King Salmon, Alaska is located three hundred miles southwest of Anchorage on the northwestern side of Katmai National Park, in the Bristol Bay watershed. The rivers and streams in the area are world renowned for their runs of wild Pacific Salmon and thriving resident populations of Rainbow Trout, Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling, Northern Pike, Lake Trout, and Dolly Varden.
Alaska Rainbow Lodge is a premier fly-out fly fishing lodge located 35 miles NW of King Salmon on the banks of the Kvichak River, a world famous trophy Rainbow Trout destination fishery. Guests fish the Kvichak and, with the use of the lodge’s three aircraft, hundreds of miles of nearby rivers and creeks (flight times range from 10 minutes to 1 hour), many of which are located in national and state parks and federal wildlife refuges with little or no human development. Western Alaska is the last American frontier in the world of fly-fishing, and there is perhaps no better venue to experience the wonders of this amazing wilderness than Alaska Rainbow Lodge.
Owner and pilot, Chip Ferguson, purchased the lodge from Alaska legend Ron Hayes. In addition to making numerous improvements to the lodge facility, Chip has taken the reputation that Ron built over 30 plus years and continues to deliver exceptional service, cuisine, hospitality, and - of course - fishing.
Location: King Salmon, Alaska
Species: Trophy Rainbow Trout, All Five Species of Pacific Salmon, Arctic Char, Dolly Varden, Grayling, Northern Pike, Lake Trout
Seasonality: June - October
Rates: $14,650 // 7 Nights / 6 Days Fishing
Reach out to our team in the travel department to learn more about our experiences at Alaska Rainbow Lodge.
Phone: (888) 824-5420 or (214) 219-2500
Email: travel@tailwatersflyfishing.com
ARL prides itself on a completely customizable fishing program, catering to guests’ ideal fishing experience. With three DeHavilland Beavers on floats, 40+ jetboats, and a Wooldridge sports boat, ARL pilots and guides work together to deliver guests where the fishing is best, each and every day. In the event that weather precludes flying, the incredible rainbow trout and salmon fishing of the Kvichak River is right out the back door. In fact, many guests forgo one or more fly-out days for longer fishing hours and the convenience of the Kvichak. The Kvichak is home to some of Alaska’s largest Rainbows — many exceeding 30 inches (lodge record 34.5″) and tremendous runs of all species of salmon.
Depending on the specific rivers to be fished, on any given day guests either walk and wade streams or access more remote fishing areas by jet-boat after delivery to the area by aircraft. Fish species available throughout the season include the Pacific Salmon species of king, chum, sockeye, pink, and silver, as well as the resident fish species of rainbow trout, arctic char, dolly varden, arctic grayling, northern pike, and lake trout. The lodge maintains a huge fleet of jet boats stashed on various rivers throughout the region ensuring that travel time is cut and that there is no shortage of exploration of each river in search of the best fishing. Float trips in comfortable rafts are also part of the weekly routine depending on the season and anglers’ interests.
Southwestern Alaska offers an incredible diversity of fishing opportunities with eleven game fish species available throughout the season.
SEE BROCHURE FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF RIVERS, CREEKS AND LAKES FISHED BY ALASKA RAINBOW LODGE.
Nothing caps off a long day on the water better than a hot shower and comfortable place to grab a cocktail and relax. Alaska Rainbow Lodge has you covered! The facility’s traditional log cabin style buildings are tastefully decorated and tailor made for a luxurious Alaskan wilderness experience. The lodge sits on a bluff perched above the Kvichak with a great river view. Guests enjoy a spacious common area with fully stocked bar and high speed wireless internet. Meals are taken in the adjoining dining room.
They serve only the finest meats, have access to the freshest salmon and halibut on earth, and have fresh produce delivered weekly. The lodge employs two full-time professional chefs that turn out phenomenal meals from fresh seafood to prime rib. Desserts are delicious, the bar is always well stocked, and the wine selection is top notch. While out for the day, you will be offered a hot shore lunch of salmon and/or char (weather and bears permitting). If you are rafting or hiking, the chefs will send along a delicious picnic lunch with hot soup, salad, and sandwiches.
Guests stay in five spacious double occupancy bedrooms with private baths, plus three private bedroom duplex cabins. The maximum capacity of sixteen anglers is more intimate than most competing lodges.
