The King Salmon Aiport

To the visitor from a major metropolitan area, there’s really not a lot to do around King Salmon in terms of easy access tourist type activities… bring a book and some patience!

The core of King Salmon consists of the airport, 2 nearby bars/restaurants, a couple of motels, a small grocery store, a visitor’s center, and a gift shop – almost all within walking distance of each other. And depending on the time of year, you might add some swarming bugs (be mentally prepared for a possible onslaught from mid-June to early September.)

The following should give you a better idea of area options for before or after your Alaska fishing trip.

KING SALMON – DINING

Eddie’s Fireplace Inn

• Located across the street from the airport
• Locally know as “Eddie’s” you can find good to average food in generally large portions
• Open year round, but service generally slow, so allow extra time

King Ko Inn

• Located immediately next to the airport
• The last several seasons the food has been quite good
• Service generally slow, so allow extra time
• Their open/close schedule is sometimes erratic, especially later in September

The Kodiak

• Located a few miles outside of town next to The King Salmon Inn
• Built only a couple of years ago, the decor is refreshingly nice and new
• Requires taxi ride from town, but within a long walk from Creekside Inn
• Redline Taxi 907.246.8294; expect to pay a seemingly ridiculous premium

King Salmon's grocery store

AC Value Center

• Located across the street from the airport and the King Ko Inn, next to Eddie’s
• Grocery store, plus some prepared (mostly fried) food
• Prepare yourself for high, rural Alaska prices

KING SALMON – NIGHTLIFE

Eddie’s Fireplace Inn

• Smokey bar, sometimes quiet, sometimes rowdy
• Closes midnight or so

The King Ko has lodging, beer, food and loud music on the weekends

King Ko Inn

• Smokey, loud bar with generally younger crowd
• Open all night with loud music on weekends, pool table, shuffle board

The Kodiak

• A good place to have a relaxed beer with friends, but not within walking distance of town

KING SALMON – DAYTIME

King Ko Coffee Bar

• Located in the King Ko Inn restaurant
• Free internet access

It's worth stopping by the Visitor Center

The Visitor Center

• Located immediately next to the airport
• Offers an excellent selection of good books and reference material. Definitely worth stopping in.

The Airport Gift Shop

• Located immediately next to the airport
• T-shirts to nice Native crafts

Stretching your legs

• Talk a walk on the road through or around town
• Be aware, but not paranoid, that bears are regularly spotted around town – ask your motel about local bear sightings and problems
• Potential for swarming bugs is VERY high mid-June through early September

Fishing

• The Naknek River runs right through town and offers excellent fishing for salmon and rainbow trout, but you’ll definitely need to hire a local fishing guide
• It is not practical to fish this large river on foot near town, and you can expect to see a fair amount of people and boat traffic
• Contact us for some Naknek River fishing guide recommendations
• Creekside Inn is located on King Salmon Creek, which is fishable on foot

KING SALMON – LODGING

Creekside Inn

• A small B&B operation that’s very clean and very friendly
• The best value in town for solo travelers and couples
• Private rooms, shared bath, breakfast included
• Located a couple of miles outside of town
• Located on King Salmon Creek, which is fishable on foot

Antlers Inn offers rustic, clean lodging

Antler’s Inn

• Rustic, but consistently clean cabin-type accommodations run by great people
• They also offer dorm style – cheaper private rooms with shared bath
• Within walking distance of the airport
• Very close to bars and restaurants

King Ko Inn

• Cabin-type accommodations
• Within walking distance of the airport
• Very mixed reviews by our guests
• Food and bar located on site

King Salmon Inn

• Motel-type accommodations with generally good reviews
• Located a couple of miles outside of town
• The Kodiak bar/restaurant located on site

NAKNEK

About 12 miles down the “Alaska Peninsula Highway” you’ll find that this port town offers a few more amenities than King Salmon, but a taxi ride is the only practical way to get there (unless you rent or borrow a car).

