Working Trip - Naknek River

[Phil Lilley]

 

 

 

[Phil Lilley]

I have one more video to post...

I spent a little less than 2 weeks at Naknek River Camp and Katmai Trophy Lodge, owned by the Johnson family the first of June.  I helped get both places ready for clients - building a new cabin, putting boats in, hauling junk/trash (big job in AK), putting the docks in the river after the ice wiped them out over winter.

Opening day on the river was June 8th and I fished the 8th and 9th, mainly in front of NRC.  Every year is different... and I haven't been there opening since 2007.  But there didn't seem to be the number of big rainbows around like I'm used to.  But did catch numbers... alot of small rainbows.  Used exclusively my jigs -- black and purple was b y far the best.  There are leaches in the river, along with sculpins, lamprey and of course smolt.

It was in the high 60's when I arrived and in the 40's when I left - typical AK weather.  But it was a great trip.  Hope to go back later in the fall... when plane tickets get a lot cheaper!  They're double right now to head north.

[jdmidwest]

Later on is when the big ones come in to feed on the salmon eggs and flesh.

[Phil Lilley]

Exactly.  Last season, the rainbows were huge.  Several in the 36-inch range.  Lots of 30.

[Ham]

19 hours ago, Phil Lilley said:Lots of 30.

Oh Man, That's Crazy!