Alaska Rainbow Lodge operates on a Friday – Friday schedule.
The first leg of the trip is accomplished by guests reaching Anchorage, Alaska, which is serviced by numerous commercial carriers. All anglers who plan to use the lodge’s charter to King Salmon must overnight in Anchorage on Thursday night. We will provide a number of hotel recommendations for your stay in Anchorage.
PRIVATE CHARTER TO / FROM KING SALMON & ANCHORAGE
Alaska Rainbow Lodge organizes charter flights to and from King Salmon and Anchorage with Trans Northern Aviation. Guests will need to arrive at gate L2 in the South Terminal on Friday morning at 9:00am to check in and get bags loaded. The flight will depart at 10:00am and arrive in King Salmon between 11:30 - 11:45am where the lodge will be waiting. All three floatplanes will take all guests and their small / carry on bags to the lodge where you have lunch and check in.
For the return flight, guests will depart the lodge on float planes around 10:30am to meet the departing charter flight back to Anchorage between 12:45 - 1:00pm, putting guests back into Anchorage with bags and boxes of fish before 3:00pm. Guests then navigate to their connecting commercial flights home. There are many “red-eye” flights from Anchorage to the Lower 48, so it is possible to continue onward from Anchorage on Friday evening and arrive at your home city on Saturday morning.
Alaska Rainbow Lodge is open from early June through early October.
Choosing a date to fish anywhere in Western Alaska depends on which species you would like to target. Fishing is excellent all season, but the conditions and species available vary from month to month and may impact when you decide to visit. All months are excellent for viewing wildlife, and anglers often find themselves sharing the river or stream with multiple grizzly bears doing a little fishing of their own.
The annual salmon run plays a huge role in the productivity and style of fishing. Every summer, millions of Pacific Salmon return to their home streams to spawn and die, contributing in this natural cycle of life that maintains the health and productivity of the fishery. SEE BROCHURE FOR DETAILED BREAKDOWN OF WEATHER & SEASONALITY, AS WELL AS TIMING OF SALMON RUNS / STYLE OF FISHING.
Although fishing is the predominant activity at Alaska Rainbow Lodge, we encourage non-angling companions to visit the lodge as well. Perhaps the best way to see Alaska’s beautiful countryside, wildlife, and wilderness is on a fly-out fishing trip. Although daily activities are oriented around fishing, guests at ARL can detour to enjoy some wildlife viewing, valley of 10,000 smokes, go on a hike, etc.
Wildlife encounters and photographic opportunities are everywhere, including daily sightings of bears, as well as wolves, moose, bald eagles, and other bird life. ARL is by no means a pretentious “fly fishing only” program. Beginner anglers are welcome and encouraged to use spinning equipment (provided) instead of fly-rods if required to make guests more comfortable and successful.
It is also possible to see wolves, moose, otters, foxes, bald eagles, and tons of other bird life. Photographers and non-anglers will love the accessibility to these species provided by the superb fly out program at ARL.
Tailwaters Travel must adhere to the cancellation policies of the guides, outfitters and lodges which it represents. Alaska Rainbow Lodge’s policy follows: A fifty-percent (50%) deposit is required at the time of booking to confirm all reservations. All deposits and final payments become nonrefundable 180 days before the trip start date. All trips must be paid in full 90 days prior to the trip start date and the entire fee becomes due even if the guest cannot make the trip.
A deposit may be transferred to another person who is not booked at the lodge for the current season. Deposits are refundable for cancellation only after/if the canceled space has been filled. Refunds are not granted for non-flying days due to weather or reasons out of the lodge’s control. Refunds of deposits/payments made on credit cards will be charged a 3.5% service charge to fully compensate Tailwaters Travel for all bank charges incurred. Receipt of deposit and/or final payment is acknowledgement that registrant has read and accepts the cancellation, refund and responsibility clauses.
Given the strict cancellation and refund policies associated with nearly all fishing packages, we cannot stress enough the importance of obtaining travel insurance to protect your investment. Redpoint Travel Protection / Ripcord offers competitive medical/cancellation/interruption coverage to couple with their industry-leading medical evacuation services. Click here to learn more and contact us to generate a quote.