OUTPOST Camp Season Summary, 2017

10.22.17

2017 was likely the largest chum salmon run we’ve seen to date at the OUTPOST camp.

Fishing

We have fortunately been a broken record for the last several years, but 2017 was another incredibly strong season of fly fishing in Bristol Bay at our Alaska Wilderness OUTPOST camp. It was that good… again.

A nice trout caught in late July

The rainbow trout fishing this season was even better than 2016. Historically, the trout fishing tapers across July as massive numbers of Dolly Varden and salmon overwhelm the watershed. But this year the trout fishing remained relatively good even in the latter half of July.

The strong Dolly Varden trend continues in OUTPOST creek throughout July. Literally, nearly all fish were between 16 and 24 inches, with a few 26 to 28 inch fish landed. They readily chased top-water mice patterns and crush streamers, but egg imitations are still the most productive pattern.

By a mere thumbnail’s width, the largest Dolly caught during week 2. (Sorry, Dave.)

We caught a LOT of salmon this season – the king salmon run was exceptional and the chum salmon run was the most prolific we’ve seen to date. It seems like more than average pink salmon were landed for an “off year” – even year pink runs are much larger than odd years in Bristol Bay. There were no sockeye salmon landed this season.

The king salmon run was very good in 2017.

The grayling fishing was very good and on par with previous seasons – big numbers of fish caught on streamers, eggs and especially dry flies.

Wildlife

Although we saw moose, caribou, fox and wolf tracks throughout the season, I don’t recall seeing any of those animals this season. On the flip side, the bear activity and bear sightings were above average.

General

The weather was fairly favorable overall. Mother Nature blessed us with a good mix of sun, clouds and drizzle/light rain. We had no real heavy rain events like 2016.

Bear sightings were higher than average this season.

Water levels were overall lower than normal all season long, but water temps remained healthy throughout. The snow pack on the mountains was definitely heavier when we arrived camp compared to the last couple of seasons.

Finally, the bugs were fairly tolerable all season long.

Thanks again Mother Nature for working in our favor in 2017.

2017 Outpost camp photo gallery is ready to view!

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