ALASKA WEST WILDERNESS TENT LODGE

We consider this operation to be one of the very best values in all of Alaska – especially when you consider the quality of the fishing. The Kanektok River – the home waters for Alaska West – is arguably one of the best places in the world to target King and Silver salmon. It is also an incredible fishery for the famous Alaskan "Leopard Bows" - spectacularly colored rainbow trout named for the amazing profusion of spots that cover their body. Other species include Dolly Varden, grayling, and all five species of Pacific salmon. The nearby Arolik River offers private, secluded fishing and is limited to six rods per day. Accommodations while at Alaska West are in comfortable, sturdy Weatherport-type tents with carpeted wooden floors, heat, electricity, and beds with comfortable mattresses. Hot showers, sinks with hot and cold water, and outhouses are also provided.

Typical Length of Stay

Standard fishing packages at Alaska West are six fishing days and seven nights

Accommodations and Lodging

Accommodations while at Alaska West are in comfortable, sturdy walled Weatherport-type tents, with carpeted wooden floors and heat. Guests sleep in beds with mattresses, and the main buildings and common areas have electricity. A separate drying and gear tent is provided for waders and other clothing, meaning that you can hang wet gear at the end of the day and have it warm and dry by the following morning. . Hot showers, sinks with hot and cold water, and outhouses are provided. The outhouses are cleaned and emptied every day. Overall the accommodations are very comfortable, warm, and clean!

Food and Beverages

The resident Chef, Robert, is a culinary magician. His resume reads like a "who’s who in world of fine dining." It is amazing the kinds of mouth-watering surprises that come forth from this humble kitchen in the bush, and many long-time returning anglers contend that they will keep coming back as long as Robert is cooking.

Fishing Information

Guests at Alaska West typically fish in pairs with a guide. Sturdy, 18-foot jet boats are used for transportation. Most fishing is done both from shore and from the boat, depending on guest preferences and fishing conditions. Alaska West's guides are excellent instructors and are used to working with both experienced anglers and first-timers. Wading on the Kanektok is extremely easy. With almost no rocks larger than your fist, older guests have no problem moving around the river. The Kanektok river provides a wide variety of fishing scenarios, ranging from large tidewater sections to small, ‘trout stream’ side channels - most within a 20-minute boat ride from the camp. With a combination of high numbers of salmon and very fly-fishable water, the Kanektok is one of the best spots in the world to target king and silver salmon on a fly rod. The Arolik River has excellent clarity and is about half the size of the Kanektok. It is home to all five Alaskan salmon species, rainbow trout, dolly varden and grayling. There is no more beautiful rainbow than an Arolik rainbow! To spend a day on the Arolik is to see Alaska as it was 100 years ago.

The Kanektok flows 110 miles from its headwaters at Kagati Lake, through the 4.5 million acre Togiak Wilderness Reserve, to the Bering Sea. The river is home to the famous Alaskan "Leopard Bows" – spectacularly colored rainbow trout named for the amazing profusion of spots that cover their body (even their eyes are sometimes spotted!) These wild rainbows attain trophy size and are available throughout the season both in the main river and the many tributaries. Other resident species include arctic char, Dolly Varden, and grayling. The Kanektok also boasts strong runs of all five migratory species of Pacific salmon: King, sockeye, chum, pink, and silver. The nearby Arolik river offers private, secluded fishing in one of Alaska's most pristine settings. The Arolik is limited to four rods per day, and needs to be reserved well in advance. A typical day of guided fishing at Alaska West is 10-hours long (8:00 AM to 6:00 PM)

Boats and Equipment

Alaska West utilizes 18-foot, shallow draft aluminum boats outfitted with jet driven engines. Because you don't have to fly out each day to experience great fishing, your angling hours will not be affected by poor weather conditions or low visibility. It is recommended that anglers bring all of their own gear and equipment, including rods, reels, wading boots, flies and all terminal tackle.

** Effective on January 1, 2012, Alaska will enforce a ban on felt-soled wading boots to help prevent the spread of a slew of potential water diseases. Please keep that in mind while planning for your trip.

Non-Angling Activities and Options

Alaska West is primarily a destination for those who fish!

How To Get There

Your trip starts upon arrival in Anchorage, Alaska. Several major airlines serve Alaska from the lower 48 with connections direct to Anchorage.

Arrival and Departure Details / Times

Upon booking, Yellow Dog and Alaska West will arrange a charter flight between Anchorage and Quinhagak, Alaska (the cost of which is not included in your package). The ERA Aviation Dash-8 flight departs Anchorage from the Ted Stevens International on Friday mornings at 10:00 AM. Check in is at 9:00 AM. Representatives from the lodge will meet you in Quinhagak and take you by boat to the camp, a trip of approximately six miles upriver. The flight returns the following Friday and usually lands in Anchorage about 3:00 PM. Roundtrip fare for this flight is around $725.00 per person.

2012 Fishing Package Rates

All Prices are per person and based on double occupancy. The Alaska West season runs from June 12th to September 1st.

Kanektok River Package ----------------------------------------------------------------------- $5,000.00
7 nights / 6 guided fishing days

Arolik River Package ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- $5,600.00
7 nights / 6 guided fishing days

In addition to the above rates, guests tip an average of $500.00 for the week, and purchase theirround trip plane tickets between Anchorage and Quinhagak, Alaska for approximately $725.00 (something that Yellow Dog can handle!)

* Singles who are willing to share lodging and a boat with another guest are welcome to book at no additional charge beyond the normal double occupancy rates.

* Remember that Yellow Dog's services are completely free! When you book a trip with Yellow Dog, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge or outfitter.

What's Included

• The number of nights lodging at Alaska West
• The number of days fishing specified in your package (two anglers per boat)
• All meals and non-alcoholic beverages
• Flies and lures
• Freezers for storing fish and preparation of fish for shipping

What's Not Included

• Flights to Anchorage and on to Quinhagak, Alaska
• Fishing license ($30) and salmon tag ($30)
• Alcohol is not provided
• Gratuities for staff and guides
• Global Rescue emergency medical services coverage is optional but recommended

Travel Arrangements

Yellow Dog has a full in-house travel and reservations system, and can assist with airline tickets, hotels, transfers, and all travel logistics for every destination that we offer. Contact us at 888-777-5060 or info@yellowdogflyfishing.com for more details on airfare ticketing, travel services and trip insurance.

Other Information

The boats and river travel are an integral part of the daily routine at Alaska West. Boat rides of several miles in one direction are not uncommon. Please keep this in mind when selecting clothing. We recommend breathable waders with layers of insulating clothing, and a waterproof bag that you can bring along with extra warm clothing and rain gear.

During King salmon weeks in late June, Alaska West offers a number of Spey fishing programs, complete with guest instructors and evening seminars on spey techniques. For more information on the spey clinics and programs, contact Yellow Dog.