King (Chinook) Salmon
The chinook or king salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) is the largest--and least abundant--of Pacific salmon. Alaska King salmon fishing is exciting because of the two to three years at sea and average about 24 pounds each.
A chinook salmon has small black spots on the back, dorsal fin, and tail fin. The King is by far the hardest fighting fish that you will catch in freshwater, 45 minute battles are not uncommon. Alaska King Salmon fishing start running up the Nushagak river around mid June, and up the Kulukak river around July 1st. The Alaska king salmon fishing remains good until the end of July. Th e Nushagak run is one of the most prolific in Alaska with an escapement averaging about 80,000 fish per year. It is a large river with many braided sections. Although fly fishing in Alaska is difficult in bigger parts of the river, the smaller braide d areas can produce great fly fishing for these hard fighting beasts. The Kulukak river is a small coastal stream located in the Togiak National wildlife refuge. Royal Coachman Lodge has one of only two permits issued for commercial use of the river. Our angler numbers are limited to just 4 per day during the King Salmon season. This stream is ideal for fly fishing in Alaska and all our fishing is done within 3 miles of the ocean, assuring you will be catching the freshest, meanest kings that Bristol Bay has to offer.
