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Fly Fishing in Alaska
King salmon. Silver salmon. Untouched wilderness. Lava Creek Lodge.
Alaska – the Last Frontier, and for many fly fishers the ultimate dream. Rudi Klejch was already organizing trips to Alaska in the early decades of the shop, a tradition we carry forward today. Lava Creek Lodge on the Alaska Peninsula is one of the most remote fly fishing lodges in the state: only eight anglers a week fish rivers that see almost no pressure. King salmon, silver salmon, chum salmon, wild rainbow trout and Dolly Varden – in a wilderness where brown bears, wolves and caribou are part of everyday life.
Lava Creek Lodge
Not included: International flights, Alaska fishing license, king salmon stamp (June and July), personal gear, gratuities, alcohol.
Places at Lava Creek Lodge are strictly limited. Ask about availability
The lodge – wilderness with comfort
Lava Creek Lodge sits on the Alaska Peninsula, south-west of Bristol Bay – around 110 miles from King Salmon, reachable only by charter flight and float plane. The lodge offers comfortable double cabins with private bathroom, hot water and heating. In the main building a professional kitchen team serves meals made from fresh ingredients, including Alaskan halibut and salmon on request.
Fishing is done from a jet boat on the home river – the boats take you to the best wading pools, which you then fish on foot. In good weather there are fly-outs by float plane to surrounding rivers that see just as little pressure. With a maximum of eight guests per week there is no crowding on the water: the best pools are yours.
The fishing – three seasons, one river
Lava Creek Lodge offers three fundamentally different fisheries over the course of the season. Depending on when you travel you experience an entirely different kind of fishing – or combine several phases.
King salmon – June to mid July
The king of the Pacific salmon. Bright, chrome chinook run straight out of the sea into the river – fresh, powerful and impressive in size. The fishing is classic swing fishing with two-handed or switch rods in the deep pools, with chum salmon and Dolly Varden alongside.
Rainbow trout & chum – mid July to early August
The special weeks, limited to just four anglers. Between the king and silver seasons the focus shifts to wild rainbow trout in the 50–60 cm range that until recently had never seen a fly. Chum salmon and large Dolly Varden come with them. For fly fishers looking for the untouched Alaska away from the mainstream.
Silver salmon – August to mid September
Coho season – the most aggressive salmon fishing in Alaska. Silver salmon take poppers, streamers and topwater patterns explosively, jump clear of the water and fight spectacularly. Lava Creek Lodge is known for silvers that run above average size. High numbers, fish all day – coho season in Alaska has few equals.
Wilderness & wildlife
The Alaska Peninsula is one of the last great wilderness areas on earth. The lodge lies within the Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge – 5,500 square miles of protected land. Brown bears are daily company on the river. Barren-ground caribou move across the tundra and arctic wolves are sighted regularly. Add bald eagles, moose, river otters, seals, walrus and the rare emperor goose, which occurs only in western Alaska.
Beyond the fishing the lodge offers fly-out trips to the Aniakchak volcanic crater (a national monument), beach walks along the remote Bering Sea coast and wildlife viewing – Alaska in its purest form.
The region & getting there
Alaska is the largest and most sparsely populated state in the USA. Lava Creek Lodge sits on the Alaska Peninsula, between the Pacific to the south and the Bering Sea to the north – one of the most remote regions in the state.
Getting there runs via Anchorage, which is well connected internationally. On arrival day you are taken to a private charter flight (Pilatus PC-12) that brings you directly to the airstrip near the lodge. From there a float plane covers the last ten minutes. On departure day you are back in Anchorage around 14:30. We recommend a night in Anchorage before and after the trip.
The season runs from June to mid September: king salmon June to mid July, the trout weeks mid July to early August, silver salmon August to mid September.
Gear for Alaska
Alaska calls for robust, versatile equipment, and what you need shifts with the season. We advise you personally and put your setup together, in our shop in Vienna, by phone or through our online shop.
- Rods for king salmon: Single-hand #9–#10, or a two-handed or switch rod #9–#10 in 12.5–14 ft for swing fishing. Single-hand → · Two-handed →
- Rods for silvers and trout: Single-hand #7–#8 for streamers and topwater. Single-hand fly rods →
- Reels: Robust reels with a strong drag and plenty of backing – kings make long runs. Fly reels →
- Fly lines: Floating, intermediate and sink tips depending on season and method. Skagit and Scandi heads for two-handed rods. Fly lines →
- Flies: Egg-sucking leeches, intruders and deceivers for kings. Poppers and streamers for silvers. Nymphs and streamers for trout. Flies in our shop →
- Waders & boots: Breathable and warmly lined. Alaskan water is cold and quality makes the difference. Waders → · Wading boots →
- Clothing: Layering – merino base layer, fleece, waterproof outer shell. The weather turns quickly. Jackets →
- Polarized sunglasses: Essential for sight fishing. Polarized sunglasses →
Before your trip: If you can make it to Vienna, come by our shop and we will build your Alaska setup with you. If not, call us or send an email, and you can order everything from our online shop.
Frequently asked questions about Alaska
What does a stay at Lava Creek Lodge cost?
How do I get to Lava Creek Lodge?
When is the best time to fish?
How many anglers fish per week?
Do I need a lot of experience?
Are there bears?
What is a fly-out?
Which species can I catch in Alaska?
What gear do I need for Alaska?
What do I need to enter the United States?
Do I need a fishing license?
Plan your Alaska trip
Places at Lava Creek Lodge are limited to eight anglers a week – ask about availability now.
Tell us your preferred dates and target species. We reply within 24 hours.