Fly Fishing :: Alaska

THE FISHING
Daily floatplane fly-outs, jet-boats, and rafting, put you in the middle of one of the world’s greatest sportfisheries in the world. Enjoy the grandeur in fly fishing for trophy trout on small, gin-clear, uncrowded streams. This is what we’re known for. This is what we do best. An Alaskan adventure…

Most of the fishing out of Alaska Rainbow Point Lodge is done on the lodge's "home waters" - the Upper and Lower sections of the Copper River, and the Gibraltar River. With the use of the lodge's Cessna 206 float plane, you can also access rivers that include the New Halen, Talarik, Kvichak, Nushagak, Mulchatna, Moraine, Funnel, Battle, American, Kamishak, Amakadori, and the "Cone."

During the trophy trout fishing seasons (late spring and fall) guests come from around the globe to fish for trophy native rainbows in an unspoiled setting. During the summer and throughout the fall, the salmon provide a tremendous food source for these trophy fish, and the fishing is outstanding.

• JUNE –June!    Dry Fly Season! Excitement surrounds opening day June 8th, when our Leopard Bows—some running over 17 pounds—shed their winter stupor and start to feed.  The rainbows are finishing up their spawn and feeding aggressively. Our guides know all the tricks to catch them.  It's so good the State of Alaska gave the designation "Trophy Rainbow River" to our home waters, the Copper River.   We also fish the Gibraltar, Moraine, American and more, plus a few secret places.  
Come catch Alaska trout fever in June. 

While you're at it, hook a few grayling, char and pike on a mouse pattern, just for fun.

Early season conditions can vary at this time depending on the “size” of the previous winter. A big snow pack produces high water, while a light snow pack means low, clear conditions. Either way, this is a great time to target rainbows in the Illiamna region. Coming out of their winter dormancy and spawning period, the rainbows are awake and on the feed.

• JULY – Need fireworks in July?  Try Alaska.  Imagine 7 million red roman candles filling a river.  That's our sockeye run.  One bit of advice:  if you come in July, don't forget your cooler.  We practice catch-and-release on the rainbows, but sockeyes are fair game for the frying pan.  Pound for pound, there's not a more exciting (or tasty) fish around.  These are great rivers for a mixed group -for the expert as well as the neophyte, for fishermen and women.

Arms worn out from landing sockeyes?  Try an ecotour. This is prime Katmai bear viewing month. You’ve got to see how real pro's catch salmon.  On the plane ride over, you might even see freshwater seals—from one of only two known colonies in the world. 

The nymph and streamer fishing for rainbows is decent during this month, with many of the larger fish taken on bugger and sculpin patterns.

• AUGUST – Sight fish for trophy rainbows.  They're stacked up behind schools of sockeye and ready for your fly to give them the tiniest excuse to pounce—it doesn't get any better.  The trout gain 30-40% of their body weight this month – making them more of a challenge to land. During the second week of August the silver salmon arrive with the sea run dollies not too far behind.     

The sockeye are beginning to spawn, leaving a scent in the water that ignites the voracious appetite of the rainbow trout. As the spawning continues throughout the month, more and more food is in the river. The big rainbows from Lake Illiamna will continue to stack up in area rivers, offering anglers the best chance of the year for a true trophy.

• SEPTEMBER – Ahh! Our favorite time of year! Fat rainbows, stuffing themselves for winter, clog the rivers and just won't stay off your fly.  Your expert guide has to hide the fly when he ties it on, so the fish won't grab it!  OK, slight exaggeration, but look for great fishing.  The reality of hooking into multiple 27-31 inch fish is real and Rainbow Point lodge is the place to get it done. The weather might be "iffy", but there's no "if" in these September fish. Good thing you'll be pampered with a good hot meal on the river, cocktail hour, then a superb dinner before you hit your comfortable, cozy bed back at Rainbow Point Lodge.

The rainbows are still extremely aggressive on salmon eggs and will chase a flesh fly with reckless abandon. The fish know that winter is near, and they will not hesitate to gorge themselves on anything that passes in front of them.

Experience world class sport fishing in the heart of some of the most breathtaking scenery Alaska has to offer. This area includes world renowned rivers like the Copper, Gibraltar, New Halen, Talarik, Kvichak, Nushagak, Mulchatna, Moraine, Funnel, Battle, American, Kamishak, Amakadori and the "Cone," to name just a few.

Our lakes, streams, rivers, scenery and wildlife have been documented in major outdoor magazines, books and television fishing programs as one of the most spectacular vacation destinations.