We have some great dates available in July and early August to stay in one of our riverfront cabins as our professional guides show you around Katmai National Park. Our standard packages all include a visit to the world famous Brooks Falls and the Brooks River to witness one of the largest concentration of brown bears in the world! We offer standard 3, 4 and 7 day packages that include a private riverfront cabin with bathroom and shower, all meals, a USCG licensed captain and transportation to and from the King Salmon airport. Call us at 616-745-6066 or email us at naknekrivercamp@gmail.com.
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Openings for 2024
We still have openings for the Bristol Bay, Alaska trout opener which is June 8th. If you want to see Alaska before the tourists show up, June is the month to target. Rainbows are gorging on both salmon fry emerging from the gravel and salmon smolt leaving for their journey into the Bering Sea.
We also have room from July 13th until August 10th. July is a great time to add a float plane adventure to one of the many char and rainbow streams that make Bristol Bay famous for offering the best trout fishing in Alaska. The rivers will be full of salmon, the weather is typically on its best behavior and our photogenic bears are ready to pose for your camera.
By August, Silvers will take over the spotlight, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t still plenty of action catching Dolly Varden, Arctic Char, Grayling, Pike, Chums and Pinks!
Give us a call at 616-745-6066 for more information.
Selecting the right “trout beads” for Bristol Bay.
As August approaches, avid anglers eagerly anticipate their fishing expeditions in the breathtaking wilderness of Alaska. Known for its abundant trout populations, Alaska offers a wealth of opportunities for anglers to test their skills and reel in some impressive catches. One effective technique for targeting trout in Alaskan waters is using beads to immitate salmon eggs. However, with various colors available, it can be challenging to determine which ones are most effective during this time of year. In this article, we’ll guide you through some factors to consider and I will recommend the ideal color trout beads to bring along for a successful fishing experience in Alaska this year.
Understanding the Season and Fish Behavior:
Before delving into color selection, it’s crucial to comprehend the seasonal changes and trout behavior in August. As summer progresses, trout begin focusing more on the salmon spawning activity. During this time, they become highly aggressive to a well matched bead, and almost completely forget about all other types of food. In response to this behavior, it’s essential to present an enticing bait that mimics natural food sources and triggers their predatory instincts.
Consider Water Conditions:
Water conditions play a vital role in determining the most effective color trout beads to use. Factors like water clarity, flow rate, and temperature impact fish behavior and their ability to detect and react to specific colors. As a general rule, the clearer the water the closer to natural sizes you will want to fish. Dirty water you will probably want to fish over sized beads. It also makes thing like UV and Glow beads more important. Bristol Bay, rivers tend to be clear and have a moderate flow, with temperatures varying based on the specific location and time of day. Taking these factors into account will help you make an informed decision about the color of your trout beads.
How different species of salmon impact bead choices:
The species of salmon spawning in the area you are fishing will often determine the size of egg you choose. King eggs are the largest at approximately 10mm to 12mm. If sockeye are the predominate species, a 6mm might be a better choice. Pinks, chums and silvers are 8mm.
Recommended Colors:
Mottled Orange: One of the most reliable choices for trout fishing in Alaska, natural mottled orange beads imitate eggs that trout actively feed on during the spawning season. The vibrant orange hue stands out against the riverbed, catching the attention of hungry trout and triggering aggressive strikes. These colors are especially effective when fishing behind spawning king salmon, sockeye salmon and silver salmon. Some great examples of the best orange colors are Mottled Tangerine, Mottled Dark Roe and Mottled Natural Roe.
Pink: Pink beads also closely resemble the eggs of Pacific salmon, making pink an excellent color choice. This color mimics the eggs that are frequently dislodged from spawning redds. It also can be a good way to throw something a little different than the last guy, as we all know that can often be the key to success. Some examples of good pink beads are mottled pink pearl and mottled salmon pearl.
Peach: Peach-colored trout beads are known for their versatility and effectiveness. This color imitates eggs in various stages of development, ranging from pale to vibrant shades. It serves as a reliable option when trout are feeding on eggs at different stages of maturity. In other words, later in the season when there is less spawning fish. Pink Salmon and chum salmon also look more like these colors when freshly dropped, as opposed to tge brighter orange of fresh sockeye, king or silver eggs. Examples would be glow roe, peach pearl and mottled peachy king.
Cream: Cream-colored beads are excellent for mimicking trout eggs that have been dislodged from their redds and are slowly decaying. These “dead eggs” are still a valuable food source for trout. As numbers of spawning fish in the area dwindle these can become the best option. Try bead colors like mottled cream, apricot, oregon cheese and cotton candy.
Hand painted: A well painted bead is as good as it gets in the bead fishing world. If for no other reason then you have the ability to cater it to your exact needs, It’s also extremely unlikely that anyone else on the river will be fishing the same bead as you are. Step one, is find a good base bead. In most cases you’ll want to start with one that’s fairly translucent. Everyone has their own magic formula of fingernail polish to get the looks they like. In some cases you even see Alaskan guide favorite discontinued colors of fingernail polish going for big dollars on eBay. Typically you see two coats on a good painted bead. You’ll need s thin coat to get the base color just the way you like it. The second coat is to create a light pink/cream haze or cone on a portion of the bead. The down side to this is that it takes some practice to fine tune the paint job.
Let’s review:
When it comes to choosing the right color trout beads for your Alaskan fishing adventure, it’s essential to consider the seasonal changes, fish behavior, and water conditions. Selecting the right bead color for the time and the place, will significantly increase your chances of catching fish. Remember, trout can exhibit individual preferences, so experimentation with different colors may be necessary. With the right combination of skills, knowledge, and a well-stocked bead box, you’re all set for an unforgettable angling experience in the breathtaking wilderness of Alaska.
