Steelhead of Karluk River, Kodiak
Steelhead fishing on the Karluk River is the subject of this seminar by FishHound Expeditions owner Adam Cuthriell. FishHound Expeditions is a guide-owned company; they live in Alaska year-round. FishHound offers day trips in the Mat-Su Valley, as well as helicopter fly-in trips (day trips and multi-day trips), in addition to their Karluk steelhead fishing trips.
Karluk River steelhead fishing is one of the special operations FishHound Expeditions runs during the prime season. The Karluk offers one of the largest runs of steelhead in Alaska. It is possible to hook 12- to 15 steelhead per day for anglers steelhead fishing with two-handed rods and swung flies. Where else can you do that?!
Steelhead fishing with beads is even more effective on the Karluk. Adam says beads in the 6- to 14 mm sizes can all work. The Karluk is composed of runs, riffles and pocket water. Steelhead look for structure like large boulders to get relief from the current, so swinging flies into pockets downstream of big boulders can result in hookups.
When steelhead fishing on the Karluk with FishHound Expeditions, you’ll stay at the Brown Bear Center Lodge and cabins—rather than roughing it in a tent. Group size is limited to six anglers. The lodge is located on Karluk Lake and offers an upscale experience for anglers and bear viewers. The Karluk River holds a healthy population of bears, especially when there are salmon in the river.
During a Karluk steelhead fishing trip with FishHound Expeditions, you’ll not only fish the Karluk. You’ll likely fish Karluk Lake tributaries for steelhead, silver salmon, rainbow trout and Dolly Varden. Dolly Varden present a good opportunity for new fly anglers to learn how to catch fish on a fly rod. They are willing biters, exist in big numbers, and generally average about 16 inches in length, so they are manageable to fight and land.