Our Fly Fishing

Pound for pound, the hardest fighting salmon in Alaska. Chilkoot Sockeye are some the state’s largest. While Sockeye don’t grab flies as eagerly as other species of salmon, we still have success swinging flies within a half mile of saltwater for fresh sockeye. Heavy weight and yarn fly can also be successful, but we prefer sharing the fun of swinging flies. Sockeye begin showing up in the Chilkoot in Late June and run through late August with peak between early July to early August.

Pink salmon are our frequent targets in both the Chilkoot and Chilkat Rivers, as well as our Fly-out trips. Pinks (or Humpies) are fun on a fly rod and eagerly chase flies. We swing single handed rods with sinking lines with streamers for pinks and hook-ups are often!! Run usually starts in early July through mid-September with peak from mid-July to mid-August.

Huge fall runs of chum salmon make their way up the Chilkat River. We start seeing chum in the river in early September and find plenty of fish through late November. Usually not our target, but an under-rated fun fish on an 8 weight, and the Chilkat produces some monsters. Chum aggressively smack flies and fish fresh from the salt can give you a ride!

This fishery is one of the reasons many of us live in Haines. Strong runs on both the Chilkoot and Chilkat. When the temperatures begin to drop and if we get a series of clear days, the Chilkat will clear from its silty summer mess and deliver Fall fun like few places on earth. Coho chase readily chase flies and we have options for both jet boat-based trips and hike-ins in the Fall. Coho begin in late August and will run through January. Peak typically is October, though fall rain cycles can make fishable water unpredictable.

King salmon statewide are in perilous decline and the Chilkat River kings are no exception. Sportfishing for king salmon is not allowed in freshwater in the upper Lynn Canal.

The Chilkat River drainage supports a robust resident & sea-run cutthroat population. Fishing begins in early April as the river warms and salmon fry start making their way out of the gravel. Many spots only accessible by jet boat hold beautiful trophy cutthroat all summer and fall.

The People’s Fish. Named after a garishly-dressed Dickens character, dollies are an absolutely stunning fish with their sleek silver bodies and pink spots. And they are everywhere! Aggressive feeders, dollies will move between rivers, lakes and saltwater chasing any abundant food source. Our year round go-to, we have the good fortune to be able to swing streamers, bead, nymph flesh flies and even top water fish for these fun targets. Fishing peaks in the Fall when they begin to spawn and dress up like pumpkins for Halloween.

The Upper Lynn Canal has small steelhead runs making them difficult to target. For more information regarding steelheading in Southeast Alaska, check out our yacht-based Spring steelhead trips.