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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:
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.
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.
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***
www.italio.com
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