THE ULTIMATE FISHING EXPERIENCE 800-458-6539
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ainbow King Lodge sits on the shores of Alaska’s largest lake, Lake Iliamna. It is located 190 miles southwest of Anchorage and is accessible only by aircraft. This remote and exclusive lodge with its private access to thousands of acres of premier fishing grounds is the place. Whether it's giant Rainbows, monster Kings, tackle busting Sockeye, or even doormat size Halibut, we will get you to the fish. The Rainbow King Lodge combines the look and feel of a wilderness retreat with modern comfort and amenities. The lodge can accommodate 20 guests per week, with the abilityto accommodate larger groups upon request. The facility spans more than an acre of carefully manicured lawns, radiant flower gardens and modern buildings with spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.
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ainbow King has a unique fishing program that offers essentially private access to many of the region’s finest streams and rivers. Private leases secure Dream Creek, Southeast Creek, Upper Copper, The Gorge of the Newhalen River, Gibralter, and others. We offer one of the longest and most prolific salmon programs in all of Alaska. Accompanied by professional and knowledgeable guides, you’ll be flown to where the best fishing can be found along rivers, streams and lakes located across 110 sq miles of privately leased upland territory. It’s an Alaskan experience solely available through Rainbow King Lodge.
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ur fleet of two de Havilland Beavers and one Turbine Otter have been refurbished, carefully maintained, and are some of the best bush planes flying in Alaska today. Detailed annual inspections each winter and daily inspections during season provide airworthy aircraft for the safety and comfort of our guests. As members of Medallion Foundation we train our pilots, and inspect and operate our aircraft by principals that exceed regulatory standards.
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he resident relative of the steelhead, rainbow trout are available June thru September. The rainbow will respond to a large range of patterns, Alaskan rainbows are ravenous feeders. From fry patterns in the spring to dry flies, nymphs, and mice in the summer and flesh flies in the fall, these hungry trout like to eat. Known for its fierce fighting ability and amazing jumping prowess, the rainbow is one of Alaska's premier sport fishing attractions.
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ake Iliamna is home to several distinct populations of rainbows some of which are typical semi-migratory river fish and another species which migrate in and out of the main lake and closely resemble beefy chrome bright steelhead. These super steelhead-like rainbows tend to enter rivers like the Kvichak, Newhalen, Copper and the Talariks in late August to gorge on eggs. They are without question some of the largest and strongest rainbows on the planet.
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he Chinook has earned the nickname “King” for its size, fight, and taste. Chinooks are available in June, and July. The best king fishing occurs in the large, long rivers where they spawn. Chinooks average 18-30 lbs, the chinook can reach 80 lbs. or more in some river systems. More King salmon return to the Nushagak River than any other river in Alaska, with as many as 100,000 arriving in June and July every year. There is no other river in Alaska, if not the world, that offers more chrome bright, hard-fighting chinook (Kings) than the “Nush.”
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rom Nush River Camp located on the banks of the Nusagak River, you’ll enjoy guided fishing from one of our custom aluminum Willie Predator boats, with all the comfort and safety you desire. The seats may be first class, but don’t plan on using them too much. You’ll spend more time fighting fish, taking photos and standing in awe of everything this amazing country has to offer.
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he sockeye is also referred to as the “red salmon� due to its distinctive fire truck-red spawning coloration. Sockeyes are found in lake-fed river systems from May to September, with the best fishing to be had in July near the mouths and lake inlets of their spawning streams. Sockeye can tip the scales at 4-8 lbs with the occasional brute going 12lbs or better. The sockeye is an exceptional fighting fish, known for its blistering runs and tremendous leaps. Only Rainbow King has the license to fish what is probably the very best Sockeye fishing on earth, located only a short drive from the lodge.
Sockeye Salmon
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almon are a high calorie meal for a bear. A sockeye salmon contains about 4500 calories, but the fattiest parts of the fish contain the most calories proportionally. Bears know this and prefer to eat the skin, brain, and eggs—the fattiest parts of a salmon—when fish are in abundance. This is an ephemeral behavior, however. When salmon are not abundant or hard to catch, bears will not be as selective and will most often eat the whole fish.
