Copper River Lodge

THE FISHING

The State of Alaska designated the Copper River as the first “trophy rainbow river” in the state and has regulated the river as “fly fishing only and catch and release.” It is this designation that has kept the fishing on the river so outstanding and why the river and its tributaries consistently produce some of the biggest rainbows in the state. Further enhancing the catch and release only policy, the lodge has adopted a barbless hooks policy for all it waters. The Copper River offers a classic Alaska trout fishing stream with a wide assortment of fishing environments.  Long dry fly glides, deep winding pools studded with boulders, faster riffles, and deep undercut banks practically beg for a mouse fly.

The boats used at the lodge are generally used for transportation only, to get from one fishing location to the next and anglers will rarely if ever actually fish from the boat. The mail reason why this is the case, is because the Copper River is just about perfect as a wading river. Good solid footing and an easy gradient make the Copper River a comfortable wade for both young and old alike.  While the Copper River is technically a tundra river, it is very different from other tundra bodies of water in that it runs through a gorgeous river valley that is lined with groves of cottonwood, spruce, and birch.  Aside from helping make it one of the most beautiful rivers in Alaska, these trees offer the fly fishermen refuge from the relentless northern winds.  

Starting in the summer of 2023, with the addition of the new floatplane, the lodge is now able to fly up to 4 anglers per day to different sections of the Copper River and/or different fisheries in the Lake Iliamna/Katmai region.  This program enables anglers to see a variety of different water while still getting to fish the Copper River on the non-fly out days.  Each angler should anticipate three to four fly-out days per week (weather permitting). Copper River Lodge also has a lake boat to access other tributaries of Lake Iliamna and the guides will often use this boat to access and fish the Gibraltar River, which can be an exceptional fishery.  Please note that the Gibraltar River is very weather dependent and can only be accessed on days that are not very windy, as the lake can get very big swells when the wind is blowing.

BOATS AND EQUIPMENT

The lodge uses 16’ tunnel hull boats with 40 hp jet units to run the river, along with inflatable drift boats on some of the smaller tributaries.

GETTING THERE

Guests will fly into Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage and then transfer over to the domestic flight carrier, which is about a 30-minute drive away. The domestic flight from Anchorage down to the lodge takes between 60-95 minutes depending on headwinds and luggage weight that day. Detailed arrival and departure travel information and logistics are provided in our pre trip information package that is sent once the trip has been booked.   

RATES FOR 2023

$9,250 USD DBL   6 nights lodging with 6 days of guided fishing   

All package rates are per person, based on double occupancy room and boat.