Accessing some of the most productive and scenic rivers in the Bristol Bay watershed, Fish and Float has designed a custom and exclusive fishing program that caters to guests’ ideal fishing experience. Anglers craving a unique adventure within Alaska’s vast wilderness can completely create their own experience, choosing guided or self-guided floats, group size, river of choice, and even the amount of time on the water. Float trips stay out on the river the whole duration of the trip, stopping at key points along the way to set up camp for the night. There is no better way to truly experience Alaska than to live in it for the week, without the frills of a full-service lodge operation. Fish on your schedule, stop when you want, and sleep alongside the abundant wildlife that Alaska is known for - and have it all to yourself, without being combined with other guests you do not know.
Because of the customization of the fishing program, anglers have a myriad of options for the week based on their appetite for adventure, skill level, physical ability, and choice of species. All species of Pacific Salmon, including King Salmon, Arctic Char, Dolly Varden, Grayling, Northern Pike, and leopard Rainbow Trout are all possible depending on which river you choose. Anglers fly out from Iliamna, Alaska by float plane to their river of choice with the gear and supplies they will need for the week. Fish and Float operates five float planes, including four de Havilland Beavers on floats and a Cessna 185 on floats. At the close of the week’s adventure, anglers are picked up by float plane and delivered back to Iliamna to start their travels back home.
Most anglers choose a guided experience to maximize their fishing and relaxation time. On guided trips, rivers are navigated by their roster of experienced and world-class guides who are technically adept at rowing the selected river, in tune with where fish are holding and productive fishing techniques and flies, experienced on first aid and survival responsiveness, and knowledgeable on wildlife encounters. Additionally, meals and camp are set up and prepared each day by their host guides. However, self-guided floats are possible for anglers with the appropriate rafting and first aid/survival experience who want a completely personal adventure for their group.
Location: Bristol Bay Watershed
Species: Trophy Rainbow Trout, Five Species Of Pacific Salmon, Arctic Char, Dolly Varden, Grayling, Lake Trout
Seasonality: June – October
Rates: $4,800 (Guided) / $2,800 (Self-Guided) // 6 Nights / 6 Days Fishing
Reach out to our team in the travel department to learn more about our experiences at Fish and Float.
Phone: (888) 824-5420 or (214) 219-2500
Email: travel@tailwatersflyfishing.com
Guests at Fish and Float fly out aboard one of the program's five aircraft to remote streams and rivers in the area. With four de Havilland Beavers on floats, and a Cessna 185 on floats, Fish and Float guests are best equipped to access the area’s remote fisheries and wildlife viewing areas. Anglers have a choice of rivers to choose from for their custom week of fishing, depending on their target species and appetite for adventure. Many of the rivers are world-renowned, including: Alagnak, American, Chilikadrotna, Moraine, Mulchatna, Stuyahok, Little Ku, Copper, Upper King Salmon, Upper Nushagak, and more. Southwestern Alaska offers an incredible diversity of fishing opportunities throughout its four month season. Fish and Float will help you select the perfect river for your group’s special adventure in the bush of Alaska. And without the schedule that all-inclusive fly-out lodges must adhere to, you can fish as much or little as you want during your week.
Anglers and guides are transported by float plane with all the gear, supplies, and food needed for the week to their selected river. From there, they watch the plane fly away and begin their adventure. Following each day of fishing, guides setup camp on the banks of the river and prepare hot meals for guests to enjoy while taking in their personal slice of Alaska for the night. Camping accommodations are comfortable, with cots, pads, and tents. Guests just have to bring their own sleeping bag. Meals are wholesome and nutritious - everything you need to fuel your next day’s excursion. While this is a “roughing it” kind of experience, our feedback from Fish and Float guests has consistently been a once in a lifetime outdoor adventure unmatched by anything else imaginable.
Fish and Float generally operates on a Sunday – Saturday schedule.
The first leg of the trip is accomplished by guests reaching Anchorage, Alaska, which is serviced by numerous commercial carriers. Guests typically fly to Anchorage on Saturday and overnight in town at a hotel, before continuing on to Iliamna on Sunday morning.
REGIONAL FLIGHT TO / FROM ILIAMNA & ANCHORAGE
Fish and Float organizes regional flights to and from Iliamna and Anchorage with Lake & Peninsula Airlines. Upon arrival in Iliamna, lodge staff will be waiting for you with a van. The lodge staff will load your luggage and gear into the van for a short car ride to the float plane. Guests will then be transported to their selected river via float plane to begin their week’s adventure. On the last day, guests will be picked up by float plane at a predetermined location depending on their choice of river. Guests will be flown back to Iliamna to meet their connecting flight back to Anchorage.
FISH AND FLOAT IS OPEN JUNE – LATE SEPTEMBER
Choosing a date to fish anywhere in Western Alaska depends upon which species of fish 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 to this natural cycle of life that maintains the health and productivity of the fishery.
We encourage non-angling companions to participate in Fish and Float programs. Perhaps the best way to see Alaska’s gorgeous wilderness, scenery, and wildlife is on a float trip. First time Alaskan guests are blown away by the number of bears they encounter, but - by the end of the week - bears are almost an afterthought. Nearly every river system is overrun with brown bears during the annual summer run of salmon. You will share the river with bears doing fishing of their own just about every day. 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 program at Fish and Float.
Tailwaters Travel must adhere to the cancellation policies of the guides, outfitters and lodges which it represents. Iliamna River Lodge’s policy follows: A non-refundable 50% deposit is required to secure all reservations. Final balance is due 60 days prior to departure. All deposits are non-refundable unless clients can be replaced. Full payment may be transferred to another guest for original dates. No credits or refunds are given for fishing time lost due to inclement weather. 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.