Forums59
Topics1,037,799
Posts13,934,688
Members144,150
|
Most Online39,925 Dec 30th, 2023
|
|
Lake Iliamna-Kvichak River
#11097055
09/11/15 07:02 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 11,446
Dfitz
OP
"Nice Guy"
|
OP
"Nice Guy"
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 11,446 |
This Rainbow fishery is one of a kind. The fish are huge, hungry and must be on some sort of steroids. It was more common than not to set the hook and have the trout staring at you eye to eye. These things would jump 4-6ft out of the water. We caught Donkeys, Mules, Toads and any other animal analogy for gigantic Trout. The majority are lake fish and come to the river in the Spring to spawn and then again in the fall to fatten up on Salmon eggs and Salmon flesh. I would describe them as freshwater Steelhead. These fish are chromers, pure silver with blue backs. My biggest was 28" and caught over a dozen 24-27" and they are all THICK with huge shoulders. These are special trout and deserve respect. Fish were caught on beads, flesh flies, and streamers. We fished Salmon beds in the braids, buckets, drop offs, ledges and the lake itself. No exact tally for total fish caught, but I easy averaged over 50per day. I did lose one that was over 30", he ate, jumped just to show himself and spit the hook midair, he was a big smart old fish and our encounter lasted less than 5 seconds. The kind of fish that has me planning a trip back already We also caught some Dollies and Grayling. Some were kept for fresh fish dinners. The weather was great for September up there, saw lots of Eagles and Osprey while fishing, Moose from the float plane. Didn't see BooBoo and I'm ok with that. Now for some pics. I'm going pic heavy to share this trip as words will not do justice. Hope you enjoy the report
Don't worry about the mule, just load the cart
|
|
Re: Lake Iliamna-Kvichak River
[Re: Dfitz]
#11097092
09/11/15 07:27 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,900
Bissett
TFF Celebrity
|
TFF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,900 |
|
|
Re: Lake Iliamna-Kvichak River
[Re: Bissett]
#11097125
09/11/15 07:47 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,264
dafanman
TFF Celebrity
|
TFF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,264 |
Fitz, that sure looks like a trip of a lifetime
ComputerWerkz, Windows PC diagnostics and repair Remote access available.
Robert Abel 210 426-4474
Special Flat rate for TFF&THF Members
|
|
Re: Lake Iliamna-Kvichak River
[Re: Dfitz]
#11097206
09/11/15 08:44 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 5,577
el Rojo
TFF Celebrity
|
TFF Celebrity
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 5,577 |
Very nice trip. Thanks for the pics.
|
|
Re: Lake Iliamna-Kvichak River
[Re: Dfitz]
#11097274
09/11/15 09:28 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 27,532
Uncle Zeek
aka "Dad"
|
aka "Dad"
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 27,532 |
So, no close encounters with the bears?
"Decency is not news; it is buried in the obituaries --but it is a force stronger than crime" ~ Robert A. Heinlein Artim Law Firm, PLLC Estate planning & tax attorney 2250 Morriss Road, Suite 205, Flower Mound, Texas 75028 972-746-0758 mobile zac@artimlegal.com
|
|
Re: Lake Iliamna-Kvichak River
[Re: Dfitz]
#11097312
09/11/15 09:50 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 11,446
Dfitz
OP
"Nice Guy"
|
OP
"Nice Guy"
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 11,446 |
Don't worry about the mule, just load the cart
|
|
Re: Lake Iliamna-Kvichak River
[Re: Dfitz]
#11097340
09/11/15 10:09 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 279
Zip-ur-Fly
Angler
|
Angler
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 279 |
Very cool post
Holder of Texas State & Lake Fly Rod Records.
Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not." Attributed to Thomas Jefferson.
"I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand." Confucius
|
|
Re: Lake Iliamna-Kvichak River
[Re: Dfitz]
#11097455
09/11/15 11:58 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 75,515
banker-always fishing
Pumpkin Head
|
Pumpkin Head
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 75,515 |
Trip of a lifetime Andrew with lifetime memories. Nicely done Sir.
IGFA World Record Rio Grande Cichlid. Lake Dunlap. John 3:16 Sinner's Prayer. God forgive me a sinner. I accept Jesus Christ as my Savior !
|
|
Re: Lake Iliamna-Kvichak River
[Re: Dfitz]
#11097532
09/12/15 01:01 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 27,130
Bazztex
TFF Guru
|
TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 27,130 |
Thanks for sharing your most excellent photos, fish & report. Very nice Grayling
|
|
Re: Lake Iliamna-Kvichak River
[Re: Dfitz]
#11098282
09/12/15 05:05 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 212
thinguyen
Outdoorsman
|
Outdoorsman
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 212 |
wonderful trip, awesome rainbow, can you share the detail on the guides and accomodations?
|
|
Re: Lake Iliamna-Kvichak River
[Re: Dfitz]
#11099205
09/13/15 01:37 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 728
split cane rod
Pro Angler
|
Pro Angler
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 728 |
Ahhhh... Tikchik Narrows Lodge... What fond memories I have of working there in 2010. I even remember meeting you there, Fitz! I never got to fish Chip's babies. I did manage to catch a 27" rainbow down by the island... Not to mention dozens of huge lakers!
What a gorgeous grayling! Omar, the pilot, put me on the first one I ever landed... just before a swarm of mosquitoes ran us back into the Beaver plane.
Did you fish the falls? What about pike in the shadow of Sad Face mountain?
Tikchik is definitely on my bucket list... not to go back & work there again... but to go and fish till I can't stand it any more!!
Thanks, Fitz, for a blast from my past. I'd enjoy catching up with you & hearing about who all is working there now... Carol, Chip, B.C., Adam, Joel...
Cheers!!
Split Cane Rod
|
|
Re: Lake Iliamna-Kvichak River
[Re: Dfitz]
#11104687
09/15/15 02:10 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 163
ZachW
Outdoorsman
|
Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 163 |
Amazing fish!
So are they only classified as steelhead when they go to saltwater? I know in the Great Lakes they commonly refer to these lake rainbows as steelhead.
|
|
Moderated by banker-always fishing, chickenman, Derek 🐝, Duck_Hunter, Fish Killer, J-2, Jacob, Jons3825, JustWingem, Nocona Brian, Toon-Troller, Uncle Zeek, Weekender1
|