Ouzel has operated our Alaska fishing expeditions on over 40 different rivers in Alaska since 1978. If you would like to know more about what a particular river is like during a certain time, give us a call. 1-800-825-8196. Our goal is to take you to the best stream at the best time to be there. We match your fishing interests to the wide variety of rivers in Alaska. All summer long we have fantastic rivers with fresh runs of salmon, Rainbows, Char & Grayling! Generally speaking Alaska has King, Chum and Sockey Salmon running in July. August the Silvers and Pinks come in. That said, some streams we float have fresh runs of Sockeye, Silver and Chum Salmon in mid August. So give us a call and we can tell you what is running when on a wide variety of rivers in Alaska.
Ouzel's Kamchatka Fishing Expeditions operate mainly for Rainbow Trout fishing. The Rainbow are river resident. They live there year round. That said, after 20 years of fishing Kamchatka we have found that any time from mid July through all of September is excellent. We've run trips there in May, June and early July as well as through the end of October. October the days are getting shorter and the temperatures really start dropping down.
Kings run June and early July, about the same times as they do in Alaska, maybe a little earlier. Salmon runs are river specific. Salmon come in at different times of year on different rivers. For example: Silvers run in August in some rivers, September in other rivers and not until October in other rivers.
PAUL- Good job on the new video! You did a great job! We certainly have some good fly fishermen. Greatest river in the world! Best outfitter anywhere! What else could anyone ask for?....ARCHIE ADAMS
Eric Rauch's illustrated letter to his fly fishing club. Click here!
Just a note to say thanks again for the outstanding trip. Everything, from beginning to end was top shelf and both Loren and myself appreciate the extra efforts of Ouzel Expeditions. I'll be passing the word along to anyone contemplating an Alaskan adventure. Mark Kail Holland, Michigan.
Godon Cox letter to the Angling Report. Click here!
Just a note to let you know how much I enjoyed the long awaited float trip. It was everything I had hoped for and more. The fishing was spectacular, the scenery was magnificent, the food delicious, and what great hospitality! You should be proud of Ouzel Expeditions. It is a first class organization utilizing accomplished guides and top rate equipment. Thanks so much for sharing Alaska. Denny Baker Clemens, Iowa
Jerry Estruth's Article. Click here!
At times it feels like yesterday that we were in Alaska floating down the river catching those big boys and eating steak at camp. We all had a wonderful time and wanted to thank you for a fantastic trip. Your hospitality friendliness & professionalism was the best I've ever experienced. I would not hesitate to send everyone I know your way if they are looking for a guided trip in Alaska. Todd Grover Wilmette, Illinois
Daniel Carpenter's Article. Click here!
I didn't want to let too much time slip by before I wrote to tell you what a a fabulous time we all had on the Salmon river trip. It was wonderful almost beyond description, and we were well prepared and well equipped thanks to you and all the information you provided to us. Fishing was great, as you predicted for that week. Weather was perfect. I can't speak highly enough of our guides. They were some of the friendliest, funniest, and hardest working people I have ever met........ Jim Bates Port Orchard, Washington
Just a note to tell you how much I enjoyed the trip down the Salmon river. It was a fantastic experience.. We were blessed with good weather, and the fishing was everything I had hoped for and more. But beyond that, I thought that your preparations and staff were superb. The guides were really great, informative, customer oriented, and so much fun to be with. The food was fine, tasty, and well prepared. The trip was one of those events that is in the top ten of my life. Jerry Smith Emerald Isle, North Carolina
I am writing this letter just to thank you for the wonderful time I had with my three sons on the Rainbow River. The fishing was unparalleled with any place that we have visited for fly fishing. The trip preparation including the camp sites and food was outstanding. This was a totally enjoyable experience that ranks at the top of our fishing vacations! Clare R. VanWieren, D.D.S. Holland, Michigan
I Just returned from the Salmon River trip and just wanted to say it was one of the best weeks of my life. I want to thank the guides. They put us on fish, were exemplary in their regard of the environment, and were just plain good company. Everything was first rate. Your crew did an outstanding job. I would not hesitate to go with you again. Thanks again, I never caught as many fish, and as many big fish as I did with you in Alaska. Chuck McGill Stratford, Wisconsin
2. You have increased fishing time. You couldn't be any closer to the fishing. We camp at hot fishing holes. At 5 o'clock you don't have to stop fishing like when you go to a lodge. Many die hard fishers join us for this reason alone!
