Alaska West

Alaska West is a premier tent lodge on Kanektok River.  This destination offers an incredible variety of species to target depending on the part of the season.  From early-season King Salmon, to mid-season grand slam Salmon fishing, and finally August primetime for Silver Salmon and jumbo Rainbows, Alaska West has it all.  Depending on your timing, a variety of tackle may be required to effectively handle these species.  Here is what is recommended by Alaska West:

Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden, Grayling, and Pink Salmon
  • Rods (Single-Hand):
    • Rainbow Trout / Pink Salmon: 6 - 7 weight
    • Dolly Varden: 4 - 6 weight
    • Grayling: 3 - 5 weight
  • Reels: Disk drag reels with at least 120 yards of 20# backing
  • Lines: Floating lines with 120 yards of 20# backing are most common
  • Leaders: 6 to 12 pound mono

Silver Salmon / Chum Salmon / Sockeye Salmon
  • Rods: Single-Hand 7 - 9 weight
  • Reels: Durable disk drag reels with at least 150 yards of 20# backing
  • Lines: A weight forward floating line along with at least one sink tip is usually best. Sink tips should be 5 feet to 15 feet with a medium to fast sink rate
  • Leaders: 10 to 15 pound mono

King Salmon

Two-Handed Tackle
  • Rods: 8 - 10 weight spey rods (12.5 - 15 foot length)
  • Reels: Durable reel with strong disk drag and at least 200 yards of 30# backing
  • Lines: Skagit heads with strong shooting line (at least 30 pound test)
  • Tips: RIO Heavy MOW Tips and 15' to 18' RIO T14
  • Leaders: 15 to 20 pound mono

Single-Handed Tackle
  • Rods: 10 - 12 weight rods (9 foot length)
  • Reels: Durable reel with strong disk drag and at least 200 yards of 30# backing
  • Lines: Shooting heads or sinktips of varying sink rates to match rod
  • Leaders: 15 to 20 pound mono