goodnewsriver.com premium float fishing trips on
Alaska's Goodnews River

The sound of the float plane fades in the distance and quiet surrounds you. Your senses take in the spectacular scenery, crystal clear waters and crisp clean air. Then it happens, you realize just how far from cities, roads, crowds and cell phones, you are. A smile appears on your face and you think to yourself .. "this is truly an incredible place" to be!
Taking a self-contained float trip down one of Alaska's wilderness rivers in itself is a remarkable experience, taking one down a river having the reputation for what may be one of the finest float fishing trips in the world is truly a trip of a lifetime, especially when traveling on an Goodnews river float trip with the expert guides of Alaska Rainbow Adventures. The Goodnews River is located in southwestern Alaska, and flows within the boundaries of the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge and the upper portion is within the Togiak Refuge Wilderness area. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service regulates commercial float trips on the river and the special use permit awarded to Alaska Rainbow Adventures allow us to offer you float trips during the prime fishing dates for a Goodnews river float fishing trip. Be it to pursue the mighty Chinook or King Salmon in midsummer, Silver Salmon in the fall or the truly beautiful leopard rainbows found here in excellent numbers all season, an Goodnews River Float Trip with Alaska Rainbow Adventures delivers!

Flowing out of the Ahklun mountains some fifty five miles from where it empties into Kuskokwim Bay near the Alaska Native village of Goodnews Bay. The Goodnews River actually consists of several forks, the South, Middle and North forks, the latter two offering access for our float trips and can be considered as different waters as they join up within a just few miles of the ocean. Our permits allow us to operate trips on either the North or Middle forks both of which are intimate in size and It is here amongst moderately braided channels, deep holes and fast moving waters we will find some of the best fishing available in Alaska and where we will focus the majority of our angling efforts while floating, wading and fishing the Goodnews river.

Our trips on the Goodnews river offer some of the most consistent angling for the dates we offer.
 

Goodnews Salmon Run Timing
Salmon Species	Lower River	Mid and Upper River
Chinook (King)	Late June	July
Chum (Dog)	July	Mid to late July
Sockeye (Red)	July	Mid to late July
Pink (Humpies)	Late July	August (even years)
Coho (Silvers)	August	Mid August -September

Beginning with our trips in late June into mid July you can expect to find rainbow trout, lake trout, arctic grayling, fresh king, chum and sockeye salmon. Towards the end of July and into early August there are rainbow trout, sea run dolly varden, lake trout, arctic grayling, spawning king, chum & sockeye salmon as well as an all time angler favorite, fresh silver salmon and the end of August into September fall colors and excellent angling for rainbow trout, dolly varden, lake trout, arctic grayling, sockeye salmon, fresh silvers.

About Our Goodnews River Fishing Programs:
We offer three different float trip packages on the Goodnews river, these are our Fisherman's Deluxe, Standard Deluxe and Intimate River style float trips. Each of these options offer a different level of service with the least expensive option being what we have come to call our "intimate rivers" package utilizing smaller rafts, expedition tents, and fewer amenities then the two deluxe trips and should be considered as an 'roughing it' bare bones style trip. comparable to what most other operators offer as standard Alaska float trip fare.

Our two deluxe trips, the Fisherman's Deluxe and Standard Deluxe We also call them our "Deluxe Alaska Lodge Style Float Trips" Because the accommodations are like no other you will find on an Alaska float trip anywhere. Accommodations on our deluxe Goodnews river float trips are in spacious, high quality tents made right here in Alaska. for Alaska conditions. Each of these tents is used to house two anglers in which you can stand in comfortably and come equipped with cots, sleeping pads and chairs. This provides you ample space for your gear, as well as a comfortable retreat should the weather become inclement. Also on these trips are our custom built large gathering / dinning tent capable of holding the entire group for dining or as a gathering area. All guests are welcome to hang out in this common space for drinks, fly tying and socializing. Other comforts such as available hot showers, toilet facilities and other little touches that make an Alaska Rainbow Adventures deluxe trip on the Goodnews river a cut above all others.


Where the two deluxe trips differ is that on the Fisherman's Deluxe trip there is a two to one guest / guide ratio with two anglers and their guide floating the Goodnews in custom built drifter rafts each equipped with custom frames that have casting stations front and rear allowing for an exceptional angling experience. There is also an additional gear-boat that carries much of the camp gear and the majority of bags. Of course we still spend as much time as possible wading for fish. The additional guide/camp hand also assists in the setting up and taking down camp and assisting where necessary with guiding duties. The drifter rafts, being lightly loaded and equipped with anchor systems are able to thereby access almost any run on the river much like a drift boat and are highly maneuverable as well. Our Goodnews river standard deluxe float trips offer the same camping amenities but no gear / bag boat or extra camp hand and a two or three to one guest / guide ratio depending on overall group size. These float trips require some participation and group effort. Your participation with unloading the rafts, moving camp gear and taking down sleep tents each morning is greatly appreciated. Each day anglers will rotate guides enabling everyone to fish with each member of the staff.

Sample Itinerary: Day 1: Fly to scenic Goodnews Lake from Dillingham, float downstream a few miles fishing along the way. 2-7: Floating and fishing the Goodnews River, focus will be on the portion of the river within the wilderness area with a two night layover day at some point. Day 8: Morning fishing around last camp, mid-day transfer to village of Goodnews Bay for flight to Dillingham. Most guests fly on to Anchorage and either overnight in Anchorage or red eye home after their Goodnews River fishing trip.