• D&D’s is a local restaurant with excellent food and some of the best pizza we’ve ever had
• Use Redline Taxi 907.246.8294 to get there; expect to pay a seemingly ridiculous premium
• Naknek Trading is the grocery store with a larger and better selection than AC Value in King Salmon
• NAPA Auto Parts
• Naknek/Ace Hardware

KATMAI NATIONAL PARK

If you have the time before or after your Alaska fishing trip with us, you can fly into this incredible National Park for bear viewing, fishing or hiking.

• Brooks Camp offers world famous bear viewing but the reality is you’ll see plenty of bears while at our SAFARI camp
• Katmai Air offers daily float plane flights into the Park.
• Egli Air Haul can fly you into the Valley of 10,000 Smokes via wheel plane.

Pink Salmon by Chance Yarborough

We also fished with shop manager, Dave Hayward, on Friday and Ted caught a VERY nice speckled trout in tough fishing conditions.

And by the way, Swan Point Landing Outfitters is a really nice shop (my first time in it). They offer a great selection of gear and clothing for all your Texas coast fly fishing needs.

Photo by JohnnyQuiroz.com

Alaska fishing guide, Michael Curlee, loads up guests for a “magic carpet ride” to one of our nearby bay systems during a day of helicopter fly-out fishing at SAFARI camp!

(The guides enjoy the heli-fishing days as much as you do.)

Read more about Johnny Quiroz’s Alaska photos.

(Yes, this is definitely a joke! Click here for more monster Alaska fish  farce.)

Below, guide Collins checks for record book potential, but clearly the scale is not large enough. (This is probably a trophy starry flounder, rather than a monster halibut).

Photo by TimRomano.com

Many guests are often surprised at the quality of the sea-run dolly varden fishing at SAFARI camp. After seeing trophy dollies like this, little is left for the imagination.

Ray recalls, “I remember that fish well. I only had an 8 weight rod to fight him with and it was a heart stopping EPIC battle!”

Photo by TimRomano.com

More monster fish to come…

We included the items on our gear list that receive the most questions from our guests. (If we missed something that generates any confusion, please let us know and we’ll add it to the list.)

POLAR FLEECE VEST

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Great for layering around camp or while on the water, some fishermen prefer a vest over a jacket since there are no sleeves to get wet when you are landing or handling fish. Windstopper vests can add an extra element of warmth.

• Suggestions: Patagonia Synchilla Vest (we have some logo vests for sale), Simms Transit Vest
• Other brands: The North Face, Mountain Hardware, Marmot

POLAR FLEECE PULLOVER

Great if you’re cold natured, or fishing in Alaska mid to late June or late August through September. Wet sleeve cuffs are a drawback when handling fish in water. Windstopper pullovers can add an extra element of warmth.

• Suggestions: Simms Rivershed Sweater, Patagonia R2 Jacket, Patagonia R3 Hi-Loft Jacket
• Other brands: The North Face, Mountain Hardware, Marmot

QUICK DRY LONG SLEEVE SHIRT

This is the typical quick dry, non-cotton, long sleeve button down fishing shirt you see from Alaska to the Bahamas. Good for everyday use while fishing or traveling. Generally, you will layer a quick dry short sleeve t-shirt (or a light long sleeve baselayer) underneath your long sleeve fishing shirt. You can also use a thin pullover instead of a long sleeve fishing shirt (see alternate suggestions below).

• Suggestions: Simms and Patagonia offer numerous options 
• Other Brands: Columbia, REI
• Alternate Suggestions: Simms Waderwick Fleece Top, Patagonia Capilene 3 Mid-weight Zip Neck

QUICK DRY T-SHIRT

Used as an undershirt to keep your outer shirt cleaner and smelling better, a quick dry t-shirt adds a light layering effect, plus they are easy to handwash if needed and dry quickly. Long sleeve versions work fine, too.

• Suggestions: Patagonia Capilene 1 Silkweight, Patagonia Capilene 2 Lightweight
• Other brands: Under Armor, REI

MID-WEIGHT POLAR FLEECE OR QUICK DRY PANTS

While fishing in Gore-tex waders, most summertime fishermen in Alaska wear either (1) a light to mid-weight polar fleece pant or (2) a quick dry pant with light to mid-weight long underwear underneath. Either configuration works fine at our fishing camps, but you should consider your own thermometer and the time of year you are fishing in Alaska.

