FishHound Expeditions

Float Expeditions

All FishHound trips provide you with our moveable lodge—a custom made wall tent that provides an ideal environment for riverside dinners & drinks.

What we provide:

• Dry bags of assorted sides
• High quality sleeping pads
• Tents
• Sleeping cots

On our expedition trips we provide you with large dry bags for your personal gear, as well as a smaller ‘day’ dry bag for keeping important items (like additional layers or cameras) safe from the elements and close at hand.  We provide top quality thick sleeping pads which are placed on our ultra-light supportive cots inside our single or double occupancy name brand tents that have been tested tried & trued. Single or double occupancy tents are based on you, the client’s preference and not whats ‘best for trip weight’.

On our river trips, you’ll be fishing and staying on any of 5 different rivers on Kodiak Island:

Arolik River

One of Alaska’s most sacred & pristine rivers that blows away any preconceived notions of Alaskan beauty. The Arolik flows out of the Ahklun Mountains and is one of Alaska’s most intimate small to medium size rivers. A very user friendly & easily wade-able river that we can access from two different put-ins depending on the length of the trip. River levels and time of year pending we can offer shorter floats of 6 days or our standard length of 8 to 10 days. This river is so naturally gifted that no matter if you target this river early on in the season starting the middle of June for throwing huge mice patterns to native Leopard Rainbows and stripping streamers for huge Kings (season depending on ADF&G regulations), or come with us later in the year to swing for fresh coastal Silvers coated in sea lice this is a river worthy for fishing trips year after year.

This Alaska fishing trip begins by leaving Bethel in a wheeled bush plane then flying to the river and expertly landing on a gravel bar to start our trip down. We float roughly 60 miles on 6 day guided fishing trips and longer on our standard guided fishing trips (river conditions permitting) all the way down to where the river becomes tidal near the village of Quinhagak from there we take a 207 airplane back to Bethel.

Kwethluk River

One of Alaska’s best rivers that encompasses all that it is: big, beautiful, & remote! An Alaska float fishing trip best suited for 8-10 day trips, the Kwethluk starts high in the Kilbuck Mountains where we land on tundra and begin our descent down river. This float fishing trip is unique in that you get two rivers in one! We start on a small creek that is easily wade-able & full of Rainbows & Grayling that eagerly look to feed on the surface. A truly amazing small creek experience not found in many other places. Down river at the confluence, the Kwethluk becomes larger and is a great place to practice swing presentations or throw streamers at the banks as our experience takes you down secret braids to stalk monster Leopard Bow’s as well as all five species of Salmon & Arctic-Char depending on the time of year. We recommend this series of rivers from the first of July through the second week of September. King fishing is incredible in July (season depending on ADF&G regulations) with Chum Salmon and Arctic-Char entering the system and of course native Bows. If stalking huge silvers and flesh eating Rainbows is your kind of thing, or if that sounds like you want it to be your kind of thing, then the dates are mid-August through September.

The adventure begins by leaving Bethel in a wheeled bush plane. We fly high to the mountains and land on Alaskan tundra where our journey begins as we float a 100 miles of wild river down to our pickup. We are met by large power boats that transport us down to the Kuskowim and back to Bethel.

Clear Creek

Truly one of the finest rivers in Alaska! Clear Creek offers amazing fishing for Rainbows, Arctic Grayling, Dolly Varden, and all 5 species of Pacific Salmon. This river is clear water fishing at it’s finest. Come fish this river early in the season for mouse eating Rainbows and reel crushing Kings, or come in the fall for flesh hungry Rainbows and Silver Salmon that annihilate top water flies! Clear Creek offers trips from as short as 2 days to as long as 8 days. We utilize helicopters to gain access to many different points on the river depending the length of your trip.

Kisaralik River

This river personifies western Alaska with its amazing views, crystal clear water and of course, amazing fishing & fly fishing for all 5 species of Alaska Salmon, along with Trout, Arctic-Char & Grayling. Like most of our rivers this fishing trip is ideally suited for 8-10 day trips. After we land on Kisaralik Lake we will start our float trip down river. The Kisaralik starts small, but gains size making its’ way down river to where there is a large falls/rapid and depending on water flow boats may need to be lined & clients walk down & fish. Below this we find stunning scenery and amazing runs to fish. We start fishing & fly fishing trips on this river from the end of June chasing massive slabs of native Bows and Alaska King Salmon (pending ADF&G regulations) on this stunning river. The Kisaralik supports large amounts of other Salmon that make for excellent bead fishing later in the season as well as aggressive Silvers that gulp surface Polli-wogs!

We start by leaving Bethel in a float plane where we fly to Kisaralik Lake to start our 80 mile river journey of wild Alaskan water to our pickup point. We meet large power boats that will transport us back to Bethel quickly and efficiently.

Talachulitna River

Known as the ‘Tal’ to guides, the Talachulitna River provides some of the best fly-in-fishing in south-central AK. This beautiful river starts on Judd Lake as we begin our trek down-river, stalking monster Alaska King Salmon and gorgeous Bows. More than just an amazing river to fish, the Tal brings some of the most enjoyable & safe white water rafting around, in a stunning steep canyon rivaled only by the Black & Grand Canyons of the lower forty-eight. One of our owners has been running the Tal since 85′ and knows every rock & bend on that river.

Best suited for 4-6 day trips starting at the end of June (King season depending ADF&G regulations) through the end of August for Silvers.

Kodiak Brown Bear Center

The Kodiak Brown Bear Center lodge is truly a backcountry marvel! Comfy individual rooms, amazing food, and even a sauna! To make it even more amazing it is on an island all to itself offering incredible views of Karluk lake and the surrounding mountains. Guests can take in views of Mountain Goats, Black Tail Deer, and of course the incredible Kodiak Brown Bear! All from the deck of the lodge enjoying a drink! The Cabins on the river itself are more rustic than the lodge but still feature creature comforts that make the fall on Kodiak very comfortable.

The modern guest cabins incorporate all the luxuries of a five-star resort. Each guest cabin has its own private deck overlooking Karluk Lake. Our cabins have electricity, full bathroom facilities, wireless internet access, and comfortable beds with fresh linens. Delicious meals prepared by our talented and friendly staff are just a short walk away in our dining cabin.