The Kvichak River is home to some of the biggest Rainbows in the world. These fish are more like an ocean going steelhead in their size and build, but they have never seen or tasted saltwater. You wouldn’t think that because when they are hooked, they are off to the races with big charging runs and cartwheeling jumps. When you see the size of Lake Iliamna, (1,000 square miles and the third largest lake in the US, and where the fish live in the winter before moving into the river to eat salmon eggs and flesh) you begin to grasp why this body of water produces such enormous fish. With runs of sockeye in the 10+ million annually as well as the four other species of salmon, the river is a fish factory in the summer. The enormous biomass of the system produces food for these big trout as well as grayling, Dolly Varden, char, northern pike, bears, eagles, whales and one of the only freshwater seals around.
You couldn’t find a better location to be based out of for targeting rainbows on the Kvichak. Located a few miles down from the mouth of the lake, you will be centrally located to some of the best water for swinging flesh flies and leeches.
Jack Mitchell has taken advantage of the Seasons on the Fly Lodge as the lodging of choice for his guests on the Kvichak River. This place is centrally located in the best spot to access the braided section of the Kvichak as well as being very close to the mouth of the river. It is a comfortable place to relax after a long day on the river and each bedroom has its own, or nearby designated, bathroom. The facility is on an island of the Kvichak River, three miles downstream from the village of Igiugig.
While staying at Seasons on the Fly Lodge, Jack brings his personal chef to prepare hearty meals, served as you return from a day on the water.
Reservations & Rates
The cost of the 6-night/5+-day Kvichak River Lodge package is $6,150.00 per person.
Inclusions
Included in your angling package at Alaska's Kvichak River are lodging, excellent food, 5 1/3 days of guided fishing, all flies and terminal tackle, rods and reels if needed, and your charter flight from Anchorage.
Non-Inclusions
Not included in your angling package at Alaska's Kvichak River are your flight to Anchorage, Alaska fishing license, wading attire, and gratuities.
Travel Insurance
The Fly Shop® is not in the insurance business, but we recommend Travel Guard coverage as a service with a desire to see your best interests protected. It is impossible to know when an unfortunate situation (loss of luggage, fly rods, illness in the family, or an accident) may occur. However, such things can and do happen, and this insurance can provide a means of recourse against non-refundable financial losses.
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Seasons at Alaska's Kvichak River
The Kvichak River produces some of the most impressive rainbows on the planet. Lake Iliamna is the largest lake in Alaska and supports one of the biggest Sockeye runs in the world. Although the Kvichak fishes all summer long, Jack concentrates his efforts late in the season when the pressure is light and swinging flies is the best way to catch them. He has six weeks from early September through mid-October when these fish are at the peak of their health from a summer of feeding on eggs and flesh. They move back into the river to pack on the pounds to be ready for a long Alaskan winter in the lake. This is when the biggest fish of the season get caught.
Getting to Alaska's Kvichak River
Travel to the Lodge from Anchorage - Lake and Peninsula Airlines. Check in no later than 10:30 am for a 12 noon Charter Departure from Merrill Field to Igiugig – The Evening Hatch already has this reserved. There is an extra fee for baggage over 50 pounds.
Merrill Field 1740 E 5th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501 (907) 345-2228 - Merrill Field is about 10 minutes from Downtown and Anchorage International Airport.
Lodging at Alaska's Kvichak River
Jack has access to Seasons on the Fly Lodge on the Kvichak River and has the same 6 weeks reserved every year.
The lodge sits on an island in the middle of the Kvichak River. It comfortably sleeps 8. There are 2 beds in each room, and plenty of space for personal gear, as well as an area to hang waders, boots and wet clothing.
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These are not 5-star accommodations, but are very comfortable and the showers have plenty of hot water to go around.
Dining:
Jack has a chef that comes in for the duration, and they are no stranger to the kitchen. The food is served homestyle and you will not go hungry during your stay. After a long day swinging flies on cold spring/fall days in Alaska, the chef will keep you fed and your energy up while recharging back at the lodge. Breakfasts are served each morning and are normally made to order; lunches are served streamside and are typically a deli sandwich with some assorted side snacks.
Communications:
You are traveling to a very remote wilderness area of Alaska so cellphone use at the lodge is only possible if you have a GCI (Alaskan) account; the national providers like AT&T and Verizon will not work in this area of Alaska. There is a phone available for emergencies. Limited internet is also available at the lodge.
Fishing at Alaska's Kvichak River
Fall on the Kvichak means one thing - swinging flies. As these fish drop back into the river from the lake they are trying to put on a lot of weight before returning to the lake for a long cold winter. So, they are opportunistically feeding on anything in their sight window. Jack and his guides put away the indicators and beads and focus all of their efforts on putting big chunks of meat in front of these hungry fish. Flesh flies, leeches and sculpin are the go-to flies and two handed rods, Skagit heads and a variety of T-8 to T-14 sink tips are the weapons of choice. You certainly can get away with using a single handed rod, but it is a big river and Spey rods cover more water, more efficiently, with less effort. With so
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many steelhead rivers on the decline, we feel this is a great alternative to achieve your two-handed fix. Fish are aggressive, takes are unmistakable and these fish are pound for pound the hardest fighting fish around.
Although rainbows are the main event, there are also opportunities to explore a few tributaries and fish for grayling, or some protected bays on the lake for pike.
Guides:
The guides are such an integral part of any fly fishing adventure and usually make the difference between a good day and a great day. The professionals working for Jack aren’t college guys trying guiding out for a year to find themselves. They are all veteran guides and have been doing this for a long time. They are experienced boat operators, patient, hardworking and are just all around fun to hang out with for the week. Jack hand selects these guys from his operations and brings them up for the short season. They have guided from Papua New Guinea to Mongolia and Kamchatka - you can count on these guys to put in a full day, and to get you onto big, bright Kvichak bows.
What Makes This Destination Special and Unique?
• LOCATION - Taking in the size of Lake Iliamna, you realize it would be a daunting task to try to locate fish there. Luckily Mother Nature helps us take the guesswork out of this. Mouths of rivers are natural funnels where fish congregate and naturally this is the best spot to be when these fish move back down from the lake to feed. With the only braids of the river located just below the lodge, it breaks the river down even more so you are covering water more effectively with each cast.
• GUIDES - When you think about a fly fishing trip, who do you spend more time with than your guide? The guides working for Jack are some of the best in the business, anywhere in the world, and they have been with him a long time. They are experienced oarsman, patient, fishy and dedicated professionals whose sole goal is to get you into big, wild trout and help you have the best day of your life, all in an enjoyable and safe manner.
• EXPERIENCE - Jack Mitchell was born and raised in Washington and spent his whole life fishing the state from top to bottom. His whole adult career has been based around fly fishing and it has taken him all over the world, which has allowed him to gain valuable experience and perspective to incorporate in his own idea of the perfect fishing lodge. Since 1988 he has operated his outfitting business, which includes 12 rivers, 4 lodges and a small fly shop. You could not be in better hands to best execute a successful fly fishing adventure, than with Jack and his team.
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