Once in a great while, you walk into a lodge and feel as though you have mysteriously arrived home. Copper River Lodge is one of those places. The staff is all smiles, the couches are cozy, and there’s a cabin-in-the-woods feeling that you hope will never fade. To cap it all off, the lodge sits beside a river of such beauty and intrigue that you will never tire of its shifting moods and hidden rewards. The Copper, hallowed as Alaska’s most beautiful river, is a friendly forest stream with rugged rock outcroppings, countless classic riffles, large wild rainbows, and deep aqua pools stacked with scarlet salmon. Each day two anglers set out with an experienced guide via jet boat for the day’s fishing. And while other lodges fly far and wide to reach this fabled river, their guests return early and leave the entire river to Copper River Lodge clients for the evening hours. In addition to fishing the home water of the Copper, clients can also set out on a large jet boat to explore the nearby Gibraltar River. Fly-outs are not required, so every day is a fishing day, regardless of the weather. June and July are known for producing some of Alaska’s finest dry fly fishing. August yields high catch-rates for rainbows gorging on eggs. In September, large and bright rainbows move up into the system from Lake Iliamna to provide one of the ultimate freshwater challenges.
The Copper River Lodge Travel:
You will need to make your travel arrangements to Anchorage and also from Anchorage to Iliamna. Most guests prefer to overnight in Anchorage and then take the7:30AM flight to Iliamna. The 15 minute charters between Iliamna and the lodge are with Iliamna Air Taxi. These flights are included in the lodge package. Upon arrival at Iliamna you will need to approach the flight counter and tell them you are with Copper River Lodge and they will take care of you. When flying home at the end of the week, you should arrive back in Anchorage at around 6:25PM Sunday evening.
The Copper River Lodge Fishing:
The Copper River is a classic trout stream packed with long dry fly glides, deep winding pools studded with boulders, faster riffles, and deep undercut banks just begging for a mouse fly. Unlike other tundra rivers in Alaska that offer large trout, the Copper runs through a scenic river valley lined with groves of cottonwood, spruce, and birch. Aside from helping make it one of the most gorgeous rivers in the state, these trees offer the fly fishermen refuge from the relentless northern winds. Probably one of the nicest surprises for anglers visiting the Copper is the river's size and wadeability. Fishermen of any age or skill that desire the solitude of the river rather than the tutelage of the guide can comfortably and successfully fish on their own. The Copper River Rainbows are some of the largest in Alaska, and are the reason the Copper was the first river in the state designated a "fly fishing, catch and release only, trophy rainbow river." It is this designation that has kept the fishing so spectacular.
The Copper River Lodge Season:
June – September
The Copper River Lodge Fish Species:
Rainbow trout and sockeye salmon
The Copper River Lodge Lodge Capacity:
6 anglers
The Copper River Lodge 2008 Rates:
$4,100 per week / per person, based on double occupancy.
Included:
All meals, accommodations, guiding, float plane transportation between Iliamna and the Lodge, fishing licenses, flies, local and state taxes.
Not Included:
Transportation to Illiamna, wine, alcohol, gratuities ($350.00 per person recommended).
Alaska