Rapids Camp Lodge
Travel & Tackle Guide

Welcome to your Fly Water Travel trip guide. We’re excited to help you prepare for your upcoming adventure! Inside, you’ll find everything you need: your to-do list, travel logistics, destination notes, and a curated tackle guide tailored to your trip.

Getting Ready

We’ve created a quick checklist of essential tasks to make sure you’re fully prepared for the journey ahead. If questions come up or you need anything at all, just give us a call, we’re here to help every step of the way.

To-Do List:

✓ Review Itinerary

✓ Arrange flights to/from Anchorage

✓ Arrange Accommodations in Anchorage (if applicable)

✓ Send Fly Water Travel Anchorage flight and hotel information

✓ Purchase Alaska fishing license and King Salmon tag (if applicable)

✓ Complete your personal online guest registration form

✓ Sign Rapids Camp Lodge waiver vis guest registration link

Rapids Camp Lodge
Travel Guide

From how to get there and what documents you’ll need to tipping guidelines and destination details, this section covers the practical information to ensure smooth travels.

Getting to the Lodge:
To get to Rapids Camp Lodge, guests will need to arrange travel to and from Anchorage, Alaska (ANC). From Anchorage, guests will take the lodge's included charter flight to King Salmon (AKN). Upon arrival into AKN, a Rapids Camp Lodge representative will be waiting to transfer you the short 15 minute drive to the lodge.

Arrival Day:

  • Option 1: Day-Before Arrival (Overnight in Anchorage): 
    In our opinion, this is the best and most straightforward option. Guests arrive the day prior to their transfer to the lodge, and overnight at their elected accommodations in Anchoarge (not included in package). The following morning, the lodge expediter will pick you up at your hotel and transfer them to the Deneki Outdoors office for your flight to King Salmon. You'll be notified of your pick-up time approximately three days before your trip.

  • Option 2: Same-Day Connection (No Overnight in Anchorage)
    If guests are able to arrive into Anchorage prior to 12 PM, a Rapids Camp Lodge expediter will meet you in the Anchorage baggage claim, and transfer you to the Deneki Outdoors office for your flight to King Salmon.

Arrive Rapids Camp Lodge:
Upon arrival at Rapids Camp Lodge, you will have time to get settled in and get ready for upcoming days of fishing.

Departure Day:
In the morning after breakfast, guests will be transferred to the King Salmon Airport where they will catch the included chart flight back to Anchorage.

Charter Flight: Your charter flight from Anchorage to King Salmon is included in your package and arranged by Rapids Camp Lodge. The lodge owns and operates their own fleet of planes that depart from their hangar in Anchorage (6160 Carl Brady Drive, Anchorage AK 99502). Once the charter schedule has been finalized, you will be notified of your pickup time and location in Anchorage (typically one week before your trip).

Recommended Travel Agent:
For assistance in making your travel plans (flights, hotels, airport transfers and tour arrangements), we recommend contacting Alicia Regueiro of Holdy Tours.

Alicia Regueiro, Holdy Tours
800-446-1111 or 925-927-6617
alicia@holdytours.com

Anchorage Hotel Recommendations:
Below is a list of hotels that range from luxury to more budget friendly options.

Hotel Captain Cook
939 W 5th Ave.
Anchorage, AK 99501

The Lakefront Hotel
4800 Spenard Rd.
Anchorage, AK 99517

Courtyard Marriott
4901 Spenard Rd.
Anchorage, AK 99517

Puffin Inn
4400 Spenard Rd.
Anchorage, AK 99517

Travel Cash:
As a guideline we recommend that each guest travel with approximately $1,500 -$2,000 for staff and guide gratuities, premium alcohol, etc.

Credit Cards:
The lodge accepts both Visa and Mastercard.

Fishing Licenses:
Fishing licenses are not included in your package and can be purchased online at Alaska Fish and Game's website prior to the start of your trip. You may also purchase your license on site at the lodge. You will need a seven-day sport fishing license (this should start on your arrival day to the lodge). A king stamp is also required for anglers wishing to retain a king salmon in June and July.