July 2024 Special
We are offering a trio of special “Friends and Family” packages this July at Naknek River Camp, designed to make it more reasonable for families, and especially youth, to be able to experience the amazing fishing and bear viewing opportunities available in Katmai National Park.
Friends and Family Special #1) Book a 6 day, 7 night package at our normal rate of $4995 for an adult and bring a youth under 18 for free!
Friends and Family Special #2) Three guests of any age that want to share a 2 bedroom cabin and fish together can stay with us for the price of 2.
Friends and Family Special #3) For those guests that don’t have time to dedicate an entire week to the King Salmon region, we are offering 3 and 4 day packages. These include transportation from the King Salmon airport, all meals, guided fishing, bear viewing, transportation to Brooks Falls and a private riverfront cabin with a bathroom and full time power.
3 days/3 nights for $2495 per person 4 days/4 nights for $3295 per person
Discover the Ultimate Fishing Adventure at a Fraction of the Price!
Are you looking for a unique and thrilling fishing experience? Look no further than Alaska’s Naknek River Camp. Located in the heart of Alaska’s scenic Bristol Bay and Katmai wilderness, our fishing lodge offers unparalleled access to some of the best and most storied rivers in the state. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a first-time fisherman, you’ll find everything you need to make your fishing trip a success.
WHAT TO EXPECT?
At our fishing lodge, you’ll enjoy top-notch accommodations, delicious meals, and expert guidance from our experienced full time fishing guides. Our guide are equipped with top notch gear and techniques, so you can focus on catching the big one. Whether you’re fishing for Salmon, Rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, Arctic Char or Grayling, you’ll find our staff and guides will put you in the best chance of success. Our fishing guides have years of experience and know the water like the back of their hand. They’ll show you the best techniques for catching your desired species and provide tips and tricks to make the most of your fishing trip.
Lodging and Amenities
When you’re not out fishing, you can relax and enjoy an ice cold beer on the deck overlooking the beautiful Naknek River. Our no frills accommodations are designed to provide a warm and cozy atmosphere, with amenities like hot showers, in cabin bathrooms, comfortable beds, and delicious meals. You’ll feel right at home.
If you’re looking for a truly unforgettable fishing experience, look no further than Alaska’s finest fishing lodge, Naknek River Camp. With expert guides, comfortable accommodations, and access to some of the best fishing in Alaska, you are sure to have the adventure of a lifetime.
Book your stay today and discover why this is the ultimate fishing experience.
June 8th trout opener for 2020 is filling up fast!
Do you want to catch a legendary Alaska rainbow trout? Then start planning your 2020 June trip now! Spots are filling because word is out that this is the time to have a shot at a trout of a lifetime. Book now!
Trout Fishing in 2019 Was Outstanding!
These trout on the Naknek River are legendary for their size and strength and reel melting runs. This fight that these rainbows put up is incredible running up and down the bank and chasing them down. Wow! Swinging for these fish never gets old. Book now from June to September 2020 for the adventure and a shot at the trout of a lifetime.
King Season Has Begun!
June is a special time in Bristol Bay for many reasons, our favorite reason is that in June the Chinook Salmon start their spawning migration from the Pacific Ocean back to the rivers and creeks where their lives started. For decades Chinook were the main reason anglers traveled from across world to Alaska’s Rivers and Streams, just for their chance at hooking up with one of the fish of legend. The idea of a 40 or 50 pound or possibly even larger fish traveling into river and now being able to chase them on the fly that is trip of a life time material. June is very special because you have these giant fish while they are chrome and angry. So grab that pile of pink intruders that have been in your fly box getting lonely, your 9 or 10 weight, some sink tips, and get ready because these fish do not mess around.
A Tour of Our Cabins
The average full service lodge in Alaska charges over $7,000. Per week. The average fly-out lodge is closer to $10,000. There is good reason for these seemingly ridiculous prices.
Alaska is expensive. A gallon of milk is $10.00. Necessities like lumber for building cabins and propane for heating them is as much as 4 times more expensive than in the lower 48. I still have trouble buying a can of soda at the grocery store without cringing.
When we decided to start this business in Alaska, we knew that our biggest challenge would be to keep it affordable. I have always believed that the majority of fishermen are just like me – we all want to fish Alaska, but we don’t want to sell our cars to be able to afford the trip.
I have to admit, I was ready to put together a wilderness tent camp. I wanted a camp that sat right on the riverbank of a river that would offer home water full of big rainbows, that would get all 5 species of salmon and that would offer our guests a chance to catch arctic char and grayling as well. A place that we could jump in a jet boat and visit a variety of great fishing rivers and streams without the need to board an expensive float plane, allowing us to fish no matter what the weather conditions.
But my lovely wife Phyllis put her foot down and demanded a little more comfort. She wanted to make sure that a husband could feel comfortable bringing his wife – even his whole family – into our camp. She required hard sided cabins, real mattresses, a porch to enjoy the sunset and a hot shower at the end of the day. She wanted a nice kitchen to cook in, a dining room to enjoy her great meals in. She refused to wander around outside in the dark to find a bathroom in the middle of the night – she wanted a toilet in every cabin, including hers.
Naknek River Camp met all these desires, and added a few conveniences that neither one of us expected to have in the Alaskan bush, including phone service for both us and our guests.
We have road access to the towns of King Salmon and Naknek, offering medical services, a general store, groceries and even fishing and hunting supplies. Our guests even took us out to dinner a few times at one of the local restaurants – sometimes a burger and a beer can be an exotic meal if the burger is an Eddies Firplace Burger and the beer is an Alaskan Amber.
Our cabins include towels, pillows and linens. Just bring your PJ’s, your toothbrush, your fishing gear and your sense of adventure. We’ll supply everything else.