Originally Posted by
Rafdawg_34
Going on a two week family cruise and land tour to Alaska at end of July. Want to stay after family trip at a lodge or raft trip, starting the second week of August, for 5-7 days. Will be ending land tour in Fairbanks, so looking for lodges or raft trips to get to out of Fairbanks or Anchorage.
Hoping to get some recommendations for a lodge/tent camp or rafting trip in SW Alaska. Seems like all my research comes up with lodges that are more high class in terms of food or a accommodations than my taste.
I would love to find nice remote place or rafting outfit with good guides, good variety of river/creeks and hopefully reasonable price.
Will be hitting ISE show this weekend as well as fly fishing show in Feb too, but thought I'd see if anyone had some good recommendations
Thanks
Rafdawg34
First, you really ought to define "reasonable" in terms of $ willing to spend. At a minimum you are looking at $3000+ for a bare bones camping excursion on some river in SW Alaska. (Cost Breakdown Flight to Dilllingham, Bethel, King Salmon, or Lake Iliamna +/- $500 round trip from Anchorage, + cost of any additional flight to destination which may or may not be included in package, + cost of an inexpensive DIY camp is around $2000, with guide for a week it runs around $2500 + tip = $3000+) The problem with camps and/or "remote" (there is no such thing in AK as all the known streams are VERY popular and crowded) camping trips are: weather (can be completely weathered out without other options); remoteness =/- better fishing. There is a reason all the lodges go to the same rivers over and over and skip the others. Now generally this holds for trout, and if your emphasis is on other species such as Coho, which would be running during that timeframe then that opens up a wider range of options.
To be clear, that second week in August is going to prime time for trout on most rivers in SW Alaska as the rainbows and char feed on salmon eggs. Don't think about bringing anything other than egg patterns. I would not recommend the Kvichak, that run of salmon has not returned in significant numbers to warrant good trout fishing, despite its former reputation.
Lodges will run you $5000 and more. Don't skimp here, go with a reputable full service lodge. You'll eventually end up paying more anyways. The best IMO is likely: Kulik Lodge (your mileage may vary). Strong fishing program, flight to lodge is included in package from Anchorage, professional service, and access to all the known named streams in the area, plus a fabulous home water. Prices I believe are around $5500+.
Like Fisheye, I've been to the Copper and Intricate Bay/Gibraltar/Kamishak/Naknek in that region. Your best bet is going to be a lodge or reputable tent camp (however I cannot recommend one at that time.)
Although in general I believe the trout fishing has significantly declined in SW Alaska (does not constitute value IMO), one can expect a decent amount of fish in the 20-24 inch range on most of the good trout rivers.
For a similar price or half the cost of a lodge, there are significantly better options available IMO. It really depends on your primary target species, and desires.
Good luck.
Carpe Piscis!
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