Home > TRAVEL > Alaska

ALASKA

Royal Coachman Lodge

September 10 to 17, 2023 - FULL
$12,050/per person (double occupancy)
Capacity: 10 anglers

Royal Coachman Lodge/Copper River Lodge
Combo Trip (hosted)

September 24 to October 1, 2023
$10,325/per person (double occupancy)
Capacity: 6 Anglers


The Royal Coachman Lodge.
When everything is fishing well, we almost have too many fishing options available. Imagine trying to decide whether to fish for 25 pound pike on the surface, fresh sea lice covered salmon near the coast, hiking small creeks for arctic char in the mountain lake streams, rainbows and dollies on the Nushagak, Agulapak, Kvichak, etc., or a mixed bag grayling, lake trout and rainbows on our home river. That’s the dilemma our guests must face each day. By hosting just 10-12 guests per week, we have the flexibility to go where the fishing is the best for what you want to fish for, not where a pre-determined schedule needs you to go. Additionally, we have bear viewing, hiking, and kayaking options for those who would like a change of pace or just need a day to rest a sore fishing arm.


Royal Coachman lodge is located on the Nuyakuk River in Alaska, a great home river for the rare non fly-out days and for after hours fishing. The fly fishing lodge in Alaska has no neighbors, no boats, no cars, and no planes going by the lodge, just peace and quiet right on the river. We are located in the middle of the Wood-Tickchik State Park (the largest state park in the U.S.). The fishing lodge in Alaska's capacity is only 10-12 guests (private groups up to 12), and with 2 Dehavilland Beavers, you will have complete flexibility. Our fishing guides are some of the best guides in the industry (our guides have on average 10 years of experience of guiding in Alaska) specializing in fly fishing in Alaska. With two exclusive permits in the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, one private trophy trout fishery permit, permits to fish Katmai National Park and Wood Tikchik State Park, three department of natural resources permits, and nearly 20 boats cached throughout the best fishing locations in our part of Alaska, we offer an unsurpassed Alaskan fly fishing experience.

Our primary goal is to have great fly fishing in Alaska with uncrowded waters and to provide anglers with the Alaskan experience they desire. You can catch all five Salmon species, trophy Rainbow Trout, Char, Dolly Varden, massive Pike, Grayling, and even some Sheefish are available.

The Copper River has some of the best dry fly fishing in Alaska in June and July. It is lower 48 style trout fishing for Alaska sized trout.With such a long history, experienced crew and great fishing, we have many returning guests each year. Over 80% of our guest have fished with us before or have been referred by one of our guests. Our small size, just 6 anglers per week, and an intimate setting insure that our guests receive the best service and Alaskan experience possible in the Iliamna region.

Unlike other tundra rivers in Alaska offering large trout, the Copper River runs through a scenic river valley lined with groves of cottonwood, spruce, and birch. Aside from helping make it one of the most gorgeous rivers in the state, these trees offer the fly fishermen refuge from the relentless northern winds. Probably one of the nicest surprises for anglers visiting the Copper River is its size and wade ability.

Fishermen of any age or skill that desire the solitude of the river rather than the tutelage of the guide can comfortably and successfully fish on their own. The Copper River rainbow trout are some of the largest in Alaska, and are the reason the Copper River was the first river in the state designated a "fly fishing, catch and release only, trophy rainbow river." It is this designation that has kept the fishing so spectacular.




Intricate Bay Lodge

Call for available dates
$8750/per person Combo Package (3 fly outs/3 land days)
$10,250/per person (6 fly out days)
Capacity: 10 anglers

Intricate Bay Lodge is one of Alaska’s best fishing lodge with boat access to world renowned home waters of the Copper and Gibraltar Rivers, designated Trophy Rainbow Trout areas and the largest sockeye salmon run in the world. Intricate Bay Lodge sits near the center of Lake Iliamna, a major destination for the millions of sockeye salmon that help make Bristol Bay North America’s most exulted rainbow region. Book an amazing week at this high end Alaskan Fishing Lodge with carpeted guest rooms and private baths, Wi-Fi and an in-deck hot tub. You will experience unrivaled personal service and attention, along with all the amenities you’d expect in a fine hotel. Guests also eat well at Intricate Bay. In addition to the inevitable surf and turf, the kitchen produces bacon-wrapped caribou medallions, an excellent rack of lamb and if guests are game, a pizza night.

Intricate Bay Lodge is nestled in the prime location on Bristol Bay. Most lodges in the region require daily fly-out because they are not situated near good local fishing. When the weather turns, this can be a serious drawback. By contrast, the home waters of Intricate Bay Lodge include two world-class rivers: the Copper and the Gibraltar.

You get the best of both worlds; not only is the fishing excellent nearby, but the location is also very close to many “fly-out” rivers, and that means shorter flights. We can land you on the rivers and streams of Katmai National Park including the Moraine, Funnel, Battle, American rivers, also Kvichak River, New Halen River and Talarik River. Of course, the Copper and Gibraltar are the most famous, especially when targeting big rainbow trout, but we believe our guests should have the chance to see and experience the tremendous fishing diversity of the entire Bristol Bay / Lake Iliamna area; consequently, we frequently make trips to target species like rainbow trout, arctic char, grayling, lake trout, pike, and Pacific salmon.

Early season conditions can vary depending upon the size of the previous winter. A heavy snow pack produces high water, while a light one means low, clear conditions. Either way, June is a great time to target rainbows in the Illiamna region. Coming out of their winter dormancy and spawning period, the rainbows are anxious to fill their empty bellies. A favorite style of fishing this time of year is sight-fishing for large trout, using dry flies and mouse patterns.

Early July produces epic days of dry fly fishing. Historically, by the second week of July, the largest sockeye salmon runs found anywhere in the world occur in this region. The sockeye – rated by many anglers as the strongest salmon pound for pound – will make for countless fish-fighting memories. Nymphs and streamers can be productive during July, with many of the larger fish taken on bugger and sculpin patterns.

August: Rainbow feeding frenzy begins! Sockeye salmon start to spawn, leaving a scent in the water that ignites voracious rainbow trout. As the spawning accelerates throughout the month, more and more food invites brutish, big-shouldered rainbows from Lake Illiamna to stack up in the rivers, presenting anglers with the best chance of the year for a true trophy. As if that weren’t enough line-ripping excitement, this is also silver salmon time, with the run beginning in early August and finishing in September.

September is probably the best month in all of Alaska to really go after trophy trout. While the weather can be challenging, this is when the largest numbers of big lake rainbows come into area rivers. The fish know this is their last chance to pack on weight for the long winter ahead. The rainbows are still extremely aggressive toward salmon eggs and will chase a flesh fly with reckless abandon. In fact, they are willing to gorge themselves on just about anything you pass in front of them.