Fishing
You can count on catching good numbers of rainbow trout (up to 28 inches), with most fish around 18 to 20 inches. Many rainbow trout are taken on top-water mice patterns, large dry flies and nymphs. Large grayling (to 20 inches) take dry flies as well and the arctic char/dolly varden fishing can be outstanding at times. The very best king salmon fishing is at the mouth of Outpost creek where it dumps into a larger glacial drainage. We receive good runs of chum salmon and see a few pink salmon, and catch an occasional northern pike.
We walk from camp everyday across an open tundra plateau to access the stream fishing. This is a moderately strenuous fishing adventure and guests should be in good physical shape to fully enjoy the week. The shortest trajectory across the tundra to the creek is 20 minutes, the longest is as long as your legs last – there is some spectacular and untouched water up the creek that merits a long hike if you are willing.
Regarding gear, this creek is definitely poetic fly fishing water (but bring spin gear if you want). Ideally, you need 3 different sizes of rods because of the wide range of fish size (1 pound grayling to 40 pound king salmon). Good rod choices are 4, 7 & 10 weight rods. The 7 weight is a must, as this rod will throw bulky mice patterns AND catch every species but the king salmon. If you want to travel lighter, try to share rods between your travel companions. For instance, if you don’t plan on fishing for kings very much just bring one 10 weight between two fisherman.
Because we are an ultra-light Outpost camp, our fishing gear is limited so be sure and bring everything you need (but don’t over pack). And bring quality gear, as we have seen a week of Alaska fishing destroy lower end gear, especially low end salmon reels. There will be backup rods in case you should break one of yours.
In the spirit of sportsmanship and preserving this world-class fishery, all fishing is catch and release. We even prefer not to keep fish for meals at camp or riverside.
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