LOCATION
Naknek River - King Salmon, Alaska
SEASON
June through September
CAPACITY
Maximum of 20 guests per week
SPECIES
Rainbow trout, all five species of pacfic salmon, halibut, char, Dolly Varden, grayling and more.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Easy to get to, hard to leave. Rapids Camp Lodge is just an 80-minute flight from Anchorage, yet it’s a world away from the hustle and bustle of modern day life. Unparalleled fly fishing in the heart of the famed Bristol Bay watershed -- home to enormous rainbow trout, all five species of Pacific salmon, char, pike, halibut and grayling.
LENGTH OF STAY
Standard week-long trips at Rapids Camp are 7 night / 6 fishing day packages, from Friday to Friday. Shorter three or four day trips can occassionaly be booked when space is available. Please call Yellow Dog for available weeks.
THE FISHING
At the end of the road, at the end of the world, on the famous Naknek River Rapids, you'll find Rapids Camp Lodge. While it is only seven miles up-river from King Salmon and just an eighty minute flight from Anchorage, it is a world away from the hustle and bustle of every day life.
Bristol Bay is located in the Bering Sea on the Southwest side of Alaska. The Bristol Bay watershed is home to pristine wilderness, majestic views, enormous rainbow trout, five species of Pacific salmon, and numerous other fish species, as well as the second largest national park in the United States. Katmai National Park is 4.2 million acres of virtually untouched wilderness where you can find moose, caribou, wolves, eagles and, of course, the Alaskan brown bear. Bristol Bay fly fishing is some of the best fishing in the United States, due to the fact that during the summer months the fish populations number in the millions. And the best way to experience the diverse fishing experience is to use a guide or lodge like Rapids Camp that has daily fly-out charter fishing.
The salmon fishing is what many fishermen come to Alaska for, and one of the lodge's favorite things to do is expose fishermen to all five species of Alaskan salmon. The Nushagak River is home to the world's largest King salmon. During the peak of the season, 120,000 to 200,000 King's come up the river per month. Sometimes there will be as many as 20,000 on one tide alone. Rapids Camp Lodge has an outcamp at the "Nush" on Millionaire's Bluff, one of the best spots on the river. There, they keep three jet boats and have a permanent guide who spends the season scouting the river for the best fish.
As far as the fishing for rainbow trout, Fish Alaska Magazine chose the Naknek River as the "#1 Trophy Rainbow River in Alaska." The Rapids, which are right in front of Rapids Camp Lodge, is the premiere spot to fish the river for big rainbows. Rather you want to wade fish on your own or utilize a guide and jet boat, the fishing for trophy rainbows is plentiful. Guests can also enjoy a scenic boat ride upstream to Lake Camp, where beautiful rainbows fresh from the lake can be caught.
One of our more unique trips offered at Rapids Camp Lodge revolves around the Halibut fishing. The lodge has two special boats perfect for fishing Kodiak Island or Geographic Harbor. Guests can enjoy the full spectrum of a fishing experience by heading out into Larsen Bay and catching fresh Herring to use as Halibut bait for the day. After you catch the Herring, the guides will take you out to sea for a full day of extreme deep sea fishing. Every cast brings up a surprise - anything from large Halibut, starfish, rockfish, and even fresh water salmon. At Geographic Harbor you will experience one of the most beautiful scenes in all the world, with wildlife viewing, bears, sea lions, whales, porpoises and 100 pound-plus Halibut caught daily.
BOATS AND EQUIPMENT OFFERED
Rapids Camp Lodge provides everything you need for the fly fishing trip of a lifetime - the finest rods, reels, tackle and waders - de Havilland Beaver and Otter float planes, modern jetboats, and the very best guides in Alaska! If you want to travel light, all fishing equipment is provided, including rods and reels, flies and lures, waders and wading boots. (Please bring your own equipment if you prefer, and please write your name on or mark anything you bring with you. Spiked wading boots are neither permitted nor needed.)
