Why Float instead of lodge?

Why book a float trip roughing it for a week when you can book a lodge?

Evening Sunset at Kagati Lake

There are a variety of trips to choose from in Alaska - with a variety of experiences to be had!  From halibut fishing offshore, backtrolling for Kings, casting dries to hungry Grayling, or floating for giant rainbows - Alaska really offers an incredible array of fishing expeditions.  When choosing the right trip for you and potential participants it is important to understand Alaska is an incredibly dynamic state and not all of the biomes, scenery, landscapes or watersheds are the same.  The Kanektok boasts all 5 species of Pacific Salmon.  That is not the case for all rivers in Alaska.  Of these 5 species The Kanektok harbors one of the largest Sockeye Salmon breeding grounds on the planet.  2 runs of Dolly Varden and resident leopard rainbow trout round out what makes The Kanektok "The Chosen" River.

Kanektok River

So, obviously the Kanektok is a very special place with a unique ecosystem and an exclusive opportunity to catch a variety of species on fly rod.  

But Why Float?

There are a few jet boat operations in the lower river - outside of the boundaries of Togiak National Wildlife Refuge.  A couple of these jet boat operations have permits to be inside of the refuge as well, so there are absolutely "lodges" on the Kanektok.  Go ahead - check them out.  Weatherports and generators and jet boats - a quick charter wheel plane can get you to the village quite easily.  From the lower river outside of the refuge if you left from the village of Quinhagak your average jet boat ride just to get to the boundary is 14 miles / now imagine burning more fuel and driving further spending more time in the jet boat just to reach the destination.  Each night spent at the same location - fishing the same water.

Now imagine flying in a classic Alaska float plane to the headwaters of the entire system and approaching the river from a "downstream" perspective.  It only gets better as each day progresses!

Camp at the Put In

We carry top of the line equipment for floating, fishing, camping, and overall outfitting.  Our tents have been upgraded constantly - with new guest tents in 2020 and a new cooker tent in 2019.  We eat inside of our state of the art cooker tent at a real table with real diningware.  A hearty menu cooked by the guides along with amazing dutch oven desserts.  A shower tent, a bathroom tent, as well as heaters and on demand hot water.  Sure - we don't have motors and generators but we really aren't that far removed from a "lodge camp."

Dutch Oven Dessert

OK - so the accommodations are pretty comparable.  But still the question remains.... 

Why Float?

Kanektok Fox

Kanektok Caribou

We operate on a permit only basis mandated by the Department of The Interior.  This permit is awarded to less than 10 outfitters every 10 years.  We have been fortunate to have held a permit on this river since the inception of permits in 1984.  There are no other outfitters - no planes to fly on top of us - no jet boats in our holes - no drop offs - no other floaters period.  It is a permit system that keeps the outfitters away from each other by law.  Part of our permit requires that we have NO MOTORS in our possession or use.  Since there are no humans and no motors our wilderness experience is unparalleled.  Each day we begin by packing down camp and striking a course for our next camp - guests can hike and fish as much as they want.  There is no time wasted transporting to and from fishing grounds in the jet boat - we are in the fishing grounds every day 24 hours a day!

Day One of 7 Day Float on Kanektok

So, no motors and no humans makes for a great experience but what else is up there - inside of Togiak National Wildlife Refuge - that the lodges and jet boats can't experience?

Kanektok Brown Bear

No one gets to see the lake / the "source" of the greatest salmon and freshwater fishery on the planet.  Only folks who float from the top get to experience this grand place.  When floating from the lake our wildlife encounters are endless / and the beds of spawning salmon immediately begins.  Some of the biggest Leopard Rainbows in the entire system migrate up towards the lake.

Kanektok Leopard Rainbow Trout

Water and fish that receive ZERO pressure.  No jet boats. No Planes.  No drop off wade fishermen.  Just your party floating through a majestic wilderness all to yourselves catching and releasing fish on fly rod!

Kanektok Leopard Rainbow Trout

Within Togiak National Wildlife Refuge on the Kanektok there is a tributary to the river itself that is home to one of the largest runs of Dolly Varden in the world.  Big Western Dolly Varden - TWO RUNS of them - in the home of the largest run on the planet...... Its insane how many dolly varden are in the upper reaches that none of the lodges in the lower river get to see.

Kanektok Dolly Varden

Kanektok Dolly Varden

More Dolly Varden fishing in August and September than can be written about

Kanektok Dolly Varden

We have an incredibly special trip - that honestly is for a certain type of outdoorsperson.  If you're looking for a wilderness trip to Alaska there are a variety of options and we consider ours to be in the highest echelon of experiences.  We offer the finest quality gear along with an incredibly exclusive trip that really can not be replicated.  To float The Chosen is truly a life altering experience.

Guest Reviews

Click on the button to check out some guest reviews.  They speak the truth.

Kanektok Leopard Rainbow Trout

Kanektok Leopard Rainbow Trout from Camp

We have availability on the goodnews river floats in 2021 and 2022.  We have availability on the kanektok river floats in 2023.

If you are looking to plan your Alaska Float - now is the time.  We have limited availability already in 2023  and would love to put together a trip for you!

contact us

You can email us at highcountryguides@gmail.com
Call us at 828-386-6216
Or swing by our shop in Downtown Boone!



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