Detailed Trip Information: Fishing Summary The Kanektok River is a fish factory. With runs of all 5 species of Pacific salmon, rainbow trout, Dolly Varden and grayling, the river provides a great mix of quantity and variety. For those who haven't experienced it, it's simply a shock to see such a large biomass in a relatively small river. Alaska West's location on the river, 5.5 miles from its mouth, puts them in a unique position to sample the variety that the river has to offer. Downriver from the tent camp is the larger water, including the long gravel bars where the kings hold, the deep, snaggy channels where the big rainbows lay, the slow backwaters that load with silvers and the tidewaters sections full of salmon that were in saltwater hours earlier. As you head upriver past camp, the river makes a transition to smaller water, side channels and tributaries. These upriver sections allow hiking up side channels for rainbows, targeting salmon in smaller water, making classic day-long drifts fishing for 'anything' and working extremely productive dolly flats. Upriver or down, within 15 minutes of camp they have access to classic king runs, silver backwaters, pink, chum and sockeye holding spots, rainbows in big water and side channels, dolly flats and tidewater fishing like no other. This river combined with its location provides for incredible variety in a small area. Daily Fishing Program At Alaska West, the typical day starts at 7:00 AM with a buffet-style breakfast. At this time, fixings are put out for you to build yourself a custom-made lunch. You may also request a shore lunch-a lunch of fresh-caught fish and trimmings cooked for you, by your guide, right on the shore of the river! If you choose to have shore lunch it is best requested the night before so your guide can get prepared in advance. Shore lunch adds about 20 minutes of cooking time to your lunch break. Your guide and boat will be ready to leave the beach at 8:00 AM and will be at your service until 6:00 PM, when all boats are due back to camp. This is a long day of fishing! Appetizers are put out at 6:30 and dinner is served at 7:30. The boats are 16 to 18 foot flat-bottomed jon boats and are powered by 40 HP jet pumps. They are equipped with bow and stern anchors, two swivel seats and life jackets. A cooler is on board to store lunches and drinks. These jet boats are used in several different ways. While fishing for salmon you might fish from the boat. Anchoring up and swinging or stripping flies can be very effective. Back trolling plugs or spin 'n' glos for kings is deadly. Fishing for trout can be done from our boats as well. Both seats are removed, your guide rows you down river 'drift boat style' and you cast while floating. This method is a wonderful way to see the river and cover water. While fishing from the boat is fun, most anglers also choose to fish from the wader-friendly gravel bars. This is where the jet boat shines! We can also run over very shallow water and get you too many small side channels that can be hiked up and fished from shore with your guide. The Tent Lodge Alaska West calls their facility 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. Dining Tent
The dining tent is a spacious 24'x 60' heated structure with wood floors and is always kept neat and clean. The kitchen has state of the art equipment such as gas ranges, convection ovens, microwave, refrigerators and freezers. Please contact the Alaska West office in Anchorage with any questions or concerns regarding specific dietary requirements. Lounge Tent
The lounge is great place to relax after a full day of fishing. This large heated tent is furnished with comfortable chairs and tables. At your disposal are a refrigerator with cool soda, juices and mixers, poker chips with cards, board games, dart board, magazines, books, map board, telephone, satellite television and an online camp computer. We also have a fly tying bench with a limited supply of fly tying materials and vises. Serious tiers are advised to bring their own vise and tools. Drying Tent After returning from a day's fishing adventure this tent serves as a place for anglers to hang wet waders, coats, boots and anything else that one would not want wet or dirty in the sleeping quarters. This tent's heater is lit every night to ensure that your things are nice and dry by morning. Gazebo/Viewing Deck
This split-level wood structure is located close to the dining and lounge tents and has a great river view. The bottom area is open aired and enclosed with fine mesh bug screen. This is a great place to sit and enjoy the midnight sun without being bothered by our little biting buddies. Directly above is the viewing deck. You will be surprised how being up just ten feet changes your view. Bring your camera-- the sunsets can be breathtaking! Tent Cabins/Sleeping Quarters Heated tent cabins are furnished with two single beds with full bedding and pillow, clean shower linen, nightstand, hang-down bug net, lantern, carpeted floor and clothes hangers. The housekeeping staff will come through daily to make beds, empty trash and tidy up to ensure tent cabins stay neat and clean. Showers and Restrooms/Outhouses