If you want something you can wear casually around town or while traveling, then opt for quick dry pants and long underwear. If you’re not concerned with being fashionable, it’s hard to beat the warmth and comfort of polar fleece pants.

The quick dry pant with long underwear inherently offers more layering flexibility while fishing. If it’s “warm” outside, you can choose the pant or long underwear. If it’s cooler, than you can wear both together.

September fishing in Alaska can be cool to cold, so you may want to bring the warmer mid-weight polar fleece pants, or use mid-weight long underwear under your quick dry pants.

• Suggestions for Quick Dry: The North Face Paramount Peak Convertible Pant, Simms Guide Pant
• Other options: REI Sahara Convertible Pant
• Suggestions for Mid-weight Polar Fleece: Simms Waderwick Fleece Pant, Simms Rivertek Bottom

QUALITY GORE-TEX RAINGEAR

A must have for any Alaska fishing trip! On our gear list, the “raingear top” can mean 1 of 2 things – either a traditional Gore-tex rain jacket or a Gore-tex wading jacket.

Most fishermen prefer a gore-tex “wading jacket” instead of a traditional rain jacket. A wading jacket is shorter in torso length to help keep the lower portion out of the water – especially the pockets, which may fill up with water during deep water crossings. Plus, a wading jacket generally has oversized pockets for fly boxes, plus hand warmer pockets.

Whether you decide on a traditional jacket or a wading jacket, do not skimp - buy good raingear! This is one of your most important pieces of gear on any Alaskan fishing trip.

Waterproof rain paints are important for hanging around camp in rainy weather before and after your day of fishing. Do not forget them, but they are not as critical as the jacket.

• Suggestions for Wading Jackets: Simms Guide Jacket, Simms G3 Guide Jacket, Patagonia SST Jacket
• Other brands of traditional non-wading jackets: Patagonia, Marmot

LIGHT-WEIGHT RAINGEAR TOP

It is a good idea to also bring a light-weight rain jacket as a backup in case your primary rain jacket gets soaked, plus it can be used as a wind breaker for around camp. This item is not as critical as your primary rain (or wading) jacket, so you don’t have to invest quite as much money. Look for jackets that are light, packable and compressible.

• Suggestions: Patagonia Torrentshell Jacket
• Other brands: Marmot, REI, Columbia

SLIP-ON WATER PROOF CAMP SHOES

You’ll need some kind of water proof shoe for hanging around camp. Lace up hikers will work, but there is an extra level of convenience with slip-on shoes.  You are more likely to slip them off before entering your tent, which will help keep you tent cleaner.

It will most likely rain sometime during your week, and if it rains heavy, the trails around camp can become rather sloppy. This is why water proof or water resistant shoes are important. “Crocs” are convenient, light and affordable, but they just don’t work well when the trails are sloppy.

If you don’t plan on any day hiking during your week of fishing, leave your hiking boots at home. Slip-on camp shoes are perfect for camp life.

• Suggestions: Merrel Jungle Mocs, Muck SUV Hiker or Edgewater Camp Shoe, L.L. Bean Rubber Mocs, Gumshoe, or Pull-on Boot

QUICK DRY CAMP TOWEL

In our wet and coastal Alaska Peninsula environment, cotton towels will never completely dry during a rainy or foggy week. A synthetic “camp” towel, which is reminiscent of a car shammy, works best.

You can usually find these at your local outdoor and camping store, but you may have to order them online. Don’t worry too much about the brand.

• Suggestions: MSR PackTowl, REI MulitTowel

BUZZ OFF BANDANAS

“Buzz Off” is a general term used for clothing that has been chemically treated with permethrin to help deter biting insects. Around SAFARI camp in July and August, a buzz off bandana is helpful in keeping biting or swarming insects away from your face. At OUTPOST camp this type of bandana is helpful all weeks.

You can take it to another level and buy Buzz Off shirts and pants, which is very useful at our OUTPOST camp (shirts only at SAFARI camp in July and August). Or, you can buy a bottle of permethrin and treat your bandanas (or clothes) yourself for a lot less money.

