Alaska Fishing Lodges: The Alaska West Lodge

Alaska West Fishing Camp - WhereWiseMenFish!

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The Fishing at Alaska West

The Fish

Alaska West Camp & Staff

Best Times to Go 

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Alaska West Fishing Camp 2009
Akula class salmon fishing!

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Alaska is a country that abounds in fantastic rivers awash with prolific runs of Pacific Salmon, superb Rainbow Trout fishing and 101 different types of lodges to suit every style and demand. The choice and options are bewildering! If you are after a dedicated fishing camp, simple and straightforward but with all the basic amenities you could require, reasonably priced, expertly staffed with dedicated and knowledgeable guides and most of all host to some exceptional fly fishing, then you need look no further than Alaska West fishing camp.

The Fishing at Alaska West

The Kanektok River:

The primary river that guests of Alaska West fish is the Kanektok which has a tremendous run of Kings that come in from mid-June until the end of July. The absolute peak of the fishing is the first two to three weeks of the season from mid-June to early July. Not only are the fish tide bright and sea-liced but crucially and unlike the majority of Alaskan Rivers, the King Salmon can be caught by traditional down and across swing fly tactics. Angling techniques in essence mirror those used for Atlantic Salmon fishing with the simple difference that in almost every pool, on every bend of the river, you stand a very good chance of becoming attached to a 40lb+ Salmon. Not to be overlooked is the fact that the river also has one of the best Silver Salmon runs along with superb Rainbow Trout fishing and very strong runs of the other species. This allows it to offer out of this world fly fishing throughout the entire season.

The Arolik River:

Exclusive to guests at Alaska West is the Arolik River. A smaller and much more intimate river than the Kanektok, with the total number of anglers on the river limited to just 6, for many it is the hidden jewel in the crown of the Alaska West fishery. The upper sections have some superb Rainbow Trout fishing however the lower section is home to some Kings of equal size of those on the Kanektok but resting in pools more akin to those of a small Trout stream. Days on the Arolik are limited and must be pre-booked at an additional charge of $100/day.

Quite simply at WhereWiseMenFish we firmly believe that the Kanektok & Arolik offer guests of Alaska West two of the most fly-fishable rivers in Alaska providing a wide and varied range of fishing options. The number of repeat guests at Alaska West is testament to its popularity and the testimonials we receive each year from experienced and well traveled anglers continue to uphold our confidence in this excellent fishing camp.

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Overview of Alaska West Camp in low low water

The Fish

Chinook (King) Salmon:

Typical Solid Alaska West King Salmon

The biggest of the Pacific salmon, they got their name by default. Notorious for holding in the deepest darkest hiding places, most "anglers" coax them up with heavy, shiny, noisy, smelly, gaudy, greasy gear saving the fragile fly fishing tackle for easier prey.

However... at Alaska West Fishing camp they have honed and refined their fly angling skills and collective knowledge to a point where they consistently hook and land these behemoth masses that more resemble chrome plated sea lions than fish. This is a big game fish adventure and once bitten by the bug, it's a hard habit to cure. The adrenaline rush of the fight and the conquering confidence of a battle won are feelings second only to the humiliating frustration of a war lost. Atlantic salmon anglers leave bewildered by the awesome power of these fly gobbling giants. Steelhead bums wonder how they can get their VW buses close to here. No one can wait to do it again, and most make sure they do.

Coho (Silver) Salmon:

Straight from the Sea-A fresh run Silver

Although unpublished in any medical journals to date, Silver fishing at Alaska West infects people the world over with an insatiable desire to have more... and more... and more.

From late July through the end of the season Alaska West is reduced to a den of iniquity. Fish-a-holics the world over throng to these waters to "put a hurtin' on some silvers". The charge of adrenaline transferred from the fish up the line into the anglers body injects such a sensation mere words can't describe. Highly respected people of position in the real world are reduced to begging the guide for just one more cast. The most conservative individuals have been known to "pull an all nighter", crazed with fish fighting frenzy.

Silveritis-cohosis; Those of us who have been stricken by this, one of the most consuming fish afflictions, can sympathize with our fellow sufferers. The acrobatic jumping, the screaming runs, the violent thrashing, the exhilaration of victory and the agony of defeat... and you should see what the fish do!