Note: Alaska requires that anglers carry their fishing license and identification with you while on the water.

Gratuities:
The following are guidelines, and all gratuities are up to the discretion of the individual guest.

  • 10% - 15% of your total trip cost

Gratuities can be given directly to the lodge manager(s) at the end of the fishing week for distribution to guides and lodge staff. Cash is greatly appreciated.

Cell Coverage and Wi-Fi:

  • Cell Coverage: While there can be a faint signal at the lodge, it is best to not rely on cell signal while on the property
  • Wi-Fi: Available 24/7 throughout the lodge

Power:
Rapids Camp Lodge has 24/7 power.

Laundry:
Laundry is available upon request to guests during their stay. Please be prepared to tip the person doing the laundry. Typically, a gratuity of $15-$20 is customary depending on the size of the load.

Water:
Filtered water is readily available, but tap water is also acceptable to drink.

Beverages/Alcohol:

  • Beer, Wine and Alcohol: Beer, wine and a variety of liquors (rum, vodka and Scotch) are included in the package.
  • Soft Drinks and Mixers: Included in package

Note: Since Rapids Camp Lodge holds a liquor license, guests are not allowed to bring their own alcohol per Alaska State Law.

Climate:
The weather in southwest Alaska is highly variable. Anglers should always come prepared for cold rainy conditions, especially early and late in the season. Typical daytime temperatures range from 40° - 70° Fahrenheit.

Travel and Health Considerations:
Insect repellent and a head net are recommended, especially through mid August. Bears are also very common, and your guides are trained to work around them.

Medical Facilities:
The closest medical facility is in Anchorage, which is about a one-hour flight from the lodge. Guests have the responsibility to disclose any special medical, physical, or dietary needs to the lodge ahead of time. In emergency situations, a charter flight may be required to reach a medical facility. Guests may want to consider medical evacuation coverage. We recommend Global Rescue.

Recommended Medical Evacuation Carrier and Insurance Provider:
Global Rescue

Rapids Camp Lodge
Tackle Guide

Here you’ll find everything you need to be ready on the water. You’ll find our preferred setups, favorite flies, recommended packing list, and notes on tackle available at the lodge.

Rapids Camp Lodge - Sage Experiences Provided Tackle

As a Sage Experiences Outfitter, Rapids Camp Lodge is an elite outfitter that has committed to offering their guests onsite access to first-class Sage and RIO tackle that has been carefully curated to ideally suit their respective fisheries.

Rapids Camp Lodge Perfect Setups:

Trout

  • SAGE R8 CORE 691-4
  • SAGE TROUT 6/7/8
  • RIO ELITE GOLD 6WT
  • SAGE TROUT SPEY G5 4113-4
  • SAGE TROUT SPEY 3/4/5
  • RIO INTEGRATED ELITE TROUT SPEY 4WT


Salmon

  • SAGE R8 CORE 890-4
  • SAGE ARBOR XL 6/7/8
  • RIO ELITE GRAND 8WT
  • SAGE R8 SPEY 8130-4
  • SAGE SPEY II 6/7/8
  • RIO ELITE SKAGIT MAX POWER 575GR

Rapids Camp Lodge Tackle Overview

As a Sage Experiences Outfitter, Rapids Camp Lodge eliminates the guessing game when it comes to preparing your tackle and instead provides an exciting new destination demo program designed to offer guests an elite travel experience. During your stay with any Sage Experiences Outfitter, you will have onsite access, at no extra charge, to the ideal Sage and RIO outfits for the fish you're targeting. Even if you're the type of angler who likes to fish your own gear, rest assured that once you arrive, our premium set ups will be ready and waiting for you to demo onsite at any time during your stay.

