Michael Bales

The first two weeks of fishing here in Bristol Bay have been amazing. We have been lucky enough to have weather with temperatures in the high 80's and blue bird skies making for some excellent days on the water and some great flying weather. The King Salmon have started their annual migration into the Naknek & Nushagak Rivers and we are catching them! The beginning of the season has also seen some spectacular trout fishing. We have been catching them on dry flies, leeches, and even mousing on few of our area rivers.

The first week of the season we targeted large rainbows on the Kvichak during the smolt migration from Lake Iliamna. Several guests did multiple days on our home river here to chase these awesome fish. The biggest fish was over 28 inches caught by Brian from Chicago. Libby and Jonathon also did well catching a few nice 24-26″ trout on smolt imitating leech patterns. You can see more of these exciting photos on our FACEBOOK page throughout the season.

As we move into July, the sockeyes will start to move into the region, we are already seeing them in the Naknek and Alagnak rivers, this should make for more exciting angling adventures in the weeks to come. Stay tuned to our BLOG also for more as our season here in Bristol Bay and Katmai National Park continues in 2015!

Fish Species: Rainboow Trout & Salmon
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Nushagak River King Salmon
Nushagak River King Salmon

Kvichak River Rainboow Trout
Kvichak River Rainboow Trout


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Michael Bales

About The Author: Captain Michael Bales

Company: HotFish Charters

Area Reporting: Charleston South Carolina

Bio: Native Floridian Capt Michael Bales has been fishing for over 25 years and full time professionally guiding for 10.I have been lucky enough to have fished and guided waters all over the world to include AK, the Rocky Mountain west, TN, NC, GA, and FL! Even a brief period as a Taimen and Trout guide while living in Europe! While not guiding in Alaska, you can find Capt Mike silently poling the waters of Mosquito Lagoon, Indian River Lagoon and the Canveral National seashore looking for Redfish or perhaps on the pristine flats of Homosassa in search of Tarpon. Having been an Alaska Professional Guide for 5 years guiding for all five species of Pacific Salmon, Steelhead, World-Class Rainbow trout and Halibut on Shelikopf straits in Cook Inlet. He has experience operating jet boats, float rafts and drift boats in remote coastal rivers of Alaska, as well as offshore boats and inshore boats in Florida.

352.255.8175
Click Here For Past Fishing Reports by Captain Michael Bales