Nate Runyan — Bristol Bay Fly Fishing
Fly Fishing Guide — Alaska
About
Nate Runyan is an Alaska-based fly fishing guide who has spent fifteen seasons navigating the remote rivers and tundra streams of the Bristol Bay watershed, one of the most prolific wild fish ecosystems remaining on Earth. Operating primarily by floatplane from his base on Lake Iliamna, Nate accesses a network of rivers that most anglers will never see, waters where wild rainbow trout routinely exceed twenty inches and five species of Pacific salmon crowd the pools in numbers that defy comprehension. His logistical expertise in this roadless wilderness is as essential as his fishing knowledge, and clients trust him to deliver them safely to world-class water regardless of weather, bears, or the thousand other variables that define backcountry Alaska.
Nate specializes in targeting the Bristol Bay's legendary rainbow trout, which grow to exceptional sizes by gorging on salmon eggs and flesh during the summer and fall spawning runs. He is an expert in reading salmon-influenced water, identifying the feeding lanes where rainbows stack up behind spawning sockeye, and selecting the precise egg patterns, flesh flies, and mouse imitations that trigger aggressive strikes. His clients routinely land rainbows exceeding twenty-four inches, with the occasional fish approaching thirty.
Nate is also a passionate conservationist who has been actively involved in efforts to protect Bristol Bay's fisheries from industrial development. He serves as a fishing industry representative to regional conservation coalitions and uses his platform as a guide to educate visiting anglers about the irreplaceable value of this watershed.
Specialties
Trophy rainbow troutPacific salmon on the flyFloatplane-access fishingMouse and streamer fishingEgg and flesh fly techniquesBear safety and wilderness skillsMulti-day float trips
Rivers & Waters
4.9/5 on Google(16 reviews)
What Anglers Say
“What can you say about a place that feels like home so far away from where you call home? The team of professional family at Bristol Bay Lodge was truly EXCEPTIONAL. From Tyler booking every adventure to Stephanie realizing your every wish, …”
950victoriam
“This was my first trip to Bristol Bay Lodge (BBL). I did a week in September. The fishing, the scenery, the lodge, the food, the staff . . . all amazing! I first met Brian Boe over at the Alaska Sportsman's Lodge and he is now the owner of BBL. Brian's team is simply amazing, caring, dedicated, professional, and fun. A few big shout outs to Tyler, Stephanie and her amazing team, guides Tom, Jack (Rainbo), Jack (Birch), Vito and Will, the fantastic chefs Dawson, Brother and Keith, and our pilots Steve. I can't stress just how good this team is. Fishing was fantastic with numbers approaching 50 per day. We had excellent silver fishing at both Rainbo and Birch - make sure you ask Jack about top water fishing for silvers at Birch! Back at the main lodge, I had great days on the Hop, Pak, and Wok with char starting to turn their spawning colors, beautiful rainbows, and even some grayling on a top water chubby compliments of Vito! The lodge is extremely comfortable with bar, fireplace, wood-fired sauna, and hot tub. And there is no better way to come off a big day of fishing, by stopping at the gazebo just off the dock for a cocktail from Lindsey. The views are simply incredible and very diverse depending on what location you are in. My favorite was fishing the Little Togiak for some of the best scenery in the state! Bring plenty of layers as this is truly Alsakan wilderness and the weather can be anything from a gale coming off the Aleutians, to incredibly beautiful (think calendar beautiful). Plus we had some good bear viewing as well! If you are looking for a true Alaskan fishing adventure with plenty of pampering when you are ready to put your fishing rods down, this is it!”
Steve p.
“I'll start by saying that I was pretty scared to take this trip. I am not an avid fisher-woman. However, my boyfriend and his parents are, so I said yes to the trip. I was seriously worried that 6 days of fishing would be way too much. …”
Q7150BPsarae
Quick Facts
- Location
- Alaska
- Experience
- 15+ years
- Daily Rate
- $900/day (1-2 anglers, includes floatplane)
- Specialties
- Trophy rainbow trout, Pacific salmon on the fly, Floatplane-access fishing, Mouse and streamer fishing, Egg and flesh fly techniques, Bear safety and wilderness skills, Multi-day float trips
Book a Trip
Contact Nate Runyan — Bristol Bay Fly Fishing directly to book your guided trip.