Moraine Creek
The dream stream that won't disappoint
Katmai National Preserve
Alaska's Premier Trophy Trout & Bear Viewing Experience
Moraine Creek is the dream stream that won't disappoint! Located 220 miles southwest of Anchorage in Katmai National Preserve, this remarkable waterway consistently yields football-shaped, brightly colored trout in the 20-26 inch range with occasional 30-inch fish. What makes the Moraine truly special is the sheer abundance of sockeye salmon that draws seriously large, hungry trophy rainbow trout from nearby lakes like Kukaklek.
This isn't your typical river float where you just drift all day — think of it as a strategic journey! We comfortably transport ourselves and our gear over about 16 miles of river using our high-quality rafts, moving strategically from one amazing fly fishing hotspot to the next.
You'll spend significant time wading, giving you that hands-on connection with the river. While the Moraine is open for a long season (June 8 to October 31), we specifically focus our guided Alaska fishing trips around mid-August when the egg drop is at its peak and fly fishing for big rainbows is simply phenomenal!
The Moraine offers unparalleled opportunities to view and photograph brown bears in their natural habitat, feasting on this incredible salmon resource. This trip is truly a dream for wildlife photographers — so absolutely bring your camera!
WHAT: Trip Details & Specifications
Trip Dates & Rates
August 12 - August 18
$7,495 per person
August 20 - August 26
$7,495 per person
Standard Style pricing shown • Inquire about Moraine/Alagnak combo trip • Trip Insurance is required
Essential Information
Trip Length: 7 Days / 6 Nights
River Distance: 16 Miles Strategic Float
Group Size: 4 Anglers Maximum
Location: Katmai National Preserve
Access Point: King Salmon, Alaska
Prime Target: 20-30" Trophy Rainbow Trout
Safety: Electric fence protection at all camps
For the best success, we rely heavily on 6mm and 8mm beads in a variety of colors, plus flesh flies and streamers. Mid-August timing is crucial when the egg drop is at its peak. The rainbows in Moraine Creek are long-lived and savvy, some showing battle scars from being hooked multiple times. We've seen firsthand how using pegged eggs significantly helps protect these incredible fish from hook-related mortality.
WHERE & WHEN: Location & Timing
Region: Southwest Alaska
Distance from Anchorage: 220 miles
Protected Area: Katmai National Preserve
Access: Float plane from King Salmon
Setting: Remote wilderness with no road access
Nearby Waters: Connected to Kukaklek Lake system
Season Window: June 8 - October 31
Our Focus: Mid-August peak fishing
Why August: Peak egg drop and aggressive fish
Water Conditions: Strategic wading opportunities
Bear Activity: Peak brown bear viewing season
Photography: Exceptional wildlife opportunities
HOW: Trip Structure & Experience
Strategic Float Approach
Unlike continuous drifting operations, our approach is about strategic positioning. We use high-quality rafts to move comfortably between productive zones, then anchor and wade the prime water thoroughly. This gives you more quality fishing time and that intimate connection with the river that wading provides.
Exclusive Access Advantage
Our float trips offer something lodge guests rarely experience — fishing before and after daily plane traffic, giving you the river to yourself with just your fellow anglers. You can't precisely predict how many other folks you'll see on the Moraine on any given day, but what you can absolutely count on is catching numerous trophy rainbow trout.
Camp & Safety
All our Moraine Creek camps are protected with electric fencing for your safety and peace of mind. This allows you to relax and enjoy the wilderness experience while brown bears go about their natural behaviors nearby.
"The red ones are sockeye, the dark ones are rainbows, and the brown ones... well, those are bears!"
WHY: The Moraine Creek Advantage
Trophy Rainbow Paradise
Consistently produces football-shaped, brightly colored trout in the 20-26 inch range with occasional 30-inch specimens. The sheer abundance of sockeye salmon draws seriously large, hungry trophy rainbows from nearby Kukaklek Lake, creating one of Alaska's most productive trophy trout fisheries.
World-Class Bear Viewing
Unparalleled opportunities to view and photograph Alaska's magnificent brown bears in their natural habitat, feasting on spawning sockeye salmon. This is a wildlife photographer's dream destination with exceptional photo opportunities that lodge guests rarely experience.
Strategic Float Fishing
16 miles of strategic movement from hotspot to hotspot with significant wading time. Unlike operations that drift continuously, we position ourselves at productive zones and wade thoroughly, giving you that hands-on connection with the river and more quality fishing time.
Peak August Timing
Mid-August fishing when the egg drop is at its peak and fly fishing for big rainbows is phenomenal. These long-lived, savvy fish travel miles up the creek to feast on sockeye salmon eggs and flesh, making them aggressive and catchable on properly presented beads and flesh flies.
Exclusive River Access
Float trips offer something lodge guests rarely experience — fishing before and after daily plane traffic. This gives you the river to yourself with just your fellow anglers, creating a more intimate and productive fishing experience without the crowds.
Pristine Katmai Wilderness
Located in Katmai National Preserve, one of Alaska's most spectacular protected wilderness areas. Experience untouched nature, abundant wildlife, and stunning mountain vistas in one of the last great wilderness areas on Earth.
Safety & Comfort
All Moraine Creek camps are protected with electric fencing, allowing you to relax and enjoy the wilderness experience safely. High-quality rafts and professional guide service ensure comfort and security throughout your adventure.
Fish of a Lifetime
While you'll catch numerous trophy rainbows, what you can absolutely count on is the legitimate opportunity for that truly epic "fish of a lifetime." The Moraine consistently produces the kind of memorable fish that become the stories you tell for decades.
What's Included & Excluded
INCLUDED
- Expert professional guide service
- Float plane transportation King Salmon to river & return
- All camping equipment & facilities
- Spacious tents with cots & chairs
- Custom rafts with comfortable seating
- All meals from dinner first day to lunch last day
- Snacks, beverages & purified water
- Electric fence camp protection
- Satellite communication for emergencies
- First aid & safety equipment
- Wildlife viewing opportunities
- Fishing instruction & techniques
NOT INCLUDED
- Commercial airfare to/from Alaska
- Alaska fishing license ($145 + King stamp $100)
- Accommodations in King Salmon (night before trip)
- Personal fishing equipment & tackle
- Alcoholic beverages (bring your own)
- Trip insurance (REQUIRED)
- Guide gratuities (15-20% customary)
- Bush pilot gratuity ($50-100)
- Personal items & toiletries
- Travel to/from King Salmon
- Meals in King Salmon or during travel
After thirty years of Alaska wilderness guiding, we've learned that true value transcends simple cost comparisons. While fishing trips span every price range, cutting costs often means cutting corners on the details that matter most. The difference isn't always visible in marketing materials—it's felt in guides who anticipate rather than react, equipment that performs when conditions get tough, and camp operations so refined they become invisible. These experiences, where every detail reflects uncompromising standards, create the adventures that become stories you'll tell for decades.
What Our Guests Say
"Moraine Creek is the dream stream that truly doesn't disappoint. The combination of trophy rainbow fishing and world-class bear viewing creates an experience unlike anything else in Alaska. Our guides' knowledge of the river and strategic approach to fishing the prime spots made all the difference. Every day brought incredible fishing and unforgettable wildlife encounters."
Experience Moraine Creek
Join the ranks of anglers who've discovered Alaska's dream stream
Alaska Rainbow Adventures
P.O. Box 874570 • Wasilla, AK 99687-4570