• Suggestions: ExOfficio Buzz Off Bandana
• Suggestion for do-it-yourself: Sawyer Spray-on Permethrin

GORE-TEX WAIST OR CHEST WADERS

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Hippers, waders that come up only to your crotch, are too short for our Alaska fishing trips. Water in your waders is inevitable. Waist-highs are the minimum practical height of waders that are required. They are cooler than chest waders when hiking, easier to take on/off, and they make it easier to relieve yourself. But chest waders offer the most warmth and protection from the elements, and you can even buy them with zippers (that actually work) for the best of all worlds.

Whatever option you choose, buy stockingfoot waders not bootfoot waders. Stockingfoot waders have a sewn in neoprene bootie and require a separate wading boot. Assuming you buy the correct wading boot, stockingfoot waders are infinitely more comfortable than bootfoot waders, which tend to be heavy and clunky.

Simms offers high-quality waders with the most options in a wide range of price points. Patagonia offers a very solid product, too, in fewer options.

• Suggestions: Simms Freestone Stockingfoot, Simms G3 Convertible, Simms G4 Zipper

WADING BOOTS

Starting in 2012, felt soled wading boots are banned in Alaska. Now you need a wading boot, while fishing in Alaska, with a “sticky” rubber sole. Several companies offer rubber sticky rubber soles. We are partial to the Simms StreamTread sole, but there are several other options out there.

If you buy a studded wading boot, make sure they are removable so they don’t thrash up our tent floors at camp.

FYI, we reviewed the Simms RiverTek BOA wading boot in detail, but a traditional lace up wading boot has worked well for years.

Suggestions: Simms Freestone Boot, Simms Headwaters Boot, Simms Rivershed Boot, Simms Guide Boot.

Full Disclosure about Product Information and Reviews

Photo by TimRomano.com

Is this really fly fishing in Alaska? Yep. Photo taken in early August near the mouth of the tidal flat that lies directly below SAFARI camp.

No, the weather on the Alaska Peninsula is not generally like this. But it can be warm and sunny enough, from time to time (mid July to mid August), to feel like you are fly fishing in some tropical paradise. And on occasion we have even fished in shorts and sandals…

Plus, you can see the widely popular International Fly Fishing Film Festival Saturday night.

See www.GRTUTroutFest.org for more information.

Yellowfin tuna are efficient predators and incredible fighters.

Carrie and I recently converged near Puerto Jimenez on the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica, with a group of friends for a little fishing and to celebrate the 40th birthday of longtime friend and fishing buddy, Jake.

Although my first preference is to grab a fly rod and stand in knee-deep water, it’s always a nice change of pace to use conventional tackle to chase big, powerful fish in blue water. On this trip we were treated with 3 EPIC days of inshore and offshore fishing in Golfo Dulce (“sweet gulf”) and the nearby Pacific Ocean.

Hold your mouse over image for a description. Or click to enlarge.

We hope the idea of some warm weather fishing in the middle of January will help soothe any winter blues you may be experiencing now. Or, it may just make them more painful? Well either way, we hope you enjoy!

By the way, our guide was Cory of Tropic Fin Adventures. I’d fish with him again in a heartbeat… does anyone turn 40 next year?

Carrie repelling down a 100 foot waterfall.

(More to come on jungle hiking, monkeys, flat tires, injured rental cars, surfing, tree climbing and waterfall repelling in Costa Rica (be ready if you go… it’s always an adventure on the Osa Peninsula), then on to cool weather and coffee plantations in the mountains near Boquete, Panama.)

Photo by JohnnyQuiroz.com

Exploring the tide pools near SAFARI camp (an easy 20 minute walk) is normally not this creepy! Former Alaska fishing guide, Johnny Quiroz, captures what appears to be a hand reaching out of an opening in an apparent rock and seawater prison. But the reality is this tomb-like photo shows a whole host of tide pool life – a starfish, limpets, a black katy chiton, snails, barnacles, and various seaweeds.

Read more about Johnny Quiroz’s Alaska photos.