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Katmai Alaska

Katmai National Park and Preserve, in Southwest Alaska, consists of 3.5 million acres. Glaciers, mountains, active volcanoes, maritime coastline, spruce and birch forests, alpine meadows, open tundra, endless lakes, streams, rivers and most notably, thousands of Brown Bear are at home in Katmai National Park. Millions of wild salmon are the main source of nourishment that keep this ecosystem alive and providing the largest population of wild rainbow on our planet.

Our Program in Katmai

Located in the heart of the greater Katmai/Iliamna region, the Big Ku Lodge is Alaska’s most unique and strategically located trophy rainbow camp. Perched on a bluff overlooking the outlet of Lake Kukaklek, Big Ku guests enjoy easy walking access to one of the best beats of trophy rainbow water in the world, as well as having numerous and diverse fly-out options available.

Limited to 6 anglers per week, Big Ku Lodge is an intimate, remote, no frills camp that offers small groups of serious anglers the ultimate in fly fishing.

The Big Ku Lodge fishes some of the most selected waters of the greater Iliamna/Katmai region of Bristol Bay. These waters include the famous Moraine Creek, Battle Creek, American Creek, Kulik River, Brooks River, but emphasizes fishing the Big Ku which is under a private lease. While all five species of Pacific salmon, arctic char, Dolly Varden, and grayling are abound in these waters, Big Ku is first and foremost dedicated to providing you with the unparalleled trophy rainbow fishing. We do also offer short daily fly-outs in well maintained float planes to take anglers to the stream where they will access the water by either raft, jet boat or foot.

Accommodations at the Big KU are brand new simple duplex cabins, overlooking Kukaklek Lake and the mouth of the famous Alagnak River. All cabins have heat, private baths and comfortable beds. Our meals are served in the main mini-lodge overlooking the lake and river with menu items that wont leave you hungry. For rainbow enthusiasts who cherish exclusive use of a small facility, long hours on the water, quality swing and spey fishing opportunities, true value and short flying times to smaller trophy systems, this “diamond in the rough” is as good as it gets. The Big Ku Lodge is not fancy, it is very comfortable and truly has one of the best and most dramatic locations we have ever seen.

Location

Located in the heart of the greater Katmai / Lake Iliamna region, the Big Ku Lodge is Alaska’s most unique and strategically located trophy rainbow lodge hands down.

Perched on a bluff overlooking the outlet of Lake Kukaklek, and the start of the famous Alagnak River,  Big Ku guests enjoy easy walking access to one of the best beats of trophy rainbow water in the world. Add one of the many options for our diverse fly-outs and you have a trip of a lifetime!

Pricing

  • $4,950 (5 Nights / 5.5 Days, four fly-outs)
  • $4,550 (5 Nights / 5.5 Days, three fly-outs)
  • $3,950 (4 Nights / 4.5 Days, three fly-outs)
  • $3,550 (4 Nights / 4.5 Days, two fly-outs)

Included:

Accommodations and meals at the lodge, transportation between Igiugig and the lodge, fly-outs (weather permitting) based on package selected, personal guides, and/or pilot, use of boats and rafts, instruction, fishing licenses, flies.

Not Included:

Airfare to/ from Igiugig, hotel and meals in Anchorage, hard alcohol (please feel free to bring your own bottle), fishing gear equipment and staff and guide gratuities.

Travel

To get to Big Ku Lodge you will need to make flight arrangements to Anchorage, Alaska, arriving the day before your trip start date. All anglers will need to overnight in Anchorage prior to their fly-in day to the lodge and are responsible for making these reservations.

In the morning of your arrival day to the lodge, you will take a charter flight from Anchorage to Igiugig. This Lake Clark Air flight is not included in the package price and costs $650 per person round-trip (plus any fuel surcharges that may apply). From Igiugug you will be picked up by the lodge float plane for the scenic flight into Big Ku Lodge. Upon arrival at the lodge you will receive an orientation and then have a long half-day of guided fishing on the Big Ku or the Little Ku depending on the current conditions and/or guest preferences.

