When asked, nearly every angler that comes through the doors of the Littleton, or Denver Fly Shops has a fly fishing destination they dream about traveling to some day. Some have saltwater trips on the list, others, backcountry adventures full of big freshwater fish. We are sure of one thing though, Alaska is somewhere on that list. We are constantly researching, connecting with lodge owners and traveling to new destinations to bring those opportunities back to our customers. In our travels, we seek destinations, and lodges that we believe will give our customers an excellent opportunity to target some special species on the fly. This next destination is a great example of that. Earlier this year Chris, and Ben K who has recently taken over destination travel for us, shot up north to check out a new spot in Alaska.
Ben's Account From Alaska:
Chris and I recently packed up our bags and headed North for a fishing trip in Alaska. Here is a recap of our trip and why we think Aniak River Lodge is one of the best lodges in Alaska. We had the opportunity to fish at the Aniak River Lodge which is about an hour boat ride outside of Aniak, Alaska. We flew directly into Anchorage, found a place to lay our heads for the evening, and then took a small Pilatus-12 plane into the bush the next day.
After a short hour and a half long flight into the small town of Aniak, Alaska we were greeted by the guides that we would be spending the next 7 days with. We loaded up our bags and fishing gear into a luxurious retired school bus that was straight from the 90s cartoon show, Magic School Bus. We then took the short 5 minute commute from the Aniak Airport to the Aniak River Lodge HQ to meet one of the many people that make the lodge run, Ludi Gericke. We enjoyed a nice lunch and some hot coffee while Ludi went through a quick safety briefing and the weeks program at Aniak River Lodge.
After the briefing, we wasted no time getting to the best part of the trip, the fishing. We unpacked just enough to get into our waders and pulled out our fishing gear. With rigged up rods, we loaded up on the boats. We meandered our way up the main Aniak River and fished along the way. Instantly we got into some of the most exciting fishing we have ever experienced, targeting hungry and aggressive pike and the elusive and sought after native sheefish. After spending a few hours fishing and repeatedly saying the famed last words, “one more cast and we can leave,” we finished our fishing commute to the lodge and settled into our home for the next week.
As we hopped off the boats we were greeted by the lodge dogs, Oakley, Billy, and LBD (Little Black Dog). The guides had already put your belongings in your tent. In the tent we were welcomed with additional bug spray, citronella candles, and the excitement of what the upcoming week has to offer. The deluxe tents are equipped with a shower, running hot and cold water, heaters, and a functional toilet. It was a cozy place to pass out after a hard day of fishing.
The rest of the week is spent waking up to a hot breakfast and coffee, meeting with your guide for the day, fishing all day, and finishing the day with a phenomenal meal prepped by Chef Ian. Repeat this for 6 full days and that is the program at Aniak River Lodge. The meals prepared by Chef Ian are out of this world and much needed after a full day of fishing. One of the best nights during the stay is Pizza Night. Do not be shy on pizza night! Enjoy wings and building your own homemade pizza with the entire lodge staff. Come with an appetite because the pizza seems to be never ending. Make sure to ask for extra olives, the head guide will love this.
You may think that the guides at Aniak River Lodge eat, sleep, and dream of fly fishing but you would be slightly mistaken. The guides eat, sleep, and dream of fly fishing and ping pong. Each night after dinner we were challenged to multiple games of ping pong by the lodge staff and most of the time we got our butts kicked! You know they mean business when they have carrying cases for their own ping pong paddles.
Now let's get back to the important part, the fishing. At Aniak River Lodge you will have the opportunity to target 12 different species of fish depending on the time of year. While we were there we caught 7 species of fish which included rainbow trout, greyling, dolly varden, chum salmon, king salmon, pike, and sheefish. It scratches the itch for every type of angler and every type of fishing. A majority of your fishing is throwing mice or streamers to eager and aggressive fish that will often chase down and hammer your fly. Leave your 4x and 5x at home because these fish are not shy and you will need stouter gear to get these fish to the net.
Some of the best parts of a trip to Aniak River Lodge is the diversity of fish species that you can catch, and the diversity of water you fish. 6 full days of fishing does not come close to showing you the amount of water that is available to the guides. You will fish backwater sloughs for pike, the main Aniak River for sheefish and trout, and never ending amounts of channels and tributaries for all other fish species. It truly is a fly fishers paradise.
After your 6 full days of fishing and the dreaded thought of leaving such a fishing paradise, you start your trek back to reality. You jet boat back to Aniak, hop back on the bush plane, connect in Anchorage, and head back to where you started.
If you have any questions about Aniak River Lodge or would like to get dates on the books please reach out to Ben Kinne at benkinne@anglersall.com or call the shop at 303-794-1104.
