Nushagak River Alaska 2009

NUSHAGAK RIVER ALASKA 2009 - Trip Report
July 31 - August 8, 2009
Alaska Fly Anglers, John Hohl
9 nights lodging, 8 days fishing, 20 hrs CE
INTERNAL MEDICINE
Dr. Mike Willard

Last year was the first time for the IAFFV at the Nushagak River Camp, the first at the camp for our guide and outfitter, John Hohl of Alaska Fly Anglers and the first for a group like us at the camp. This camp has been operating for the past 12 years and 3 years with new owners, Scott and Rosemary Hippe from Vancouver, WA. The river is one of the best for King Salmon and I think we made it best for Silver Salmon this year: 9 anglers, 1000+ silvers over 7 days of fishing the Nush!

The group was comprised of 7 from IAFFV: Jack and Donna Quick and Jack's 17 year old daughter, MacKenzie (Kenzie) from Tucson; Rich Burrows from Kingman, AZ; Doug Chilcoat from Talkeetna, AK; Mike Willard and me. Gary and Elaine from Oklahoma joined us as they have fished with John the past 10 years---Gary is a small town Dentist and really nice folks. Everyone had scheduled their flights into Anchorage the day before and 5 of us stayed at the Lake Shore Motor Inn. No delays and all luggages arrived on schedule. We all were on the early flight Friday morning out of Anchorage to Dillingham at 9:40.

Dillingham is small village at the mouth of the Nushagak River that empties into Bristol Bay. We made two trips on a Van Air Piper Cherokee 6 tail dragger to get us to Portage Creek and then a 10 min boat ride put the group at the camp by noon. Sunshine and temps in the low 60s. Word was there were lots of fish and Rich, Don and Mike had 7 fish on the beach just casting in front of the camp before lunch. Guides John and Levi split the group so John went up river and Levi took us down river about 10 min ride. We quit at 5:30 after 3 hours and had 45 salmon averaging 10 lbs ready to be filleted plus released some as well. Fishing had been best mornings with the in coming tide in Dillingham pushing fish upriver. So the plan each day was to fish mornings and have CE afternoons. Saturday breakfast at 7, in boats by 8, fishing by 8:30, back to camp by noon and ready for lunch: Another 45 fish in the box plus another 10 released. After CE, we had another 10 in the box right at the shore in front of the camp by dinner time following 3 hours outstanding CE by Dr. Willard on diseases of the esophagus.

The camp is in the Alaskan bush but it is not the usual bush camp feel: heated tents sleep 2 on twin platform beds with thick air mattresses and sleeping bags provided with inserts Rosemary made from bed sheets. Outstanding meals were served in the dining tent with attached kitchen tent. Hot showers with running water and flush toilets and wireless internet, what's not to like?

Sunday, we were up at 6:30, breakfast, fishing by 8:30. Chilcoat was not feeling well so stayed in camp for the morning. So 3 of us in 1 boat caught 15 silvers, other 3 did about the same. That makes about 120 in the box so far. The keep limit is 5 each day per angler so we were a bit over and freezer was pretty full. 3.5 hours CE yesterday, 6.5 today on diarrhea because of rain and wind. Doug sick with the shits, didn't fish, and spent the day in bed. Monday: sun was up when we finished breakfast, covered with clouds hour later but no rain and wind not too bad. Not keeping silvers so caught some early then switched to northerns. Jack and others did pike early but didn't keep any. Rich, Mike and I fished pike for about 2 hours. I landed 3, two on a diver and Mike did one on a foam popsicle. Four for dinner, each was 26 inches. Mike did 4 hours on liver disease. Doug was much better, did not fish but was good for the CE. Rich, complete with chef's hat, cooked the pike that went really well with broiled chicken, mashed potatoes, dressing, and pumpkin pie. Rain started about 9:30 and put the camp fire out so we all hit the sack. Rained hard all night and continued the next morning, temps in the high 50's.

Fresh run of silvers and even took popsicles in open water. Mike landed 18 which was a first for him and I landed more than 10 on top. Total for the 9 of us was probably around 50 in about 4 hours. We would have been flying out for rainbows Tuesday but high wind predicted at Moraine Creek would not have been good. Tomorrow and Thursday should be ok so Mark Madera was there with his Beaver early morning. Clouds prevented landing at the lake above Moraine Creek so the group fished at the lower end. They got back to camp about 4:00 and fished the Nush for silvers. Doug, Rich, Mike and I flew to the Creek Thursday and weather was very cooperative. Lots of bears but they were only interested in the same things we were---fish. The difference was that we were after big rainbows sucking in eggs dropped by all the salmon in for spawning. Mike caught more species than ever: Bows, Lake Trout, Grayling, Char and Humpy. I got lucky with 3 good bows: 21, 24 and 26 inches all in the same run plus a fat 18 inch Grayling. During the fly outs, the group that stayed in camp fished the big river all day. We all fished the Nush all day Friday and had a great time with catch and release of pike and silvers.

By weeks end, we each averaged about 20 silvers per day which figured out to about 4 per hour per person. Plus, we caught Northern Pike, Grayling, Arctic Char, Chum Salmon, and Lake Trout. John Hohl and his brother Levi are two of the best fly fishing guides anywhere and they both are outstanding fly casting instructors as well. Kenzie had the experience of her life learning how to fly fish and catching so many fish, her arms were sore. Sometimes, she had to just sit down. Donna made great improvements from last year and was very impressive with her casting and catching.

Mike Willard did an exceptional job with the CE and became a much improved fly caster and angler as well. It was a phenomenal trip and we hope to do the same next year.

Don Sawyer, Organizer