Alaskan Remote Adventures Lodge

Fishing the Mulchatna

The Mulchatna drains into the Nushagak, which carries the largest king salmon run in Alaska. That puts you in the path of an enormous amount of fish in mid-July, with kings and sockeye moving upriver at the same time and resident trout, char and grayling feeding behind them. Guides use jet boats to cover the main river and reach a variety of water through the week.

King (Chinook) Salmon The biggest of the Pacific salmon and the headliner in July.

• Size Range: 10-50 pounds
• Timing: July is prime time
• Approach: Catch and release is strongly encouraged
• Tackle: Heavy single-hand or two-handed rods

Sockeye (Red) Salmon The fish Bristol Bay is famous for.

• Average Size: 6-10 pounds
• Timing: Late June through mid-August, so mid-July is right in the thick of it
• Bonus: The best eating fish in Alaska. Sockeye make a classic shore lunch.

Wild Rainbow Trout

• Strong fishing all season long
• Trout get fatter as the season goes, feeding heavily once sockeye begin to spawn

Arctic Grayling

• Average Size: 10-14 inches, with trophies near 20 inches
• Highlights: Eager dry fly eaters, perfect for light tackle, and catchable right in front of the lodge

Char & Dolly Varden

• Both live in the Mulchatna and are nearly impossible to tell apart in the field, so the guides just call them char
• Brightly colored and hard fighting

Chum (Dog) Salmon

• Average Size: 8-12 pounds
• Timing: Arrive in July and August
• Highlights: Aggressive fly eaters with wild coloring and big teeth. Great fights, great photos.

Also possible: Northern pike show up at times, though they're most common early and late in the season.

A note on timing: Pink salmon only run on even-numbered years, so they won't be part of the 2027 trip. Silver salmon arrive in August. Mid-July trades those for peak kings and sockeye.

Alaskan Remote Adventures Lodge

Set on 80 private acres overlooking the Mulchatna River, the lodge is built for a small group that wants to be surrounded by wild country without giving up a hot shower and a good bed.

Rooms

• Four double-occupancy rooms
• Full private bathroom in every room
• Eight guests maximum

Common Areas

• Dining room with river views
• Deck overlooking the Mulchatna
• Courtyard and fire pit
• River frontage for wading, swimming or casting to grayling
• Hiking trails on the property and in the surrounding hills

Dining

• Chef-prepared meals by lodge manager Ryan Kocherhans
• Hearty dishes like prime rib, crab, ribs and fresh salmon
• All food and non-alcoholic drinks included
• Special diets accommodated with advance notice. Alcohol isn't included, but the lodge can help arrange and ship it in.

Wildlife

Bears, moose, caribou, wolves, wolverines and eagles are regularly spotted while fishing or relaxing at the lodge. If you want a guaranteed bear encounter, a bear viewing flight to Moraine Creek in Katmai can be added at an additional cost. Request it when you book.

Travel to Alaskan Remote Adventures

Step 1: Fly to Anchorage Fly into Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC). You need to be in Anchorage before 6:00 AM on July 13 for a 7:00 AM check-in, so most anglers fly in on July 12 and stay the night. A red-eye that lands before 6:00 AM works too.

Step 2: Anchorage to Iliamna (Lake & Peninsula Airlines)

• Check in by 7:00 AM at Lake & Peninsula Airlines on Merrill Field, 1740 E. 5th Ave., (907) 345-2228
• Departs 8:00-10:00 AM and arrives in Iliamna 9:00-11:00 AM
• The lodge books the flight for you, and you pay at the counter by cash or card
• $630 round trip, including 70 lbs. of luggage. Extra weight is $1.00 per pound.

Step 3: Iliamna to the Lodge (Rainbow River Aviation)

• Lodge staff meet you in Iliamna
• Floatplane departs 11:00 AM-1:00 PM for the 40-minute flight
• Land at the lodge's front door between noon and 2:00 PM, then head out for a half day of fishing
• Floatplane flights between Iliamna and the lodge are included

Heading Home (Monday, July 19)

• Mid-morning floatplane pickup at the lodge back to Iliamna (a non-fishing day)
• Lake & Peninsula Air to Anchorage in the afternoon or evening
• Book your commercial flight out of Anchorage no earlier than 8:00 PM
• Have time to kill? The Captain Cook Hotel's Athletic Club in Anchorage has hot showers, a steam room, a sauna and a gym.

Important: All flights are weather dependent and can run late. Front Range Anglers will help you line up your flights with the lodge's schedule.

Sample Hosted Itinerary: July 13-19, 2027

Day 1 (Tuesday, July 13):

• Arrive in Anchorage before 6:00 AM (most guests overnight on July 12)
• 7:00 AM check-in at Lake & Peninsula Airlines
• Flight to Iliamna, then floatplane to the lodge
• Arrive midday, settle in and meet the guides
• Afternoon half day of fishing
• Welcome dinner

Days 2-6 (Wednesday-Sunday): Guided Fishing

• Breakfast at the lodge
• Jet boat to the day's water, two anglers per guide
• Kings, sockeye, rainbows, char, grayling and chum depending on conditions and your goals
• Shore lunch on the river, often fresh-caught sockeye
• Back to the lodge for drinks on the deck
• Chef-prepared dinner
• Fire pit, fly tying and stories

Day 7 (Monday, July 19):

• Breakfast and pack up (non-fishing day)
• Mid-morning floatplane to Iliamna
• Afternoon or evening Lake & Peninsula Air flight to Anchorage
• Commercial flights home no earlier than 8:00 PM

Package Rate

2027 Hosted Trip: July 13-19, 2027

• 7 days / 6 nights, all-inclusive and fully guided
• $8,200 per angler (double occupancy)

Contact Front Range Anglers for current availability.

