alaska steelhead

Alaskan Steelhead

Pat Pendergast photo

The sea-run trout of the Pacific Northwest are one of the most treasured prizes in our sport. The Fly Shop® has access to limited space at the most popular spots in British Columbia and Alaska.

STEELHEAD FISHING IN the Pacific Northwest was once the passionate pursuit of tens of thousands of western anglers. Just as California was once the home of the Winston, Scott, and Fenwick rod companies, and San Francisco’s Golden Gate Casting Pond was the haunt of practically every great fly casting champion of the day. In fact, our Golden State was once home to the most amazing runs of steelhead ever to enter rivers from the Pacific. The rod companies have moved to Montana, and the huge runs of steelhead in the Eel, Mad, Mattole, Russian, Garcia, Gualala, Navarro, Sacramento, Smith, and Klamath have all but disappeared, particularly when compared to their historic populations. While there are remnant runs still found on the Yankee side of the 49th parallel, the very best of the wild steelhead fishing and the largest population of these majestic fish left in North America is, for the most part, found in British Columbia and Alaska.

alaska steelhead company The steelhead rivers of Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula harbor very strong runs of fresh steelhead in the fall months, providing a wonderful steelhead fishing experience. These rivers are gorgeous and extremely diverse, from small little coastal creeks, to big water that seasoned guides float with drift boats...and all are productive fisheries. Add to that the uniqueness that these are likely the farthest northern latitude fisheries where you can specifically target wild steelhead. We fish the fall, when chromers begin to enter their natal streams in September, and continue to pour in and move upstream until late October. Add in a helicopter fly-out to a never before fished steelhead stream and you have all the makings of a worldclass adventure. The hand-hewed 12 person log lodge is spectacular, affording panoramic views across the Cook Inlet toward the Chigmit Mountains and four active volcanoes. And Chef Felix’s cuisine is world-class. s 6 night/5 day fishing with 1 day heli fishing package $6,895 plus 3% tax

ALASKA ’ S NUMBERONESTEELHEADRIVER

pinnell creek, kodiak island alaska In the early 90’s we were a small group of exploratory anglers invited to fish an extremely remote and unknown creek on Kodiak Island, Alaska. What we found was simply amazing, miles and miles of foot-accessed pools and runs filled with wild steelhead in the 6-12 pound range. Fast forward 30 years and after exhaustive appeals, our outfitter was awarded the only commercial permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to operate a non-permanent tent camp in the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge. And we are headed back this fall for another gander. The trip is limited to a maximum of 3 anglers per week, 3-4 times per season, guaranteeing unparalleled solitude and wilderness fly fishing for wild steelhead. Call us to get on the waitlist. s 7 night, 6-day fishing package $6,000 2022 rates. Includes charter to & from Kodiak. Space is very limited.