This week is peak week for kings on the Tal. The Kings are generally heavy in all parts of the river. Friday Creek, very close to our put-in at the mid Tal, is the hot spot! King fishing is generally excellent all the way down and at the mouth. Rainbows are good as well as grayling and fishing them from our raft platforms through the canyons is a blast.
The water level is a bit low but still at a good level for the float trip. We'll spend the first 2 nights at Friday Creek fishing the kings where they should be stacked up, then a night midway down the river before the last night at the mouth.
What can you expect as far as:
Remoteness: Ever heard of a "secret fishing hole" that everyone knows about? Well, the same is true in Alaska. That's right, no such thing. If there are fish, believe me someone else knows about it and is trying to get there. Kings are the most sought after fish in Alaska and the King season is the busiest of all the salmon runs. You'll float the river without seeing others (usually) but plan on having 1 or 2 other floaters at Friday Creek and at the mouth.
Fish: The kings average 20 pounds on the Tal but we regularly get into 40 pounders and up to 60. On a 10 wgt rod you'll spend about 40-45 minutes bringing one in. The limit to keep is 1 and after 1 you'll know why! (Note: You can only keep your salmon catch the last day as we can't preserve it until then) The C&R is as many as you can handle a day. 5-6 in a day on a fly rod is a great day. 1-2 large ones with a few smaller ones is a normal day.
Camp: Our camps are very comfortable with cots and a dining area within the cook tent. We serve as-near gourmet meals as possible in a riverside setting. We are continually complemented on the meals, quantity of food, and snacks served while you fish. We do ALL the chores so can do what you came for, fish!