The sheer volume of salmon that return to Bristol Bay each year is truly astounding. For those who haven't visited Alaska, it's really hard to conceptualize 32 million fish - the average sockeye return in Bristol Bay. This video gives a glimpse of the bio mass that enter the rivers and streams that make up the Bristol Bay watershed. Filmed exclusively in 2015 on the Copper River with Copper River Lodge.

Watch in HD - Enjoy, Comment, Share! 

I have heard many people say that one of the most enjoyable parts of a vacation is the preparation for it. Well, I got to say; I think that's a bunch of bushwa! I hate wading through websites, psychoanalyzing email correspondence, and picking the brains of my half-wit bar mates that have "done it all". And, when it comes to vacations in Alaska, there are just too many options. To make things worse, the worldwide web is completely saturated with ridiculous claims, search engine manipulation, and pure marketing dung from the Great North. I won't even mention the reality TV shows.

My commentary is not meant to diminish the majesty of Alaska. I myself have built a business around the jaw dropping fishing and adventure opportunities in the 49th state. The landscapes, fishing quality, and wildness are simply incomparable. Unfortunately, trip planning for Alaska can be equally mind-boggling. Consider the following: Fish runs, lodge rates, quality of accommodations, guide reputation, discounts, safety, inclusions, exclusions, the dining program, travel details, availability, lodge culture, scenery, non-fishing activities, insurance, fish species, gear, and gratuity. Got it?

Take a deep breath and start here; it's all worth it. Here are 5 basic tips for planning a trip to Alaska.

1. Consult an Alaska Expert or Travel Specialist

What every angler and adventure traveler wants is a perfect fit per their interests. Don't play Alaska Lodge roulette! Find a reputable travel specialist that is experienced with AK – Ehem! These services are free. There are many guides, veteran anglers, and travel professionals that have first hand knowledge of the different Alaska adventure and specific lodges. Whether you are planning your first trip to the Last Frontier, or you would like a 2nd opinion on a new adventure, there are resources out there to help. DO YOUR HOMEWORK! Or, better yet, let someone else do it for you.

2. Book Early

The best lodges in Alaska have incredibly high return rates. In many cases, guests have the first right of refusal for returning the same time next year, which means there can be few openings for new anglers. Your best chance to get a high-demand date is to book 6-12 months in advance.

3. Choosing the Right Type of Operation

There are many types of fishing and adventure offerings in Alaska. In fact, it's an outright wilderness of options out there. Each lodge/company is unique in their culture, fishing operations, and other services they offer. Trying to classify the variety is a task – one with a lot of gray area. With that said, this is my attempt to categorize the Alaska fishing trip types:

• Fly Out Lodge ($$$) – The most exclusive and luxury way to see and fish Alaska. These operations fly to different remote rivers, lakes and ocean locations daily. A fly out lodge allows you to experience the wonderful variety of Alaska, in addition to accessing the most remote fisheries in North America. For many, just the views from the air and the daily flight experience are worth the price of admission. In addition to having the most versatile and mobile fishing options, in general, Fly Out lodges offer extraordinary accommodations and dining.

• Fly-In or Wilderness Lodges ($$) – Naturally, these lodges are located in remote locations, away from the road system, and only accessibly by air. A fly-in or wilderness lodge can be located on a lake system, ocean bay, or river; and it is this homewater that is the foundation for their fishing programs. This type of operation does not have a daily fly out routine, but sometimes, fly out options may be available as an add-on. The meals and accommodations vary, from borderline luxury to "homestyle" country cabin and cooking.

• Float Trips ($ - $$) – A classic Alaska adventure focusing on a genuine wilderness experience, self-reliance, and a world-class fishing adventure. Despite the "roughing-it" nature of a float trip, most outfitters provide tent and bedding accommodations that are surprisingly comfortable, and the food always tastes good after a long day on the river. This is a great option for those fishermen and women who are looking for quality in fishing without all the fluff. If adventure is your passion, a float trip may be the best fit and value for your vacation.

• Guide Service ($) – Individuals with a reputation. That is how we define the "guide service" category. Their strength is in intimate knowledge of the fishery, personal attention, and outstanding customer service. In most cases, a guide service will be able to provide food and accommodations with partnering lodging.

4. Look for Discounts and Cancellation Prices

Often times, lodges have discounted weeks that are traditionally difficult to book. These weeks can be a great deal if you act on them while they are available. And, you won't sacrifice much in your Alaska experience or world-class fishing. On occasion, lodges will offer up to 50% off as a result of a last minute cancellation. The most up-to-date lodge specials can be found at AlaskaFlyOut.com.

5. Find Reviews

User reviews are an excellent way to get genuine and honest information on a particular lodge, outfitter, or operation. Guest testimonials displayed on a company website are mostly handpicked, and usually a small sample size of the overall experience. Customer reviews are raw, showing the true quality of the product. Don't limit yourself to just looking at the rating or score, but read the comments, where the most detailed and valuable information can be found. Popular review sites that are linked through AlaskaFlyOut.com are Trip Advisor and Yelp.

