Anglers from all over the world descend onto this amazing area to target all 5 species of Pacific salmon as well as rainbows, grayling, char, and dolly varden. The salmon run during specific times depending on their species. Starting in mid June with kings and sockeyes and finishing up in September with the silver salmon. The mighty chum ( also known as calico or chum salmon ) and pink salmon run mid summer with the pink salmon only running on the even years

The trout season starts on June 8th and runs through late fall when ice up occurs. The trout will be fished with streamer patterns, dead flesh patterns, mouse patterns, and of course the typical “trout bugs” like caddis, mayfly, and stonefly imitations both above and below the surface. Grayling love to hit top-water fly patterns all season long and are most attracted to darker flies like darker caddis and adams patterns. They will also hit a mouse pattern while you are swinging for trout. More than a few times last season we caught some very large grayling while trying to catch rainbows on mouse patterns. They can be very aggressive, and love bead- headed nymphs as well.

The char and dolly’s love to hit “trout” bugs too. My favorite top-water pattern for these fish is what is called a gurgler. The pattern is basically a half back foam attractor tied in bright orange or red. Alaska Signature Flies ties the pattern and it is so fun to catch char on while waking the fly. The takes are subtle but the follows are very long adding to the antiquation of the strike!

There are 6 major river systems that make up the Bristol Bay Watershed. Starting from the West, here is the list.