Air transportation is of the utmost importance when experiencing what Alaska has to offer. That is why Rapids Camp Lodge has some of the best bush planes in the world. The lodge's are fleet currently consists of three planes, including a completely restored de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver on tundra tires, two de Havilland DHC-2 Beavers on floats, and a de Havilland DHC-3 Otter (one of 26 planes in the world that has been retro-fitted with a 1000hp Garret Turbine engine to increase performance and range).
THE LODGING
Inviting and friendly, comfortable and private, the lodge is situated on ten acres of serene, riverfront property. The lodge can accommodate a total of 16 guests per week in the lodge, with eight spacious, double occupancy rooms, each featuring a private bathroom. Amenities include a workout facility, quiet reading room, beer and wine bar, high speed wireless Internet, and satellite television. They also have the 2-bedroom "House on the Hill" that can accommodate an additional four people with one queen bed, two twins, and a full size sleeper-sofa. (Perfect for a family!)
The meals at Rapids Camp Lodge are delicious. Two gourmet chefs prepare everything, from fresh salmon to succulent steaks. It's all served buffet-style in the traditional Alaskan lodge manner. Before dinner, hors d'oeuvres and drinks are served. Fresh pastries, baked bread, rolls and other delights complement your meals. You can also request special orders by making reservations. Shore lunches are great, too - your guide will prepare fresh fish right there streamside, wildlife permitting. And we're talking fresh fish, fresh fruit, baked goods, and wine, complete with a red and white-checkered tablecloth.
RATES & DETAILS
2009
7 Night / 6 Fishing Day Package (Including 6 Fly-Outs) $7,295
4 Night / 4 Fishing Day Package (Including 3 Fly-Outs) $4,795
3 Night / 3 Fishing Day Package (Including 2 Fly-Outs) $3,695
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Transportation from King Salmon Airport to the lodge, deluxe accommodations, all meals, beverages, beer, wine, snacks, daily guide service, use of all boats and fishing equipment including rods and reels, flies and lures, waders, wading boots, wireless internet, daily fly outs (weather-permitting), cleaning, boxing, and freezing of your fish for shipment home (Due to conservation efforts, Rapids Camp will only box up a MAXIMUM OF 50 LBS. OF FISH PER PERSON to take home, regardless of limits or catch).
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Airfare to and from King Salmon, fishing licenses (available at the lodge or online at www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/licpermit.cfm), liquor, and gratutites for guides and lodge staff.
DEPOSIT INFORMATION
A 50% deposit (per angler) of the total package cost for each trip is due to Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures (YDFA) within 10 days of booking to secure the reservation. Guides and dates cannot be held or reserved without a deposit. YDFA reserves the right to charge a handling fee of $100 per person for date changes after the initial reservation has been made. Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure.
HOW TO GET THERE
Your trip starts upon arrival in King Salmon, Alaska. Several major airlines serve Alaska from the lower 48 with connections to Anchorage. It is recommended that guests overnight in Anchorage the day before your trip begins and connect to KIng Salmon the following morning. Connections can be made through Alaska Airlines or Pen Air. Arrival time into King Salmon should be before 2:00 PM.
Once you arrive at the King Salmon airport, you will be met by a representative from Rapids Camp and transported to the lodge.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
Photo identification for airlines and Alaskan fishing license (available at lodge.) You can also purchase your fishing license on-line prior to your trip by visiting the following website: http://www.admin.adfg.state.ak.us/license/
NON-ANGLING ACTIVITIES
For non-anglers, the lodge offers a variety of other activities including scenic flights, boat tours, glaciers, volcanoes, wildlife viewing, clam digging, Halibut fishing, eco-tourism and more. The lodge staff is fantastic about accommodating non-anglers and family members.
OTHER INFORMATION
Should you require harder spirits than beer or wine, there is a liquor store in the nearby town of King Salmon. It is important to note, however, that everything has to be shipped in via barge or air, so many items are more expensive than in the “lower 48”, especially cigarettes and liquor. You may want to consider bringing these types of items with you, or consider mailing them via the US Post Office before your trip.
|
