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In Yakutat: (907)784-3697     E-mail: ***CLICK HERE***     Toll-free Message Only: 1-866-737-1123

backestuary.jpg (31862 bytes)The Rivers

Just a few hundred years ago,  the Yakutat Foreland was still covered with massive ice sheets.  As the glaciers melted,  the tremendous weight of ice 1000 feet thick was relieved.  This crushing weight depressed the crust of the earth, which could now rebound to its higher elevation.  This could be a slow and gradual process rising just a few inches over time,  or it could happen in a quick,  dramatic jolt.

The Italio System:

newpinks12.jpg (72454 bytes)The 7.8 earthquake in 1958,  as large as the 1906 San Francisco quake,  caused many of these dramatic rebounds all across the foreland.  One such rebound occurred along the beach,  right in the bed of the Italio River.  The smaller rivers of the foreland,  such as the Italio and Akwe,  form a nearly straight line from their mountain lakes to the ocean beach.  Once they reach to within a short distance of the surf,  they make a right turn,  paralleling the ocean surf for several miles.  The Italio rebound happened about mid way down this long and parallel course.

The Italio drains virtually the entire area between its two neighboring glacial rivers.  It gains nearly as much volume from the multitude of small creeks in the lower,  paralleling half as from its lake.  The earthquake rebound split the river in two,  when the main channel could no longer flow its full length.  The "Old" Italio still runs the last five miles of the original river's course, with the help of four free flowing creeks.  These small tributaries remain the ideal habitat for spawning Pink and Coho salmon.


The remaining Italio from its beautiful remote lake,  emptied into the ocean about three miles from where it made its right turn.  30 years post earthquake,  another cataclysmic event split the Italio into thirds.  Its larger neighbor, the Akwe,  gradually became longer.  As it worked its way slowly down the beach,  the Akwe ate away the dunes and forest that separated the two rivers. By 1985,  a tributary creek that fed the Italio fell to the Akwe's appetite and the Italio's main channel was soon to follow.  Today,  the "Middle" Italio still drains the last 2 1/2 miles of the original river's parallel beach course.  Five creeks contribute to its flow,  creating a relaxed little river.  The Middle Italio also has the only accessible landing strips in the area,  so it sees a sizable number of fly-out day fishermen from Yakutat.

middleakwe1.jpg (42400 bytes)The "New" Italio still runs with crystal clear water from the mountain lake.  Its forest covered banks make a landing strip impossible.  Access can only be made by 4-wheeler down the old riverbed,  or by jet boat from the Akwe.  Although there is one privately owned cabin near the confluence of the Italio/Akwe,  we rarely see them on the river.

With the notable exception of the two week long fly-out fishing season on the Middle River,  there are virtually no other people in this entire region.  We have it all to ourselves to play with and enjoy,  however we also treat it with the utmost respect.  There is a reason this place remains a beautiful paradise and we expect our clients to understand and honor this fragile resource.

The Akwe River:

As glacier rivers go,  the Akwe is definitely unique.  The Rodman Glacier does not actually enter the lake,  rather it hangs high above,  as waterfalls cascade down the rocky cliffs.  The Akwe loses most of its silty-white color,  as fresh streams add to its volume,  enroute to the sea.  Depending on the weather,  the Akwe's volume can fluctuate dramatically.  Dry spells and warm weather can shrink its waters,  but increase the silt content,  as the glacier contributes a larger share.  Heavy rains can change it into a dark coffee-colored torrent.

The Akwe is commercially fished,  unlike the Italios,  by a handful of local families.  No gill-netting is allowed on the lower mile of the river,  where the Italio and Akwe form an estuary and where we fish this unique river.  This policy protects the fish bound for the Italio and provides a buffer between our operations and those of the fishing families.

Nearly 200 years ago,  a native village thrived on the upper Akwe.  Following the slaughter of the Russian fort,  the village of Gussex swelled till it was larger than Yakutat,  as many Yakutat villagers fled in fear of a Russian reprisal.  After a successful war expedition to Southeast Alaska,  80 of Gussex' strongest warriors perished while returning home.  Their canoes were swamped against the rocky entrance of Lituya Bay,  while trying to leave its sheltered harbor.  The village never recovered from the tragic loss and was soon abandoned.

The Back River:

The creek that once fed the Italio and was first to fall to the Akwe's advances is now called the Back River.  With the additional rains in the fall,  the Back supports a nice run of Coho and Pink salmon.  Its tight banks and tall trees provide a wonderful shelter on stormy days.  Resident trout love this gentle little stream and can be found nearly year 'round.  The Back River has its own lake system and supports a small run of sockeye salmon as well.

dangerousmouth1.jpg (167173 bytes)The Dangerous River:

Draining the massive Yakutat Glacier and the six-by-fifteen-mile Harlequin Lake, the Dangerous is mighty indeed.  Once the river leaves the protection of the trees and hits the open beach,  it fans out into an estuary with endless shallows and bars.  Its lack of a navigable channel and constantly changing fingers gave rise to the Dangerous' ominous name.  Besides being our gateway to the magnificent glacier and lake,  the Dangerous offers sport fishing opportunity in some of its lower clear water tributaries.  We use the Dangerous as a transportation route to the iceberg clogged Harlequin Lake and we are investigating future angling opportunities in the system.

Rivers,  in relation to our facility:

The Italio River Adventures facility is located exactly between the mouth of the Middle Italio and the New Italio/Akwe estuary.  Six rivers are within a short 4-wheeler ATV ride down the beach,  offering tremendous choice and opportunity. On some of the rivers,  we have jet boats waiting for adventure and fun.  We utilize a landing strip on the Middle Italio and transport you and your equipment well off the beaten path.

Italio River Adventures offers:

We offer fly fishing trips to the entire Italio Drainage (which includes the Old,  Middle,  New and Back) and the Akwe Estuary.  We offer kayaking or canoeing,  float and eco-tourism trips on all these areas as well as the Dangerous River and Harlequin Lake.  Jet-boating is allowed on the Dangerous River as well as in the inter-tidal zone of the Italio system.  We do not fish the Dangerous/Harlequin system at this time,  however we are working with the Forest Service to provide these services in the future.

 


World-class Flyfishing in the Alaskan Wilderness

http://www.italio.com
Italio River Adventures
P.O. Box 210
Yakutat,  Alaska 99689

(907)784-3697
1-866-737-1123

***E-mail***

Extremely remote Alaskan flyfishing for salmon,  trout and char...                    Italio River Adventures                    The only full-service outfitter on the pristine Italio River...                    Italio River Adventures                    Spectacular flyfishing in one of the world's most spectacular locations...                   Italio River Adventures                    Experience the REAL Alaska - pristine - wild - unspoiled - perfect...                    Italio River Adventures

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