Chum (Dog), Pink (Humpies) and Sockeye (Red) Salmon:

Fresh run Chum Salmon at Alaska West Camp

Chum are willing to slam most any fly like a speeding freight and are capable of stripping every single inch of backing off your reel and send you leaping for the boat in a single bound. They are faster than the speediest large arbor pick up and unable to accept the concept of QUIT... what more could an adventurous angler wish for? As any Alaska West guide will tell you there is no fun like Chum fun. The sheer epic numbers of these salmon and relentless action is the thrill.

Pinks are petite little salmon that are loads of fun on light tackle. They are graceful and aggressive and are a hard fighting smaller version of all the macho big fish stuff that is so prevalent in Alaska. Break out the five weight without risking the big "break"!

It's often said that pound for pound sockeye are the hardest fighting most aerial of the five pacific salmon. Though at times coaxing a red to eat presents a formidable challenge, once hooked these acrobats prove it time after time.

Whether named for their bright red meat or for the fire engine color of their bodies at spawning, reds are any salmon connoisseur's most palatable reward. Reds are plankton eaters at sea and though that carotene rich food is great for lending the rich colour and great taste to these salmon, it's not so great in trying to match the hatch. Plankton fly anyone? And though the age-old argument of whether salmon feed in rivers or not will not be entered into here... it is a fact that sockeye will eat a fly whether spurred from frenzy or feeding or just plain dumb luck.

Rainbow Trout:

A Rainbow Trout from the Arolik River

There are several claims of other rivers in Alaska being home to the legendary Leopard Rainbow Trout. Although it may be true to only a degree, this is the place where they were perfected.

Few places on earth have rainbows this pretty. Thick blood red side stripes pour out of crimson gill plates accenting their broad shouldered heavy bellied deep green bodies that are covered with black spots that ooze into one another, like their big cat namesake. However, don't let these good looks fool you. One look at the size of the mouth on these fish will clue you in to the fact that these are rodent-eating, egg stealing, carcass guarding river serpents. They are far removed from their wimpy midge sipping kin elsewhere in the world.

Alaska West are very proud of these fish. Out of this respect they have adopted a strict fly only - catch and release policy in order to ensure the long lasting protection of one of their greatest and most unique fishery resources.

Want to Know More
Watch the film and read the fishing report from a previous WWMF King Salmon week at the Alaska West Lodge

Alaska West Camp & Staff

The Alaska West Camp is run as a deluxe tent lodge. This means that anglers sleep in heated tents with carpeted wooden floors. The tents are very comfortable, spacious and provide a very high standard of accommodation. There is a separate drying tent for wet waders and clothes and a large outhouse, cleaned regularly and with ample supplies of hot water for everyone. A large dining tent gives plenty of room to spread out, relax and enjoy the hearty Alaskan cuisine. It is not a lodge of white linen tablecloths and formality but rather a very comfortable place to spend a week fishing, relaxing and enjoying a very special place in Alaska.

With an angler to guide ratio of two to one, this Alaskan fishing lodge offers incredibly hard working guiding professionals who stop at nothing short of "making it happen" for their angling clientele. The equipment, although an integral part of the ensemble, is second only to the can do attitude, enthusiasm and expertise of this exceptional group of individuals. Alaska West is very proud of its entire staff. The crew is comprised of motivated, dedicated and highly skilled persons, whose commitment to a good job well done is seldom equaled in this industry.

Alaska West Camp Dining Hall

Typical sleeping tent at Alaska West

Best Times to Go

Each species of fish has a relatively defined and short season. The best time to go varies on which species you are looking to target. The table below outlines the various seasons however for expert advice please get in touch with us and we will be happy to assist.

If you would prefer to speak to us directly regarding a trip to the Alaska West Lodge, please contact us at the following:

United Kingdom Office:
Justin Maxwell-Stuart
Mobile: +44 (0)7711 519 857
Fax: +44 (0)20 7352 0942
justin@wherewisemenfish.com

United States Office:

US Country Code: +1
Telephone: 646 797 2945
info@wherewisemenfish.com

Or alternatively email us via our Booking Enquiries Form to request more information.