Showers have hot and cold running water with a sink basin and chair. They are cleaned daily. The restrooms are indeed outhouses. They too are cleaned daily and are strategically located near the tent cabins. The Crew and Team Environment Alaska West truly has a best-in-industry crew.  Where else would a world-class spey caster carry your bags, cook you a shore lunch, walk your boat down a narrow channel as you fish, join you for a drink after dinner, and put you on more fish that you've ever seen?  Their sincere dedication to high level service is a benchmark in the industry. Anglers routinely comment on the unique camaraderie that exists between the staff and anglers. The staff believes that the quality experience at Alaska West comes from getting quality people together in a quality environment. The entire camp crew eats at the same dinner tables as anglers, allowing an opportunity to get to know one another in a way that can't happen on the river. The guides relax in the same lounge tent as anglers, tying flies and showing off digital pictures from the day. The quality of the team and the camaraderie that exists between the crew and anglers is very unique. Meals & Beverages The meals are yet another highlight of your stay at Alaska West. Hearty portions and a wonderful variety of dishes are an absolute culinary delight for the big appetite. Breakfast is served buffet style with the choice of hot food and/or cold cereal and fresh fruit. Breakfast is promptly served in the morning to assure an on-time start of the daily fishing adventure. There are two options for lunch - self-made sandwiches or shore lunch cooked by your guide. Each evening, you will be treated to a different culinary delight. Each dinner includes the "catch-of-the-day" in addition to a nice entree. Entrees may include chicken, pork, or beef - the meals at Alaska West are truly unique and delicious. All drinking water and ice is made from filtered water. All non-alcoholic beverages (soda, juice, hot beverages, and water) are included in your package. The village of Quinhagak is ‘dry’. This means that it is illegal to possess alcohol within city limits of Quinhagak.. Violators of this tribal law face fines and/or embarrassment. Alaska West does not provide alcohol to guests.  They respect local residents’ alcohol issues and advise interested persons to call AK West for more information on this sensitive issue. Additional Camp Amenities • Internet Access - Free use of camp laptop and wireless internet signal (note: internet connectivity is based on signal strength - may be affected by weather conditions) • Fly tying tools and materials are available for guests • Satellite TV and phone available in the lounge tent • Electrical - 110V AC electrical (diesel generated) - the generator is shut down during sleeping hours • Up to 50 pounds of fresh Salmon fillets may be taken home Camp Specifics • Money - Alaska West can accept US dollars and/or credit card (Visa) as payment for incidentals • Facilities accommodate groups up to 22 • Nearly 1-to-1 (20-to-22) staff-to-client ratio • Large dining tent, heated lounge tent, hot showers • All tents at the lodge are Weatherport tents, with carpeted wooden floors and heaters.  Guests sleep in beds with mattresses • A separate heated drying tent is provided for waders and other clothing Gratuities for Guides and Staff For anglers who feel that they have received good service, tipping is customary at Alaska West. Tips are pooled and divided evenly between everyone who contributes to the guest's experience during the week, including guides, housekeeping staff, kitchen staff and maintenance crew. We are often asked for a guideline on tipping, so we let anglers know that our average tip per angler for a week of fishing is $450. We encourage you to tip at a level that you feel is consistent with the service that you received. Tips are collected at the end of your week. Alaska West strongly prefers cash for tips, but credit cards are also accepted. How To Get to Alaska West Alaska West is fairly remote, so getting there takes several steps. We think you'll agree that the effort is worth it! Here are the legs of the trip: 1. Flying on Alaska Airlines to Bethel, Alaska 2. Flying a regional carrier from Bethel to Quinhagak 3. Taking a short boat ride from Quinhagak to our facility on the river 1. Flying to Bethel, AK: Tickets on Alaska Airlines should be purchased through any normal air travel channel. The change-over day is Friday. Connecting with our Bethel-Quinhagak flights requires that you book specific flights on Alaska Airlines. Note that travel from most locations requires an overnight stay in Anchorage or Seattle in order to connect to the appropriate flight from Bethel. When you arrive in Bethel, you will be met at the Alaska Airlines terminal by a representative from our regional carrier. They will help you with your bags and provide you with a very short van ride to their terminal in Bethel. 2. Bethel to Quinhagak: You can fly between Bethel and Quinhagak using several different regional carriers. You do not need to make a reservation for this flight - Alaska West will contact the carrier to make the reservation for you. The price for the round-trip ticket is $200. This fee is not included in the price of your Alaska West trip, and you will be required to pay this $200 fee in Bethel. The flight is 25 - 35 minutes long and covers a wide, flat stretch of coastal tundra. 