Departure days will vary depending on the package chosen. The last day of your trip will be a non-fly out day on the Big Ku. Anglers will fish until early afternoon, take a afternoon flight to Anchorage and need to either overnight in Anchorage or take a red-eye flight home.

Season

The 2011 season at Big Ku Lodge runs from mid-June through September.

Alaska Rainbow Fishing Season Outline

Why is Alaska arguably the World’s finest rainbow trout fishery? Simply put, it is due to the remarkable returns of wild salmon. Without the five species of pacific salmon that return to the state’s clear gravel streams to spawn, the rainbow fishery that we worship would be entirely unremarkable. The more anglers know about the inland migration of salmon, and how their millions of pounds of bio-mass are consumed by trout and other freshwater species, the better prepared you will be to capitalize on some of the World’s most exciting fishing.

June – July:

Early season fishing is underrated. Where the winters are long and the summer growing seasons short, fish waste no time getting around to the business of feeding. While the Salmon have not yet begun spawning (or in many cases have not even entered the systems yet), their young are fully present. Of primary interest to the Rainbows are the salmon fry. These fish are typically about one inch long and very slender. In the spring, they migrate downstream (they actually back downstream, heads always facing into the current) in enormous clouds. These fish are very slender and rather transparent and the flies used to imitate them should be very sparse. These patterns are effective when fished in a classic greased line/wet fly swing presentation on floating lines. When fishing this way, catch rates are best when a school of fry is present, and then the action might suddenly cease. Top patterns include the Morrish Small Fry, Alaska Fry, and small white Clouser minnows.

When fry fishing isn’t happening, be prepared to fish with six and seven weight rods and streamer patterns. A selection of sink tip lines like Mastery Wet Tip in type four and Teeny 150 or 200 lines are also very effective. Leaders are best kept less than six feet and can range from 1-3X in diameter. Sculpins (which also flourish in Alaska thanks to the salmon) are extremely effective. While many anglers fish large patterns that might be three inches or more in length, don’t overlook the smaller patterns like Whitlock’s Near Nuff Sculpin in size #4-8 and the # 6 Morrish Sculpin (brown and dark olive). Additionally, come well prepared with black, brown and olive woolly buggers (bunny leaches too) in sizes #2-8 as well as similar sized egg sucking leaches in both black and purple.

For anglers interested in fishing with top water mouse patterns, this is also the prime window. The Morrish foam mouse is a simple high floating pattern that can be easily cast on six weight rod, and works very well.

August – mid September:

Typically, at the very end of July or the first week of August, the Sockeye (as well as some other species of salmon) begin to actively spawn. For the trout, this is momentous occasion and for the next month and a half egg patterns will be used to the near exclusion of others. In some river systems good old glo-bugs and Iliamna pinkies will do the trick, but in other systems, plastic beads might be preferred by your guides (and the fish). They can often be found in conventional tackle stores and come in several colors and sizes (6 and 8mm being the ones to concentrate on). A 6mm transparent red is excellent match for the Sockeye’s spawn while the larger more opaque orange models do a good job of imitating Chum and Pink spawn. As the season progresses and there are more old eggs in the system, we often paint our beads with an ivory fingernail polish to give them the opaque wet look of older spawn. Don’t worry too much about bringing this stuff along because if it is needed your guides will have it.

This is great five through seven-weight fishing and you need not worry about sinking lines. Leaders should be from 7.5ft. to 10ft. long and taper from 2-5X in diameter. Don’t forget to bring strike indicators, plenty of tippet, reels with at least 75 yards of backing, and a selection of split shot.

September:

While egg pattern fishing can continue to be excellent through the month of September, keep in mind that most of the available eggs are the cloudier, older wet eggs. Similarly, one must take into account that many of the fish are absolutely gorged and will often times not move more than an inch or two to a natural or your imitation. When fishing in these conditions try throwing some egg patterns that are the same size but an off beat color like hot pink, cherise, or anything else that varies from the million naturals that the fish have been feeding on for the last month. While this doesn’t always work, it has saved enough days to warrant mention.