A GoPro cut from some steelhead fishing on the Situk River in Alaska. Some nice fish in this video. 

From the filmakers: 

Our addiction to steelhead has once again led us to the mighty Situk River in Alaska. The river is home to the largest run of native steelhead left in the world. We hit the road at the end of April, when the peak of the run usually occurs. Conditions in the river were not looking good, with flow dropping as low as 35 CFS before we got there. Unusual mild temperatures and light rain scattered every few days didn't make our life easier. Notwithstanding, good fresh push of spring steelhead were coming in each day down at the lower end. We fished every single inch of the river for 10 consecutive days looking for huge wild steelhead. At the end, we bring home memories of lifetime trophy steelhead.
Warning: fishing the Situk River and its beautiful wild steelhead can be addictive. Enjoy fly fishing responsibly.

Also, see their short video titled "Alaskan Chromers" below. 

Special Package Details: Discount Code FOM50

• 5-Day/5-Night Trip - $2,550 Per Person (Normally $5,100)
• Dates: Aug 25 - Sept 1, 2014 (Primetime Silvers)
• Included: Accommodations, Meals, Guide Services, Flies, Lures, 25 lbs of Processed Fish, Unlimited Fishing Time
• Not Included: Air Transportation between Your Home and King Salmon, Fishing Licenses, Personal Fishing Gear, Alcoholic Beverages, Gratuity
• Description

The Yantarni Salmon Camp is a wilderness tent camp 125 miles south of King Salmon and is an experience and trip distinct from the fine lodging and fly out trip offered by it's parent operation, Crystal Creek Lodge. A trip to Yantarni is for hard-core fishing enthusiasts seeking a high-volume wilderness Alaska Silver Salmon fishing experience. Days can pass without hearing the sound of an aircraft and the only fishing competition is from your fellow campmates.
Fishing Program

The fishing experience at Yantarni is high- volume salmon fishing for Chum, Pink and Silver Salmon in small coastal streams. Fishing time while at the camp is unlimited. The main stream, within walking distance from the camp, fills with ocean-fresh salmon as well as sea-run Dolly Varden. Two other prolific salmon streams are close by to give a total of three streams within easy reach of camp.

The best salmon holes are those at tidewater, about a mile from camp, and the guides transport fishermen from the camp to the tidewater holes using ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles). The streams are small enough to wade across most places at low tide and at high tide a good fly caster can reach well past the center.

As the salmon enter the stream from the ocean, they can be seen porpoising the surface as they arrive with the tides. The water clarity is often so clear it is possible to see and cast to specific fish. The roar of the nearby surf before you and majesty of the mountains behind you only add to the sweetness of the experience.

Being so close to the Ocean, the salmon are very aggressive; willing to hit a fly with abandon, often within moments after it hits the water and before the angler is ready. Persons who do not fly fish can use jigs with similar results. If weather and water conditions are right the fish will strike surface poppers.
Accommodations & Dining

As one would expect from a camp managed by Crystal Creek Lodge, it is a comfortable place featuring heated wall tents, hot showers and delicious food. The accommodations consist of heavy-duty wall tents with wood floors. The guest tents feature wood burning stoves, electric lights, carpet, and comfortable beds with sheets and down comforters. The kitchen/dining tent provides ample space for comfortable dining and evening social activities. The shower tent and lavatory facilities have an inexhaustible supply of hot water, and the water, which is pumped from a well, is as clean and pure as you will ever find. There is a flush toilet for guests.
Meals are cooked and served "home style" in the dining hall. Breakfasts can be chosen hearty as sausage and eggs or light as oatmeal or fruit. Streamside shore lunches of fresh salmon are a camp specialty. Dinner entrees include prime rib, roasted chicken and fresh salmon with side dishes.

Discount Code FOM50

Contact Us: [email protected] | 406.781.7184 | AlaskaFlyOut.com | Yantarni.com

The journey from the lodge to your fishing destination is half the fun. A day of fishing at Crystal Creek Lodge offers some of the most spectacular fly-fishing and scenery in the world.

A really great video montage from the 2013 season at Mission Lodge, with some fantastic timelapse video and underwater footage. This gives you a small taste of the experience at a fly out lodge in Bristol Bay, Alaska. 

Igiugig Lodge, Alaska Available Dates: June 7 – 14 and June 14 – 21, 2014

Discount Rate: $5200 per person for a 7-night/6-day package (regular rate = $6200)

Contact Us for More Information

Brad Waitman at Igiugig Lodge graciously invited us to his lodge for a couple days of fishing and filming for our recent fly fishing film, Long Live the King. Located at the mouth of the Kvichak River and the outlet of Alaska's famous Lake Iliamna, sits his humble, family-run fishing lodge. The beach front location on the giant lake makes it feel you are on the ocean somewhere - maybe the Oregon Coast. Waves were licking the shore, and we really felt like we were out there - in the REAL Alaska. Brad runs a small operation, hosting just 4-6 guests per week. Brad is a pilot and a guide. So, he flies a Cessna 206 to many different fisheries in Bristol Bay and Katmai National Park, where he puts his 29+ years of Alaska guiding experience to work for you. The truth is, the guy is a fish hound. I mean he is fish nuts! One of those guys that has a sixth sense, and just knows how find fish, with every type of tackle and skill level. We asked Brad to try put us on King Salmon on fly rods on the very large Nushagak River, which does not naturally lend itself to fly fishing. Nevertheless, Brad was able to put us in the right spots at the right time for outstanding success. Nothing like having an ocean bright King Salmon tearing line off your reel at slack tide! 

