Included / Not Included: –
Included: Accommodations and meals at the lodge, round-trip flights between Anchorage and King Salmon, transportation between King Salmon and the lodge, guiding, fly-outs per your itinerary (weather permitting), wine and beer, any needed tackle, including waders, fly rods, and flies.
Not Included: Airfare to/from Anchorage, accommodations and meals in Anchorage, fishing licenses, hard alcohol, and staff and guide gratuities.
Travel Logistics:
Arrival Information: To get to Rapids Camp Lodge you need to make flight arrangements to King Salmon via Anchorage. Guests may either overnight in Anchorage the night before flying into King Salmon, or West Coast travelers may fly into King Salmon the day of arrival to the lodge.
Getting to the Lodge: You need to arrive King Salmon by 7:00PM the day you will arrive to the lodge. A lodge representative will meet you at the airport and drive you to the lodge (about 15 minutes away).
Departure Information: On your departure, you will be driven back to King Salmon for your morning flight back to Anchorage and then home.
*Note: 3 or 4 day trips may also be available upon request.
Travel Cash:
As a guideline we recommend that each guest travel with approximately $600-$900 for staff and guide gratuities, alcohol, etc. The lodge accepts both Master Card and Visa.
Gratuities:
We recommend staff and guide gratuities of approximately 10-15% of your package price. Tips are pooled and may be given to your head guide or lodge manager at the end of the week for distribution to the entire staff. Cash is greatly appreciated.
Fishing Licenses:
Fishing licenses are not included. We recommend purchasing your Alaska fishing license ahead of time online at: http://www.admin.adfg.state.ak.us/license/. You may also purchase your license at the lodge.
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. Typical daytime temperatures range from 40-70 degrees f.
Medical Facilities:
The closest medical facility is in Anchorage, which is about an 80 minute flight from the lodge. Guests have the responsibility to disclose any special medical, physical, or dietary needs to the lodge ahead of time. In emergency situations, a charter flight may be required to reach a medical facility. Guests may want to consider medical evacuation coverage. We recommend Global Rescue.
Power and Communications:
Cell phones do not work at the lodge, but work well in Anchorage. The lodge has phones that guests may use, but please bring a phone calling card with you. The entire property has high speed wireless DSL and there are 2 computers that guest may access, although they would prefer if you bring your own laptop. Rapids Camp Lodge has 3 satellite phones usually carried in the airplanes to be used for emergency use only. The lodge also has as a satellite TV, with all sport channels.
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. A swimsuit is appreciated for the hot tub. Dress at the lodge is casual.
Laundry:
Laundry service is available upon request to guests during their stay. Please be prepared to tip the person doing the laundry. Typically a gratuity of $10-$20 is customary, depending on the size of the laundry.
Beverages/Alcohol:
The lodge now has a liquor license. They have a variety of alcohol for sale at the lodge bar, including vodka, gin, whiskey, tequila, bourbon, and a few scotches. If there is something else you would like, please let us know ahead of time and we can look into getting it. Because the lodge has its liquor license, guests no longer are permitted to bring in their own liquor, per Alaska state law.
Tackle/Equipment List:
Rods: Trout; 9-10 ft. 5-7 wt. rods (note a stout 9 ft 6wt is a staple) 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: 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 has an excellent assortment of the most effective flies and they supply them as part of your package price. With that said you are welcome to bring along as few or as many of your own flies as you like. For June and July bring along your standards dries as well as some Morrish Mouse and Sculpin patterns. Small fry and smolt patterns can also be deadly at this time of year. In August, stick to the beads supplied by the lodge. In September bring along sculpin patterns as well as assorted large steelhead type patterns and flesh patterns.
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.
Note: The lodge is happy to provide you with all the needed rods, reels, waders and flies as part of your package price.