Additionally, the late season can provide some interesting fishing with patterns resembling salmon flesh. On many streams, the banks will be littered with salmon carcasses and in stream snags will be similarly draped. Most anglers fish streamer style with large ginger colored bunny leaches. We also like to fish smaller #10-#12 imitations dead drifted under indicators. If you catch a fish and want to know whether it is feeding on flesh, simply smell its breath. If it has been, believe us, you will know. Additionally, if you are fishing the last two weeks of the month be sure to bring along the same streamer patterns that were recommended for June and July, and if you can find them, get some aleuvin patterns (recently hatched salmon fry that have not yet absorbed their egg sack).

Summer Aircraft:

Our special aircraft; float equipped Helio-Couriers, permit us entry to areas conventional float planes find impossible. Permitting you to fish territories in Alaska where few, or no others, have ventured. We also operate a fully reconditioned DeHaviland Beaver.

General:

Fly-fishing in Southwestern Alaska can place great demands on your tackle and clothing. On any given day, you might find yourself fishing dry flies for 2-4-pound rainbows and char on a small wadeable river with 75-degree temperatures and blue skies. The next day could find you standing waist deep, with your guide at your side, in a large swift river casting sinking lines to 8-pound rainbows. In a matter of a day, the weather might turn to a brisk 40-degrees, with strong wind and rain. Your equipment should be adaptable and of the highest quality to ensure your comfort and enjoyment.

Flies:

Unless you know the specific fly patterns that you want to use, we highly recommend our popular in-house fly program, which supplies you with the regionally relevant patterns for our streams and conditions. However, depending on the time of year that you join us, you may be fishing large articulated leeches, dry flies, nymphs, fry patterns or eggs.  Feel free to bring your own if you have some special patterns you would like to try.

Waders & Boots:

Due to the variety of destinations we have and the methods we use to access the rivers we fish (e.g. jet boats, rafts, and hikes) we strongly recommend chest-high breathable waders. Gore-Tex or other similar alternatives are the best options.  Simms, Redington, Patagonia, Dan Bailey and others all make excellent breathable waders that will serve you well during your week with us.  Be certain that your waders have a good wading belt that can be cinched tight for your protection in the water.  If your waders do not come with one they are easy to acquire at any fly shop.  A good pair of felt soled wading boots is also a must.  We DO NOT ALLOW CLEATED BOOTS on our float planes or in our boats.  If you feel that you want the added wading security that cleats offer we recommend that you consider a system like Korkers that allows you to interchange your soles very quickly.  That way you can have felt for planes and boats and quickly change to cleats on the river for wading.

Rods:

A 7 or 8 weight graphite rod is your day-in/day-out best option for the rivers around the Katmai region.  These rods will allow you to throw big flies and sinking lines, as well as have the power to play big fish in a reasonable and safe manner.  Even on some of the smaller rivers we fish you will find that a 7 or 8 weight is essential on windy days.  A second rod to consider is a 5 or 6 weight in the event that you chose to due some small stream fishing for grayling or small trout.  Particularly because of our hiking destinations, 4 or 5 piece rods are very nice, though not essential.  Most rod manufactures offer many options in 4 pieces.

We are also big proponents of 2-handed rods as many of the rivers we fish, particularly through July and again in September, can be fished much more effectively with the big rods.  Again, if you chose to bring one, a 7 or 8 weight is a great option.  Though many rod manufacturers offer 2-handed (or “spey”) rods these days, Sage & G. Loomis remain at the forefront of the technology.

Reels:

With so many good reels available on the market today there are just a few things to be certain of before you arrive at Royal Wolf.  You will want to make sure that your reel has enough capacity for the lines you wish to use as well as a reasonable amount of backing.  We tend to recommend a good “disc drag” reel.  However, if you prefer more traditional “click-pawl” types, and are adept at palming your reel, these will also work fine.

