Dave Duncan and Sons
Kanektok River - Alaska Fishing Camps - Flies or Lures
The Kanektok, nicknamed the “Chosen,” is a treasured Alaskan river 400 miles southwest of Anchorage and flows through the majestic Togiak National Wildlife Refuge. Millions of salmon live and spawn in these waters, supporting and feeding a variety of fish. Fish for world-class rainbows and all five species of salmon. Duncans two base camps—the Upper and Lower—are strategically located on migratory runs of king, silver, chum, and sockeye salmon and Arctic char.
Dave Duncan and Sons
Dave Duncan and Sons have guided in remote Alaska for over forty years. They feel fortunate to be located on one of the best, if not the best river in Alaska. Very few rivers have incredible fishing for leopard rainbows, all five salmon species—king, silver, chum, pink, and sockeyes—Arctic char, dolly varden, and grayling.
Strict catch-and-release, except a fish or two, is occasionally saved for dinner.
The Kanektok River
What makes the Kanektok River world-class is its fish-ability. It feels like a much smaller river with its many braids or side channels and is ideally suited for fly fishing. The Kanektok is one of the best places in the world to fish a mouse pattern for big rainbows. Occasionally, anglers catch a live mouse and throw him in for a swim.
The Duncans also offer a 90-mile Kanektok River Float Trip. Float trips are limited to eight guests. Click here for the Duncans' Float Trip.
Two Base Camps - Lower and Upper River
The Lower River Base Camp is a 45-minute boat ride upstream from the village of Quinhagak (pronounced Quin-Hawk). You'll fish the lower 18 miles of the Kanektok at the Lower Camp for strong runs of all five salmon species fresh from the sea.
Generally, the Lower Camp has a little better salmon fishing because they can fish all the way to the saltwater for fish that are fresh from the sea. The Lower Camp also has great fishing for up to 30-inch leopard rainbows, dolly varden, and grayling.
Upper River Base Camp
The Upper River Base Camp is two hours upstream from Quinhagak, approximately thirty miles. The Upper River camp is the only semi-permanent operation allowed in the Wilderness Area of the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge. Here, you'll be in the heart of the best trout water, known as The Braids section of the river. Great mousing and streamer fishing for big leopard rainbows. Skate dry flies for dollies. The Upper Camp also has excellent salmon fishing along with dollies and grayling.
Which Camp to Choose? If you want to catch salmon until your arms ache, their Lower Camp may be for you. If you think catching big rainbows on mouse patterns sounds fun, the Upper Camp would be a good choice.
Colored-Up Dolly Varden
Jim Teeny with Kanektok King Salmon
"Over the past 28 years, I've had the pleasure of fishing with the Duncan family for a total of more than 50 weeks! That just about says it all! I am so impressed with the whole family and how they take pride in their operation, putting their customers first, with safety always being a top priority. I consider them family and recommend a trip with the Duncans to anyone planning on going to Alaska. You will not be disappointed."
- Jim Teeny - Teeny Inc. Fly Lines
King Salmon Fishing
Sample Fishing Day:
6:30 a.m. - Coffee is ready.
7:00 a.m. - Breakfast is ready.
8:00 a.m.- Guided fishing begins.
Noon - Enjoy deli-style sandwiches, chips, fruit, cookies, and soft drinks. There is also the option of a shore lunch where you can enjoy fresh fish on the river; just let your guide know your lunch preferences before you leave camp in the morning.
6:00 to 6:30 p.m. - You'll return to Camp.
7:00 p.m. - Dinnertime. During dinner, the head guide gives an orientation. If you have the energy, you can fish after dinner.
The Fishing Program:
2025 Season: June 21 to August 30.
Boats: The Duncans team employs powerboats to access the best side channels and stretches of the river. You'll fish two anglers per guide and boat.
Equipment: Single barbless (debarbed) hooks must be used. Size 6, 8, and 10 wt fly rods and reels are available for you to use. If you want to spin fish, you'll need to bring your own gear. (Spin gear is available for king salmon fishing at no charge.)
Fly Tying: Camps have fly-tying benches with all the materials and tools to tie flies.
