Every so often you come across some extraordinary fishing!!!

Fifteen years ago, the first western fisherman ventured into the unknown rivers of the Kola Peninsula to announce extraordinary salmon fishing. Pristine rivers teeming with bright silver fresh run salmon. The Kola is now well known amongst the dedicated traveler wishing to find quality fishing.

The Sandy River in Alaskaon the other hand, is probably less well known.
But here I have found the best Steelhead fishing available.

Steelhead fishing is for the dedicated, the purest, the single minded fisherman who is after a species of fish that creates an almost mystical aura when mentioned. Similar to the sea-trout fisherman who ventures into the night for his quarry, the steelhead fisherman must venture to one of the most remote and untouched wildernesses on earth - Alaska.

In 2005 a good friend of mine went to Canada specifically wanting to catch Steelhead, sadly they were very disappointed with the whole experience. "I'll try and find you something Jim for next year" I said positively. Through a contact of a contact, the Sandy River was mentioned. When the initial description of "This is NOT a fancy operation, old-time Alaska Lodge/Camp with a cranky but good-humored sourdough running the operation. However the fishing is quite good, the best I know of and if the boys are okay with that, then they will love" came in, I had a feeling that this just might be good.

You must understand that my sort of fishing isn't necessarily your sort of fishing. I don't want the 5 star lodges or the best guides that pin point every fish in the river. Don't get me wrong, I don't like sleeping under canvas either, and I do like to be fed with good food and be warm, but if you are going to the wilds of wherever, fishing for wild fish in wild untouched surroundings, then cut the sophisticated crap that seems so out of place in these sort of surroundings.
I always feel that the more comfortable the lodge, with this unique feature, and that wonderful cook, and the satellite telephone in every room and the free flies and the etc, etc, is more often than not only making up for the poor fishing.

Back to the Sandy.............so with the description mentioned to Jim, came all the usual sort of questions that come at the initial stages of any potential fishing trip that is in the early stages of planning. I think this email that came through a contact of the contact of the initial contact (are you following ok!!!) sums up the Sandy very well............."

The Sandy River is only 18 miles long and comes out of a shallow lake flowing right into the Sea. It is not a big river and fished easily with light sink-tips in low densities (Type II – 1V). The fishing is very straight forward, most times swinging woolly buggers or some type of rabbit strip leach in black, purple or olive. Most angler can count on landing 4 – 6 fish per day. This year I had one angler land 18, while his partner 9 for the day. A big steelhead on the Sandy is pushing 38 – 39 inches. Most fish will range between 30 – 34 inches.  The river is navigated by outboard powered jet-skiffs (just like on the Varzuga). Fishing is done all from shore wading. This is not big water, probably averaging 110 feet.

 The Lodge is not deluxe, but adequate for anglers. Best time to fish for the steelhead is in the fall, anytime late, late September through October.

 SRL is way out in the middle of nowhere. It’s a simple fishing and hunting lodge – nothing fancy but adequate for serious anglers.