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he “fall prince” of salmon, Cohos are often referred to as “Silvers” for their distinct chrome-plated appearance when fresh from the sea. These hard-fighting salmon run peaks in September. Silvers vary wildly in size, with adults ranging from 5-20 lbs. but averaging 7-12lbs. The silver is a willing dance partner for the fly fisherman.
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ilvers jump. They cartwheel. They tail-walk. They’re full of energy, bringing a great deal of fun to the fight. Coho are aggressive feeders and hard fighters that will provide an angler with hours of entertainment on a 7 or 8wt rod.
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he most abundant of Alaska’s Salmons, the pink salmon can be found in great numbers in almost every region of the state. Also called the Humpy (or Humpback) Salmon after the species’ distinctive body morph during spawning, pinks are available from July to September. Pink Salmon average 3-6 lbs with the occasional specimen weighing in at over 10lbs.
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he Dolly Varden is a flamboyant fish, especially during spawning season, making it one of the most beautiful fish in Alaska. Available from April to November, the best fishing for Dolly Varden occurs during the months of June, July, and August. Dolly Varden vary greatly in size from 8 inches to 20+ lbs; the average dolly is between 16-22 inches and 1-4 lbs. Dolly Varden look like, and are often confused with, Arctic char. Dolly Varden generally have a greenish body with many small (smaller than the pupil of the eye) spots, a relatively-thick caudal peduncle (constriction in body at base of tail fin), and a slightly-forked tail. Arctic char, in contrast, generally have a bronzish-yellow body with fewer and larger (larger than the pupil) cream-toorange colored spots, a slim caudal peduncle, and a noticeably-forked tail.
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ith its distinctive sailfish-like dorsal fin, the grayling is perhaps the most striking of Alaskan game fish. Grayling are available from April to November, with the peak fishing period being June through August. Most grayling average 8-14 inches and about 1 lb, but fish up to 24 inches and 4 lbs. have been recorded. The Grayling feed primarily on insects making them one of the finest dry-fly fishing opportunities in Alaska. Why do we travel miles to catch these relatively small fish? They’re beautiful, they love dry flies and they’re a blast to catch on a 4wt rod!
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short flight over to Calypso Bay and we are fishing the calm bay waters for these monsters. Halibut are by far the most popular bottom fish inhabiting Alaska’s Bristol Bay. The Pacific Halibut is a toothy flatfish that is normally caught on or near the ocean floor. As with the majority of bottom fish, drifting or anchoring with bait are among the most preferred means of enticing these monsters, which can take hours to land.
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RAINBOW KING LODGE THE ULTIMATE FISHING EXPERIENCE
ILIAMNA, ALASKA • 800-458-6539 • info@rainbowking.com
“Rainbow king is the #1 premier guide, outfitter, and lodge in alaska. There is nothing that compares in regards to the proprietary fishing locations, the lodging, the guides and staff, the equipment, and overall experience of rainbow king. The food is prepared by top notch chefs and served by staff that are attentive to every little detail. Gus and the staff are the best guides in the world, regardless of your skill level. Bottomline, it's the best fishing in all of ak, and maybe the world. Book your unforgettable trip with these guys...You'll be glad you did.” Charles Hagood "Upon arriving at the lodge the beautiful landscape almost takes your breath away. Gus and his staff treat you like family and cater to your every need. I have been a fly fisherman all my adult life. I have never experienced anything that even comes close to the massive rainbows we landed each day. When friends ask about my experience, the answer was always the same, 'it was the best 6 days of fishing i have ever had. I have found the holy grail of fly fishing." James Wright “Rainbow king lodge is the best lodge in alaska, no doubt about it! The number of places they fly to and fish, with exceptional amenities, meals and service at the lodge, makes my trip the highlight of my summer. Rainbow king lodge is a family tradition for me and my sons. You can’t beat it.” Johnny Miller
Illustrations © Joseph R. Tomelleri