July 6, 2025 isn’t just a date on the calendar; it’s the gateway to one of the most dynamic fisheries on the planet. If you’re searching for a place that feels like it’s been plucked from the pages of Peter Pan, look no further. The Kanektok is Neverland for anglers—untamed, ever-changing, and brimming with wild…
Read More
King Salmon
3 Simple Tips For Better King Salmon Fishing With A Spey Rod
King salmon are the the heavyweight champions of North American rivers. But landing one on a Spey rod? That’s a different game entirely kind of fight. After years chasing these giants across Alaska’s wildest waters, and we’ve learned that small changes in your stragety can make a world of difference. Here are three simple techniques…
Read More
4 Reasons You Should Come Experience the Kanektok River
Reason 1: Alaska’s Fish Factory in Full Production “On a good July day, you can catch all five Pacific salmon species before lunch.” That’s how one Alaska West Lodge returning guest described the Kanektok River. It’s not hyperbole. This remote river in southwest Alaska churns out fish like a well-oiled machine—an aquatic assembly line where…
Read More
The Alaska Freshwater Fish-Tastic Final Four
We know, it’s way past March Madness, and everyone’s brackets were busted (Thanks, Duke). Let’s shift our focus to a different kind of final four, one that swims rather than dribbles. We asked, and you’ve spoken like the NCAA selection committee. We’ll Kind of. Here are the Final Rankings of the Alaska Freshwater Fish Fish-Tastic Four:…
Read More
5 Fly Fishing Tips to Catch More King Salmon
We’re currently in the midst of our king salmon season on the Kanektok River at Alaska West and On the Nushagak River at Rapids Camp Lodge. These are not your normal king fisheries – we’re swinging flies for hot chrome fish just a few miles for the salt, and that really turns our crank! Needless to say,…
Read More
RIO Flies We Like for Kings
It’s King Salmon season here in Alaska both on the Nushagak River and Kanektok River. As one of the most sought-after game fish in the world, King Salmon can be picky. With the help of our friend George Cook, we got some RIO flies that will do the trick. So here are a few flies…
Read More
Deneki Chronicles: Swinging for Kings – The Broadside Presentation
This week it’s all about the Mighty King Salmon! Friend of Deneki, Stuart Foxall explains how the fly swims and what King Salmon sees makes a difference. We love swinging flies for anadromous fish, and we do a lot of it at our lodges in Alaska. However, swinging flies effectively often takes more than simply…
Read More
Fishing Etiquette: Spey Edition
We’re calling today’s post ‘Spey fishing etiquette’ just because that’s a more manageable title than ‘swinging flies on foot working down a run etiquette.’ Our suggestions apply to any situation that matches that description – single or double-handed rod chasing any anadromous fish. And, in case it isn’t obvious, these rules apply to conditions in…
Read More
Fly Tying: Blue Suede Shoe
Tie, Instructions, Photos, and Write-up By Kevin Foley. The Blue Suede Shoe came about in early June 2015 after a day of fishing tributaries of the Susitna River in search of King Salmon. At the time, reports had suggested that King Salmon, the largest of the five species of Pacific Salmon occurring in the Susitna…
Read More
Positive Externalities at Alaska West Lodge
Year after year, Alaska West Lodge has been one of the most coveted Fly Angling fishing experiences in the world. In June, King Salmon is the big draw. Fly anglers from around the world emote come every year to experience the challenge of catching a King Salmon on the awesome Kanektok River. In July, the…
Read More