In addition to Brad's skills as a guide/pilot, he and his wife Brenda were incredibly generous hosts. The family atmosphere, good home-cooking, and comfortable accommodations made for a fantastic apres-fish experience. If you're looking for serious fishing, comfortable accommodations, with a first-class family owned lodge - consider Igiugig Lodge. 

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What's Special about Igiugug Lodge: 

• Homewater - Located on the Kvichak River, their operation is based on one of the most productive fisheries in Bristol Bay for both salmon and giant rainbows. When weather doesn't allow you to fly, it will not affect your day of fishing. It just might improve it. 

• Small Group Exclusivity - The lodge is available as exclusive with just 4 anglers. 

• Serious Anglers Take Note - If you're interested in fishing and fishing hard for a solid week, you've found the right place. If you want to swing for the world's hottest rainbows on the Kvichak with one of Alaska's most experienced guides, Igiugig Lodge. 

• Price - As a Bristol Bay operation offering fly outs, Igiugig Lodge's week rate sits at a modest $6,200. With special pricing available through us at Fly Out. Questions? Contact Us

By Cory Luoma

Oh no, not another post on C&R tips and techniques! I know, I know, everyone knows about these bullet points. But in my experience, many of these best practices for catch-and-release are ignored during the excitement of the moment. It's just natural - I'm guilty of some slip ups also. Fish are brought in and banged against rocks. Big rainbows are held out of the water for 5 minute photo sessions. Hasty hook removal rips cartlidge on small fish. A fat char's guts are squeezed and compromised for the one-hander shot. There's no time to rescucitate because there are so many more fish to catch - how about just under hand tossing it into the fast current. 

The truth is, if we're goint to practice successful C&R, we need to follow the commandments - religiously. For most of us, that means slowing down, and doing the things that we already know about taking good care of fish. Don't get in a hurry. The photos can wait. The long cast, the secret spot, the big fish, and the hero photos mean nothing without the resource. Here are a few bullet point reminders: 

• Pinch the barb on your hook flat so it's easily removed.  

• Choose your tackle wisely, plan ahead.

• Land the fish as quickly and carefully as possible to avoid extreme exhaustion and injury near shore/boat. 

• Keep the fish in the water and resuscitate it. Handle the fish gently with wet hands or moist gloves.

• If you must net it, use a release net made of soft knotless fabric and keep the fish under water in the net. Don't lift the fish up in the air or squeeze it. Minimize time out of the water.

• Don't sacrifice the fish for the photo. Never squeeze your fish. Keep fingers away from gills and eyes. Minimize handling.

• If you plan to keep a fish or two for the table, let the hook-up decide what you kill. Many people who claim to practice catch and release are in fact doing what commercial fishermen call "high-grading". They are sorting out the smaller fish, looking for the bigger fish. If a trophy size fish is hooked in the lip for an easy release – let it go. If you catch a smaller fish that is bleeding – keep it.

• Locate the hook, then decide how to approach it. Back the hook out with hemostats or other hook removal tool. 

• Fish responsibly. Alter your method or your gear to minimize hooking mortality. That may mean going to circle hooks or setting the hook a little sooner. Apply deeply hooked fish to your bag limit and release the fish with good survivable hookup. If we are responsible in our approach today, it will mean more fish in the future for everyone.

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What strikes most visitors to Alaska is the sheer scale of things (Sorry, Texas eat your heart out). The mountain ranges go on forever, appearing to be spilling over the edge of the Earth. The rivers and tributaries meander across prehistoric landscapes, colliding with giant glacier ice fields that mimic something from a science fiction movie . Moose, bears, dahl sheep, and other large mammals dominate the state's population, and meander without notice of civilization. Let's face it, it's hard to look past the enormity of Alaska. It drives home a brand of humility that is difficult to find in the human-centric world of smart phones and rush hour.

Occasionally (actually quite often), I thumb through our large gallery of Alaska photos from many different areas of the state. In those images, I find examples of the more subtle beauties of Alaska. A close up of the scales on a big Coho Salmon or a grizzly track impressed sharply into a river bank. It is quite amazing to encounter these tiny miracles and glimpses of infinity at the smallest micro scale. One moment you are soaking in the grandeur of an Alaska sunset, the next you are looking at the intricacy of bear scat. There is beauty at every scale in The Last Frontier.