pretty good, but I haven't had personal experience with them yet.

It rains. You can pack and dress accordingly. Year before last I wore my waders all day every day for 7 days except when I crawled into my tent at night.

The reasons for not doing the trip are the same as the reasons for doing it, plus you get to catch fish and put a notch on your bucket list.

Sg

Food for thought, at the lodge I worked at last summer, we had a high power electric fence around the perimeter of the lodge, and I can't count how many times I had to repair it because the bears would just walk through it and wander into camp... Don't rely on one

Are you sure you weren't just sleepwalking T?

Thanks for the info guys. We thought about the Bristol Bay area but decided to keep it closer to Anchorage to keep the cost down. We want to fly into Anchorage and take on bush flight to our fishing destination. I think anything that requires two bush flights is out of our price range this time. I know that probally means more people and less fish but its really a relative thing when coming from the lower 48. I did a little research on the Tongass forest service cabins and was thinking that might be an option as well. Any experience with the Italio?

If you fly into Dillingham do you ony need one bush flight to get to your fishing destination? Have any of you guys used the Therma cell mosquito repellent systems? It looks like you can strap one to you body, I don't know much about them.

Flying into Dillingham or King Salmon is what you do from Anchorage, usually on a commuter turboprop. I've heard there are direct flights from SeaTac to D'ham or KS, but never when I was shopping for a ticket. Float plane service is expensive, about equal to the SeaTac to AK flight.

Italio is a short hop from Yakutat I think. There are lots of silver rivers and streams you can access from there and Ketchikan.

Never heard of Therma cell in regards to mosquitoes. Bugs are a damn nuisance, but don't let that keep you from going.

T-bird, you oughta' get a refund if the bears are walking through the electric fence. The product video shows the bears trying to get at a couple ice chests inside the perimeter, and the bears give up after getting bit by the fence once or twice. Maybe you forgot to plug your fence in? Charge the battery? ???

The fence is a lot of additional weight for a float trip. Not having needed one so far, I don't know if I'd opt for it or not next time.

Sg