Tordrillo Mountain Lodge 

Alaska

For years we have been on the lookout for a quality, multi-sport adventure lodge in Alaska’s southwestern interior. Our criteria were straight-forward — quality wilderness fishing for trout and salmon, as well as exceptional guided activities for non-anglers. With Tordrillo, we finally found it!

Located on a scenic point overlooking Judd Lake and the headwater of the fabled Talachulitna River, Tordrillo Mountain Lodge has everything we hoped for and more. Anglers enjoy ultra remote guided heli-fishing (walk and wade or inflatable kayak floats) for rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, grayling and salmon while non anglers can enjoy canoeing, kayaking, guided heli-hiking and heli-rafting adventures. Additional activities include wake boarding, foil boarding, stand up paddling, bear viewing and flight seeing in the greater Denali/Tordrillo region.

The 5,600 sq. ft. lodge features double occupancy rooms with private baths, exceptional meals, an impressive wine list, and a full bar. After the day’s adventures, unwind in the lodge’s oversized wood fire hot tub and lakefront sauna or treat yourself to a professional massage. Widely recognized as one of North America’s premier winter heli-skiing operations, Tordrillo’s acclaimed “Kings and Corn Adventure Trip” combines spring heli-skiing with ultra productive small stream fly-out fishing for king salmon. Early reservations required.

Location:
The Tordrillo Mountain Lodge is on the banks of Judd Lake at the headwaters of the Talachulitna River. Tucked between 20,320 ft. Mt. McKinley and two smoldering volcanic peaks, Mt. Gerdine (11,258) and Mt. Torbert (11,413 feet), Tordrillo is in the midst of a spectacular region.

Fishing Program:
Guiding can be built into your package as much or as little as you like, though it is required for all fly-out fishing. Typically anglers will fish with the same guide throughout their stay unless otherwise requested. Tordrillo provides everything you need – rods, reels, waders, flies, etc.

While the inlet and outlet of Judd Lake can be fished unguided and accessed by foot or canoe, the core of Tordrillo’s fishing program revolves around the use of helicopters. Helicopter use is billed by the hour and we typically build a decided upon amount of chopper time into each custom package. Chopper fishing can have server different formats. The first would be to fly to a remote region and walk and wade all day and then get picked up at a pre determined time and place. Another format would be to fly to an area, then float downstream in an inflatable kayak or raft, and then get picked up and flown back to the lodge. The last option and the most costly would be to have the chopper accompany you all day as you hop from place to place.

Depending on time of year and preferences, anglers can target several species of pacific salmon as well as Dolly Varden, graying, and rainbow trout.

Fisheries:
Talachulitna River
The “Tal” originates immediately in front of the lodge. From beginning to end, mile by mile, they know every bend and break in what is considered to be one of the most special waterways in Alaska. Often folks will depart from the lodge in inflatable kayaks and get a helicopter pick up. The Tal has lot of sockeye, silvers, rainbows and grayling.

Other Systems
There are a great many rivers and streams in the region. Many have robust fisheries and see virtually no pressure from the outside world. This is what make Tordrillo such a special angling experience.

Non-Angling Activities:
Non-angling activities at Tordillo Mountain Lodge include canoeing, kayaking, fishing (non-heli/guided), stand up paddling, foil board, wake boarding with dry suits, heli-hiking, bear viewing (via Beaver), and flight sight-seeing such as Denali which is about 20 minutes away.

Accommodations and Meals:
The Tordrillo Mountain Lodge overlooks Judd Lake and the Talachulitna River. Their cozy 5,600 square foot log structure has all the typical modern creature comforts, as well as amenities that exceed the guest services of most urban properties: wireless internet, a lakeside oversized cedar hot tub and sauna, top quality mattresses and bedding and private in-room baths. The main lodge can accommodate up to 14 guests. There is also one rustic out-cabin that has 1 queen bed and a room with 2 twin beds.

Their resident chef prepares regional Alaska cuisine that is hearty and decadent and pairs well with an extensive international selection of award-winning wines. At the end of the day guests who are not outside enjoying the midnight sun can play games in the full service après adventure bar, watch videos on the large flat screen TV or pamper themselves with a massage.

Typical Daily Schedule:
7:00AM: Coffee
8:00AM; Breakfast
9:00AM: Depart for activities
5:30-6:00PM: Return to the lodge
7-7:30PM: Dinner

Complete Trip Details