WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
WHEN YOU GO
The Aleutian Rivers Sapsuk River
Camp is located on the Alaska Peninsula near
the village of Nelson Lagoon, about 500 miles
west of the city of Anchorage, Alaska.
SPECIES King Salmon.
RIVER Sapsuk River (also called the Nelson
River or Hoodoo River).
SEASON Early June through mid-July.
FLIGHTS Anglers will fly into the Anchorage,
International Airport, stay overnight, then
board a charter aircraft for the flight to Nelson
Lagoon (about 2.5 to 3 hours each way) from
Merrill Field Airport. Alaska Air Transit is the
flight service that will transport you to Nelson
Lagoon and back to Anchorage (these charters
are included in the trip price). Because of pos-
sibly delays caused by unpredictable weather
conditions, it’s best to schedule your return
flight home in the evening (8pm or later).
TIME ZONE Alaska is one hour behind Pacific
Standard Time.
WEATHER Temperatures can range from the
40s up into the lower 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Rain is possible at any time.
LANGUAGE English.
CURRENCY/TRAVEL CASH Cash for gratuities
should be brought with you, as there are no
bank services in Nelson Lagoon. (Please note
that there are no ATM’s at the Merrill Field
Airport.)
CREDIT CARDS While credit cards can be used
in Anchorage, these are not accepted at camp.
POWER AND COMMUNICATIONS The camp has
reliable electric power (via generators) during
the daytime and early evening hours. Staff
can communicate with the village via marine
VHF radio, and a satellite phone is available
for emergencies. There is no cell phone or
internet service available.
FISHING LICENSES Alaska sport fishing licenses
must be obtained prior to your departure
from Anchorage to the camp, as these are not
available onsite.
MEDICAL FACILITIES While there is a small
primary care clinic in Nelson Lagoon, more
serious issues must be addressed in Anchor-
age. Due to the remote location, it is strongly
recommended that anglers purchase travel
insurance and medical evacuation coverage.
WATER Filtered drinking water is available
at the camp faucets, and bottled water is
provided as well.
CLOTHING/PACKING SUGGESTIONS The summer
climate of this remote part of western Alaska
is highly variable, and thus a wide range
of temperatures and conditions should be
expected (with changes occurring frequently/
within hours). Anglers are thus advised to
wear layers of clothing, allowing you to add
or subtract garments during the day. All guests
Mike Flynn and canine
companion Zippy enjoy sunrise
on the Sapsuk River.
should be prepared with thermal underwear,
fleece/soft shell jacket, and a reliable rain
jacket. We also highly recommend bringing
your own headlamp or flash light.
SPEY RODS 13- to 15-foot Spey rods in line
weights 8-9. These are effective for casting
the heavy sink tips and large weighted flies
necessary for hooking king salmon. It is also
recommended to bring spare rods (plus the
camp has good quality loaner gear for use
when needed).
SPEY LINES Skagit heads (e.g. Airflo Skagit
Compact, RIO Skagit Max, or OPST Com-
mando; bring at least one spare for each
outfit); note that Scandi or long head/full
Spey lines are not recommended.
SPEY TIPS Sink tips from RIO T-8 through
T-14, in 10-foot lengths, will cover your
needs.
SINGLE HAND RODS 9-11ft / 9-10wt.
SINGLE HAND LINES Integrated 24-foot sinking
heads like the Teeny in 300-500 grains, or 30
foot sinking shooting heads in various sink
rates.
REELS Most large capacity, high-quality fresh-
water/saltwater disc drag reels (spooled with
200-300 yards of 30-pound test plus back-
ing) will suffice for fishing Alaska Peninsula
king salmon.
LEADERS 3- to 5-foot level leaders are used
under the conditions typically encountered; a
longer leader (9’) can be effective when flows
are low and the water is clear.
TIPPET Maxima Ultra Green (in 20# test) is
the tippet material of choice. (15# test can
be useful for tough conditions when fish are
more wary.)
KING FLIES Alaska Peninsula king anglers
typically fish with weighted 4- to 5-inch
flies, with size 1 or 1/0 stinger trailer hooks,
tied Intruder or tube style with lots of tinsel
in blue/black, chartreuse, purple, black/
chartreuse, and hot pink. Commercially-
available patterns that are effective include
Bjornn Stinger Prawns, Squidros, and Pick
Yer Pockets. On (rare) occasions when fish
are selective, a small 3-inch black leech-style
fly can be effective. Use strong, high quality,
chemically-sharped hooks octopus hooks,
and bring a small file to touch up the points,
to maximize your landing success.
ALEUTIAN RIVERS SAPSUK CAMP The Sapsuk
LOCATION
River camp is located in the heart of the
best water on the river, with angling spots
accessed by a short 5-15 minute boat ride.
It sits on a bluff with a scenic view of the
river, and is comprised of an array of sturdy
WeatherPorts (solidly constructed with im-
pervious vinyl coating atop thick nylon fabric
stretched taut across stout metal frames, and
anchored to raised platforms of treated wood
planks). These time-tested structures are used
extensively at field camps throughout Alaska,
and are outfitted with an oil-fired stove,
metal doors with ventilation screens, and cots
covered by cushy mattresses and comfortable
bedding; rugs on the wooden floor, shelves
for storing gear, and newly-installed electrical
lights (plus outlets for charging electronic
devices when the generator is operating) con-
tribute to a nice stay. An on-demand boiler
provides hot water for showers in a private
bathhouse, and a separate WeatherPort is
dedicated as a lounge area, complete with
cozy armchairs, a tackle preparation table,
library, and a TV/DVD player.
Meals are hearty and satisfying, with
breakfast, afternoon appetizers, and evening
dinners served at camp in the dining tent;
on-river lunches with hot/cold beverages are
provided to maximize fishing time. Fresh
fruit, snacks, soft drinks, bottled water, and
sport beverages (with electrolytes to relieve
midnight leg cramps, resulting from hours
of wading) are available at all times. Alcohol
can be ordered (and pre-paid) in advance and
delivered to camp, for enjoyment during your
week as well.
FISHING PROGRAM The camp hosts up to
6 anglers per week, who are divided into
groups of three for daily angling in separate
beats. The two guides use aluminum jet-pow-
ered river sleds to transport you to the fishing
spots, where you’ll disembark to wade and
cast. Wading is agreeable atop gravel/small
cobble substrate, and casts of 40 to 80 feet are
sufficient to cover most of the holding lies.
BOOKING OPTIONS For availability and insight
into the Sapsuk River Camp’s operations,
contact Pat Vermillion at Sweetwater Travel
(1-888-347-4286; [email protected]).
More information about the Sapsuk River Camp
is also available on the Aleutian Rivers website
(http://www.aleutianriversangling.com).
traveling angler
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