Lines:

A good floating line is a must for your week at Royal Wolf.  However, depending on the time of year that you are here, it is very likely that you will also use sink-tip lines for a good portion of your week.  15’ with sink rates between 3-6 inches are the best.  For instance a Rio 15’ type III or type VI is an excellent option.  In all but the highest of water, 24’ “Teeny” type sinking lines tend to be too heavy to be fished in all of our sinking line destinations.  If you have a 24’ sink-tip line that you really want to use, we recommend cutting the tip back to approximately 12-15ft to make it fish more effectively under normal conditions.  A good line option to consider for your week is a Rio Versi-Tip.  This system includes a floating tip as well as several sinking tips that are quickly interchanged using a loop connections system.  The obvious benefit of a Versi-Tip system is that you need only 1 reel and no extra spools to accommodate all your possible line needs for the week.

For your 2-handed rod we strongly recommend Rio Skagit lines for a variety of reasons.  Your local fly-shop should be able to help you match a Skagit line to your rod but if not feel free to contact us for assistance.nt>

Clothing:

Under Wader

As we all know there is nothing more uncomfortable under our waders than a pair of jeans or pants that chafe and bind. We recommend that you wear mid-weight long underwear bottoms and/or fleece pants under your waders. For warm days, you will want to wear only the long underwear bottoms and the colder days will require fleece pants, or both. On the upper body, we recommend a similar system, a mid-weight long underwear top with a fleece jacket for colder days. Avoid cotton; as it retains moisture.

Bottoms:

  • 2 sets mid-weight Patagonia Capilene or similar product.
  • 1 set Fleece pants.

Tops:

  • 2 sets mid-weight Patagonia Capilene or similar product.
  • A good fleece jacket is also an excellent idea.
  • Simms Windstopper fleece or Patagonia R-series jackets are a great choice.

Rain Jacket:

Just as with your waders, your rain jacket is extremely important and should be made of a good breathable material.  Gore-tex or similar alternatives are the best choice by far. They do breathe and keep you dry, even in the worst conditions.

Pack:

A daypack is extremely useful allowing you to consolidate the basic essentials for your daily trip, i.e., camera, raincoat, bug spray, sun block, etc. Vests, or chest packs are optional unless you are interested in taking care of your own rigging, fly selection, etc. Most of the time, our guides prefer to control the rigging selections, which we provide with our fly program so that they may stay in contact with the changing state of the fishery.

Sunglasses – (A Must Have):

Since a large portion of our fishing is to sighted fish, you will need a quality pair of POLARIZED SUNGLASSES. The best lens colors for our conditions are either brown or amber. Besides assisting you in spotting fish, they also provide necessary safety while casting.

Other Gear:

  • Forceps or Pliers – for pinching barbs and releasing fish.
  • Split shot – Sizes B and BB
  • Spare Tippet Spools – MAXIMA Ultragreen in 6 through 12 pound test.
  • Collapsible Wading Staff – If you have a difficult time wading.r> Gravel Guards – Worn with wading boots to keep gravel out.
  • Camera – waterproof is best.
  • Water bottle – we will be supplying you with a complimentary RWL water bottle.
  • Insect repellent and head net
  • Sun Block
  • Gore-Tex or fleece lined fishing gloves.

Please bring enough clothing to last your entire stay, as laundry facilities in this remote area are limited. You will need casual, comfortable wear for around the lodge. A pair of slip-on low boots, or shoes would come in handy for walking from your cabin to the main lodge.

Things not to Bring:

(Firearms, landing Nets, large tackle boxes, hard-sided luggage – weight is an important factor with floatplanes, try to keep bags to 30 lb. each, cleated wading boots of any kind, or metal spiked bottom wading shoes – as these damage aircraft.

This is only meant as a helpful and suggestive guide. Our guides have found these items provide the best in quality and performance. You can always call us if you have any questions.

If you have any additional questions regarding tackle, flies, general gear or specific fishing techniques please feel free to call.

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