Thread: Where do we go to fish for steelhead or maybe salmon.

Got a group of about 15 guys that want to plan either a salmon or steelhead trip in the next year or so.

Species Suggestions ? geographic Locations ? Specific outfitters ? Cost range ? Not looking to catch fish and then be served cocktails in the 5 star lodge that night. A fish camp would be great.

Any Info much appreciated.

Not sure its the greatest place but Lake Superior and the rivers flowing into it have both.

If you are thinking AK, a good friend of mine is owner of a couple low key operations. Probably not steelhead, but a whole lot of salmon, or go Aug-Oct to target hug 'bows. Here is his place on the Nushagak: http://www.fishthenush.com/ His other place on the Naknek: http://www.katmaitrophylodge.com/

His name is Brad. Call him up and tell him what you are looking for. I'm sure he'd cater to whatever type trip you want.

Budget? Vacation time available? Season? Are you do it yourselfers or do you need someone else to tie anything besides a clinch knot? "Fish camp", not sure what that is. Are you talking multiday float trips or a the classic midwestern RV park on the lake? In AK, guided trips are not cheap and lodging/food is a major profit center for any operation.

Fishing the great lakes or the PNW....sort of like the difference between skiing the midwest or at a real mountain. Obviously, flying to AK or British Columbia is going to cost and arm and leg compared to just driving over to the great lakes. But many anglers regard the lakes fishery to be lake run trout, not true steelhead. Anyhow, PNW salmon and steel come inshore in runs and at well established operations those peak periods tend to be booked up before new year, often by repeat guests. Do your homework because you don't want to be paying big money to go to AK too late or early for a given river and fish mostly for bows, even if they are huge. If cost is no object steelhead is your goal, then Kamchatka. On the budget side, Oregon has nice sized runs of fall chinook (king salmon) but it's a well attended event on every river and the big Oregon steel runs don't come in until the heavy winter weather.

Originally Posted by neckdeep

Budget? Vacation time available? Season? Are you do it yourselfers or do you need someone else to tie anything besides a clinch knot?

Fishing the great lakes or the PNW....sort of like the difference between skiing the midwest or at a real mountain. Obviously, flying to AK or British Columbia is going to cost and arm and leg compared to driving over to the great lakes. Salmon and steel come inshore in runs and at good operations those peak periods tend to be booked up before new year, often by repeat guests. Do your homework because you don't want to be paying big money to go to AK too late or early for a given river and fish mostly for bows. If cost is no object steelhead is your goal, then Kamchatka.

"Fish camp", not sure what that is. Are you talking multiday float trips or a the classic midwestern RV park on the lake? In AK, guided trips are not cheap and lodging/food is a major profit center for any operation.

Haven't set. A budget yet as none of us has done such a trip. Not even sure where the numbers start for a decent trip excluding airfare.

Vacation time/season is flexible for all and will revolve around the best time to fish for our selected
Species.

Pretty much just need to be briefed on the flies needed, best local method of presentation.

Like I said we're not looking for the 5 star resort. A fish camp: wall tents (depending on bear activity), rustic cabins, small casual lodge.

I think the concensus is something PNW Or even NE. East Coast into Canada for salmon.

Sounds like you really need to book a year out to ensure best runs ??

Good questions man, thanks.

Have fished for silvers in the fall with these guys a few times
http://italio.com/
Fits in the fish camp definition, but 5 star grub. Not cheap but not overly expensive.
Ist rate outfit.

In AK, I think $450-500 per person, per diem would be the bare minimum to expect. Add gratuity. Add 1 or 2 plane rides out from Anchorage. I did an eight day guided float trip down the Kanektok and it was $450 day back in 2004. My buddy who set it up was pals with the outfitter and we filled a cancellation so we got it at $400. The camping gear and rafts were as no-frills fish campy as it gets. Out in the bush, many lodges charge top dollar for a wall tent.

What about flying into Portland and chasing steel in the early Fall? I know there are some great jet boat operations on the Deschutes that could pull this together. Cheaper airfare than AK, plus when you're done with the guiding there is plenty of road accessed fishing that you could hit up. You won't catch a ton of fish, but the beauty and solitude is pretty rad (minus the occasional freight train rolling by).

Thanks for the info so far.

anywhere on Vancouver Island

well I go to work, I expect to see 15,000 steelhead and 1-4 million sockeye this year

Originally Posted by skifishbum

Have fished for silvers in the fall with these guys a few times
http://italio.com/
Fits in the fish camp definition, but 5 star grub. Not cheap but not overly expensive.
Ist rate outfit.

Seconded,,,,, clink for a TR from my second trip with the good guys at IRA
http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...mon?highlight=

You could fish the Situk! and Akpm could be your camp bitch for a modest rate!

ak_powder_monkey

well I go to work, I expect to see 15,000 steelhead and 1-4 million sockeye this year

Patrick, Just don't set anything(Afognak) on fire!

More good intel. Thanks guys. We're gonna have a committee meeting or two at the local watering hole to compare notes in the next month or so, the outfitter suggestions are very helpful.

A fine place to catch a variety fish, both in rivers and out on the ocean.

http://www.larsenbaylodge.com/

You won't be the only one's fishing though...

I guide steelhead in Idaho, it's only $175 a day

oxbow campground. hoh river. have fun!

Originally Posted by Svengali

Patrick, Just don't set anything(Afognak) on fire!

I swear to god, I didn't start the fire