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I can best speak about Rainbows in Bristol Bay but it applies to some degree to much of the state. We don't have all species readily available all season. So you have to plan the time of year to come when your target species is most available. Yes rainbows are around and can even be fished some the whole open water season but when the salmon runs first hit the rivers, the bow's tend to get run out of the way. There is a spring season right after the spawning closure ends in June 8 - where there is such a closure. But this fishing tapers off somewhat when the salmon come in -bows are there but the salmon tend to drive them off and it can be harder to find them. Prime rainbow time is mid August to freeze up. That's when the salmon are spawning and the bows are feeding heavy and getting big and fat. Prime bow time can also be prime noseeum time and camping in them for a month isn't my idea of fun. Though they get knocked down by rain and stiff frosts. Its also prime time for bears on the rivers feeding on spawning salmon too. And the rainbows concentrate on the areas where salmon are spawning.  You could float over considerable distances where bows are not real numerous then hit a spot where the salmon and bows are thick.  I encourage you to consider more than one species and for the kind of trip you want I'm not sure you should expect monster bows the whole way.  More likely you'll find fish in the 12-20 inch range with occasional big ones.  The REALLY big fish you read about in Bristol Bay are most commonly associated with the big lakes systems on the east side. The fish feed on salmon smolts in the spring then seem to move into the lakes (Iliamna, Naknek) for the summer then return to the tributary streams and outlets in the fall when the salmon spawn. That's when you can find the 28-36 inch fish fat, full of fire and up to 18+ pounds. But those places don't lend them selves to long term camping and the good spots are well known to guides and other anglers. You will have company.

Still,  call the guys at the Dillingham Fish and Game office and get their materials. Oh, and for that length of time I sure hope you plan on having a partner if you plan to go real remote.

Get all the float trip books you can and study up. It sounds like you have never been to Alaska - you might consider something a little less ambitious for your first try.

Good luck. You are wise to plan well ahead.

Message Thread:

• Trip im planning flyfishwilly Feb 09 2006
  • Lakes and Rivers George Riddle Feb 10 2006
    • Wood-Tikchik Kid Feb 10 2006
      • Ok, how about others? flyfishwilly Feb 10 2006
        • long float trip Danod Feb 11 2006
          • thxs flyfishwilly Feb 11 2006
            • rainbows in Bristol Bay area Danod Feb 12 2006
  • 6 weeks is a long time Kid Feb 09 2006
    • thxs more questions.... flyfishwilly Feb 10 2006