Dave Duncan and Sons,
Kanektok River 90-Mile Float Fishing Trip in Alaska,
Kanektok River, Alaska
Experience one of Alaska’s most legendary wilderness fishing adventures with Dave Duncan and Sons on the mighty Kanektok River — also known as the “Chosen.”
Flowing 400 miles southwest of Anchorage through the vast Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, the Kanektok offers anglers a rare combination of world-class fishing, breathtaking scenery, and true backcountry solitude. Our fully guided 90-mile float trip delivers an unforgettable Alaska fishing experience — whether you prefer flies or lures.
Why Fish the Kanektok River with Dave Duncan and Sons?
For decades, Dave Duncan and Sons has specialized in guided Alaska float fishing expeditions built on experience, safety, and personal service. Our expert guides know every bend, side channel, and holding water along the Kanektok.
This is not just a fishing trip — it’s a fully immersive wilderness journey.
90-mile guided float expedition
Fly fishing or conventional tackle welcome
Small groups for personalized attention
Professional, experienced Alaska guides
Remote access by floatplane
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Their guide team collectively offers over 150 years of experience leading anglers through Alaska’s remote wilderness, ensuring safety, efficiency, and exceptional fishing results. The Duncan family themselves are active, full-time guides, not just owners, a rare distinction among high-end outfitters that adds unmatched knowledge and personal attention to every trip.
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Fly Fishing
Fly fishing is the signature method on the Kanektok:
Targets all five Pacific salmon species, plus rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, and grayling
Kings caught by swinging large flies; trout and grayling with streamers, egg patterns, or dries
Unique techniques: mousing for rainbow trout and spey/two-handed rods for kings
Suitable for beginners and experts, with guides providing gear and instruction
Spin Fishing
Spin fishing is also effective:
Easy-to-use setup, beginner-friendly
Cast into current seams and around gravel bars
Retrieve jigs or lures at varied speeds
Fish tidal zones where salmon first enter the river
Flexible option or complement to fly fishing
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Salmon
King (Chinook) Salmon – Largest and most sought-after, often caught by swinging large flies or spinners
Silver (Coho) Salmon – Aggressive fighters, great for flies or light spinning gear
Chum Salmon – Strong runs, ideal for flies or spoons
Sockeye (Red) Salmon – Smaller, colorful salmon, often in the middle and upper river sections
Pink Salmon – Seasonal, abundant in even-numbered years
Trout & Char
Leopard Rainbow Trout – Signature species on the Kanektok, often caught by mousing or streamers
Dolly Varden – Common in pools and side channels, great for fly or spin fishing
Other Species
Arctic Grayling – Small, aggressive, and fun on a light rod, often taken with dries or small streamers
Tip: Many trips are multi-species focused, so anglers often switch between salmon, trout, and grayling in a single day, adjusting flies or lures as needed.
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You’ll sleep in spacious, high-quality tents (two anglers per tent) set up in comfortable camps right along the river. Each tent is dry and cozy, paired with a self-inflating Therm-a-Rest sleeping pad—you just need to bring your own sleeping bag. Enjoy hot riverside showers and step right from your tent onto some of the best fishing in Alaska.
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July 10 to August 25, offering peak opportunities to catch all five salmon species along with outstanding trout fishing.
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2026 Rate:
7 nights / 6 days guided fishing
$6,900 per person
Children aged 15 and under:
$5,520 per person -
Fly Fishing Gear
Rod Weights:
6–7 wt: Ideal for trout (rainbows, Dolly Varden) and grayling
7–8 wt: Great all-around rod for sockeye (red) and chum salmon
8–9 wt: Versatile for silver salmon, larger chums, and heavier flies
9–10 wt: Best for king salmon, especially when swinging flies in strong current
Spey/Two-Handed Rods (9–10 wt, 12–14 ft): Excellent for kings and wide water swings
Reels:
Smooth, reliable drag systems
Large backing capacity (200–300+ yards for salmon runs)
Match reel size to rod weight and target species
Lines & Backing:
Floating lines for general river fishing
Sink tips of various depths for deep salmon runs
120–200 yards of backing for long drags
Leaders & Tippets:
Trout & grayling: 8–12 lb
Salmon: 12–20 lb
Choose abrasion-resistant leaders for rocky Alaska rivers
Spin Fishing Gear
Rod & Reel:
Medium-heavy to heavy action spinning rods, ~7–8.5 ft
Reels sized to match rod and line, with strong drag for salmon and trout
Ideal for casting lures, spoons, and medium to large spinners
Line & Leader:
Main line: 15–30 lb test (braid or strong mono)
Leader matched to main line and lure size
Heavier line helps control strong salmon in current
Examples:
7–9 ft medium-heavy/heavy spinning rod with 20–30 lb test line for large salmon
6.5–7.5 ft medium-power rod with 10–15 lb test for rainbows and smaller salmon
Strong drag reel with plenty of backing for long runs
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Max 8 anglers per week for a fully personalized experience.
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Rafts: The Duncans use high-end 16-foot Avon Pro inflatable rafts equipped with rowing racks and sturdy floorboards, allowing you to stand comfortably while fishing. You can choose between walk-and-wade fishing or floating from the raft. Commercial life jackets are provided, though a float coat is recommended for added comfort. Wading is minimal—you’ll rarely go deeper than knee level.