3. A raft can cross or hold in water that stops a pair of chest waders cold. We can put you on the hot fishing holes, one after another all day long.
4. You can present your hook to a fish in the most effective way from a drifting raft.
5. Our rafts give you a huge range. We go where jet boats and airplanes can't. We float about 10 miles a day, just the right balance of drift fishing from the boat and wade fishing from the bank. We stop at hole after hole, all day long. It is impossible to just wade the enormous area we cover.
6. Solitude. This quiet way of traveling offers more opportunities for relaxing and seeing wildlife in it's natural surroundings. Our trips take you on a journey through the most wild and beautiful country in Alaska!
7. The "experience" shared by a group of people on an adventure through remote, breath taking wilderness is something that you will remember forever. Many of our guests re-join their new found friends on other vacations with Ouzel. 70% of our guests each year have been with us previously.
Some fishers want to catch certain species. Our experience on a wide variety of rivers gives us knowledge of many Salmon runs across Alaska. King season, our busiest time, starts in late June and runs through July. Silver season, next busiest, runs from August through September. Our variety of rivers extends the season on these two most popular Salmon. Sockeye are the third most popular salmon and run from early July through August and into September on some streams.
Rainbow Grayling and Char.
More discriminating fishers join us each year for Rainbows. The season opens June 8th in Bristol Bay, an excellent time to go. Late July and early August is a real hot time for Rainbows on a variety of rivers. Grayling and Char fishing is excellent all summer long. The best time of all is September and October. The fat Rainbows start running out of eggs and have to look a little harder to get something to eat.
Catch & Release Fishing.
We have practiced catch & release fishing on all our streams for years, now it's the law for Rainbow Trout everywhere we go. We fish with single hooks only and keep enough fresh Salmon or Char for dinner and breakfast. We're an ecologicly minded company and have believed in the conservation of our countries natural resources since the 60s.
Our guides are there to help you get the most out of your vacation. They do the cooking and camp chores. Our oarsmen have experience on white-water as well as calm rivers. They are skilled fishermen and can help you with knots, flies, casting, spinning and where and how to fish. Many of our guests are expert fishers and don’t want much help. Our guides can hike with you so you can photograph and learn about the flora and fauna.
We serve fresh meats and vegetables cooked in dutch ovens on gas stoves and over fires. Sumptuous meals like char broiled steak, spaghetti, fresh broiled salmon, turkey and mexican food are served family style for dinner. Breakfasts offer a variety of things: pancakes, hot cereal, fresh fish, bacon, eggs, coffee and juice. Lunches are sandwiches, chips, and candy. We serve hors d’oeuvres before dinner. Please make special requests 1 month ahead of time.
We provide several kinds of high quality tents for your sleeping comfort: North Face, REI and Cabela's. They are roomy expedition quality tents and are extremely water & wind proof. You stay dry and warm in them. We provide waterproof bags for your personal gear. We also provide self-inflating sleeping pads. We don't provide sleeping bags. Our SOTAR rafts are American made in 14, 16 and 18 foot lengths. SOTAR rafts are the best professional quality river rafts. These comfortable rafts are oar powered by our experienced guides. We use aluminum boat boxes rowing frames and large ice chests. You fish from these oar powered rafts with skilled oarsmen drifting you through beautiful holding waters and scenery. Communications: We go into remote wilderness on our trips. In case of emergency we carry hand held aviation radios or satellite phones. We can talk to overflying airplanes to ask for help if needed. You can get your Alaskan fishing license at many drugstores, sporting goods or convenience stores. You can order online from Alaska department of fish and game from a link on our website. Waders: This is really a matter of personal choice. Simms Gortex waders are the top of the line. Click here to see Ouzel's list of clothing, and all fishing tackle for Kamchatka.
