Travel
Where do I fly into?
Dillingham is the nearest town to camp and is where you will fly into and out of. It has multiple Alaska Airlines flights every day.
When do I fly into Dillingham?
You will want to fly into Dillingham the day before your trip starts. For example, if you are fishing with us June 25th-29th, you need to land in town on the 24th.
When do I fly out of Dillingham?
On the last day of your trip you will fly out of camp and into town in the morning. I highly recommend to book the afternoon flight out of Dillingham to allow more time to make your flight. Fog and wind are a staple of Alaska and can delay us getting out of camp. If you book the early flight please know there is a chance that you could be delayed.
Where do I stay in Dillingham?
There a couple of options but we highly recommend Beaver Creek Bed and Breakfast. They will be able to pick you up from the airport and give you a ride anywhere in town you may need to go. Here is a list of some other options.
Beaver Creek BnB 907-842-7335
Bear Paw Inn 907-843-1806
Bristol Inn 907-843-1806
Where does the float plane pick me up?
The float plane will send a driver to wherever you choose to stay in town and will take you to the lake that the airplanes take off and land from. This is usually between 8am and 12pm depending on the order the driver decides. Please note that we do not decide what order that is and can change depending on weather.
What services are in Dillingham?
While it is a small town you can usually find what you need in case you have forgotten anything. This includes grocery store, liquor store, general store, bank, hospital, bar and a couple restaurants. Please keep in mind that many places can be closed on weekends and plan accordingly.
Accommodations
Will I have power in my tent?
Yes, each tent has outlets for you to charge phones, tablets, CPAP devices and anything you may bring.
Are there bathrooms?
Yes, we have on demand hot water for showers and real flush toilets.
Is there Wi-Fi?
Yes, we have high speed internet thanks to our Star Link system. You will be able to make phone calls, texts or use your phone/computer for anything you need.
Weather/Bugs
What will the weather be like when I’m there?
In our part of Alaska, the average temperature will be somewhere between 55 and 75 degrees. Being so close to the ocean the weather changes frequently and can do so in an instant. We experience a lot of rain but that makes the sunny days that much better. Please be prepared for a wide range of weather. You’ll want to bring insulating layers as well as sunshirts because you never really know what it will be like. We have a packing list on the website you can refer too.
Are there mosquitos?
Yes, while we do have bugs like mosquitos and no-see-ums which are a small biting gnat. We take extra precaution to keep foliage down in camp and spray with insecticide However, if you are sensitive to them, we recommend a bug net. Once on the river bugs are usually not a problem but we do have plenty of spray if you need it.
Payment
How do I pay?
We take all credit/debit cards, cash or check.
When do I pay?
Once you receive your invoice a 50% deposit is required to hold your place on the schedule. If booking before February 1st of the year of your trip the final payment is due on February 1st the year of your trip. If booking after February 1st of the year of your trip, final payment is due 30 days from the time you receive your invoice.
Is my deposit refundable?
Deposits are non-refundable due to the nature of booking remote trips and the difficulty in scheduling we face. However, all deposits are transferable to a later date. We will do our best to work with you to reschedule.
Gear
Do I need a fishing license?
Yes, you can purchase your license online at the Alaska Fish and Game website. Please print out a copy and bring one with you. If you are fishing for Kings you will also need to add a King Salmon Stamp onto your license. Children under 16 do not need a license but will need a catch record card.
Should I bring rain gear?
Yes! While we can have some beautiful weather in our part of Alaska, we can also experience some very wild weather. Please bring adequate rain gear that includes jacket and pants/bibs. We like to say that you get what you pay for when it comes to rain gear. While REI windbreakers may cut it for the occasional shower they do not hold up in Alaska. Some brands we recommend are Simms, Grundens, Patagonia and Helly Hansen.
Do I need a sleeping bag?
Yes. While we provide sheets, mattresses and pillows. We don’t have the capacity to wash comforters for everyone. If you have a sleeping bag, please bring it. If you do not have one and don’t want to buy, we do have extras at camp.
Do I need waders?
While you do not need waders for fishing, we do recommend them especially for sockeye and silver fishing. They let you wade out farther and keep you warm and dry. Remember to check your pair for leaks BEFORE you come as its never fun to find the leak when you are in the river.
Do I need to bring my own fishing gear?
No, we have all the necessary conventional gear for you at camp. If you have a specific gear you want to use, please feel free bring whatever you like.
Food/Alcohol
Do you serve Alcohol?
We do not serve alcohol at camp as we do not have a liquor license. However, you are more than welcome to bring whatever you may desire. Guests can either bring alcohol from home or purchase it in Dillingham. Please note that prices in Dillingham are quite high.
What if I have a food allergy?
If you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies, please let us know ahead of time. We will do our best to accommodate you but we are in a very remote area and can be hard to procure specialty items.
Fish
What type of fish are there?
We fish for all 5 species of salmon including King, Silver, Chum, Pink, and Sockeye. There are some opportunities for pike and grayling as well.
How do I take my fish home?
Our expert guides will fillet, vacuum pack, and freeze your fish each day. It will then be packed into waxed carboard fish boxes. Guests can check these boxes like regular bags to their destination.
Will my fish stay frozen?
In our experience if you are traveling for less than 24 hours then your fish will stay frozen. If you are traveling for longer or have an overnight layover please make arrangements with your airline or hotel to keep your fish in a freezer.
Fishing
What techniques do you use to fish?
There are many ways to catch salmon and we have tried almost all of them each species is a little different. For King and Chum Salmon we like to drift bait or artificial beads with spin rods or we like to backtroll large plugs and divers with bait. All of this is done from the boat.
For Silver and Pink Salmon we primarily cast spinners and jigs. We also like to use bobbers to float bait or jigs. This can be done from the boat or from gravel bars.
For sockeye we use a technique called Flossing. This employs a long leader with some weight and a bead or yarn above the hook to floss into the sockeyes mouth. This is done from the shore.
Can I fly fish?
Yes! While most of our guests use conventional fishing gear, we have ample opportunities to fly fish. For kings, we like to swing flies with a two-handed Spey rod from the shore. 8-10 weight rods are recommended.
For silvers we like to cast weighted flies from the boat or shore using single handed rods. 7-8 weight rods are recommended.
*Please note that fly fishing from a boat with more than two people can be difficult. Please contact us to inquire about fly fishing specific packages.
