Southwest Alaska fly fishing float trips, trout, salmon, arctic char, dolly varden

We offer some of the finest fishing, hunting and outdoor adventures Alaska has to offer. We live year round in the same remote wilderness that we service! Bethel, Alaska is our home. We are located 400 miles west of Anchorage within the 20 million acre Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, the largest wildlife refuge in the nation. Our unique location affords us the opportunity to offer you float fishing and rafting trips on the Aniak, Arolik, Eek, Goodnews, Kanektok, Kisaralik and Kwethluk Rivers.
We will help you organize your trip and fly you there. Our services include fishing, hunting, lodging, equipment rental, expediting, logistical support and transportation. Whether you're an avid fly fishing enthusiast in search of a remote fishing opportunity or looking for a great outdoor experience, you have come to the right place. Please!! Take a few minutes to browse through the following pages to get a taste of the unique fishing, hunting and rafting adventures that are waiting for you.

Aniak River southwest alaska fishing

Drop-off: By Float Plane from Bethel to Aniak Lake.
Length: Approximately 90 river miles.
Float Duration: Recommend 8 to 10 days.
River Info: The Aniak River flows north from Aniak Lake through the foothills of the Kuskokwim Mountains, 90 miles to the Kuskokwim River. The upper portion of the Aniak River provides spectacular scenery, clear, cold water and ample wildlife. The entire River is braided with gravel bar after gravel bar. Campsites are almost limitless along this river. The river provides the adventurer the opportunity to raft Alaska's backcountry, while experiencing some of Alaska's finest fishing. However this float is not for the novice rafter. The river contains many "sweepers" and log jams. Previous rafting experience is a must; however this is what makes the Aniak River such an adventure to float.
Fishing Info: The fishing begins each year in early July with the King Salmon run and culminates each year in mid September with the Rainbow fishing reaching its peak and the end of the Silver Salmon run. In addition to the rainbow and Salmon fishing, the Aniak also offers great Dolly Varden and Grayling fishing.
Pick-up: Pick-up by boat (approximately 20 miles above the village of Aniak). Boat transports floaters back to Aniak. Floaters are then picked up at the airstrip by wheeled plane and transported back to Bethel.

Holitna River

Drop Off: By Float Plane near the headwaters
Length: Approximately 100 river miles
Float Duration: Recommended 8 to 10 days
River Description: The Holitna River is one of the most remote Southwest Alaska float trip options. The river supports all five species of Pacific Salmon. Besides Salmon the Holitna also offers great Char fishing along with Grayling, Northern Pike and even Sheefish at times. For the fisherman looking for an easy scenic float, with few if any other people and endless gravel bars for virtually unlimited camping opportunities then the Holitna River is the one to float.
Fishing Information: The fishing begins each year in early July with the King Salmon run and culminates each year in mid-September with the Silver Salmon run. In addition to Salmon fishing, the Holitna offers great Char and Grayling fishing, Northern Pike and even the opportunity to catch a Sheefish. The Holitna is a lesser known River and as such receives little fishing pressure.
Pickup: Floaters are picked up along the river near the confluence of the Holitna and Hoholitna rivers by floatplane and flown back to Bethel.

Arolik River Alaska fly fishing float trips

Drop-off: By Float Plane from Bethel to Arolik Lake.
Length: Approximately 45 river miles.
Float Duration: Recommend 6 to 8 days.
River Info: The Arolik River flows northwest from Arolik Lake through the Eek Mountains. The upper portion of the river is small and depending on the time of the year and rainfall levels the upper section of the river can be shallow. Rafters often find themselves having to get in and out of their rafts and walking them through the shallowest parts. After the first 10 miles the river almost doubles in size and flow, this is where the fishing really turns on.
Fishing Info: The Arolik River offers great Salmon, Dolly Varden, Grayling and Rainbow fishing. The Arolik is best known for the world class Rainbow that lurks in the river. The fishing begins each year in mid June with the King Salmon run and culminates each year in mid September with the Rainbow fishing reaching its peak and the end of the Silver Salmon run.
Pick-up: Floaters are picked up near the mouth of the river and transported by ground transportation from there over to the airstrip in the village of Quinhagak. The floaters are then picked up by wheeled aircraft and flown back to Bethel.

Eek River arctic char

Drop-off: By Float Plane from Bethel to small lake near Eek River headwaters.
Length: Approximately 75 river miles.
Float Duration: Recommend 7 to 8 days.
River Info: The Eek River lies between the Kwethluk and Kanektok Rivers. The Eek River is without a doubt the least known river in Western Alaska. This float flows through approximately 75 miles of the Yukon-Delta Wildlife Refuge. The river is clear with an abundance of Salmon, Grayling, some Dolly Varden and Sheefish; however, there is no Rainbow in the Eek. For the angler looking for an easy scenic float, clear water and few if any other people, then Eek is the river to float.
Fishing Info: The Eek River offers great Salmon, Grayling and Dolly Varden fishing along with the opportunity to catch Sheefish. The Eek is a lesser-known River and as such receives little fishing pressure. The fishing begins each year in late June with the King Salmon run and culminates each year in mid September with the end of the Silver Salmon run Pick-up: Floaters are picked up in the lower portion of the river by floatplane and flown back to Bethel.

