Chilikadrotna River
Alaska's Chilikadrotna river
is a national wild and scenic river in the Lake Clark area of Alaska, and is is also referred fondly by many as the "Chili". The Chili flows from "Twin Lakes" a spectacular rugged alpine area of the Alaska range 100 miles southwest of Anchorage and meanders some 60 miles to the confluence with the Mulcahtna river. But when one is here where the Chilikadrotna starts is journey, surrounded by mountains and exceptional scenic vistas one can find it hard to leave in fact we often find groups electing to spend a day or two just experience the exceptional hiking the area offers but the river soon beckons and the float trip portion of this adventure is soon underway be sure to watch for wildlife, the bird viewing can be excellent and did we mention fishing?
Along the "Chili"
Wildlife along the river includes brown bear, moose, caribou, wolves, wolverine, black bear, and beaver. Birds that may be observed are: Bald eagles, swans, ducks & geese, ptarmigan, spruce grouse and osprey. There is excellent fishing in the Twin Lakes area for lake trout. Grayling, rainbow trout and Dolly Varden are available along the river. Pike may be sought in the side sloughs. A series of Class II-III rapids occur 5-miles below twin lakes and another set of Class II-III rapids occur 5-miles below the confluence of the Little Mulchatna River. The remainder of the river is pretty much Class II white water.
testimonials
“Over the last 27 years I've spent
in excess of 180 days fly fishing with various outfitters
throughout the world. I've taken four trips and
another scheduled for 2010 with Paul Hansen's Alaska Rainbow Adventures to the Alagnak and Moraine Creek. Each trip always exceeded my expectations for catching fish, scenery and outfitter service. Paul is definitely at the top of my list for professionalism and fishing/river knowledge. I might also add his guides mimic his professionalism. When you're on a trip with Paul and his guides you'll feel like family.”
Dennis Callaway
Chilikadrotna River Highlights
- June
Spring is the time when anglers gather their rods and head out for the salmon smolt phenomenon that is happening all around the streams of the Bristol Bay region and opening day is an exceptional time to be on the Alagnak River in search of predatory rainbow trout intent on intercepting these out migrating immature salmon as they start their journey to the sea. Late June finds sockeye salmon beginning their run into the lower Alagnak river while they are first of the pacific salmon to arrive they are quickly followed by the first kings. June thru early July offers some of the best dry fly fishing of the season for both rainbow trout and grayling. - July
Three different species of pacific salmon, rainbows and grayling are available in the Alagnak in July. During the first two weeks there may be one to two million or more sockeye salmon transiting the Alagnak system, many on the way through the upriver lake systems to feeder streams such as the Moraine, Kulik, Battle, Funnel and Nanuktuk. July is also the month for Chinook salmon on the Alagnak and while primarily targeted in the lower river, they can also be afound in areas of the braids. By the second week of the month the first of two chum salmon runs has started into the Alagnak as well. While the salmon may push the rainbows out of their traditional lies, they remain available to anglers throughout the month who are willing to put in just a bit more effort. - August
Coho salmon begin their run into the Alagnak early in August and while the peek of this run is less predictable than for other salmon historically it occurs about the 21st of the month. The river continues to see additional chum salmon during in August and on even numbered years pink salmon show up giving anglers added action particularly on light tackle. - September - Mid October
Fall is a special time on the rivers and streams of the Bristol bay region and the Alagnak is no different. In September the angling for rainbow trout and grayling can be as spectacular as the colors of fall. This is the time when many anglers long to visit Alaska in search of rainbow trout fattened up by a summer of gorging upon salmon eggs and flesh. Our fall Alagnak trips feature a comfortable heated lodge tent for dining and gathering to swap stories about the days fishing.
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