There are at least a dozen aspects to consider when choosing a sport fishing trip in Alaska. Three which should not be overlooked are:
- Location of the lodge
- Proximity to home waters,
- Experience of the outfitter.
Rainbow King Lodge has all 3 of these covered, plus a lot more.
Location, location, location! Located a stone’s throw from Lake Iliamna, Rainbow King is one of a handful of so-called legacy lodges in the Bristol Bay/Iliamna drainage. It sits in the epicenter of some of the best rainbow trout fishing in the world. Rainbow King is a fly-out lodge, with many of the best trout streams 15 to 30 minutes away by floatplane. The longest flights are an hour to the coast, where anglers target fresh runs of Pacific salmon and for those interested in taking home fresh fish – halibut. Within a short flight, or quick jet-boat ride, lies world-renowned trout fisheries like: Newhalen, Talarik Creek, Moraine, Gibraltar, Funnel, Dream, South East, Copper, Kvichak, Battle, Branch, Kukaklek, the American – the list goes on and on…
As Pacific salmon arrive to spawn in these Lake Iliamna tributaries, resident river and migratory lake rainbows follow, gorging on their eggs. It’s an annual ritual of feast or famine for the trout that begins in mid-July and continues through the end of September. By mid-September most of the salmon are dead or dying and swinging big streamers that imitate salmon flesh or foraging sculpins can produce savage strikes and huge fish. The trophy waters of the Lake Iliamna and Katmai Basin offer one of the best chances in the world to hook and land a wild rainbow trout in excess of 10 lbs. Rainbow King Lodge also holds private access leases on a number of small trout streams with epic trout populations – they have to be experienced to be believed!
Of course, Alaska has more to offer than rainbow trout. Just as easily accessed from the lodge are the remote coastal salmon streams on the Cook Inlet and in Bristol Bay. Some of these coastal watersheds don’t even have a name, but on the right tide, during certain times in the summer and fall, they stack up with Pacific salmon so thick you can almost walk across them. All five species of Pacific salmon can be pursued at Rainbow King Lodge, along with arctic grayling, dolly varden, arctic char, northern pike, and lake trout.
Headed out on your next adventure with us? The Fly ShopⓇ has you covered. As a thank you to our travel guests, enjoy 15% off all retail purchases for a year! — the perfect chance to gear up before your trip.
Whether it’s flies, leaders, apparel or a new rod and reel outfit, we’ve got everything you need to make your journey more comfortable, more successful, and more fun. (some exclusions apply)
