Has anybody fished this river, or been up to The Gates Of The Arctic National Park ?

I have not. That sounds fun.

Many of my co-workers have been there but I never made it in the three years I lived in AK.

This state park is a hidden gem of AK and is know by the locals as a go to place.
1.6 million acres, float the river or canoe big waters if you are brave enough, I made it to Dillingham a couple of times, but the US Fish and Wildlife Service I worked for would not let us take a government vehicle into the park because locals had complained in the past.


Wood, Tik-Chik State Park Alaska

LindenTree: "Many of my co-workers have been there but I never made it in the three years I lived in AK.


This state park is a hidden gem of AK and is know by the locals as a go to place.
1.6 million acres, float the river or canoe big waters if you are brave enough, I made it to Dillingham a couple of times, but the US Fish and Wildlife Service I worked for would not let us take a government vehicle into the park because locals had complained in the past.



Wood, Tik-Chik State Park Alaska "

The Sheefish have been on my radar for awhile. I have fished the Nushagak out of Dillingham twice for kings, which was amazing. Also fished the kenai for kings. Way to many people on the Kenai for my taste. The Sheefish , and the solidarity is what I’m looking for . I only got to fish Wood, Tik Chik one day for Dolly’s, and Grayling . It was great! Wish I would of bought your pac canoe when you had it up for sale!!

In 2015 I was introduced to the Noatak Watershed by Rob Kesselring, and explored the river with a fine gang of experienced canoeists including Cliff Jacobson. The North of the Arctic river 'once-in-a-lifetime adventure', and inherent education from Rob, Cliff and my other advanced-skill travel partners, was enlightening for me, a novice flatwater camper. The lessons learned sent me back to the area in 2017, '18 and '19. For me, the region is like a secret fishing honey-hole. On one hand, I don't want to tell anyone about it, yet on the other hand it is something I wish everyone with the determination, finances and above average common sense can enjoy first hand.

The research for my self-guided adventures ('18 and '19) was quite exhaustive. The following are a few comments germaine to the Gates of the Arctic portion of this thread:
*The cost per person for a 4 crew group can be as low as $3,000 and cover every expense associated with 21 days of air, bush pilot flights (milage), two nights accommodations in Kotzebue, Alaska, food, equipment rental, license etc... the whole trip.
*The key for low cost success is logistical in nature. My group flew from Minneapolis to Kotzebue taking advantage of the Alaska Air two-fer credit card opportunity.
*Eric Sieh and Arctic Backcountry Air provided bush service support. He is the "go-to" pilot out of Kotz for the community as well as visitors. Eric is simply the best and most knowledgeable pilot flying out of Kotz.
*Adventures included: 2015 headwaters to Noatak Village (only trip out of Coldfoot), 2017 Kelly River to Noatak Village, 2018 Anasak to Noatak then pick up and drop up Nunaviksak Creek/Kugururok (Kug) then pu at Kug/Noatak confluence then back to Kotz, 2019 Kug to Noatak then pu and drop up the Kelly river w/ pu on the Noatak and back to Kotz.
*Logistics, logistics, logistics. On Alaska Air: four packs per person, weight limits, paddles, boats, guns, etc. Also, AA runs a special arrangement for residents of Alaska, The 49er's, and they have priority "space" on planes headed to Kotz. With e-commerce delivering fresh goods to locals, it is important to note your gear may or may not make it to Kotz on your flight. This may create a layover day from the very beginning. Mail non-perishable supplies to Eric weeks ahead of time as well as a complete set of clothing... just in case. Remember, your food packs will be empty on the return home and provide space for any redundant gear that you premailed.
*It can be be wickedly windy and cold. It can be incredibly hot and, if no cloud cover, the long days will make for intense sunshine.
*Fishing was the best I have ever experienced in my life and also some of the worst. Persistence pays off and location, location, location is very important. Timing the "runs" is not just necessary it is paramount to the trip if fishing is your goal.
*Used two 16' Pakboats, I own them but discount rented them to the troop in '18 and '19 to defer my up-front expense. They will be paid off on the next adventure north.
*Bear, moose, caribou, lynx, porcupine, gray phase red fox, wolves and muskox. Dolly Varden, greyling, pink salmon, chum salmon, and hooked a lake trout too.
* water level varies trip to trip, season to season and even day to day. It is a huge watershed and what happens a hundred miles and/or a day away will impact the rise and fall of the river. A fine relationship with Eric is key on where you will be able to canoe and also if weather changes in the watershed will impact your extraction or camp site safety.
*A Teepee is an essential item. Rain in the region never seemed to be "warm summer rain" and can be intermittent, with or without strong (gale) winds and often just a building persistent wetness of low clouds completely saturated with water, a times expressed as rain or just clinging wetness that permeates everything. We used teepees on trips 1 (alternate days of rain and sun) , 2 (only one day of sun the whole trip) and 4 (50/50 mix, but when it rained the sogged-in days ran together and w/o a teepee we would have suffered tremendously) and a gander screen house on the 3rd, an amazing two and a half week long rain-free period.
* The last two trips were multi-river trips and afforded us the chance for food resupply.
*We had communication with Eric which was a requirement for extraction. Critical on the last trek as the Kelly and Noatak were in flood stage.
* Equipment of note beyond the teepee: insulated, thick sleeping pad (love my Syn nine), collapsible chair with foot pads(!), bug shirt (bugs only in '18 and '19 but appreciated shirts), Hanabe, Voyageur Stove (five star in the Arctic Circle and BWCA too), Pakcanoe repair kit, hand lotion, camera, two dozen #2, #3, #4 mepps rainbow spinners, pink 3-4 inch twister tails, pink or red dardevle spoons (did I mention the fishing can be incredible? A couple times we paddled through pods and actually moved more fish than water with the blade of the paddle!), swivels, light and medium heavy tackle
*Know your limits and risk acceptance. While it is canoe friendly, expedition wits are necessary for a successful adventure. With caution, appreciate that the BWCA "wilderness" cannot be compared to the wilderness of the far north.

I hope these comments stimulate your imagination and warm your blood on a cold Minnesota winter day. Spring is coming.
Mac

A taste:

Very informative, and helpful Jack! Thank you....