Dave Duncan and Sons - Alaska
Kanektok River Fly Fishing Camps
Fly fishing for world-class rainbows and all five species of salmon. Lower and Upper Camps + 90-mile Float Trips - The Kanektok, also known as the “Chosen,” is an unbelievable Alaskan river 400 miles southwest of Anchorage and flows through the majestic Togiak National Wildlife Refuge.
Dave Duncan and Sons Fly Fishing
Fly fishing only with barbless hooks—strict catch and release. 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.
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 have two base camps on the Kanektok - The Lower River Base Camp is a 45-minute boat ride upstream from the Native village of Quinhagak (pronounced Quin-Hawk). At the Lower Camp, you'll fish the lower 18-miles of the Kanektok for strong runs of
all five salmon species fresh from the sea. The Lower Camp also has great fishing for up to 30-inch leopard rainbows, dolly varden, and grayling.
The Upper Base Camp is two hours upstream from Quinhagak, approximately thirty miles. Duncans’ 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.
The Duncans also offer a 90-mile Kanektok River Float Trip. Float trips are limited to eight guests, with one guide and two anglers per raft.
Click here for the Kanektok River float trip.
Duncans' Fly Fishing Facts:
2023 Season: June 23 to Sept. 2, 2023.
Steelhead Camp: Aug. 19 - Oct. 14, 2023.
Boats: The Duncans team employs powerboats to access the best side channels and stretches of the river. Two anglers per guide and boat.
Equipment: 4-weight, 6-weight, and 8-weight fly rods and reels are available for you to use.
Fly Tying: Camps have fly-tying benches with all the materials and tools needed to tie flies.
Flies: We’ll send a detailed list of what to bring in our confirmation packet.
Fishing License: is not included in the package $45.00. If you are here during king salmon season (up until July 25th), you’ll also need a King Salmon Stamp $45.00.
Methods: You'll walk, wade or drift fish from the boat.
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.
“The guides were extremely helpful with fly suggestions, tippets, knots - whatever would make for a better experience. They would be quick to tie on your fly or let you handle your tackle.”
– Sandy Lockleer.
Sample Fishing Day:
After breakfast, you’ll take off with your guide to target salmon. You'll have a streamside lunch and, in the afternoons, pursue rainbows, dollies, and grayling. About 5:30 or so, you'll return to camp, freshen up, and in the dining tent, you'll enjoy a hearty dinner.
Kanektok River Deluxe Base Camps
Both their Upper and Lower Base 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. Dinners feature homemade breads and large cuts of quality meats. You can charge your devices in your sleeping tent.
The Duncans encourage family outings by offering discounts--children 15 and under are half price.
Their camps are equally popular with groups who want to conduct seminars in these unforgettable surroundings.
Book early as these trips are very popular.
The Duncans' Base Camp:
Whether you choose a Base Camp or a Float Trip, you'll stay in a very comfortable camp that has dry tents, hot showers, and great fishing — right out the front door. The tents in the Lower and Upper Base Camps are heated. The base camps have a spacious kitchen, dining facilities, and a large social tent. The deluxe sleeping tents are spacious, double-occupancy tents that will stay dry in any weather. The tents sit amongst the trees. There are well-worn paths to the food tent, the outhouses, and the river.Getting to the Camp:
You'll fly from Anchorage, Alaska, to Bethel, about a one-hour flight. Alaska Airlines is the only major airline that flies into Bethel. From Bethel, you’ll take a 30-minute flight aboard Era Alaska to Quinhagak. (Airfare is not included, and the baggage weight limit is 75-pounds.) 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, a 45-minute ride to the Lower Camp, and two hours to the Upper Camp.
2023 Rates:
Upper River Base Camp June 24 to Sept. 2, 2023
7-nights and 6-days guided fishing $6,100.00 per person
Lower River Base Camp June 24 to Sept. 2, 2023
7-nights and 6-days guided fishing
$6,000.00 per person
Kanektok 90-Mile Float Trip July 10 to Aug. 25, 2023
6-nights and 7-days guided fishing $5,900.00 per person
Click here for the Kanektok River Float.
Kodiak Steelhead Camp
Nine (9) Weeks in 2023: Aug. 9 - Oct. 21, 2023
7-nights and 6-days guided fishing $6,100.00 per person
Click here for the Steelhead Camp.
Packages Include:
Reception at Quinhagak Airport, boat ride to camp, guided fishing, use of rods, reels, fly tying materials, tent camping, all meals at camp, and non-alcoholic beverages.
Packages Do Not Include:
Airfare, hotels, and meals in Anchorage, sleeping bag, fishing license, $45.00 (2023), king salmon stamp, $45.00 (if applicable), gratuities, Global Rescue, travel insurance, or anything not mentioned under inclusions.Dave Duncans and Sons
Rainbow Trout Fishing
Kanektok Rainbows
Dry tents with solar power energy.
Silver duo for Ron Gager and Mike Merritt
Carl Quertermus with Kanektok silver
Ron Gager with dolly varden
Large Kanektok Rainbow Trout
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 would recommend a trip with the Duncans to anyone planning on going to Alaska. You will not be disappointed."
- Jim Teeny - Teeny Inc. Fly Lines
