alaska - cabins

Dave LaCourse wrote:
On Sun, 29 Jan 2006 18:00:22 -0700, Willi
wrote:


That was an area I first considered because of the outstanding Rainbow
fishing. However, I corresponded with several people who reported great
fishing but also commented on crowded conditions and "fights" over
fishing spots. One gentlemen told me about lodges that have employees
camp out at choice locations so they can "reserve" them for their
sports. If I remember right, you ran into some of this even though you
had frequent flyouts and had guides and the lodge finding you the best
places.


I haven't fished Alaska under any crowded conditions. There are
lodges, however, that own Otters as well as Beavers and can put 16
people on a river, literally taking it over. I believe this has
happened on a river flowing into the Alagnak called Little Ku. We
flew over it at 1500 feet to check it out and there were more bears
than fishermen. My last trip found Little Ku closed to fishing due to
the bears.

The Alagnak float I quoted to Jeff is through Kulik Lodge which is on
Nonvianuk Lake. Other lodges, however, also use the river.

Dave





I thought you did based on the below quotes:


"The same thing is slowly happening in Alaska. We parked our Beaver in
a sink hole pond, only to return 4 hours later and see 4 more Beavers
parked next to us. Some lodges have switched to Otters so that they can
saturate a river with their own guests."


"We would stop fishing when we came to a group, and not fish until we
were 100 yards downstream of them. Thursday on the Moraine was the only
day that it was a little crowded. Some lodges (unnamed) have Otters
instead of Beavers and drop of 12 or more sports in one spot. They
*could* take over a section of river quite easily. One lodge can
accommodate 90 rods (people), so something like that can be crowded."

But that does show that even in remote areas, certain fisheries can get
crowded.

Willi

On Mon, 30 Jan 2006 11:16:57 -0700, Willi
wrote:

I thought you did based on the below quotes:


"The same thing is slowly happening in Alaska. We parked our Beaver in
a sink hole pond, only to return 4 hours later and see 4 more Beavers
parked next to us. Some lodges have switched to Otters so that they can
saturate a river with their own guests."

yeah, I remember that post. I believe I was talking about Moraine
Creek. The two times we drifted Moraine that year, we encountered one
camping group of three rafts, and one group of two rafts. However,
the Moraine is so long that you lose any other anglers. The Otters
are being used by some lodges. I won't go to a lodge that packs lots
of people in. Sportsman's Lodge had a max of 16, but it was
generally 12 to 14 using two Beavers.

Correction: That couldn't have been the Moraine because you don't
return to the plane - it comes to meet you where the river flows into
the lake. That had to be the Kameshak where we fished for Silvers.
The lodge has two jet boats anchored there and you go up river.
However, I don't remember seeing anyone on either of the two trips up
the Kami. There are side tribs - that may be where the folks were.


"We would stop fishing when we came to a group, and not fish until we
were 100 yards downstream of them. Thursday on the Moraine was the only
day that it was a little crowded. Some lodges (unnamed) have Otters
instead of Beavers and drop of 12 or more sports in one spot. They
*could* take over a section of river quite easily. One lodge can
accommodate 90 rods (people), so something like that can be crowded."

That was the Moraine. True, but it wasn't crowded. There were several
groups on the river, but you pass them and they pass you - no fishing
while passing is the general rule. It wasn't a nuisance, however.
There were no Otters on the Moraine, but rather on Little Ku. I
didn't go on that trip because of the distance to walk from the float
plane to the river. We flew over it, however, and saw more bear than
anglers. It is not a float river, but rather a wading one. It was
closed this year when I was in camp because of the bears.



But that does show that even in remote areas, certain fisheries can get
crowded.

Yes, thanks to the Beaver, Cesna, and Otter. The only place I have
fished in Alaska without seeing other folks (if only briefly) was
Margot Creek and Battle Creek. I didn't fish Funnel Creek because of
the walk (flows into the Moraine), but some of the sports walked
acrossd the tundra and fished Funnel all day without seeing another
soul. The fish were smaller than the Moraine, but still trophy size.

You planning another trip this year, Willi?

I may try Chile in April, but not Alaska this year.

Dave




Dave

Dave LaCourse wrote:

You planning another trip this year, Willi?


I would like to do another float but it seems that skilled oarsmen are
at a premium right now.



I may try Chile in April, but not Alaska this year.


Sounds cool Dave.
Willi

On Sun, 29 Jan 2006 17:31:23 -0500, Jeff Miller
wrote:

Dave LaCourse wrote:

And, it is inexpensive except for the
airfare to Anchorage.

Dave



i just checked airfare from raleigh to anchorage...a very reasonable 600
bucks. i think the costs once in alaska may be the bigger concern. looks
like everything is oriented to fly-outs. tough costs for someone who's
afraid of flying... g

jeff


Speaking of inexpensive. I got this in the mail today.
Lake Marie Lodge
wwwlakemarie.com
They have remote tent camps that go for $2500/week. It's guided, and
that includes everything, including airfare from Anchorage. Hell, I
couldn't do Labrador at that price ten years ago.

Dave

Dave LaCourse wrote:

On Sun, 29 Jan 2006 17:31:23 -0500, Jeff Miller
wrote:


Dave LaCourse wrote:

And, it is inexpensive except for the

airfare to Anchorage.

Dave



i just checked airfare from raleigh to anchorage...a very reasonable 600
bucks. i think the costs once in alaska may be the bigger concern. looks
like everything is oriented to fly-outs. tough costs for someone who's
afraid of flying... g

jeff



Speaking of inexpensive. I got this in the mail today.
Lake Marie Lodge
wwwlakemarie.com
They have remote tent camps that go for $2500/week. It's guided, and
that includes everything, including airfare from Anchorage. Hell, I
couldn't do Labrador at that price ten years ago.

Dave


thanks dave...interesting site. looks like that trip would be about
7000 from the east coast if you stay at the lodge. i didn't see any
lesser rates on the web site for 7 day stays, or anything about the tent
camps.

jeff

On Tue, 31 Jan 2006 08:50:39 -0500, Jeff Miller
wrote:

thanks dave...interesting site. looks like that trip would be about
7000 from the east coast if you stay at the lodge. i didn't see any
lesser rates on the web site for 7 day stays, or anything about the tent
camps.

Hmmmmm. The brochure they sent me quotes a price of $2500 for their
"remote tent camp" for 7 nights, fishing for rainbows, artic char,
grayling and all species of Pacific salmon.

Willi wrote:

I would like to do another float but it seems that skilled oarsmen are
at a premium right now.


Willi - Bevin and I want to go. If I know early enough I'll do
whatever it takes to save enough money. I'd need to be back by August
28 because of work. It's either Montana or Alaska for me this Summer.
If you want help with the research and trip planning let me know, just
remember that I'm terrible at picking spots.

Bevin is a skilled oarsman and I know one pretty good trick!

bh