Aniak River Lodge - TRIP REPORT

August 10-24, 2023
Aniak, Alaska

by Guy Schoenborn

My two 2023 August hosted weeks on the Aniak will be a year to remember for silver salmon. It was the best silver fishing I have seen in 15 years of guiding and hosting trips on this remarkable river.

On one of our days fishing together, Roy DeWalt and I targeted silvers at the end of the day. In one hour and 15 minutes, we landed 30 or more silvers on pink bunny leeches. We ended the day with four straight doubles, with a total of eight doubles landed. Many of my clients experienced similar results during my two-week stay.

The Aniak is known for its variety; this year did not disappoint. A fair number of sheefish were landed both weeks—some when we were targeting silvers. Amy Brulke landed a sheefish on the first cast of her trip on a Clouser.

The rainbows were active, too. We caught significant numbers of bows on flesh flies, beads, Dolly Llamas, some on mice, and even a few on coho flies. (The Aniak is possibly the best lodge in Alaska for mousing.) We had some great quality rainbows, with good numbers over 24 inches. Mira Lee landed a 26 and 28 incher on the same day. Dean Crouser caught a 27 incher, and Dave Moniz landed a 27 ¾ incher.

The grayling and dolly varden were there in good numbers. Grayling up to 19 inches were landed, and Dean Crouser landed a 23-inch dolly.

During his week here, Roy DeWalt landed ten species: all five Pacific salmon, rainbows, dollies, grayling, sheefish, and northern pike.

Most anglers saw either brown bears, black bears, or moose. We heard wolves howling near camp a couple of nights, and Dean and Sam Crouser even saw one. All guests saw lots of bald eagles and osprey.

Ian, the camp chef, did a great job on the meals. I didn’t hear any complaints. The camp's pizza night was a favorite. We even had homemade ice cream with chocolate cake one evening after dinner. Ben, one of the guides, served up shore lunches with freshly caught silvers, a special treat.

The last week I hosted, 14 of the 16 anglers were repeat guests, and the two new anglers rebooked for 2024.

If you are interested in the Aniak for 2026 or 2027, please call Guy Schoenborn or Brad Staples.

Aniak River Hosted Weeks

2026 Hosted Weeks:
7 nights / 6 days guided fishing
$8,450.00 per person
Rainbows and Silvers Weeks:
Guy Schoenborn hosts:
August 13-21, 2026
August 20-28, 2026

2027 Hosted Weeks:
7 nights / 6 days guided fishing
$8,450.00 p.p. (Rate subject to change)
Rainbows and Silvers Weeks:
Guy Schoenborn hosts:
• August 12-20, 2027
• August 19-27, 2027
Book anytime.
You are not limited to our hosted weeks.

Guy Schoenborn
1-800-205-3474 ext. 1
Email: guy@fishingwithlarry.com

Brad Staples
1-800-205-3474 ext. 3
Cell (503) 250-0558
Email: brad@fishingwithlarry.com