This remote Alaskan fishing lodge was recently purchased by a new owner, who reached out to us, through a truly excellent Alaskan fishing guide (Joe), who knows us and what we do. That guide, by his own deeds and actions, has earned our greatest respect, and he was so impressed with the new operation, that he has agreed to work for them. High praise indeed! We look forward to seeing Joe at the lodge ourselves.
We then had several productive conversations with the new owner, and what impressed us the most was his commitment to “keeping his clients happy”. He has been to a number of lodges as a guest, has done Alaska guiding and living in Alaska, and he understands what clients want, and he has decided to elevate the client’s experience to meet that standard. We at Fish Nation fully expect this will be a great destination. We know the river has the fish, and the owner has the financial resources and the willpower to make it all happen. The use of their helicopter to reach remote river stretches is a key benefit to staying here.
FISH NATION has put together several major options for you to choose from:
• Self-Guided Fishing Float Trip (DIY): (unguided, but with rafts, tents and camp goods supplied);
• Guided River Fishing Float Trip: (guided fishing with food, rafts, tents and camp good supplied);
• Jet Boat- Lodge Based Guided Fishing: (Stay at Lodge, chef cooked meals and daily jetboat/guide service)
• Cast-N-Blast (same as DIY trip above, but both fishing plus black bear hunting). Request info.
***PERSONALIZED SPECIAL PACKAGES CAN ALSO BE ARRANGED. JUST CALL US at 307 637-5495***
If you cherish the awesome feel of true wilderness; if you crave the feel of remote wilderness rivers with no human fishing competition; if you lust for clear water river fishing that harbors truly hard-brawling fish to target; and if you are willing to travel to get what you want, then this place should impress you. For avid anglers, Alaska’s remote rivers offer the ultimate fishing experience. This outfitter offers you access to pristine wilderness with a variety of high-value packages, tailor-made for the perfect fishing adventure. Experience helicopter trips to remote stream areas; or float and camp along the river, fishing new water every day; or choose to be guided and target five species of salmon, plus trout and grayling. Or do a cast & blast by adding black bear hunting to the fishing. Over-the-counter black bear tags up to 5 per man!
We at Fish Nation really like the fact that this lodge is accessible even if you hit bad flying weather, unlike many Alaskan lodges that have you staying in a hotel for a day – or three – waiting! In bad weather you can still travel to the lodge via boat and it’s about 3.5 hours, but beats being stuck for days. Otherwise it is about a 40 minute flight from Anchorage, then ½ hour boat ride to lodge.
What’s Typically Included At No Extra Charge:
• Transport by helicopter or plane (or via boat if poor flying weather) to the lodge or drop off point (no lost days due to weather);
• Early check-in and late checkout (meaning you get to fish on first and last days of the trip);
• Fishing boat or raft;
• FREE fish processing/vacuum sealing and freezing (insulated fish boxes are an extra cost);
• Lodge has Starlink for WIFI and there is Verizon cell service.
What’s Not Included:
• Fishing license
• Getting to the pickup spot. Your helicopter or plane –departs from Big Lake Airport, AK (if you want to avoid car rental costs, you can also be picked up from the Anchorage Lake Hood Airport for an additional $300 per person). OR, either get a rental car and drive to Big Lake (about a 1 hour scenic drive north from Anchorage), or use a shuttle company: https://swordfish-harpsichord-hcxp.squarespace.com/area-rates ($250 per ride for 1-3 people);
• We recommend bringing your own spin or fly gear and waders, but they do have limited amounts of fishing gear and limited sizes of waders and boots, free of charge;
• Gratuities (10%-20% recommended);
• Travel insurance (highly recommended due to the notorious Alaskan weather). Fish Nation offers that;
• Insulated fish packing boxes are an additional charge.
THE RIVER: The river is a normally clear water, not silty, and modest in size and generally wadable. It has good rainbows in the 2- to 7-pound range (catch & release); silvers to 18 pounds+; sockeye 8 to 12 pounds+; King salmon (catch & release); chums; grayling; feisty pink salmon.
OPTION 1: DIY FLOAT FISHING (unguided, but with rafts tents and camp goods supplied)
SPECIAL FOR 2026: Total price is normally $3,200 per person , now discounted to $2000 pp with a 4 person minimum required and 4 days.- Dates: JULY 19; AUG 2; AUG 9.