Flies: We’ll send a detailed list of what to bring in our confirmation packet.
Fishing License: An Alaska fishing license costs $45 and is not included in the package. During King Salmon season (June 15 to July 25), a King Salmon Stamp is also required for $45.
Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Methods: Fly or lure fishing. You'll mainly fish from the boats, yet also fish salmon-holding water from shore and walking and wading side channels. There is no need to wade deeper than your knees.
Guides: Each day, you’ll have a different guide. The owners are also full-time guides. On average, their guides have been with the Duncans for over six years and some as long as fifteen.
Kanektok Species Fishing Chart
Arctic Grayling - Sail like Dorsal Fin
Discounted Rates for Children age 15 and Under.
The Duncans encourage family outings by offering 30 percent off for children aged 15 and under.
Deluxe Base Camps
The Upper Camp hosts ten guests, and the Lower Base Camp hosts 12 guests. Camps have heated, double-occupancy tents, hot showers, and great fishing – right out the front door. You will need to bring your own sleeping bag. Each camp has a spacious kitchen, dining facilities, and a large social tent. It remains sunny at night as this is the land of the midnight sun. Some guests bring sleeping masks.
Electricity: The Camps have a charging system that uses either a 12V male cigarette lighter adapter or USB electricity. You can charge your devices in your sleeping tent.
Dining Tent
Meals: Hearty breakfasts, deli-style lunches, and family-style dinners. The guides take turns preparing dinner. Dinners feature large cuts of quality meat,fresh-caught salmon, and desserts. There's a pre-dinner appetizer of smoked salmon or salmon pate each evening.
Alcohol: Alcohol is not provided, as Quinhagak is a dry community.
Kanektok River
Getting to the Camps:
1.) You'll fly from Anchorage, Alaska, to Bethel, about a one-hour flight. Alaska Airlines is the only major airline that flies into Bethel.
2.) At Grant Aviation in Bethel, you'll take a 45-minute flight aboard a 208 Cessna Caravan to Quinhagak, landing at 3:30 p.m.
3.) At the Quinhagak Airport, you’ll be met by the Duncans and their guides. They'll transfer your bags from the aircraft to the boats for your boat ride upriver to the Camp. Keep your raincoat handy. It's a 45-minute ride to the Lower Camp and two hours to the Upper Camp. Airfare is not included.
Departure Day: At 9:15 a.m., you'll take a 45-minute flight from Quinhagak to Bethel. At 10:00 a.m., Alaska Airlines departs for Anchorage, arriving at 1:00 p.m.
2025 Rates:
Children age 15 and under 30% off the package rate.
Upper River Base Camp
June 21 to August 30
7-nights and 6-days guided fishing
$6,900.00 per person
Lower River Base Camp
June 21 to August 30
7-nights and 6-days guided fishing
$6,800.00 per person
Kanektok 90-Mile Float Trip
July 10 to Aug. 25
6-nights and 7-days guided fishing
$6,500.00 per person
Click here for Kanektok River Float.
Kodiak Steelhead Camp
Eight (8) Weeks in 2025:
August 23 - Oct. 18
7-nights and 6.5-days guided fishing
$6,900.00 per person
Click here for Steelhead Camp.
The Packages Include:
• Reception at Quinhagak Airport
• Boat ride to camp
• Guided fishing
• Use of fly rods and reels
• Use of spin rods and reels for king salmon
• Fly-tying materials
• Tent camping
• All meals at camp
• Non-alcoholic beverages.
The Packages Do Not Include:
• Airfare to Anchorage, and return• Roundtrip airfare between Bethel and Quinhagak
• Hotels and meals in Anchorage
• Sleeping bag
• Alaska fishing license, $45
• King salmon stamp, $45 (if applicable)
• Flies
• Spin gear for non-salmon species
• Gratuities to guides and staff, $800 to $900 p.p.
• Global Rescue
• Travel Insurance
• Anything not mentioned under inclusions.
Request a Dave Duncan's
Information Packet.
Dave Duncans and Sons
Carl Quertermus with Silver Salmon
Ron Gager with Silver Salmon
