The King Salmon is the perfect river. It’s headwaters are way above timberline in the rolling tundra just east of the Wood Tikchik Lake system. I fish a 70 mile stretch of this amazing wilderness river. For the first three days we are above the tree line where Caribou are known to walk through our camps. This is Ptarmigan country as well as nesting Arctic Terns and Jaegers. The upper river can produce spectacular Caddis hatches.

Each mile that one descends the river becomes richer. The accumulated biomass of thousands of salmon who have returned to spawn and then die fertilize the waters. As the river picks up tributaries, each hosting a salmon run, the ecosystem becomes more fertile. The upper river through mid section fishes well with dry Caddis as well as wooly buggers, leaches, and egg patterns.
From the mid through the lower reach where it joins the mighty Nushugak the fishing alternates between targeting Salmon and the Trout, Char, and Grayling attending the Salmon to drifting large leeches around tangles of woody debris. There is a tremendous amount of variety from shallow spawning flats to long wadeable runs to swing the wet fly.

Like the Upper Nushugak the camping on the King Salmon is extraordinary. There is plenty of firewood and places to get out of the wind if it storms. I have taken youngsters from nine years and up on the river and they have caught tremendous fish as well as really enjoyed the camp and rafting experience. We release all the Rainbows & Kings while keeping fresh sockeye and Char for dinners.

Would you like to fish a river like the Little King Salmon with me? If yes, call me at (877) 628-6796 or email me at mark@wildriverfish.com.