What's New

April 20, 2005
Ultimate Rivers, through Publishers Design Group of Roseville, California, releases the long awaited, deluxe, FULL COLOR third edition of "Alaska Fishing:The Ultimate Angler's Guide" to retail and wholesale markets. Initial reviews and sales go favorably, as we scramble to get the book out in time for the tourist season here in Alaska.

May 25-October 15
Ultimate Rivers' 2005 fishing season completed without any major problems, other than the usual ups and downs.

Our Alaska's salmon fishing went well overall with the exception of a disappointing silver salmon run. Trout fishing was good, but a particularly wet fall made things difficult during the best time of the year.

Kamchatka had its ups and downs this year. Early season trips were hampered by high water caused by an excessive winter/spring snowpack and a rainy summer. Dry fly conditions, remarkably, were excellent. Late summer flows were more normal, with good fishing conditions well into fall.

Steelhead fishing in the most northerly part of their range where we target was less than spectacular this year, with average or slightly weak runs and difficult fall fishing conditions.

October 2005
Rene Limeres completes agreement with ISE to do seminars on fishing Alaska and Kamchatka at their 2006 San Mateo (January 12-15) and Denver (January 26-29) shows. I'll be giving these presentations daily and will also have a booth at each event. Please look me up so we can meet and talk fishing!

November 2005
Ultimate Rivers new website posted. What do you think? Your feedback is important; drop us a line with your critique/suggestions.

Jan-April 2006

Ultimate Rivers' sports show season goes well, with lots of interest in our seminars/fishing program, in addition to many, many Alaska Fishing books sold!

June 2006

<>We get a bombshell of bad  news from the airlines about their direct service from Anchorage to Petropavlovsk, Kamchatka. All this a mere 5 days before the start of our first Russia trip! We scramble to make new arrangements for our clients in late season, but many folks are forced to postpone their fishing trip until next year.

August-October 2006

The Alaska season winds down in one of the worst years for weather, hampering the fishing.  High water, winds and spotty salmon runs make things difficult.

October 2006

Siber Air, a large regional air carrier in Russia, announces its serious intent to pick up the Anchorage-Petropavlovsk route for 2007. Details on the service will be available sometime in November.  We formulate our trip prices for 2007, passing on big increases in Helicopter rates and other associated costs.

November 2006

Siber Air announces, quite unexpectedly, that they will drop plans for non-stop service between Alaska and mainland Russia. No detailed reasons are given for their decision. Shortly after, regional carrier Dalavia Airlines announces their intent to pick up the route

Late Winter 2007

Dalavia proceeds with necessary permitting for non-stop air service between Alaska and Petropavlovsk, Kamchatka and Khabarovsk. Tickets are scheduled to go on sale early spring 2007.

March 2007

Dalavia begins selling tickets for direct air service between Anchorage Alaska and Russia's Far East. All tour operators and many anxious fishermen are relieved to know there will be air service and a viable fishing program for 2007.

Late April 2007

Dalavia announces the cancellation of air service from Anchorage to Russia's mainland, stunning everyone in the travel business. Tour operators, including Ultimate Rivers, scramble to find alternative routes for fishermen.

Early Summer 2007

Alaska's fishing season kicks into high gear after disappointing early season results for king salmon and halibut in most coastal areas.  The king run continues spotty throughout the state, with some rivers at normal or greater escapement, but many others with dismal or below normal returns. Because of low water conditions resulting from light winter snow pack across the Alaska Range, most streams report excellent low water fishing conditions, however. Early season rainbow fishing is excellent. Sockeye runs are strong in most areas along coast.