The Alaska Trophy Adventures Lodge (ATA) sits on the legendary Alagnak River, where the wild waters flow from Katmai National Park into Bristol Bay.
This iconic stretch — known as the Upper Braids — is a maze of dynamic channels teeming with life. Just six miles upstream, the Kukaklek and Nonvianuk Rivers merge to form the mighty Alagnak.

Thanks to the prime location and a full fleet of jet boats, you have access to the entire watershed — unlocking endless opportunities for fishing, wildlife viewing, and adventure.

Fish Species:

• King Salmon (Chinook) begin their powerful run into the Alagnak River in late June, through to July 31st. The prime weeks to target these giants are the last two weeks of July, but they’re in the system and catchable earlier as well. We recommend going after Kings with a double-handed rod, often sight fishing from the riverbank. But be ready — once hooked, these brutes can tear downstream fast, and it’s not uncommon to hop in the boat to keep up!
  Pro tip: 9/10 wt. rod, minimum.
• Silver Salmon (Coho) average 8 to 10 pounds and are hands down the most acrobatic of all the salmon species. These spectacular game fish are known for smashing topwater flies and launching themselves completely out of the water when hooked — making them an absolute thrill on the fly rod. Silvers begin to appear in the final days of July, with numbers building steadily through September. Prime time on the Alagnak is from the second week of August through the first few weeks of September. 
  Pro tip: 7-9 wt. rod with weight forward floating line.
• Sockeye Salmon (Red) are famous for their rich flavor and nutritional value — but don’t let that overshadow their fighting spirit. These fish are powerful, fast, and wildly athletic. Known for their explosive runs and aerial leaps, they’ll often take you deep into your backing before you even get them near the net. With annual runs often topping two million fish, Sockeye season is all about numbers — and the action can be nonstop. They average 7 to 9 lbs, with some pushing past 12lbs.
  Pro-tip: 7/8 wt. rod
• Chum Salmon (Dog/Keta) are one of the most underrated fish in Alaska. Chums might not win any culinary awards, but for fly anglers, they’re pure gold. Chums are pound-for-pound some of the hardest-fighting salmon in the Pacific. They start showing up in mid-July, with big numbers continuing through mid-August. Averaging 9 to 12 lbs, and occasionally topping 16 lbs, these fish are an absolute blast on the fly. Aggressive, powerful, and eager to smash swung or stripped flies, they’ll even hit surface patterns when the mood strikes. If you’re looking for wild fights and big bends in your rod, don’t sleep on the Chums!
  Pro-tip: 8/9 wt. rod
• Pink Salmon (Humpy) only run in even-numbered years—but when they show up, they do it in force. Though they average just 3 to 5 lbs, their sheer numbers and eager takes, make them a blast to catch. Ideal for beginners, young anglers, and families. Pinks offer nonstop action and the perfect opportunity to learn how to hook, fight, and land fish with confidence. They begin arriving in late July and run strong through mid-August. During peak season, it’s not uncommon for anglers to land 20–40 fish a day. These little warriors are aggressive and will strike at almost anything.
  Pro-tip: 7 wt. rod and weight forward floating line
• Resident fish: Rainbow Trout, Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling, Lake Trout/Namaycush, Northern Pike.

Fly anglers have a rare privilege: the chance to explore some of the most remote, pristine, and breathtaking places on Earth — rod in hand, soul wide open.