Nushagak River Fishing - Alaska

Egdorf's Camp

World-Class Rainbow and Dolly Varden Fishing

Fly and Spin fishing - Egdorf’s is a floatplane only-in, remote trip in Western Alaska’s Bristol Bay region. Dave and Kim Egdorf's camp is located on the banks of the upper Nushagak River, 250 miles from saltwater, in a breathtaking wilderness setting. This trip is remote. There are no roads within 100 miles, and the nearest habitation is an Inuit village 60 air miles away. Wildlife abounds here, with numerous weekly sightings of moose, grizzly bears, eagles, and more.

Fishing Egdorf's Nushagak River

Nushagak River rainbow

Egdorf's is an excellent trip for beginning fly anglers because you’ll get so many opportunities to hook and fight big numbers of rainbows, dollies, and grayling. Plus, the guides are excellent instructors.

The Nushagak River is a vast spawning bed with a gravel-bottom, clear running, modest-sized river. The Nushagak produces an annual smorgasbord of protein-rich salmon eggs that supports the resident fish population and an ideal habitat for spawning salmon, rainbow trout, Arctic grayling, and dollies. For the most part, you’ll have the Nushagak to yourself.

Some days begin with fishing/drifting right from camp, while other days, you’ll run up to 20 miles upriver or downriver. You’ll also explore braids and creeks. Catch-and-release fishing only. As in any fishery, sustained heavy rainfall can cause the river to discolor, but this scenario, on average, is not a great concern.

Egdorf's Fishing Facts:

Egdorf's Nushagak River

2022 season:  June 19 thru September 8.
Group Size:  The camp hosts up to six anglers. Non-anglers are welcome, too.
Boats:  18’ Lowe flat-bottom boats with 30, 35, and 40-HP two-stroke engines (reduced weight). You’ll fish areas by running to an area then drifting, rowing, walking, or wading down the river. You'll fish one angler in the bow and one angler in the stern, with the guide on the oars.
Guides:  Hardworking, experienced guides who are also fly fishing instructors and excellent jet boat operators.
Equipment:  No equipment is provided. A comprehensive gear and tackle list is included in our confirmation packet.
Fishing Licenses: are not included but can be purchased online at: Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Fly Tying:  The Camp has fly tying materials for you to use. Guides often sit with clients and assist with fly-tying. The flies are $3.00 to $4.00 each.

Egdorf's Nushagak River Camp

Egdorf's Nushagak Camp

Egdorf's camp is in an area called the Big Bend of the upper Nushagak River. The camp is very well laid out and extremely scenic, with lots of spruce trees.
The Camp has new single-occupancy cabins. If you prefer to buddy up and stay together, you just need to ask. They also have a new heated lounge facility that has a drying area for waders and clothing. Plus, a fly tying area with bright lights and a social gathering area for card-playing area. Guides join in when they're not on the water. Hearty, chef-prepared meals. The camp accommodates six anglers. There are hot showers and chemical toilets.
Communications:  An emergency-use-only satellite phone and email capability are available on a limited basis.

Aerial View of Nushagak River and Camp

Getting to Egdorf's Camp:

Wednesday:  You’ll fly to Ted Stephens Anchorage International Airport. Plan to stay overnight in Anchorage. Hotel nights, meals, and ground transportation in Anchorage are not included in the package.
Thursday:  You’ll need to arrive at Iliamna Air Taxi’s airfield no later than 8:30 a.m. You’ll board the plane at 9:30 a.m. for your one-hour flight to Iliamna. Upon landing, you will be met by a Rainbow River Aviation representative who will drive you to the loading dock for your 45-minute floatplane flight to the river. After you arrive on the Nushagak, the guides will boat you upriver to Camp, a 30-minute ride. After you’ve settled in your cabin, you’ll have a sit-down lunch and can then fish on your own near the Camp.


2022 Rates:

Thursday to Thursday
Maximum of 6 anglers per week
7-nights at Camp
and 6-days guided fishing

$6,695.00 per person

Packages Include:

Roundtrip floatplane flight from Iliamna to Camp, single-occupancy lodging (unless two guests per cabin is requested), meals at camp, daily guided fishing, and laundry service (hang-dry only).

Packages Do Not Include:

Airfare to Anchorage, airfare between Anchorage and Iliamna (roundtrip, approx. $550.00 p.p.), personal gear, fishing equipment, tackle, flies, fishing license, first and an optional last night hotel in Anchorage, wine, beer, sodas, gratuities, any expenses incurred due to weather delays, Global Rescue, travel insurance, and anything not mentioned under inclusions. Extra charges at the Camp:  sodas $4.00, a bottle of wine $30.00, beer $7.00 (cans), and $8.00 (bottles). Flies, lures, etc., are also available for purchase.

John Crocker's Recap:

“The river was awesome, and the people who made it happen for us were, too. I would recommend it to anyone who wanted to fish in remote Alaska to catch large numbers, big fish, and several different species.”   - John Crocker

For the Non-Angler:

The Camp could prove to be somewhat dull for the non-angler, although an outdoor photographer would enjoy this experience. There is significant wildlife viewing, bird watching, and blueberry picking in season, not to mention a vast wilderness with scenery galore.

Egdorf's Nushagak River


Nushagak River rainbow fishing

World-class rainbow fishing

Large Nushagak dolly varden (char)

Egdorf's dolly varden

John Crocker with Nushagak rainbow.

Nushagak rainbow fishing

Nushagak River rainbows

Egdorf's rainbow fishing

Camille Egdorf with Nushagak rainbow

Camille Egdorf

John Crocker with dolly varden

Dolly varden fishing

Nushagak River grayling

Nushagak grayling

Cessna 185 floatplane

Cessna 185

John and Robb Crocker with rainbows

Nushagak rainbows

Wildlife viewing opportunities

brown bear

The new heated dining facility

Heated dining tent

WeatherPort tents with elevated floor

WeatherPort tents

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Fishing Travel Experts


Guy Schoenborn

1-800-205-3474 ext. 1

MT Office:  406-322-5709

Email:  guy@fishingwithlarry.com

Brad Staples

1-800-205-3474 ext. 3

Cell (503) 250-0558

Email:  brad@fishingwithlarry.com