An Alaska Adventure--Thursday: Kvichak River (and bears)

The four of us flew in the Beaver along with guides Ryan and Jose to seek large rainbows on the Kvichak River, which flows out of Iliama Lake (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iliamna_Lake) the third largest lake entirely in the United States—77 miles long and 22 miles wide.  The Kvichak can be challenging fishing and it has been in the past for Rob and Rick, though Tom has enjoyed success here and loves the stream.

On the flight to Kvichak River

We found our first rainbow just as the sun was rising above the distant mountains and it was the best fish Rob has ever caught on the Kvichak, a 27” rocket.  The Kvichak fish are strong and run in unpredictable and crazy directions at times.  With guide Ryan’s careful boat handling, we were able to successfully put this one in the net, measure in the fish box, snap a quick photo, and release him to return to his river home. 

Rob's best rainbow ever on the Kvichak River

            

After searching in vain for another fish in various locations, we ran upstream to where the Kvichak begins, flowing out of Iliama Lake.  Ryan had changed Rick to a flesh fly and on our first pass Rick had a smashing strike on the fly that simply snapped the line—no chance to fight or see that beast—disappointment reigns in our boat now.

We did see a bear on the shore in the village at the lake outlet.  It seems that those bruins are everywhere!

          

In our last run of the day, we finally found another nice rainbow.  The indicator dove down and line peeled off the fly reel until it was well into the backing.  Once it was well upstream, the fish turned and ran right back at the boat—a Kvichak trip repeated by many of the larger rainbows here.  Ryan yelled, “Strip in the line!  Strip it in!”

Rob discovered that stripping in backing is much different than stripping in line.  You can’t grab it with the hand and pull it in, it requires pressing the backing with fingertips to feel it, get a grip and get it in.  Stripping in the backing and then the majority of the flyline left and jumbled mess at Rob’s feet.  Rick saw a quick and ugly end to this fish fight if that situation didn’t change and he disentangled and reeled the line into the reel as Rob maintained tension on the fish, hoping the fish didn’t make another screaming run before the line was in and it could be played on the reel. 

Just as the last of the line was almost into the reel, the fish made another run and out went the line rapidly, but the hookset held.  After another several shorter runs, the fish was finally netted by Ryan. It measured 24” in the box.  Another quick photo, words of thanks to the fish, and it was released.

           

Lots of casting for a handful of fish. But we did find a nice one and Rob, at least, headed home satisfied to a wonderful dinner.