3. Quinhagak to Alaska West: When you arrive in Quinhagak, you will be met on the airstrip by representatives from Alaska West. You will board a jet boat for the 25 minute ride upriver to our facility. Be sure to pack your raingear in an accessible spot-if it's raining you'll want it for the ride upriver. Guests typically arrive at Alaska West between 1:30 and 3:00pm on Friday, allowing time to purchase an Alaska fishing license and spend a few hours fishing on Friday afternoon. Please remember that travel in bush Alaska requires flexibility and that a variety of factors, including weather, may impact your travel and therefore your arrival time. If you have special scheduling needs and require flights at different times or on different days, please call us for additional travel options. 2012 Package Rates Fishing with Alaska West on the Kanektok costs $5,000 USD. That price includes 7 nights and 6 days of guided fishing on the Kanektok, meals, lodging, flies, terminal tackle and loaner gear. In addition, guests tip an average of $500 and purchase their plane tickets between Anchorage and Quinhagak, Alaska for approximately $675. Fishing on the Arolik costs an additional $100 per day fished. NOTE: Please contact us for trips combining Kanektok and Arolik days, so that we may confirm availability and correct pricing. Alaska West Cancellation Policy • Deposit, less a $150 processing fee per person, will be refunded if you cancel in writing more than 180 days prior to your scheduled arrival date. • Cancellations received less than 180 days before the trip are not refundable, but may be credited toward a future trip within one year of original trip date. • Written cancellations must be sent to Angling On The Fly. Angling On The Fly Terms & Conditions The proper deposit is due within 10 days of booking to secure a reservation. Final payment is due 60 days prior to scheduled arrival date. Refunds: A $150 processing fee will be deducted from all refunds. All refunds will be paid by check. If cancellation notice is received less than 180 days prior to the trip arrival date, no refunds will be issued. All rates are in U.S. dollars and are subject to change. Angling On The Fly acts only as agents for contractors or owners and outfitters, airlines, charter air, and ground transportation carriers or other services. Payment of funds for fishing and other Angling On The Fly trips shall be deemed acceptance and consent of the following conditions. Angling On The Fly or any of its affiliates or associated companies shall not be held liable for any loss or damages howsoever caused or arising from services provided by hotels or lodges, outfitters, guides, means of transportation or other services. Baggage and personal effects are the sole responsibility of the traveling client at all times. Copyright © 2012 - Angling On The Fly - All Rights Reserved Terms and Conditions TermsAndConditions.htmlshapeimage_1_link_0
Destination Summary Location: Kanektok River, AK Prime Season: Mid-June thru early September Primary Species: Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden, Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling, and all 5 species of Pacific Salmon. Rivers Fished: Kanektok River and the Arolik River (optional) Type of Fishing: River wade and/or boat fishing Lodge Capacity: 22 anglers Accommodations: Fully staffed fixed base tent lodge w/ private guest tents; complete shower facilities; all meals taken at the dining tent Travel Details: arrive Bethel, AK (thru Anchorage); charter flight from Bethel to Quinhagak (30 minute flight - not included [about $200 RT]); jet boat shuttle from Quinhagak to Alaska West tent lodge (15 minutes - included) Tackle Requirements: 10-12 wt. for King Salmon 7-9 wt. for Silver, Sockeye, Chum, and Pink Salmon 6-7 wt. for Rainbow Trout and Arctic Char 4-6 wt. for Grayling and Dolly Varden
Alaska’s Finest Wilderness Experience...
 
Welcome to Alaska West! Alaska West operates its fixed base tent lodge located in the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, 5 miles upriver from the Alaskan native village of Quinhagak, on the banks of the Kanektok River in far western Alaska along the coast of the Bering Sea.  And with all of this remoteness, it is one of Alaska's most prolific rivers with all 5 species of Pacific Salmon, Rainbows, Dolly Varden, and Grayling - a unique combination of large numbers of fish in fly-fishable water.  On par with it world-class fishing, Alaska West provides best-in-industry guides, camp staff, service level and camaraderie.  From battling the mighty Kings in June to the jumbo Rainbows in August, your memories of Alaska West will be cherished for a lifetime.  FISH ON!!!
Alaska West on the Kanektok River Package Rates (2012) Kanektok Package (7 nights / 6 days fishing) $5,000 USD/angler (dbl.) Arolik Fishing Days Additional $100 per day (please see below for additional information & package rates) Photo Tour - CLICK HERE! Alaska West Fishing Accommodations Camp - Guide Staff Regional Interests