Royal Wolf Lodge in Katmai National Park, is a new lodge to Frontiers. It's a luxury lodge with 20 daily fly-out destinations to choose from. Their beautiful lodge is on a heavily forested mountaintop, overlooking a series of small lakes and the Nonvianuk River. Their strategic location within Katmai National Park and Preserve allows us quick access to some of the best rainbow trout fishing in the world.

Bristol Bay and Katmai Trout

Southwestern Alaska’s rainbow trout are as diverse as the landscapes they inhabit. In these isolated waters, there are basically two types of trout: lake fish and river fish. In the vast depths of Lake Iliamna and Nonvianuk Lake, where the water is warm and teeming with life, lake-dwelling rainbow trout grow large and powerful, resembling their ocean-going cousins, the steelhead. These magnificent chrome-colored giants descend into area rivers, flashing silver in the cool Alaskan waters.

Then, there are the river fish—the year-round residents of Alaska’s smaller streams and tributaries. Referred to as leopard rainbow trout, they are a marvel of the wild, covered in striking, vivid spots that extend even into their eyes. These fish are the true embodiment of Alaska's wilderness, hardy and beautiful, thriving in the clear rivers that carve through the rugged terrain around the lodge.

Key season dates and highlights: June 7 – October 3, 2025

June and July

Highlights: Fish salmon smolt patterns, dry flies, nymphs, dry-droppers, streamers, and mice.
June and July are prime for trout anglers, offering some of the best rainbow fishing. The trout have just finished spawning and are returning from regional lakes. This time also marks the smolt out-migration, when young salmon head to the sea, becoming a key food source for hungry trout. The trout, now abundant and in prime feeding lanes, position themselves to ambush smolt, making it an ideal time for anglers. These trout, having not seen a fly in months, eagerly take smolt patterns just under the surface. It's also a great time for variety, with dry flies, nymphs, dry-droppers, streamers, fry, and mice all effective.

The number one reason we recommend fishing in June is the variety of techniques an angler can use. In a single week in June, one can fish dry flies, nymphs, dry-droppers, streamers, fry, and mice.

August

Highlights: The salmon egg drop. The feeding frenzy begins!
By early August, the small streams are teeming with the first sockeye salmon spawn of the season, drawing in trout, Arctic char, and grayling eager to feast on the ample eggs. The fishing operation takes advantage of this prime time by exploring a variety of small to mid-sized streams. Some are accessible by foot for a walk-and-wade experience, while others you’ll use jet boats for access. For a select few streams, anglers are flown in with small rafts, offering the chance to float and fish for the day. As mid-August arrives, the focus shifts to the larger rivers, where the first trophy trout of the season are eagerly awaited. The lodge keeps boats stashed on various river, allowing for daily fly-in trips for an amazing fishing experience.

September

Highlights:  Biggest trout of the season, Arctic Char fishing is on fire.
September brings a transition for trout fishing in Alaska's Bristol Bay, with conditions shifting daily. Many of the smaller streams that were productive in the previous month begin to slow as salmon spawning numbers dwindle. However, the rivers come alive, as it hosts the largest rainbow trout in Alaska. The fishing operation also focuses on bigger rivers for large rainbow trout, as well as several other mid-sized rivers known for their rainbow trout and char. These fish, having fed on salmon eggs for the past month, will be exceptionally healthy and strong. Flesh flies, articulated leaches, and

For those big fish hunters seeking a trophy class rainbow trout, September offers an ideal opportunity. On the larger rivers, trout ranging from 24 to 30 inches are a reality. This month is also the best time to encounter large, colored up lake-run Arctic char.

Royal Wolf will tailor your trip to your individual comfort level. Boats are available on nearly all the rivers, and raft trips require minimal walking. Your experience can be customized based on your preferences. Simply communicate your needs when reserving, and we’ll ensure your professional Alaska fly-fishing guides are informed.

Contact Tom Gilliland to hear more and see open space available.