If you elect this option, you will depart in a Beaver float plane from Willow, Alaska, and will be dropped off at Judd Lake (40 min flight). It is a 5-day float trip back to the Main Lodge. You camp, cook, rig tents and fish your way back to the Lodge. The outfitter will offer pro tips on where and how to fish and different honey holes along the way. On arrival at the Main lodge the evening of day 5, you will stay there that night and clean up, shower, get a home cooked dinner. The last day (day 6) have home cooked breakfast and prepare to fly back into Willow on the afternoon of day six. Outfitter will supply good rafts (pioneer x-stream or NRS rafts), oars, life vests, a 4-man 4-season tents, sleeping pads, cooking utensils, and propane bottles. They offer a food supplies package, but we find most folks provide their own food and sleeping bags and fishing gear. This DIY trip is for the experienced outdoorsman with good outdoor and good camping skills. It is, after all, a DIY trip into the backcountry of Alaska — not for the faint of heart.
You will need to supply your own sleeping bag and sleeping pad (rentals may be available). They do supply the following items to you as part of your package:
• 16’ raft with air pump, repair kit, oars, lifejackets
• 4-man tent
• camp stove, bear spray, pots, pans, propane tanks, kitchen utensils, cups, paper plates/bowls.
You must supply your own food, and we suggest the many good freeze-dried backpacking food options. And of course you must bring all your fishing gear and clothing. Rain gear should be of premium quality! Good waders are essential. You get to see and experience some world class fly-in fishing at very reasonable costs (pricing is later in this writeup). You can choose the trip length that fits your budget and time constraints. These trips are offered from June to the end of August.
Option 2: Fully Guided Float Fishing Trip- Lodge or Tent-Based- DATES: JULY 19; AUG 2; AUG 9. $1200 PP/PER DAY- 4 Day Minimum, 3 Person Minimum
Tent Based- If you value the idea of wilderness camping deep into the Alaskan bush; if fishing wild rivers in wild country tickles your palate, then this is the choice for you. Every day you will fish new areas; float a wild river; fish places seldom fished before; enjoy seldom seen country while sleeping in tents under the wild Alaska skies! And your guide will be there to assist you every day. You can choose any number of days.
This package includes all food as well as your guide, generally one guide per two clients. The guide gets you to the prime fishing grounds, and does the food preparation and tent set up. Your help with camp set up and chores is much appreciated, of course! Pays to keep your guide happy!! You can choose the trip length that fits your budget and time constraints.
Lodge Based- If you prefer a Lodge to riverside tent camping, then this is the choice for you. Each day, after breakfast, your guide will take you in a jet boat onto the river and will proceed to the areas he feels are going to give you the best fishing for your chosen species. Lunch may be on the river, or back at the lodge. You will fish until dinner time, then return to the lodge for drinks, relaxing and dinner. Maybe followed by a hot shower and a nice bed.
This trip option is the most luxurious choice offered. Your meals at Lodge are chef prepared. The main lodge boasts excellent native log architecture, a grand stone fireplace and very nice furnishings, plus picture windows and an open deck within walking distance of the river. Each day your guide will settle you into the jet boat and you will fish for whichever species are your choice of the day! The guide will furnish advice and assistance as needed and will put you on the best honey holes!
Guests can choose a deluxe en suite private cabins with one double bed and two twins. These cabins are carpeted, nicely furnished, and come equipped with airtight wood-burning stoves for added comfort. Enjoy your private full bathroom and the daily maid service, all for your convenience. Or you can choose from two standard chalet cabins, featuring large picture windows, comfortable twin-size beds, and cozy wood-burning stoves. Each of these budget-friendly cabins accommodates up to 4 people, allowing for a maximum of 8 guests. The baths and showers are in a separate building if you stay in the economy cabins. The bathhouse has two spacious bathrooms and is furnished with a sink, shower and a flushing toilet. These facilities boast hot and cold running water and electricity, powered by the lodge’s own power plant. You can choose the number of days you wish to stay.
Includes:
• Round-trip flights between Willow, Alaska, and the lodge
• Professional guides
• Lodging or camping accommodations
• Meals
• Fishing and camping gear, if needed
These dates fall during a great time of year on the Talachulitna River, with opportunities to target Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden, and Arctic Grayling while experiencing some of the most beautiful backcountry Alaska has to offer.
TRANSPORT: We can arrange a car shuttle service from Anchorage to the hangar in Willow to help facilitate the logistics once in Alaska in need be. Please let Fish Nation know if you need any additional information.
NOTICE: THIS OPERATION ALSO OFFERS AN EXTENSIVE ARRAY OF OPTIONS FOR ECO-TOURING, INCLUDING GUIDED WILD LIFE JET BOAT TOURS TO SEE BEARS AND MORE; WHITE WATER GUIDED RAFTING AND CAMPING AND BACK COUNTRY TRIPS. JUST ASK FISH NATION FOR INFORMATION.