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Flyfish and Float the Kobuk River, Gates of the Arctic National Preserve, Alaska Highlights:
Includes:
Trip Number: 09028A Price: $4345 Deposit: $200 Capacity: 4 Leader:
The Trip  Photo: Ken Olson Fishing and floating a hundred miles through the Kobuk Valley is a fine introduction to the Alaskan wilderness. During our time above the Arctic Circle we'll work our way through territory traditionally used by the native people for subsistence activities. Fish are abundant during the fall and the sounds and sights of whirring reels and bent rods makes for an angling adventure. The long days and short nights give us ample opportunity to test the waters for our piscatorial quarry. Most of our fish will be released, but a few will make it to the pan. Wildlife and birds are on the move preparing for their fall migrations and our opportunities for viewing them are improved during this time of increased activity. This trip is an excellent first wilderness trip in Alaska. It is a raft trip designed to provide ample opportunity for fishing. Hiking and tromping through the bush will be limited. You will be in and around water during the duration of the venture; therefore, suitable gear is important.
 Photo: Ken Olson On our first day we will meet at Bettles, a small village north of Fairbanks reachable only by plane during the summer. We will fly from there by float plane to a small lake in the Brooks Range where we will camp for the first night of our trip. During the ensuing days we will fish and float our way downstream, camping as we go. We'll stop to fish likely looking water, eat our lunch meals streamside, and camp within sight of the river. Getting There Fairbanks, Alaska, is reachable by several commercial air carriers. Flying on to Bettles will be on one of several scheduled regional air services. You only need a one-way ticket to Bettles because, at the end of the float, we will fly as a group from the village of Kobuk (the end of our float) back to Fairbanks. We'll coordinate the flight to Bettles so we can travel as a group.
We will be camping throughout the trip. Meals will be varied and include some of our catch.
This is not a strenuous trip though long days fishing can sap your energy. It is a water trip and we must pack our personal gear so it remains dry. We must expect some inclement weather, but there is the likelihood we'll have some warm sunny days along the way. At the timing of our trip, normal night-time temperature may dip near freezing. We need to be prepared for cold weather. Normally, temperatures will be in the 50's and 60's all day. Mountain weather is a blend of fair and foul and is not predictable. Being properly attired in suitable clothing assures our comfort in virtually any weather. Be prepared: there is no bad weather, only bad gear.
Trip participants are expected to furnish their own personal gear. The Club will provide commissary equipment including pots, pans, cooking utensils, stoves, and a large tarp. Rafts, life jackets, oars, tarps, and a first aid kit are provided. A more complete list will be sent to participants. First and foremost, you will need a DRY BAG in which to put your personal gear. Other important items include:
Maps: “ Ambler River ”, “Shungnak” and “Hughes” 1:125,000 USGS maps show the total trip area at a scale of four miles to the inch. Contact U.S. Geological Survey.
Conservation Under the Alaska Native Claims Act of 1971 and the Alaska National Interest Land Conservation Act of 1980, Alaska Natives gave up their sovereign rights to lands in Alaska—land that has been freely used by aboriginal people for thousands of years. In return, Alaska Natives and other rural residents were guaranteed the right to continue subsistence use of the newly created federal lands. They could hunt, fish, gather plant products, and use the resources of the land. For the National Park Service in northwest Alaska, subsistence means local residents are guaranteed the right to continue their customary uses of the lands which are now national parks, monuments, and preserves. Local people can hunt, fish, and gather berries on all park lands. This is unlike most national parks or monuments in the Lower-48, where hunting is not allowed, and resources are protected from many consumptive uses. During our float through the Gates of the Arctic National Preserve, we will discuss the current management practices on the National Park Service and the fine balance required to preserve the beauty and wild Arctic environment, and still assist the preservation of the rich cultural heritage of the Inupiat Eskimos which dates back nearly 10,000 years. We will be able to compare the differences between federal and private lands as we leave the Preserve and move along private lands on our way to the village of Kobuk. Sierra Club outings in Alaska and Arctic Canada are special experiences in true wilderness, but they also carry an element of risk. Trip locales are often remote, away from the amenities of civilization, including sophisticated medical care and immediate evacuation possibilities. Many of our Alaska and Arctic Canada trips now carry satellite phones, but even with this technology, communication with the outside world can be difficult and emergency assistance can be days away. Weather in Alaska and Arctic Canada is unpredictable, and inclement weather can be severe. Among other hazards are cold river and stream crossings, tidal activity, calving glaciers, the psychological effects of remoteness, and the presence of large wild animals. You're in good hands, though, so don't worry: Your trip leaders have vast experience in the Last Frontier, and they'll provide all the guidance you need.
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy. The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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Chuck Schultz has led hiking, canoeing, rafting, van, and fishing trips throughout Alaska, the western United States, and in the Andes of South America. In Alaska, he has backpacked in the Brooks Range, canoed and rafted Arctic and sub-Arctic rivers, and kayaked on Prince William Sound. A native Californian, Chuck has hiked and fished through much of the Coast Ranges and the Sierra. With the attitude of giving something back, he enjoys sharing our public lands with others, be it close to home or on an Arctic adventure.