Goodnews River trout, salmon

Drop-off: By Float Plane from Bethel to Goodnews Lake.
Length: Approximately 60 river miles.
Float Duration: Recommend 7 to 8 days.
River Info: The Goodnews River flows southwest from Goodnews Lake down the Goodnews Valley. The upper portion of river has a slow current, increasing in the middle section with no real obstructions along the route. The scenery, fishing, hiking and camping opportunities throughout the float are fantastic. Most of the shoreline is open tundra with some stands of willows and cottonwoods along the route. The lower 5 to 10 miles has a strong tidal influence, which is why a boat pickup is recommended to get through this section back to the Village of Goodnews.
Fishing Info: The Goodnews River offers excellent seasonal opportunities for Salmon, Dolly Varden, Grayling and Rainbow fishing. The fishing begins each year in mid June with the King Salmon run and culminates each year in mid September with the Rainbow fishing reaching its peak and the end of the Silver Salmon run.
Pick-up: Due to the strong tidal influence the last 5 miles of the river, floaters are picked up by boat and towed to the airstrip in the village of Goodnews. The floaters are then picked up by wheeled aircraft and flown back to Bethel.

Kanektok River

Drop-off: By Float Plane from Bethel to Pegati Lake.
Length: Approximately 95 river miles.
Float Duration: Recommend 7 to 10 days.
River Info: The Kanektok River flows west from Pegati Lake through the foothills of the Akhlun Mountains. The upper portion of the river provides spectacular scenery and is the habitat for Dolly Varden and Grayling. The middle portion of the river becomes more braided and the Rainbow fishing really picks up. In the lower portion, the river flows out of the hills into the tundra-filled lowlands. The Kanektok is a very popular float offering good camping, great scenery and most of all awesome fishing opportunities.
Fishing Info: The fishing begins each year in late June with the King Salmon run and culminates each year in mid-September with the Rainbow fishing reaching its peak and the end of the Silver Salmon run. In addition to the Rainbow Trout and Salmon fishing, the Kanektok also offers great Dolly Varden and Grayling fishing.
Pick-up: Floaters are picked up near the mouth of the river and transported by ground from there over to the airstrip in the village of Quinhagak. The floaters are then picked up by wheeled aircraft and flown back to Bethel.

Kisaralik River

Drop-off: By Float Plane from Bethel to Kisaralik Lake.
Length: Approximately 95 river miles.
Float Duration: Recommend 8 to 10 days.
River Info: The Kisaralik River is truly an adventure that any outdoorsman will have fond memories of. The very scenic float begins from Kisaralik Lake, which sits in the picturesque landscape of the Kilbuck Mountains. It takes a day of floating through spectacular scenery to reach the upper falls. The entire falls can be portaged around but some floaters elect to run the first drop then line or portage the second drop. Shortly below the falls, the fishing starts to pick up as the river becomes more and more braided. The braided portion of the river offers unlimited fish habitat. This river is not for the novice rafter. The Kisaralik is a great float and an even greater adventure.
Fishing Info: The fishing begins each year in early July with the King Salmon run and culminates each year in mid September with the Rainbow fishing reaching its peak and the end of the Silver Salmon run. In addition to Rainbow and Salmon fishing, the Kisaralik also offers great Dolly Varden and Grayling fishing.
Pick-up: Pickup by boat. Boat transports floaters back to Bethel.

Kwethluk River

Drop-off: By Float Plane from Bethel to small lake near Kwethluk River headwaters.
Length: Approximately 95 river miles.
Float Duration: Recommend 8 to 10 days.
River Info: The float begins with a short portage (approximately 150 yards) from Boundary Lake over to the river. From there the River flows west and splits the Great Ridge and Green Stone Ridge. The upper portion of the river provides spectacular scenery and is the habitat for Dolly Varden and Grayling. The best fishing starts about 25 miles into the float at the confluence of the Kwethluk River and Crooked Creek. Fishing remains good all the way to the pickup point. The river is small and very fly-fishing friendly, offering extensive camping and fishing opportunities.
Fishing Info: The fishing begins each year in late June with the King Salmon run and culminates each year in mid-September with the Rainbow fishing reaching its peak and the end of the Silver Salmon run. In addition to the Rainbow Trout and Salmon fishing, the Kwethluk also offers great Dolly Varden and Grayling fishing.
Pick-up: Pickup by boat. Boat transports floaters back to Bethel.

Unguided Hunts for Caribou, Moose and Bear

We offer unguided hunts for Caribou from the Mulchatna Caribou herd, Yukon Moose and Bear with a price structure that will allow you to "build" the trip that best meets your needs and budget. All of our hunts originate in Bethel, Alaska. Our Lodge gives hunters an easy place to get prepared before departing on their hunting trip. Then, after returning from their hunt, the Lodge gives hunters a place to organize their gear, pack for their trip home, and take a hot shower. Hunters are also assisted with trophy and meat shipment and with the donation of any meat they choose not to take home. Each year hunter's donate thousands of pounds of game meat to different Non-Profit Organizations and needy families in Bethel. We also have equipment for rent, giving you the option of using our equipment versus having to transport or ship equipment to Alaska and back home again. So, whether you decide you only want us to provide the flying, or that you would also like to rent all your gear from us, you build your own customized unguided trip. To find out more about our hunting opportunities and prices look us up on the internet at; www.pbaventures.com.

Papa Bear Adventures
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