Alagnak River Report: First Two Weeks of Kings, Sockeye & Surprise Chums

​The 2025 season is officially underway on the Alagnak River, and if the first two weeks are any indication, we’re in for a wild ride. From strong king action to early waves of sockeye—and even a few surprise visitors in the form of chrome-bright chums—it’s been a start to remember here at Angler’s Alibi.

​Kings on the Move

Our king salmon season opened with solid numbers and steady action right out of the gate. While the Alagnak isn't known for massive king returns like some other rivers, what we lack in volume, we often make up for in quality—and this year is no exception.

Guests have already landed several kings in the 20–30 pound class, and we’ve had multiple days with multiple hookups. Tides and timing are everything here, and our guides have been dialed in, putting clients on moving fish in the lower river. The typical deep runs and inside seams have been most productive, especially on the swing with chartreuse and blue being the fly of choice and with our gear anglers, pitching and drifting Beau Mac cheater balls in pink, orange, and peach colors.  
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This early push feels a little stronger than the past couple years—a promising sign, especially given the conservation concerns for kings elsewhere in the state. We're practicing 100% catch-and-release for kings, as always, and loving every minute of watching these powerful fish return to the system.

​Sockeye Surge Building Fast

The sockeye salmon season started off a little early with huge pushes on the tide, and giant schools of salmon boiling up behind the dock and at times as wide as the river!  We started seeing the first consistent pulses the last few days of June, and by the last day of June, we were hitting limits on the fly easily and even releasing them for fun! The fish are thick, healthy, and traveling fast on the incoming tides!

The traditional runs below the Braids and down through the lower river have been loaded at times, and guests have been perfecting their flossing technique with impressive results. For many first-timers, there's something unforgettable about battling a dozen sockeye before lunch with a stunning Alaskan backdrop and no crowds in sight.
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As always, the strength of the sockeye run will dictate much of the river’s rhythm for the next month—bringing with them not just nonstop action but also feeding the entire ecosystem in anticipation of trout, char, and coho season.

​Early Chum? You Bet.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the young season has been the early arrival of chum salmon. Normally we expect to start seeing them in solid numbers later in July, but several bright fish have already been caught—and they’re hot!
These early chums are chrome, full of attitude, and willing to crush swung flies, a great sport for both two handed anglers as well as single handed guests. A few guests have been lucky enough to hook into them while targeting kings or fishing sockeye water. They’ve added a fun, unexpected twist to our early-season lineup, and we’re not complaining!
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Chum salmon on the Alagnak are no slouches. They’re powerful, aggressive, and can easily test a 8- or 9-weight rod. If this early push is any sign, we may be in for a strong return of every species this season.

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​Looking Ahead

With the first two weeks in the books, Angler’s Alibi is fired up for what’s coming. More sockeyes are pouring in by the tide, kings are still in play, and we’re watching the chum situation closely as they are also in play on a daily basis for some line ripping fun. The upper river is starting to see some movement, and trout fishing should start to pick up again after nearly 2 million sockeyes have already made it up our system!
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This is what early season is all about on the Alagnak—untouched water, fresh fish, and a front-row seat to one of nature’s most spectacular migrations. We’re grateful to be back and doing what we love, sharing it with anglers from all over the world.

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About the Author

John Perry grew up in Michigan on an island called Grosse Ile, in the mouth of the Detroit River and Lake Erie. It was here, surrounded by great fishing and waterfowl hunting that John developed a passion for the outdoors. John moved to Colorado to chase trout in the summers and ski patrol in the winters. John had the privilege to start guiding for Angler’s Alibi with his fly fishing mentor TR Rafferty the second year it was in business. He left a head guide job in Colorado to pursue bigger and better fish.