Bear Viewing - Kenai Alaska
Salmon Catcher Lodge has many great fly outs including bear viewing in our advanced packages.
Wolverine Creek, located on the West side of Cook Inlet, is the location of the first fly out we offer every year from June 10th until August 30th. Wolverine Creek is a 30 min float plane ride from our base on Mackey Lake in Soldotna. During this trip you will fly over Cook Inlet and the grass flats by Mt. Redoubt. It is not uncommon to see Moose, Brown Bear and Black Bear from the air. After landing on Big River Lakes you are met by your guides for a picturesque boat ride to Wolverine Creek. Where Wolverine Creek enters Big River Lakes Brown Bears and Black Bears gather to feed on salmon. The Salmon are entering Wolverine Creek for a short run up the creek to an alpine lake where they will spawn. You will be able to observe the bears in their natural habitat feeding and interacting. There is no other place in Alaska where you can safely see bears so closely.
As a bonus you are allowed to fish for the Red (Sockeye) Salmon as they congregate in the large holding area in Big River Lake before they run Wolverine Creek. Fishing for Red Salmon is usually done between June 10th and July 31st. Your guides will provide you with top of the line fishing equipment. If the weather permits and the fish cooperate your guides will also barbeque a freshly caught salmon. There is not a better tasting fish than one caught and grilled on your boat.
As the Red Salmon run comes to a close at Wolverine Creek, the Silver (Coho) Salmon run starts in Big River Lakes. We target Silver salmon at Big River Lakes between July 15th and September 1st. There is a short period of time in July when both species of salmon (Reds and Silvers) are available. Your guides will take you to various locations on Big River Lakes for some of the best Silver Salmon fishing in the world. It is not uncommon to catch boat limits of fish daily. Bear-viewing and barbecuing a fresh Silver Salmon can also be a part of this trip. There are three manors of fishing for Silver Salmon at Big River Lakes:
- Bait (salmon eggs)
- Casting Spinners
- Fly Fishing.
The Kustatan River is another fly out location we offer starting around July 15th and ending about September 1st. It is a 30 min. flight to the Kustatan River from our base on Mackey Lake. Again after crossing the inlet you will have the opportunity to see Moose and Bear from the air. After landing in a fresh water slough approximately 2 miles from the main river you will meet your guides. It is just a quick jet boat ride to the river where we fish about 10 miles of the river system. You will be astounded at where your guides are able to take you with the jet boats. Once you have reached your fishing destination you are able to get out of the boats to wade and fish. The Kustatan is a world class Silver Salmon fishing destination. It is not unusual to have days where you catch and release as many as 10 to 20 Silver Salmon before you keep your (3) to take home. Again all three manors of fishing are excellent on this river.
- Bait (salmon eggs)
- Casting Spinners
- Fly Fishing.
But still remember, it is fishing and not “Catching”! Some days the fish just do not cooperate.
Another great location we fly to is the Chuit River, also located on the west side of Cook Inlet. Fishing for King (Chinook) Salmon is open on the Chuit River from June 15th to June 30th. The King Salmon fishing season on this river is very short but there is lots of action for those who fish it. It is a 30 min. plane ride to the lake we land on. There Alaskan natives from the village of Tyonek pick you up for a short drive to the river. This is a different type of fishing than our other locations. This is a wading and walking river and there are no boats for transportation. The King Salmon average 18 to 30 lbs. with several caught larger every year. This is a “no bait allowed” river system. Fishing is done by casting spinners and plugs or fly fishing. There is a one fish limit also, but you can catch and release as many Kings as you like until you retain a fish. Then you are not allowed to fish any longer.
The Chuit River also produces a great Silver Salmon run from about July 20th to August 25th with all the same regulations in place. However, you may retain three (3) Silver Salmon before you are done fishing.
All of these fly-outs are guided. Your guides will provide spinning rods, spinning reels, bait and spinners on all of your fly-out fishing trips. If you choose to fly fish you must bring your own fly fishing equipment.
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