Kodiak is a mystical place, full of goliath bears, epic runs of salmon and saltwater species of nearly all the makes and models to be found in Alaska. Its series of islands, bays, rivers and mountains are among the most fertile in Alaska and draw outdoorsmen from around the globe to experience it firsthand. Kodiak, in short, is the type of place that becomes ingrained in your latticework, one of those destinations that establishes itself as a benchmark to be used to compare other experiences. Its great size allows for countless opportunities to fish and hunt, with similarities found among the unique locations, but also some startling differences. There’s something for everyone here, and a powerful magnetic draw that pulls you back.
Our Kodiak journeys first started on the road system, learning and appreciating the intricacies of finding salmon in small rivers with the tide as one’s compass. Rivers like the Olds, American, Pasagshak and Buskin ebb and flow with the life cycle of the pink, chum, red and silver salmon. And with the abundance of salmon, one can count on the horde of Dolly Varden.
Next came the early fly-outs to places like the Karluk, Uganik and Saltery. Swinging leeches and drifting Glo-bugs to steelhead on the Karluk in late October produced terrific results. A purple articulated bunny leech proved irresistible to many fresh steelhead. Trolling for silvers in Uganik Bay and drifting beads for Dollies and rainbows in the Uganik River was another grand way for an angler to experience Kodiak.
Limits of silvers were captured in mere hours and multiple anglers were often hooked into Dollies at the same time. And let’s not forget the incredible snow crab eaten at Quartz Creek Lodge, or a trip to Saltery Cove Lodge in late October that found us trying to find a fly that the voracious Dollies of Saltery River would not eat. Three-day score for three anglers: Dollies 985, steelhead 5.
The more you see, the more you want to explore. Finally, this past season, we were able to make a king trip to the Ayakulik River. Few streams in Alaska rival this wadeable water for swinging streamers to kings. One can only imagine what the king fishing is like during a big return of Chinook. For the sockeye angler, this place is like fishing in a barrel, and during the heart of the run, your arm will tire long before you run out of fish.
Later in the year, Old Harbor made it into our trip calendar. From saltwater trolling for salmon, to bottom-fishing for halibut, rockfish and cod, this place seems to pulse with life. And for the person looking to hunt as well as fish, a Sitka blacktail deer from Kodiak is a fine way to start. Imagine troll-caught king salmon and deer in the same day—and then, later, featured in the same meal.
We’ve shared Kodiak with novice anglers and expert fisherman alike and it’s universally considered to be among their top destinations within Alaska. It seems that no matter how many times we go there, something new is always around the next bend. We’ve still got lakes to explore, remote rivers to fish, goats, caribou, buffalo and ducks to hunt, and peaks to climb. And we’ve not yet attempted the grand slam of salmon (all 5 species in a day.) Dake Schmidt of Memory Maker’s Guide Service just sent me a photo of all 5 species that he caught in six hours on five different rivers.
There’s further inspection of the road system in this issue by JD Richey and it proves the point that Kodiak is the land of exploration. He details surf-fishing opportunities and brings an innovative approach to a well-detailed area. Melissa Norris captures the essence of the Larsen Bay fishery and the many pleasures of staying at Kodiak Island Resort. Andrew Cremata vividly pens the successes of fishing in Port Lions and the great times enjoyed at Wilderness Beach Lodge. Troy Letherman’s detailing of the Ayakulik inspires a trip to the pristine river, and I was there with him. Tom Watson covers the silvers to the north of the island and I’m bringing you the particulars of an incredible trip to Old Harbor. After reading these fine pieces and considering all there’s to do on the Emerald Island, you and I both should be asking only one question: What part of Kodiak will we explore next year?
—Marcus Weiner
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