Last updated July 20, 2025
July 10, 2925 Wrapping Up Kings & Sockeyes – Break Before Coho
That’s a wrap on our 2025 king and sockeye salmon seasons here on the Nushagak River. We’re grateful for another memorable run—complete with returning guests, solid fishing, and some well-earned memories made along the way.
With the king and red gear cleaned, stowed, and prepped for next season, the team is now shifting focus. We’ll be taking a short break to tackle some lodge maintenance, recharge a bit, and get ready for the next big run—silver salmon are just around the corner.
A few of our staff are spending their downtime exploring more of Alaska, including visits to Brooks Falls for world-class bear viewing and a little personal fishing. Look for a blog post later this summer sharing those experiences.
We’ll be back with regular fishing reports as soon as the cohos arrive—stay tuned, and get ready for the silver rush!
July 7, 2025 – Emergency Order and Incredible Fly Out
It’s no secret that king salmon are becoming harder to come by across the globe. We’re fortunate that the Nushagak River remains one of the last in-river fisheries in Alaska where anglers can still harvest wild kings. But with that privilege comes responsibility—and we believe strongly in taking only what we need to preserve this resource for the future.
On July 7, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game issued an Emergency Order reducing the annual king salmon harvest on the Nushagak from four to two kings per person per season. Both must be over 20 inches, and only one may exceed 28 inches. We support this move—conservation matters, and thoughtful regulation now means more opportunities later.
Most other camps on the river wrap up king fishing by July 6, but we’re fishing a few more days before pausing for midseason maintenance and a quick reset before coho season begins.
Meanwhile, two of our guests had a spectacular fly-out adventure today. Before arriving, they worked with Pete to build a well-rounded Alaska itinerary. In addition to their days at the lodge, they added a guided fly-out lake trip and a saltwater fishing day on the Kenai Peninsula. Between the Nush, the lakes, and the ocean, they’re headed home with full coolers and even fuller photo rolls.
Look for a full blog this fall highlighting their multi-region Alaska experience.
July 4, 2025 – Happy Independence Day from The Nush!
A fresh push of fish has made its way upriver—bringing a welcome boost to the action here on the Nushagak. The timing couldn’t be better as we celebrate the Fourth of July with a full camp and high spirits.
We’re joined by an awesome mix of guests this week: families, couples, longtime fishing friends, and even a few retired special forces veterans. The energy is great, the rods are bending more consistently, and everyone’s soaking up the experience—grateful for the freedom to fish in wild Alaska.
July 1, 2025 – Sadie is Here!
It’s a moment nearly a decade in the making—Pete and Jane’s first grandchild, Sadie, has officially visited the lodge! She made the trip with her mom, Whitney (Pete and Jane’s oldest daughter, also visiting for the first time), and Jane, making it a true family milestone.
For Pete, sharing the lodge and the world he’s built with the people he loves most was a long-held dream finally realized. Sadie soaked up every minute—watching brown bears at Brooks Falls, exploring the Alaska SeaLife Center, and taking in marine wildlife on a Kenai Fjords cruise. It was the ultimate first-time Alaska adventure.
We’re pretty sure Sadie had the time of her life—and we’re already wondering: when’s her next trip back to the Nush?
June 29, 2025 – Longtime Clients, Lasting Friendships, and Looking Ahead
We’re always grateful for our repeat guests—and few represent that loyalty better than Phil Weaver, who’s introduced more people to the Nushagak River than we can count. Sometimes visiting twice a season, Phil is known for bringing good energy and great company. This trip was no different, with a group of nine anglers including father-son duo Lance and Owen, first-time guests who quickly embraced the adventure.
Admittedly, the fishing this week was tougher than we like. The Alaska Department of Fish & Game authorized commercial fishing in the Bay three hours before and after each tide, which can significantly restrict fish movement upriver. It’s tough to watch the river miss escapement goals during such a critical time.
