Included / Not Included: –
Included: Accommodations and meals at lodge, guided fishing, wine, and alcohol.
Not Included: Airfare to Nondalton, accommodations and meals in Anchorage, fishing licenses, staff and guide gratuities, flies, and tackle.
Travel Logistics:
Arrival Information: To get to Newhalen Lodge you need to make travel arrangements to Anchorage. The lodge itinerary is Monday to Monday. Most guests prefer to overnight in Anchorage so they will be able to catch the 11:00AM flight to Nondalton on Monday morning. (Hotel not included in package.)
Getting to the Lodge: On Monday take a morning charter flight from Anchorage to Nondalton (charter not included in package). Lodge staff will meet your flight in Nondalton and transport you to the lodge. The lodge is a short ride or walk from the airstrip.
Departure Information: On your departure day (Monday) you will take a morning charter around 9:00AM from Nondalton to Anchorage and points beyond.
Travel Cash:
As a guideline we recommend that each guest travels with approximately $800-$1,000 for staff & guide gratuities, licenses, etc.
Gratuities:
We recommend gratuities of approximately 10% of your package price. Please give your gratuity to the owner Bill Sims (or the lodge manager/head guide in his absence) at the end of the week for distribution to the staff.
Fishing Licenses:
We recommend that your purchase your fishing licenses online prior to your trip. 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:
The weather in southwest Alaska is highly variable. Anglers should always come prepared for cold rainy conditions, especially early and late in the season. July is typically the warmest month, with cooler temperatures in June and August. Typical daytime temperatures range from 40-70 degrees.
Medical Facilities:
The closest medical facility is in Anchorage approximately one hour by air from the lodge. Guests have the responsibility to disclose any special medical, physical, or dietary needs to the lodge ahead of time.
Power and Communications:
The main lodge has a wireless connection so feel free to bring your laptop and the lodge rooms have a dial up connection for their guests. There is also a separate TV/video viewing center, and 24 hour telephone/fax services are available.
Water:
The water at the lodge is potable and great.
Clothing:
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. Dress at the lodge is casual.
Laundry:
Limited laundry service is available upon request or in an emergency. Please pack accordingly.
Beverages/Alcohol:
The lodge provides alcohol. Guests may bring in their own.
Tackle/Equipment List:
Rods: Trout; 9-10 ft. 4-7 wt. Rods Salmon; 9-10 ft. 7-9 wt. Rods.
Reels: Any well-made reel with at least 100 yards of backing.
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 2X- 5X (four or five of each) and tippet to match. Salmon; 9-10 ft. tapered leaders in 2X-0X and tippet to match. Note: Florocarbon has become popular for the trout fishing.
Flies: The lodge is well stocked with flies and will bill you for the flies that you use during the week. In the early season you will want to fish with streamers, leaches, sculpin, mice, smolt and fry patterns. During the egg fishing season of August and early September you fish almost exclusively with beads that the guides will supply you with. In the late season, its back to sculpin , leaches and flesh patterns. For salmon, some of the following are also productive: Cook’s Popsicle, pink pollywog, woolley buggers in gaudy colors, egg sucking leaches, bright bunny leaches, and Clouser minnows.
Waders & Boots: Chest high breathable and or neoprene waders with felt soled wading boots. No studs or cleats please, as they damage the aircrafts and boats.
