Rapids Camp Lodge 

Alaska

Rapids Camp Lodge is an easy to reach full service fly-out Alaskan fly fishing lodge with excellent home waters and one of the most diverse and exciting fly fishing programs in Alaska. Seasoned hardcore fly anglers appreciate the wide range of water the lodge frequents. This includes staples like the Moraine, Battle Creek, Contact Creek, Headwaters Creek and the American River. Other prolific “under the radar” rainbow fisheries mandate the use of a wheel plane and sturdy walking legs. During the early and late season the lodge concentrates on fly fishing for large rainbows in the “rapids” of the Naknek River near the lodge. Anglers typically employ spey rods and steelhead tactics to entice these supercharged rainbows that commonly run in the 7-12 pound range. Spey tackle and instructions are available to all interested at no additional cost.

Additionally Rapids Camp Lodge is one of the few destinations equipped and willing to handle a wide range of eco type activities including flight seeing of the regions many glaciers and volcanoes, bear and wildlife viewing, clam digging, beachcombing and halibut fishing.

The lodge features eight comfortable double occupancy rooms with private baths, a friendly wine and beer bar, two gourmet chefs, workout room, state of the art tackle and waders. With two Beavers and a turbine Otter, handsome jet boats for the home water, and a saltwater boat located in the unparalleled Geographic Harbor, Rapids Camp has endless options for all who visit. Whether you are after silvers or kings, massive rainbows on the spey rod, or a crack at wilderness rainbows that rarely see a fly, this is an operation that will keep you coming back.

Location:
Rapids Camp Lodge is only seven miles up-river from King Salmon and just an eighty minute flight from Anchorage.

Fishing Program:
Located just downstream of the famous “rapids” of the Naknek river, Rapids Camp Lodge has some of the state’s most remarkable trophy rainbow fly fishing mere minutes from their dock. The local rapids section of the Naknek river is especially good early and late in the season and holds great appeal to anglers who like to fly fish in a traditional steelhead fashion with spey rods. Staff includes six guides, three pilots and two gourmet chefs to serve a maximum of 16 guests per week. With a fleet of three planes, anglers are able to access some of finest fly-out fly fishing the state of Alaska has to offer. While their fly fishing program centers around the rainbow fishery of the greater Bristol Bay region, guests also have ample opportunity to fly fish for arctic char, Dolly Varden, grayling, and all five species of Pacific salmon (though rarely are all species available during any single week). Rapids Camp has an excellent king salmon fly fishing program on the Nushagak as well as a very good coastal program for targeting silver salmon. Halibut fishing and bear viewing trips are also available upon request. The lodge strives to have one guide for every two anglers and all pilots are also licensed guides.

Fishing venues vary widely from days spent fishing from jet powered aluminum John boats, to raft trips, to remote walk and wade venues best suited to the physically fit. At times anglers will fish from boats, but the majority of fly fishing is done while wading. Rapids Camp Lodge is proud of its aircraft fleet which includes two de Havilland Beavers on floats and one de Havilland Turbine Otter. All three planes are used each day.

Region:
The Bristol Bay watershed is home to pristine wilderness, majestic views, enormous rainbow trout, five species of salmon during early migrations, Artic char, grayling, pike and trout, as well as the second largest national park in the United States. Katmai National Park is 4.2 million acres of virtually untouched; wilderness where you can find moose, caribou, wolves. At world famous Brooks Falls, you're likely to see a bear grab a leaping salmon right out of the air. Here also, volcanoes and glaciers coexist. From the Valley of 10,000 Smokes to the deep turquoise of the Ice Age glaciers, you'll see scenery that rivals the wildlife.

Non-Angling Activities:
Rapids Camp Lodge is equipped to handle a wide variety of eco type activities including flight seeing of the regions many glaciers and volcanoes, bear and wildlife viewing, clam digging, beachcombing and halibut fishing.

Accommodations and Meals:
Situated on 10 acres of serene riverfront property on the Naknek River, the lodge can accommodate a total of 16 guests per week in eight spacious, double occupancy rooms with private bathrooms. Amenities include a hot tub, a new sauna (“native sweat lodge”), work-out facility, beer and wine bar, high speed wireless internet, and satellite television. The lodge also has a masseuse on staff.

A detached private home originally built for the owner has also been added to the available accommodations at the lodge. It has two bedrooms and a living room. One bedroom has a single queen while the other has two twins.

Two gourmet chefs prepare everything from fresh salmon to succulent steaks. Breakfasts and lunches are served buffet style, in traditional Alaskan manner. Before dinner, hors d’oeuvres and cocktails are served. Dinner is a very nice plated service. Fresh pastries, baked bread and rolls complement your meals. Some lunches during your week may be shore lunches prepared and served by your guide streamside, wildlife permitting! Lunches include fresh fish, fresh fruit, baked goods and wine.

Sample Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Anchorage and overnight (hotel not included in package).
Note: West coast anglers may be able to make it all the way to King Salmon in one day, arriving into King Salmon as late as 7pm.
Day 2: Arrive in King Salmon. A lodge representative will be waiting at the airport to provide shuttle to the lodge, about 15 minutes away.
Days 3 – 8: 6 full days guided fishing with fly-outs (weather permitting)
Day 9: After breakfast at the lodge you will be driven to King Salmon to catch flights to Anchorage and points beyond.

Complete Trip Details