See their cornerstone website www.tourthetongass.com to see the wonders of the Tongass region. You can see our recommended lodges from the region on our lodge map page. 

Tongass Lodge Map

Regarding Section 404C Clean Water Act

Dennis Mclerran, the EPA Region Administrator, introduced the Watershed Assessment process and the goals for public participation. Rick Parkin, the EPA Manager for the Bristol Bay Watershed Assessment and the tribal liaison gave a Power Point presentation Executive Summary. He showed that through the literature review process, his visits to the site, and liaison with the Bristol Bay tribal entities, that he had a good grasp of the issues

The list of speakers with very compelling and impassioned testimony included Peter Andrews, Dillingham BBNC board member, Larry Barret Director of operations for Sage, Rio, Reddington, Joel Reynolds NRDC, Jim Klug Yellow Dog & AFFTA and so many more.

Huge numbers of commercial fishers and Alaskan native residents gave passionate comments. Three to four of us spoke representing sport fishers. About 95% of the comments were pro conservation, 5% were pro development- (by appearance all pro development speakers were on the payroll of Pebble with the exception of 1 pro development Alaska native from Nondalton and 1 from King salmon who may or may not be on the payroll),

Of the 95% pro-conservation comments about 5% of us were commenting on the science behind the assessment. I (Mark Rutherford) spoke to the impacts on the fresh water (salmon spawning & rearing) resources by the various proposed slurry pipelines, electrical transmission lines, & haul roads. Thomas Quinn, University of Washington, reported that the fishery and biologic data strongly support protection of the fresh water resource rather than remediation. David Kerlick, a theoretical and computational physicist, critiqued the "failure analysis" data used by the EPA suggesting it is too conservative. Richard Leeds, Wildlife Forever, spoke about the importance of "Hydrologic Interconnections" and "Connected habitat". Robert Wisnar (not sure the spelling) retired University of Washington professor suggested the Bristol Bay ecologic/ hydrologic systems may not have the "resilience" to sustain a robust fishery in the face of mine development of this magnitude. Pete Modaff Senator Cantwell's aid spoke of the Senators deep concerns for the fishery, and the environment it depends on, and the health of the fishing industry.

Many dozens more (80 total) made comments we all can be proud of! There were several ovations after impassioned conservation comments. It was an inspiring public hearing.

To the EPA's credit, their findings strongly support EPA intervention through a 404C veto of the project.

Alas if it were only that simple. Great cheer nonetheless.

Mark Rutherford has over 34 years of fly fishing experience in Alaskan rivers and a Masters in Education in Alaskan Aquatic Ecology, Mark is in the 99'th percentile of the most experienced fishing guides in Alaska. He is regarded by several authorities as one of the finest boat handlers in Alaska. Mark specializes in first descents of small wilderness salmon streams and tributaries exploring for rainbows, cohos, kings, & char. Mark is the owner and head guide for Wild River Guides.

Contact: Guy Fullhart, General Manager

(800)-819-0750 or

We at Mission Lodge have exciting news to share from the shores of Lake Aleknagik in Alaska's beautiful Bristol Bay watershed. In May 2012, long-time owner Dale DePriest successfully closed a sale of the Mission Lodge to Bristol Bay Native Corporation (BBNC). The sale helped DePriest realize an important retirement goal while at the same time assuring the continuation of his vision for the Mission Lodge. "The sale returns the property to local, Alaska Native ownership and provides new and exciting opportunities for my dear friends Guy and Sarah Fullhart," said DePriest.

BBNC is seeking opportunities to invest in the Bristol Bay region and tourism has been an area of interest for some time. "We are very excited to have re-entered the region through a tourism investment and believe we have found a great fit with the Mission Lodge and Guy and Sarah Fullhart," said BBNC President & CEO Jason Metrokin.

BBNC is a strong advocate for conservation and responsible development, and is a leader in the fight against the Pebble mine that threatens Bristol Bay waters and fisheries. "We are very focused on protecting Bristol Bay and I believe that the values of BBNC and very much in line with the customers of the Mission Lodge," said Metrokin.

Guy and Sarah Fullhart have joined the BBNC team and will continue to manage the lodge operations. "We are very happy to be a part of BBNC and are really pleased that their vision is to keep the Mission Lodge unchanged. Our guests can expect the same feel and exceptional experience that they have come to know and love," said Sarah Fullhart. "We all share a common bond and love for this incredible region of Alaska. This new chapter for Mission Lodge more tightly connects the lodge with the region and together will help us learn from each other and strengthen our common fight to protect this land for many generations to come," said Guy Fullhart.

