TOM & BRYAN’S ALASKAN SUMMER ADVENTURE PT 1 : THE EGORF CAMP, BRISTOL BAY
Day one of Yellow Dog’s 2014 Alaskan Tour had us flying in a Cessna 185 floatplane from Dillingham, AK to the upper stretches of the Nushagak River with legendary Alaskan bush pilot and outfitter, Dave Edgorf. Yellow Dog photographer Bryan Gregson and I had definitely heard of the Edgorf camp’s stellar reputation and location for unbelievable rainbow trout and Pacific Salmon fishing, but nothing could prepare us for what we would experience in the next few days.The Egdorf’s are one of the most kind and genuine families you will ever run into, and their knowledge of the Bristol Bay region and fishery is unmatched to say the least! After one of the most scenic and exhilarating floatplane flights either of us had ever experienced (you’re the man Dave) we arrived to the banks of the Western Alaskan Sportfishing camp for what would be an incredible next few days. During our week, we had the opportunity to spend each day on the water with Yellow Dog advisory staff member and badass guide Camille Egdorf, whose guiding techniques and knowledge of the Nushagak watershed are unparalleled.
Camille and the Egdorf team definitely know their water, and had us into trout and salmon almost constantly over the next four days. With almost zero angling pressure and great numbers of all five species of Pacific Salmon, rainbow trout, arctic char and grayling, the Upper Nush leaves you feeling as if you stepped back into the Alaskan wilderness well over 50 years ago. Be sure to check out Camille’s film “Forget Me Knot” she put together in the summer of 2012 on the Upper Nush to get an idea of the camp and program.
Besides just great fishing, one of our favorite and most commented aspects of our visit was how at home and comfortable the Egdorf family and staff make you feel during your stay. The Egdorf camp is without a doubt an extremely remote and fishing focused operation in the Alaskan bush, but Dave and camp manager/chef extraordinaire Kim Egdorf go above and beyond to deliver an experience that will leave even the most seasoned angler wanting to come back as soon as possible. During your stay with the Egdorf’s, there will never be a shortage of hearty meals, roaring campfires, great fishing, cowboy coffee, or Alaskan wilderness stories, but above all else a passion to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. Thanks Dave, Kim, Camille and the entire Western Alaskan Sportfishing staff for showing us the “real Alaskan experience”, and can’t wait to get back up to see you again and all the upper “Nush” has to offer!
Stay tuned for part two of Yellow Dog’s 2014 Alaskan Tour, and contact Yellow Dog today to learn more about Alaska Fly Fishing opportunities.
