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Angling Publications - Index

Angling Publications - Magazine - Index

JEFF EDVALDS PHOTO
ALASKA
RIVERSONG LODGE
KATMAI LODGE
• Alagnak River
• Katmai Lodge
WHALER’S COVE LODGE
I’ve fished Alaska more times than I can remember, but the river that keeps bringing me back is the Alagnak. A
National Wild and Scenic River, the Alagnak flows 75 miles from Kukaklek Lake to Bristol Bay, all but the lower 18
miles of which are in Katmai National Park. A major tributary—the Nonvianuk—originates at Nonvianuk Lake, and
most of the monster rainbows that winter in Kukaklek and Nonvianuk Lakes drop down into the Alagnak in May to
spawn, remaining all summer to gobble eggs from the Alagnak’s five runs of Pacific Salmon.
If you want LOTS big rainbows undistracted by millions of salmon, the time to go is June. We were there last June
and landed hundreds of 2-foot-plus rainbows, the largest of which was a 32-inch brute. The place to stay is Katmai
Lodge, right on the river. The accommodations and food are as good as they get in wilderness Alaska, and the Katmai
lodge guides are rainbow specialists who will put you on more fish than you can stand.
The 2008 trout season on the Alagnak opens June 7, and from opening day through June 28 Katmai Lodge is offering
a special rainbow, Dolly Varden and grayling “dry fly” package priced at $4,800 per angler with round trip airfare from
King Salmon. The “dry-fly” label notwithstanding, be sure to bring plenty of hair mice and bunny leeches as well. For
more information log on to www.katmai.com, or contact Katmai Lodge at (800) 330-0326. by Bill Battles
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