Still, our guides put in the work and helped guests land some beautiful kings and sockeyes, creating memories that had little to do with numbers and everything to do with wild Alaska. This crew made the most of every moment.
And there’s good news on the horizon—literally. The forecast is calling for a wind shift, which often helps push fresh fish into the river. We’re hopeful that the next few days will bring some better action.
June 26, 2025 – 9 Years and Counting
Each summer, we have the pleasure of welcoming a crew of four longtime friends—Russ, Jim, Reid, and Bill—who’ve made fishing at our lodge a cherished annual tradition. For nine straight seasons, they’ve returned to the Nushagak to fish, laugh, and celebrate the kind of camaraderie that the river delivers. And now with two more years already scheduled on the books, their annual trip streak is still going strong.
These guys know exactly what to expect: incredible fishing, great food, and time well spent in the heart of Bristol Bay. We’re grateful they continue to choose us as the backdrop for their getaway.
In past seasons, Reid and Jim both joined the ranks of our prestigious 40-Inch Club, landing trophy-class Nushagak kings that earned them a permanent spot on our wall of fame. And the sockeye action? Unbelievable. With limits now set at 10 per angler per day, the river is absolutely alive with chrome.
June 24, 2025 – Kings on Fire
Fishing continues to be red-hot on the Nush! Yesterday, Guide Bill Wood’s crew brought 25 kings to the boat, with the biggest pushing 35 inches. We’re thrilled to welcome back returning guests Dwight and Mary, plus new guests Jim and Greg and Terri and John, all from New Orleans. They’re enjoying chasing both kings and sockeye this week. With strong runs and smiling anglers, it’s peak Alaska fishing at its finest.
June 22, 2025 – 40 Inches of Fury
Got our first 40-incher on the board for 2025 today! Reeled in by angler Rick Moyer and aided by the savvy skills of guide Tim Schultz, he hooked and landed the fish of a lifetime. Safely released to perpetuate the healthy gene pool of such a stellar fish, the whole camp celebrated at dinner when we presented Rick with his official 40-Inch Club pin. Rick has the fish story of a lifetime and the pin to prove it. You can’t get either if you don’t plan a trip here!
June 20, 2025 – Double Salmon Action
Sockeye have officially arrived! We’re now in that golden window where both kings and reds overlap—and guests are loving it. Mornings are all about targeting big kings, with plenty of action and a few prized keepers making it to the stringer. After lunch, it’s down to the beach to floss for sockeye, a popular and effective Alaska technique that’s always a hit. Red salmon are perfect for harvest and great fun to catch. The energy on the river is electric.
June 18, 2025 – A Wedding with Waders
Today we experienced something extra special—a riverside wedding! Jimi and Sarah tied the knot after a morning of fishing in full wedding-day attire—tux, veil waders and all! They fished with our guide Joaquin, limited out on kings, and topped it off with an emotional ceremony and celebratory dinner. Jimi summed it up perfectly when he called across the river, “What more could we ask for?”
Check back for the full wedding story coming to our blog soon.
June 16, 2025 – Season Kicks Off with a Celebration
Our first guests of the season are here, and the kings are cooperating! Limits are already coming to the boats. This week also marks the kickoff of Jimi and Sarah’s destination wedding celebration. Their friends and family are filling the lodge with more guests arriving daily. Fishing is front and center until it’s time to say “I do.” Lodge owner Pete will officiate the ceremony—because who better to guide this union than the man behind The Nush?
June 10, 2025 – Kings Are In!
The kings have officially arrived! As expected, mid June brings the first pushes, and our guides are starting to see fish. This is the first installment of our Nushagak fishing report for 2025. The river is waking up, and we’re ready to make memories. We’re wrapping up final projects and prepping the lodge to welcome our first guests. We won’t get too much fishing in this week as we count down the days until our clients get here, but we do hope to wet a line here and there. One thing we do know—it’s going to be a great season because of our outstanding team of professionals who love what they do.
