This summer, we were finally able to travel back to the Kanektok River in Alaska. Located about 90 minutes by charter flight from Anchorage, the Kanektok is a truly unique and remote destination. The dirt air strip we landed on is part of the first native village of Quinhagak, and the only way to reach this remote location is by air or sea.
Once we arrived, we made our way upriver to the Alaska West camp, which is about 5km from the sea. This camp is known for its frequent visits by bears at night, so we had to be careful to keep our campsite clean and free of food.
Despite the presence of bears, we were excited to get out on the river and start fishing. The Kanektok is home to all five species of Pacific salmon, as well as char and rainbow trout. We focused mostly on catching King (Chinook) salmon, but we also caught a few chums and sockeye.
It was a truly amazing experience to be out on the Kanektok River, surrounded by the stunning Alaskan wilderness. The fishing was fantastic, and we were able to catch some beautiful salmon and trout. We can’t wait to go back and experience it all again.