Included/Not Included: –
Included: Meals, major camping equipment, guiding, and back up flies.
Not Included: Airfare to and from King Salmon, accommodations and meals in Anchorage, Alaska fishing license, sleeping bag, pillow, sleeping pad, alcohol, personal fishing equipment, gratuities.
Arrival Information: To reach American Creek all anglers need to make flight reservations in and out of Anchorage, Alaska and then on to King Salmon the following morning. The float trip originates in King Salmon.
Getting to the Lodge: Once in King Salmon you will transfer to a float equipped aircraft for the short flight into American Creek.
Departure Information: On the last day of your trip you will be picked up by float plane and shuttled back to King Salmon, where you will catch your flight back to Anchorage (independently arranged and not included). Typically you will arrive in Anchorage at about 8:00PM. While anglers may be able to get all the way home on their last day, most elect to overnight in Anchorage on the return trip.
Gratuities:
Gratuities are not included in the cost of the package and are left to the discretion of the individual angler. For planning purposes fishermen can expect the industry standard of around 10 - 12% of the trip price. This should be in cash and can be given to the head guide at the end of your trip.
Fishing Licenses:
We recommend that your purchase your fishing licenses online prior to your trip as it is easier than purchasing them at camp. Please use the Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game website and purchase a 7 day non-resident fishing license, print the licenses and bring them with you.
Climate:
In general, during June and July average temperatures are in the 60's to mid 70's. Temperatures in the fall are quite a bit cooler and average in the 50's-60's. Temperatures can drop into the 30's and 40's at almost any time in Alaska. Keep in mind that Alaska has unpredictable weather -- it is good to always come prepared. You will encounter some biting insects such as mosquitoes, no see-ums, and white sox, but typically a light coating of insect repellent is enough to keep them off. On the river, where there is usually a light breeze, you should hardly notice them. If the weather is perfect for bugs sometimes a head net is nice to have. Insect repellant is provided.
Medical Facilities:
The American Creek float is not near any medical facility. In emergency situations, a charter flight may required to reach a medical facility and guests may want to consider medical evacuation coverage. We recommend Global Rescue coverage. Guests have the responsibility to disclose any special medical, physical, or dietary needs to the lodge ahead of time.
Power and Communications:
The trip will be equipped with an emergency locator beacon as well as a satellite phone for emergency communications.
Water:
The guides will purify all drinking and cooking water throughout the course of your trip.
We highly recommend you bring a personal water filter or squeeze bottle water filter. You can just dip these bottles into the river and drink it. The inexpensive personal charcoal water filters are all you need. Or, you can bring a water bottle and fill it from our large water filter.
Clothing:
As the climate is extremely changeable and a wide range of temperatures and conditions can be expected, we recommend layering clothes. Typical fishing clothing consists of synthetic long underwear, fleece jacket and pants, hooded sweatshirt, and a good fishing rain jacket. Fingerless gloves are nice for cold mornings, and bring along a warm hat for early and late season fishing. For anglers made particularly uncomfortable by biting insects, pack along a mosquito head net if visiting during the first half of the season.
Packing your River Clothing:
We suggest that you put all your river clothes in a zippered bag approximately 2-1/2 ft x 16". This way it can drop right into the waterproof bag that will already contain your sleeping bag and thermarest pad. Your guides will loan you a large waterproof bag and a small “day bag” in Anchorage before the trip. (Or, you can bring your own waterproof bags.) Things like wading shoes, waders, and fishing tackle do not need to go in the waterproof bag. You can put them in a duffle bag. This way you can check your waterproof bag and the duffel bag with the airline, and remember do not put fish hooks in your carry-on luggage.
Beverages/Alcohol:
Your guide does not provide alcohol. Guests are welcome to bring their own.
Tackle/Equipment List:
Rods: Trout, Char: 9-10 ft. 5-7 wt rods, Salmon: 9-10 ft. 7-9 wt. rods (note sockeyes will only be in the system after the first week of July). If we were only to have one rod for the trout fishing it would be a 9 ft. 7 wt or a stout 6 wt.
Reels: Any well-made reel with at least 100 yards of backing. Disk drags work well.
Lines: Trout: Weight forward floating lines are the norm but if you are fishing in June, July, or September bring along sinking tip lines such as the Mastery wet tip type 4, Teeny 200, or the Rio Versi-Tip in the appropriate weights. Salmon: Weight forward floaters are the most common but bring along at least one of the following if you are deliberately targeting Salmon: Mastery wet tip type 4, Teeny five foot mini tip, Rio Versi-Tip, and or Teeny 200 or 300 grain heads in the appropriate weights.
Leaders/ Tippet: Trout: 9-10 ft tapered leaders in 1X- 3X (four or five of each) and tippet to match. Salmon: 9-10 ft. tapered leaders in 1X-0X and tippet to match. Note: Fluorocarbon has become popular for the trout fishing.
Flies: Trout Streamers: Black and olive articulated leaches (12) size 2-4, Morrish Sculpins in dark olive and brown size 2, Zonkers in olive and natural size 4 (12), Bead and cone head Woolley Buggers in size 2 (12), Purple egg sucking leaches, flesh flies, Morrish Medusa in flesh, and other personal favorites. Egg patterns (1-2 dozen total); Glo Bugs size 8-10 shell pink, and peach; beads in assorted pink tones. Sockeye Salmon: (July only) Gold Comets size 8 (12), Sockeye Orange size 8 (12) and flash flies in size 4 (3-6). Trout Dries: Morrish Mouse size 4 (6), assorted dries like parachute Adams, elk hair caddis, X Caddis and EC Caddis in olive #12-16, Wulffs and stimulators in sizes 8-14.
Waders & Boots: Chest high breathable and or neoprene waders with felt soled wading boots. No studs or cleats please, as they can damage the boats.
