Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Alaska Naknek River Salmon Camp trip in 2015

Anyone fish the Naknek River for Silvers in Late August early Sept. My fishing buddy is trying to get a few of us to fly in for a week of fishing. We are both experienced Michigan Salmon Fly anglers, Alaska has the scenery but kind of pricey for a week of fishing compared to Michigan which is free since I have my own boat and lodging. How great is the fishing and is that a good week are there other locations we should consider?
Any input greatly appreciated.

bring em with and save some money.

Fishing some of Alaska's more remote rivers (getting away from combat fishing) can spoil a guy. I've seen more than a few people who, after a few days, decided to look for bears in 'the glass' in order to give their arms a break. Then again, weather and run timing can make fishing a challenge at times. The Naknek is south of us a ways and my only familiarity is the fishing reports on public radio which include it.

Timing is everything. I've fished there and it was amazing. Lots of Rainbows that time of year. Black mirabou jig with silver yes!!!

The Naknek has some fantastic fishing for both salmon and trout. It is a large river and you will spend some time fishing from a boat to be real effective. Just a thought, but if I was wanting to target silvers up here I would think about going to Yakutat that time of year. The Situk, Italio, and Tsiu all have huge runs of silvers. When you get tired of catching so many silvers you can go out on the salt and load up on halibut. Like I said its just a thought but I've been to both places and I really love the fishing in Yakutat.

IMHO the trips to AK are as much for being there and scenery..

If you are worried about cost, I think you might be better off being home.

300Savage,

I have fished for salmon in several places in the Lower 48, from Oregon to New York, and have yet to encounter anything remotely comparable to Alaska.

I never fished the Naknek but used to guide on the Kvichak. Both are know for their huge rainbows. September is definately the time for those. There are rivers with better runs of silvers but you should have no problem catching fish. Sounds like a great trip.

I have lived in Yakutat and King Salmon and I will second the suggestion to head for Yakutat as the rivers mentioned are better for Silvers. If you want big Rainbows as well, then the Naknek is a great choice. Anything black or purple for the rainbows and take 'em up to Lake Camp, Trefon's Cabin area.

Don't overlook rivers that offer chum fishing opportunities close to the salt either. Bright chums can be absolute bulls when it comes to a fight and the bright fish make great table fare.

Agreed Klik, I've never tried eating em, but I do love battling fresh chums.

The Naknek is a very big river. You will basically have to fish from a boat. The silvers are very spotty most of the time. There are much better silver streams to be found in the Bristol Bay Area that are much easier to fish. The Naknek does have huge rainbows. Except for a few spots, you will need a boat for them as well.

To follow up on last post...... The Nak is a great river. I hear that the rainbow fishing continues to improve. It is now known as a place to catch a mega rainbow. They were there 15 years ago but were not common. There are plenty of silvers that run through the Nak but they are not always easy to locate.

They can be a lot of fun, but I'm not much on eating dogs, except out of necessity....

Didn't say anything about dogs, a chrome-bright Chum ain't no dog. About the worst thing that can be said about them is that their flesh pales when cooked, compared to other salmon. And they don't deteriorate as fast as silvers often do.

Chrome chum is as good as almost any other salmon and hardly something to turn one's nose up at. Compared to pellet-fed farmed crap they are outstanding.

I'm not telling someone what they think good is, but I only prefer chums/dogs to pinks and I don't eat pinks at all and I never catch pinks on purpose.

I'm fortunate in that I eat king salmon as often as I want and use reds when I want something a bit different. I've tried chums out of the salt water and onto a grill (also had them baked and fried) and would say that's the best way I've had chums, but I'd prefer a similarly prepared king or red or silver to a chum and in that order. To each his own...... And yes we cut chrome chums into dog food......

If you could find your way to the Ilnik River, about 160 miles south of the Naknek you will be in silver heaven.

King Salmon River near Painter Creek and I think Mother Goose Lake is littered with Silvers as is Egagik.