What's Included:

• Six nights lodging in double-occupancy rooms with private bathrooms, linens and towels
• Round-trip floatplane flights between Iliamna and the lodge
• Guided fishing by jet boat, two anglers per guide
• Instruction, all flies and leaders, and mid to entry-level rods and reels
• Waders and wading boots
• Fish processing, vacuum sealing and freezing
• All gourmet meals and non-alcoholic drinks
• Internet for calls, texts and email

Not Included:

• Airfare to and from Anchorage
• Lake & Peninsula Air between Anchorage and Iliamna ($630 round trip, paid at check-in)
• Luggage over 70 lbs. on Lake & Peninsula Air ($1.00 per pound)
• 7-day Alaska fishing license
• King Salmon Stamp (required if targeting kings)
• Alcoholic beverages (the lodge can help arrange and ship them in)
• Gratuities for guides and lodge staff (10-20% is customary)
• Optional Katmai bear viewing flight
• Travel and medical evacuation insurance (highly recommended)

Reservation Policy

• At booking: [CONFIRM deposit amount]
• Final payment: [CONFIRM due date]

Cancellation Policy

• Deposits and final payments are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Travel Insurance Because payments are non-refundable, Front Range Anglers strongly recommends Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance and Medical Evacuation Insurance through Global Rescue. To get "Cancel for Any Reason" coverage, the policy must be purchased within 20 days of your initial trip deposit, and all non-refundable trip costs must be insured. Not offered to New York State residents.

For insurance questions contact: Kim D'Amico | 617.459.4200 | kdamico@globalrescue.com

Connect with Our Alaska Experts

Ready to chase kings and sockeye in Bristol Bay? Our Adventure Travel team can answer every question about Alaskan Remote Adventures, getting to Iliamna, hosted trip dates and what a week on the Mulchatna really looks like.

John Brown: Adventure Travel Manager John is a Front Range Anglers guide and Sage Elite Pro. He can walk you through rod and line choices for kings and sockeye, fly selection, and how to prepare for a week of remote Alaskan fishing.

What We Can Help With:

• Hosted trip dates and availability
• King salmon tactics and tackle
• Sockeye techniques and regulations
• Fly selection for salmon, trout and grayling
• Rod, reel and line recommendations
• Flights to Anchorage and the Iliamna charter
• Alaska fishing license and King Salmon Stamp
• Adding a Katmai bear viewing flight
• Pre-trip preparation consultation

Contact Us: Email: Johnb@frontrangeanglers.com Phone: 877-935-2975 Visit: 5350 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80303

Stop by the shop to see our Alaska gear and talk through your trip with our team.

What to Bring to Alaska

Alaska weather turns fast. A sunny 75-degree afternoon can drop to 50 with wind and rain a few hours later, and July mornings often start in the upper 30s or low 40s. Dress in layers and leave the cotton at home.

Layering System

• Base layer: Synthetic or synthetic-wool blend
• Mid layer: Medium to heavyweight wool or synthetic sweater, or fleece
• Insulating layer: Fleece, wool or synthetic jacket
• Shell: A high-quality waterproof rain jacket (Gore-Tex type) or a waxed cotton jacket. This is the most important piece you'll pack.

Clothing Checklist

• Base layers (2-3)
• Under-wader pants, fleece or polypropylene (2-3)
• Fleece or wool tops or pullovers (2)
• Waterproof Gore-Tex rain jacket (1-2)
• Fishing shirts (3-4)
• Camping or hiking pants (2-3 pairs)
• Heavy, warm socks (6 pairs)
• Stocking cap, hat, fleece gloves and buff (1-2 each)
• Camp shoes or slip-on Crocs-type shoes
• Slippers or house shoes for the lodge

Wading Waders and wading boots are provided. If you bring your own, wear fleece pants under breathable waders to stay warm. Alaska requires non-felt soles, and the lodge asks for no studs.

Fishing Gear The lodge provides all flies and leaders, plus mid to entry-level rods and reels. Most anglers will want to bring their own outfits:

• 9- or 10-weight single-hand or two-handed rod for king salmon
• 7- or 8-weight rod for sockeye, chum and big rainbows
• 4- or 5-weight rod for grayling and dry flies
• Reels with strong drags and plenty of backing for kings
• Floating lines plus sink tips
• Hemostats or pliers, and nippers

Personal Items

• Alaska fishing license and King Salmon Stamp (buy online before you travel)
• Polarized sunglasses
• Day pack, waterproof backpack or dry bag
• Insect repellent and sunscreen
• Medications and toiletries
• Camera
• Ear plugs for loud plane rides and snoring roommates
• Cash for gratuities (10-20% is customary)

Luggage: Your Lake & Peninsula Air fare covers 70 lbs. of luggage, and extra weight is $1.00 per pound. Soft-sided duffels pack best on small planes.