Home Is Where The Heart Is Fish Are

By Cory Luoma

In my last article, 5 Reasons Tikchik Sits At The Top, I wrote that the TNL’s “homewater” deserves its own blog post. Well, I decided to follow up with that.

Often times, Alaska fly out lodges are criticized for not being able to fish during times of poor weather and no-fly conditions because of their lack of “homewater”. That is, fishable waters close to the lodge. Many operations can boast excellent riverside homewater like the legendary Kvichak, Naknek, or Alagnak Rivers. However, very few can offer the variety of homewater fisheries of Tikchik Narrows Lodge, thanks to the incredible Tikchik Lake system that the lodge sits amid. Here’s my short list for TNL’s best homewater fishing.

1. The Narrows

The short “river” that connects Nuyakuk and Tikchik Lakes. This bottleneck is the founding fishery for which Tikchik Narrows Lodge was built. We won’t talk numbers, but when you hit it right, you’ll never forget it.

2. Sad Face

The dramatic cliff of Sad Face and the surrounding formations is just the backdrop to this back slough secret. It is common to catch 40”+ Northern Pike in this area, and it’s only a short boat ride from the lodge.

3. The Falls

See photo below. Enough said.

4. Northwest Passage

Another short river connecting Lakes Chauekuktuli and Nuyakuk in the Tikchik system, the NW Passage offers incredible fishing for Arctic Char, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, and the occasional Rainbow.

5. Allen River

Just across the lake from the NW Passage is the legendary Allen River. You won’t find any trophy trout up the Allen, but the scenery and remote setting is unmatched. You can catch Arctic Grayling on dry flies in a dreamlike slot canyon squeezed between two waterfalls. And of course, enjoy the picnic.

6. Tikchik River

Just a short boat ride away from the lodge is one of TNL’s smokin’ aces for trophy Rainbow Trout. During the sockeye spawn, large to very large lake Rainbows follow the salmon up the river to gorge on eggs. The lodge doesn’t own the Tikchik River, but they might as well with its close proximity and zero crowds.

Honorable Mention: The Islands, Caribou Slough, Strike Zone, Mirror Bay