Alaska West, Kanektok River

The Kanektok is a fish factory. With runs of all five species of Pacific salmon, rainbow trout, Dolly Varden and grayling, the river provides a great mix of quantity and variety.  Our location on the river, 5.5 miles from its mouth, puts us in a unique position to sample the variety the river has to offer.

Downriver from the camp is the larger water, including the long gravel bars where the kings hold, the deep snaggy channels where the big rainbows lie, the backwaters that load with silvers and the tidewaters full of salmon fresh from the salt. Upriver from the camp, the river makes a transition to smaller water, side channels and tributaries. These sections allow hiking up channels for rainbows, targeting salmon in smaller water, making day-long drifts fishing for “anything” and working extremely productive dolly flats.

Run Timing 

The season at Alaska West is only 12 weeks long, but things change quickly during that period.

From mid-June to mid-July, king salmon are the most popular target, with rainbow fishing picking up in July as well.  The second half of July provides a shot at the salmon grand slam (all five species, all on flies, in one day), and the most varied rainbow fishing.  In August through the beginning of September, silver mania sweeps the Kanektok and the trout just keep getting fatter as fall arrives.

Travel to Alaska West includes two main steps.

• Flying to Anchorage, Alaska on any major carrier.  (This may require overnighting in Anchorage)
• Taking charter flight from Anchorage to Quinhagak, Alaska via Bethel

Anchorage to Quinhagak Charter

Charter flights are operated by Era Aviation.  Guests fly from Anchorage to Bethel, and then connect to a short flight from Bethel to Quinhagak. The flights from Anchorage to Quinhagak via Bethel cost $700 per person, round trip.

Booking the Charter

There is room on the charter flight for all of Alaska West's guests.  Once you have confirmed your desire for traveling on the charter flight by making the necessary payment, the flying service will be notified and you will recieve the confirmation information.  

Flight Schedule

The charter flight leaves Anchorage at 9:30 am on Friday.  The return flight from Quinhagak to Anchorage via Bethel is scheduled to arrive in Anchorage at 2:30 pm on Friday, weather permitting.  Guests leaving Alaska West on the charter should schedule their connecting flights to leave Anchorage any time after 5:00 pm.

Anglers sleep in heated tents with carpeted wooden floors. The dining tent gives plenty of room to spread out, relax and enjoy the Alaska Gourmet cuisine.

Showers and sinks are provide with hot and cold running water, and the outhouse facilities are cleaned and emptied every day.

If you’re looking for white linen tablecloths, you should look elsewhere. If you’re looking for a very comfortable place to spend the week fishing, relaxing and enjoying a little corner of Alaska, you’ve come to the right place.

It is best to call the facilities a “tent lodge.” It is made up of a combination of permanent and semi-permanent structures, and is designed to combine comfortable living, eating and lounging areas with a location right on top of a phenomenal river.

Rates for 2013 Season

$5250 and $5650 per person for a 7 night / 6 day trip, depending on the week.

Most trips with Alaska West on the Kanektok cost $5250 and $5650 per person for a 7 night / 6 day trip, depending on the week.

That price includes 7 nights and 6 days of guided fishing on the Kanektok, meals, lodging, flies, terminal tackle and loaner gear. 

Fishing on the Arolik for 7 nights and 6 days is also available - prices upon request.

Singles who are willing to share lodging and a boat with another guest are welcome to book at no additional charge beyond the normal rates.

2013 season runs from the second week of June through the end of August each summer.