“Mousing Capitol of the Free World”
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The trip begins and ends in the remote village of Aniak where lodge staff are waiting to ferry us to the Aniak base on the Kuskowim river, which the Aniak is a tributary of. From here anglers get oriented for the week ahead and ready them selves for their first day of fishing; a bonus half day for Pike and Sheefish on the jet boat journey up to Aniaks comfortable Weatherport Lodge.
Each 30X10 ft Weatherport tent is comfortable and appointed with a front porch, ensuite toilet and shower and memory foam beds. A 12 volt system provides ample power to run electronics.
Meals are served in the dining tent where a talented chef prepares family style breakfasts, appetizers, main courses and desserts each day. Lunches are on the river with your guide, either a shore lunch or pre packed.
The guide staff at Aniak are seasoned and passionate about their fishing program and I have found each and everyone of them to be a pleasure to spend a day with. Operating on the beat system, each guide has their specialty area and each day you and your fishing partner join a different guide to experience a different part of the river. With over 80 miles of main river and multitudes more of braids to wade, anglers will never fish the same water twice.
On the water anglers are greeted with an epic Alaskan canvas; the primordial river sweeps from a distant mountain range, dragging through tundra and taiga, picking up tributaries, piling logs, shifting sediments and creating a rich and intriguing river to fish.
Aniak River Lodge is the only establishment on the river. There is no other lodge pressure, no float planes overhead, just you, your guide for the day and a wild Alaskan river to experience.
8 species are possible and probable over this week of fishing the Aniak with skating a mouse for BIG Rainbows being the highlight. Fishing a mouse almost always includes a pile of Grayling and Dolly Varden along the way. Plying the depths with a streamer produces all of the above and also Chum, King and Pink Salmon. The lower rivers sloughs are jammed with northern Pike and the surface takes are massive.
Sheefish are found in the lower Aniak too, one of only three river systems in Alaska. Anglers have a great shot at hooking these rare Tarpon of the north.
Camp life after fishing is relaxing and fun. A boardwalk deck looks out over the beautiful Aniak river where you can enjoy libations under the midlight sun or retreat to your weather port for the night. Another stellar day of fishing awaits.
Getting to the Aniak is easy. A daily flight from Anchorage to Aniak departs each morning so angers typically fly to Anchorage and stay the night the day before. On the last day of the trip Aniak guides shuttle you down to the airport in Aniak to catch your departure back to Anchorage on the 14th.