Beartracks Lodge

The fishing regime is that guests and their guide travel by flat-bottom boat to proven fishing holes. The guide ratio is 1:2 or 1:3. The guides here are patient, knowledgeable, and willing to help you master fishing in Alaska. They will even teach you how to tie flies. If you plan on bringing your own flies, the Alaskan regulations stipulate a single hook with artificial bait. This is also a catch and release river for Rainbow Trout. The upside for this is big, beautiful Rainbow Trout.

The Talachulitna River is home to all five species of the Pacific Salmon though they are all not present at the same time. The three primary Salmon targets are the King Salmon, The Sockeye, and the Silver Salmon. The Chum Salmon are fun, but they are smaller, and their fight is not as intense as that of the Silvers. The Pink Salmon only show up during the even numbered years.

If you want beautiful, large salmon, then you probably want to target the Kings. They show up on the Talachulitna River for a short three-week period that ranges from the third week of June until the middle of July. Expect 15-50-pound fish.

The Sockeye Salmon show up by the boatload. Millions of them show up and turn the water red. The Sockeye are the best eating of all five of the Salmon species. The season of the Sockeye is from last week of July until the second week of August.

The Silver Salmon show up for the entire month of August. Silver are the fighters, and if you want to square off with a champ, this is the fish.

Rainbows are always present. Expect Rainbow Trout from 1-6 pounds with plenty of fight. Rainbows are catch and release only.

Arctic Grayling are great eating too. These small fish are fun to target but don't be surprised if you find them a challenge. Expect Grayling in the 1-2 pound range.

The Beartracks Lodge is an excellent place to fish.