How Does an Alaska Fishing Lodge Operate?

Many lodges in southwest Alaska operate on a program of "Daily fly-out-fishing." What this means is that everyday, ALL the guests must pack up into an airplane and fly to a different destination to spend the day. Fly-outs do have some advantages in that you will be bale to see some fabulous remote streams and some very rugged and breathtaking country.  However, there are some huge drawbacks to staying at a lodge that REQUIRES fly-outs in order to get to any fishing.  First, you will have to contend with the ever-changing weather and sometimes violent weather.  As pilots that operate in the area, which I am one of them, I will tell you that there are days through the season in the Bristol Bay area that you should not or cannot fly.  The biggest constricting element on adverse weather is FOG and lack of visibility.  If you are at a lodge that must fly you out you run the risk of being stuck at the lodge playing cribbage waiting for the conditions to improve.  Secondly, by having to fly out everyday you are stuck with a limited fishing time in order to accommodate the lodge schedule for diner.  The third thing to consider when choosing a lodge that must fly out in order to get you to fishing spots is that this amount of flying can take a toll on some people.  If you or your fishing partner decides not to get on the aircraft in the morning, you will not be able to fish that day.

What the Best Alaska Fishing Lodges Offer

The best Alaska fishing lodges will offer the angler a combination of both fly-out fishing and trophy fishing on their "Home" river—the river the lodge is located on. It is also very important to pick a lodge that emphasizes a high quality Alaska experience where every detail is looked after and no corners are being cut.  Remember, you get what you pay for!  The Alaska Sportsman's Lodge and Alaska Sportsman’s Bear Trail Lodge operate programs in a manner that will make sure that you have a quality trip with professional staff, first-class accommodations, a strong concerns for safety, 5-star restaurant quality food, and the assurance that you will be able to fish everyday. By being on a trophy river—a river that is at many times throughout the fishing season is the river that fly out only lodges are trying to get to—combined with fly out fishing opportunities, you will have ensured yourself of the absolute best Alaska fishing experience possible.  As I stated above, Fog is the main condition that prevents fly outs from happening.  However, fog certainly does not prevent us from taking our boats from our docks and fishing in very close proximity to the lodge.  You have excellent fishing right out your front door!  Our fly out program also takes advantage of the strategic locations of the lodges and is able to be at many different rivers with just a short 15-25 minute flights.  Again I will state that fly outs enhance the fishing trip tremendously by giving you the opportunity to see new rivers, be where the fish are, and see some awe-inspiring country.  We thoroughly enjoy our fly out program and taking clients to these special places.  However, I can tell you it is very nice to have the lodges located on a great river with wonderful fishing that is right out the front door by boat!  Guests at Alaska Sportsman’s Lodge and Alaska Sportsman’s Bear Trail Lodge are ensured of being able to fish everyday of their trip, on a trophy class river, and that they can take advantage of both early and late fishing times.