Togiak National Wildlife Refuge
Dave Duncan and Sons
Kanektok River Float
90-mile Float Trip - Flies or Lures
The Kanektok, also known as the “Chosen,” is an Alaskan river located 400 miles southwest of Anchorage, flowing through the majestic and massive Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, the fourth-largest National Wildlife Refuge in the US. During the 90-mile float trip, you'll see many of Alaska’s big game and common bird species in the Refuge.
You'll take a floatplane flight to Kagati Lake, an isolated wilderness lake. Here, you'll meet up with the Duncans' guide team and begin the 90-mile float trip downriver to the village of Quinhagak, where the river meets the ocean.
Dave Duncan and Sons
Dave Duncan and Sons have guided in remote Alaska for over forty years. The Kanektok River continually grows in size and changes in character as it flows from the mountains through the foothills and finally merges with the sea. The Duncans' 90-mile Kanektok River Float Trips are limited to four weeks each season and eight guests per week. Two anglers per guide and a top-quality raft.
The Kanektok River is world-class because of its fish-ability, with incredible fishing for large leopard rainbows, salmon, dolly varden, and grayling. It feels like a much smaller river with its many braids and side channels and is ideally suited for fly fishing. Strict catch-and-release fishing, except a fish or two, is occasionally kept for dinner.
Sample Fishing Day
6:30 am - Coffee is ready.
7:00 am - Breakfast is usually ready.
8:30 am - You're on the river.
1:00 pm - You'll have a deli-style lunch.
5:30 to 6:00 pm - You'll pull over at Camp. The guides will prepare dinner. After dinner, you can get in more fishing as this is the Land of the Midnight Sun.
The Fishing Program:
2024 Season: Six float trips are available from July 10 to August 25.
Group Size: Maximum of eight anglers per week.
Species: In late June and July, you'll target sockeye, chums, pinks, king salmon, leopard rainbows, dolly varden, and grayling. In August, silvers and pink salmon (in even-numbered years) are in the river. See the Species Chart below.
Guides: On average, their guides have been with them for six years, some as long as twenty years. Two anglers per guide and raft.
Rafts: The Duncans' boat system includes high-end 16-foot Avon Pro inflatable rafts with rowing racks and floorboards to stand on while fishing. You'll have the option of walk-and-wade type fishing or float fishing from the boats. Commercial-type life jackets are provided, but they recommend purchasing a float coat for comfort. You will not need to wade deeper than your knees.
Equipment: Single barbless hooks are to be used at all times. You will need to bring your own fly or spin gear. Fly tying materials are available at the Camp. A detailed tackle list is provided in our confirmation packet.
Licenses: An Alaska fishing license is not included. A non-resident fishing license is $45.00. A king salmon tag is $45.00. (If booking July 2-24, you will need a 7-day king salmon tag. King salmon season closes on July 25).
Fly or Lure Fishing
Kanektok River Float Camps
You’ll stay in very comfortable camps with warm, dry, high-quality tents (two per tent), hot riverside showers, and great fishing—right out your front door. Self-inflating Therm-a-Rest sleeping pad. You will need to bring a sleeping bag.
Meals and Beverages:
Meals: The Duncans' camp system includes a spacious kitchen, dining facilities, a large social tent, and great meals. The Duncans have always practiced trace-free camping. Absolutely nothing can be left behind.
Alcohol: Alcohol is not provided. In Bethel, you can purchase beer, wine, and up to three bottles of hard alcohol for the trip.
Floatplane Flight to Kagati Lake
Getting to the Trip Start:
You'll fly from Anchorage to Bethel Airport and stay overnight at Papa Bear Adventures. (Airfare is not included.)
You'll stay at Lakeside Lodge near the floatplane base for about $155.00 per night. The following morning, you'll take a 45-minute floatplane flight to Kagati Lake/Kanektok River. This one-way flight is $495.00 p.p. and is not included in the package.
Departure Day: The return charter flight from Quinhagak to Bethel is $280.00 p.p. and is not included in the package.