About Mission Lodge: The Mission Lodge is one of Alaska's premier sports fishing lodges located in the Bristol Bay in the village of Aleknagik. Mission Lodge offers unparalleled fishing opportunities for all five species of wild pacific salmon, trophy rainbow trout and numerous other species. The Mission Lodge offers an all-inclusive experience for the discerning angler and adventure traveler. More information can be found online at www.missionlodge.com.

About BBNC: BBNC is one of 13 Alaska Native Regional Corporations formed under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971. The corporation has over 9,000 Eskimo, Aleut, and Athabascan shareholders with ancestral ties to the Bristol Bay region. BBNC supports responsible resource development, defined as development that is fiscally, environmentally and socially sustainable, serving the long-term interests of our people, our region, and our businesses. More information can be found at www.bbnc.net.

Alaska's larger than life reputation extends to their bird-sized mosquitos that terrorize visiting anglers and adventurers. The truth is, mosquitos and the rest of Alaska's pesky bugs are easily managed. In my experience, the mosquitos are the absolute worst in the open tundra and alder bushes that often line the rivers and streams in remote AK. If you are fishing from a boat on open water, you will probably experience a small breeze (or extreme winds) that will elminate these flying devils. Fishing from shore or wading poses a challenge to avoiding their natural habitat. Many Alaska adventureres, guides, and visiting anglers resort to the chemical DEET (myself included). Sometimes, you need to pull out the heavy artillery. But, it seems that the bug repellent industry is coming out with more natural and less harmful options that are EFFECTIVE. Below you will find 5 non-DEET bug deterrant products for Alaska anglers. 

1. Fisherman's Natural Bug Repellant - The 100% Natural Deet-Free spray repels west nile virus mosquitoes, biting flies, gnats, fleas, no see ums and other annoying insects! This non-toxic spray of essential oils will keep the bugs away while you find the fish. It dries non-oily and has a pleasant smell. It's a convenient size to fit in your vest or tackle box.

2. Eco Blends - Made with 100% natural oils, proven effective up to 4 hours, and it is DEET free. 

3. Ex-Officio BugsAway® -The BugsAway shirts from Ex-Officio provide long-lasting, effective and convenient insect protection. Permethrin, the active ingredient in Insect Shield®, is invisible, odorless, and tightly bonded to the fabric fibers, and lasts the expected lifetime of the garment (70 washes). It repels mosquitoes (including those carrying West Nile virus and malaria), ticks, ants, flies, chiggers and midges (no-see-ums).

4. Sawyer Permethrin: Odorless Clothing Repellent - Prepare your clothing with bug repellent and then worry about any exposed skin. With Sawyer Permethrin, you get an odorless barrier of insect repellent that is both as effective as DEET and lasts up to six washings.

5. BiteBlocker® Xtreme Sportsman - BiteBlocker®'s proven effective Insect Repellent now in a highly effective waterproof formulation tough enough for extreme environments and safe for the entire family. This Xtreme botanical formula provides protection from bites for up to 8 hours against mosquitoes, black flies and more than 2 hours for ticks.

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The new "Salmon-Thirty-Salmon II" design is derived from an earlier version of the paint scheme Alaska Airlines unveiled on a 737-400 in 2005, which was re-painted with the carrier's traditional Eskimo livery last year.

The new design is about nine feet longer than the original 'salmon plane' and also features fish scales on the winglets and a salmon-pink colored "Alaska" script across the fuselage.

"This airplane celebrates Alaska Airlines' unique relationship with the people and communities of Alaska and underscores our air transport commitment to the state's seafood industry," said Marilyn Romano, Alaska Airlines' regional vice president of the state of Alaska.

Last year, Alaska Airlines flew nearly 25 million pounds of seafood from Alaska to markets in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

And it flew a lot of fishermen back and forth, too.

One of the unique elements of adventuring in Alaska is the flying. Without the luxury of road systems, Alaska has developed into an epicenter for bush planes and bush pilots. Air travel is essential to the 49th state, and it is a key componenet to the operations of many of our recommended lodges and adventures. These aircraft allow us access to some of the most remote and beautiful places on planet Earth. The bird's eye view that one gets over the vast tundra, glaciers, lake systems, and jagged peaks can be jaw dropping. See our gallery of featured aircraft that include De Havilland Beavers & Otters, Cessnas, Helios Couriers, AStar 350 Helicopter, and a Goose! Also, check out the POV videos of bush flights by Crystal Creek Lodge (Valley of 10,000 Smokes) and Tikchik Narrows Lodge (Wood-Tikchik State Park).