We will send you complete lists of clothing, flies, rods and reels along with descriptions of everything you need to know to get the most our of your fishing vacation. Or you can download them right here for Kamchatka. Or here for Alaska. or here for the Brooks Range.
Alaska Fishing trips: We recommend the Courtyard Marriott Hotel, 1-800-314-0782 or (907) 245-0322. They provide free shuttle service to and from the airport and they can store your extra suitcases and unwanted things while you are on the river. It works well for everyone going on the trip to stay at the same place. Day before the trip in Anchorage 1. Alaska trips originate in Anchorage. 2. Spend the night before the trip in Anchorage. Arrive sometime around 3 pm the day before the trip. 3. Take your hotel’s free shuttle service. When you get to your room, call us. We’ll arrange to meet you and give you your waterproof bags at around 5 pm. 4. Have a good breakfast the morning your trip departs. We travel a long way the first day. 5. The first morning take the hotel shuttle to the airport or to Lake Hood. Ouzel will meet you there one hour before your flight departs.
Brooks Range trips we meet in Fairbanks the day before the trip. We recommend the Marriott in Fairbanks, Spring Hill Suites. 1 907-451-6552. Pretty much thes same as above only in Fairbanks.
Kamchatka trips: We meet you in Petropavlovsk Kamchatka. We provide waterproof bags in Kamchatka too. We meet you at the airport and provide transportation to a hotel if you arrive the day before the trip. We also arrange for your hotel in Petropavlovs. If you arrive the morning of the trip we take you right to the helicopter base. We'll have your waterproof bags there for you if you need them.
Every year we like to explore a new river or two. Alaska has places you can explore where no one else or few others have seen. We have found that the further off the beaten path you get, the better the fishing is! You also see more animals and less people. Imagine the excitement of being the first of only a handful of people who have ever floated a remote wild river! At last count we have floated over 40 different rivers Alaska, dozens in the continental US, a few in Canada and 11 in Russia. Normally, we set up exploratory trips at our past clients requests, but anyone can join in. Remote river explorations cost may be high due to additional air freight and logistical costs, but the payoff is yours in excitement! These trips prices vary with the additional costs involved.
Give us a call on our toll free number 1-800-825-8196
Ouzel Expeditions will not be responsible for additional meals, lodging or other expenses due to delayed flights, weather or other delays. We will not be responsible for natural acts such as but not limited to: weather, storms, rain, floods or salmon run timing. We reserve the right to change the trips itineraries and to change the river at our discretion.
Cancellation Policy
A complete refund (minus $100 per person service charge) will be given if written notice is received by us more than 60 days prior to your trip’s departure, or you can apply your deposit to a future expedition. 60 days or less prior to your trip’s departure no refunds or credits will be given. After trips completion no refunds or credits will be given for any reason. Trip Insurance from Travel Guard International is available and we encourage you to buy it.
We arrange our vacations from June into October on a first come first served basis for groups of fishing friends, couples, families and individuals. Flexibility to best fit your fishing desires and vacation times is one of our major concerns. Group sizes vary from 4 to 9 guests. We have 1 guide and raft for every 2 or 3 guests. Trips are normally 6 to 8 days. Trips 10 days or longer can be arranged, 6 days is our shortest trip. Individual fishermen or pairs are accommodated within our existing groups. Early reservations are advised. Please call our TOLL FREE number 1-800-825-8196 for space availability and more details. Your phone call will hold your reservations after that a $2000 deposit per person is required after that. Final payment is required 60 days prior to your trips departure. We take MasterCard and Visa We make airline reservations for you from Anchorage to King Salmon, Dillingham, Bethel or wherever your trip requires. (Jet flight prices to our jump off points are controlled by the airlines and are subject to change.) You pay us directly for these flights. Payments for jet flights are due with the final payment.
Click here to view our 2011 Kamchatka Itinerary
Click here to view our Alaska brochure
Click here to view our Ouzel Expeditions Brook Range brochure.