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Getting to the Kanektok River
Fly to Anchorage, Alaska
Most guests arrive via commercial flights to Anchorage (ANC).
Plan to arrive at least a day before your charter to allow for connections and preparation.
Charter Flight to Bethel
From Anchorage, you take a commercial or charter flight to Bethel (BET), a regional hub for southwestern Alaska.
Baggage is typically limited to 50 pounds per person on the charter flights.
Overnight Near the Floatplane Base
Guests usually spend one night near Bethel at accommodations such as Papa Bear Adventures or the Lakeside Lodge. Not Included, about $175.00 per night.
This helps ensure you’re ready for the next day’s floatplane departure.
Floatplane to Kagati Lake / Kanektok River
A 45-minute floatplane flight takes you from the base near Bethel to Kagati Lake, the start of your Kanektok River float.
Floatplanes land on remote lakes and rivers, giving you immediate access to wilderness fishing.
This flight is typically not included in the package, so budget accordingly (~$600 per person, 2026).
Return Travel
At the end of your trip, a charter flight from Quinhagak to Bethel brings you back to the regional hub (~$375 per person, 2026).
From Bethel, you can connect to Anchorage or your next destination.
Travel Tips
Pack light and efficiently: Most charter flights have strict weight limits, so bring only essential gear.
Plan for weather: Alaska weather can affect small plane schedules, so allow buffer time in your itinerary.
Bring your fishing gear: While guides provide many rods and tackle, you can bring personal rods, reels, and flies.
Travel insurance: Recommended for flights in remote Alaska due to weather delays.
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The Package Includes:
• 6 days guided fishing
• 7 nights tent camping
• Meals at the camp
• Non-alcoholic beverages
• Use of camp and boat equipment
• Fly-tying materialsThe Package Does Not Include:
AIRFARE:
- To and from Anchorage
- Anchorage to/from Bethel
- Floatplane flight from Bethel to Kagati Lake
- From Quinhagak to Bethel• Overnight in Bethel, $160 p.p.
• Dinner in Bethel
• Sleeping bag
• Alcohol
• Gratuities for guides
• Alaska fishing license, $45
• King salmon stamp, $45
(Required if booking July 2-24)
• Fishing equipment
• Global Rescue coverage
• Travel Insurance
• Anything not mentioned under inclusions.
The Kanektok River and Togiak National Wildlife Refuge
The Kanektok River, also known as the “Chosen,” flows approximately 90 miles from Kagati Lake to the village of Quinhagak, where it meets the Bering Sea. The river winds through a pristine Alaskan wilderness, featuring clear waters, braided channels, deep pools, and scenic gravel bars. Its remote location makes it largely untouched, offering a true sense of solitude and natural beauty.
The river flows through the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, the fourth-largest refuge in the United States, which spans over 4 million acres of diverse landscapes. The refuge includes tundra, wetlands, forests, and mountains, supporting a wide variety of wildlife. Visitors may spot moose, bears, caribou, eagles, and abundant waterfowl as they explore the area.
Accessible only by plane, this region remains largely undisturbed by development, providing an authentic Alaska wilderness experience. The combination of rugged landscapes, remote lakes, and wide river valleys makes the Kanektok River and its surroundings a stunning destination for anyone seeking natural beauty and adventure.
The Kanektok River offers world-class salmon and trout fishing in one of Alaska’s most remote wilderness settings. Anglers can target all five Pacific salmon species — king, silver, chum, pink, and sockeye — as well as leopard rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, and Arctic grayling.
The river’s varied structure — from braided upper sections to deep pools and wide lower channels — provides a mix of fishing styles. Anglers can wade into shallow runs or fish from high-quality rafts, adapting to each species’ behavior and the current conditions.
Sample Fishing Day
6:30 a.m.: Coffee is ready to start your morning.
7:00 a.m.: Breakfast is served.
8:30 a.m.: Head out onto the river for a full morning of fishing.
1:00 p.m.: Enjoy a deli-style lunch on the river.
5:30–6:00 p.m.: Return to camp where guides prepare dinner. After eating, you can fish some more — it’s the Land of the Midnight Sun, so there’s plenty of daylight left!
Dave Duncan and Sons - 90‑Mile Float Trip Camps
On the 90‑mile Kanektok River float, your guides set up well-organized riverside camps that combine wilderness adventure with comfort. Guests sleep in double-occupancy high-quality tents on raised platforms, with cots or self-inflating pads; you just bring your sleeping bag. Heated drying tents and occasional hot showers add extra comfort, and charging stations keep devices powered.
Each camp features a central dining and social tent, where the group enjoys hearty breakfasts, lunches, and dinners prepared by the guides, often including fresh-caught fish, meats, salads, and homemade bread. The tent also serves as the hub for relaxing, sharing stories, and enjoying the long summer evenings under the midnight sun.
Designed for comfort without sacrificing the wilderness experience, the 90‑mile camps let you focus on fishing, scenery, and camaraderie, with all logistics handled by the guides.
