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Sep 13 2021

Deneki Chronicles: Catching the Rainbow Trout of your Life

Naknek Giant. Photo: Jakob Lund

Rapids Camp Lodge is located in King Salmon, Alaska, and is our fly-out lodge offering access into the countless backcountry rivers of Bristol Bay.  However, during the month of September, it can be difficult to get into the floatplane and leave the river that flows right out our backdoor, the famous Naknek. Draining west out of the Naknek Lake, the Naknek River offers anglers a chance at some of the largest and strongest Rainbow Trout on the planet. 

The Naknek gets runs of Salmon and some very underrated early seasons “Smolt Busts” but our favorite time to fish our home water is towards the end of the season.  Our preferred way to fish it is with a two-handed rod in a stretch called “the Rapids.”  RCL is conveniently located at the bottom end of the Rapids, offering our guests easy access to this special stretch of water.  The fishing won’t be easy, the river is big and fast, causing it to be difficult to wade and land fish, but for those who are dedicated, every year, this stretch gives up multiple Rainbows in the 30” range. Your gear and your confidence will be tested, but stay after, and you might be the next to land a Naknek Giant! Here are some of our favorite set up’s for taming these Naknek Beasts on the swing.

  • Dan Herrig’s Swing Rig
  • Kyle Dodson’s Naknek Video
  • Naknek Style Swinging

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Deneki Outdoors thanks Peter Viau, Tosh Brown, Abe Blair, Kyle Shea and Kara Knight for the beautiful photography used on our sites.

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