Rapids Camp Lodge Provided Equipment:

  • Rods/Reels/Lines: As a Sage Experiences Outfitter, Rapids Camp Lodge provides guests with first-class Sage rods, reels, and RIO lines curated specifically for their fishery.
  • Flies: Flies are included in the package price. Guests are also welcome to bring their own.
  • Waders & Boots: Waders and boots are both provided at Rapids Camp Lodge. Guests are also welcome to bring their own. Please note that Felt Soles are NOT legal footwear in Alaska.

Rapids Camp Lodge Trout Setup

If we were only allowed to bring one trout rod to Alaska, it would have to be a 9 foot 6 weight with a fighting butt. Since many of the flies thrown in Alaska can be larger, a 6 weight is able to handle these with much more grace than a lighter rod. In addition, the trout in the region are also known to be larger than average, and having the backbone of a 6 weight helps tremendously when attempting to land the fish of a lifetime. The added fighting butt allows more control of the fish and reduces arm fatigue during the fight. Rods should be paired with a good freshwater reel, with at least 100 yards of backing. We prefer all around, weight forward floating fly lines since a variety of techniques can be employed. Since the trout are bigger in Alaska than most other places, we recommend leader and tippet primarily in the 2X - 4X range. Conveniently, this setup will also function great for both Arctic Char and Dolly Varden.

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Rapids Camp Lodge King Salmon Setup

King Salmon, also called Chinook Salmon, are the largest of the pacific salmon species. They are an incredibly powerful fish that put anglers and their gear to the test. While they can be fished for using a variety of techniques, we find that most fly anglers in Alaska choose to use a spey rod. For Kings, good spey rods are generally in the 12'6" to 13'6" range, and depending on the size of the waterway can get larger. Rods should be 8-weights at a minimum. Due to the immense power these salmon hold, it's crucial to have a high quality reel with a strong drag and at least 200 yards of 30 LB backing. Generally speaking, Skagit setups are preferred for Kings, paired with a good variety of tips. A complete angler should have T-8 through T-17 sink tips, with at least 20lb tippet to your fly.

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Rapids Camp Lodge Salmon Setup

While the trout fishing in Alaska is world class, most anglers know the state for its salmon fishing. Alaska offers great fishing for 5 of the pacific salmon; Silvers, Kings, Chum, Pinks, and Sockeye. For an overall Alaska salmon rod, we find a 9 foot 8 weight gets the job done in the majority of scenarios. Rods should be paired with high quality reels with a strong drag, and at least 200 yards of backing. Flies can be successfully fished both subsurface and on the surface, and a weight forward floating fly line matched with the correct rod weight will be a good bet. Since salmon are a very strong fish, we recommend that guests fish no less than 16lb leader and tippet.

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Support Your Local Fly Shop

If you need assistance with assembling your gear for your upcoming travels, we encourage you to support your local fly shop. This curated list of tackle is handpicked for your destination by our experts and can serve as your shopping list to get your ready for your next adventure. Find your local Far Bank dealer.

Alaska's Top Recommended Flies

Trout, Char, and Grayling

King Salmon

Silver, Chum, Sockeye, and Pink Salmon

Suggested Packing List

We understand packing for an adventure is not easy. On a trip like this it is very important to have everything you need and nothing you do not. Because of the varying weather conditions in Alaska, it is important to have a wide variety of clothing options.

Documents
Plane tickets, itinerary, photo ID, credit card, travel cash, fishing license

Socks
Four pairs of wool or synthetic socks to wear under your waders. Two pairs of camp socks.

Shirts
Two or three long sleeve, hooded fishing shirts. One or two camp shirts.

Undergarments
Two pairs of synthetic long underwear to wear beneath your waders. One mid-weight and one heavyweight. These can be worn singling or together depending on conditions.

Hats
Two fishing or baseball hats. One warm wool hat.

Rain Jacket
One high quality rain jacket. Either waterproof or a high quality Gore-Tex jacket. Make sure your jacket is large enough to fit over some layers of clothing and the coat/jacket you plan to wear.

Warm Layers
Two warm insulating layers. Synthetic fleece is good, it can be best to avoid cotton.

Camp Shoes
One pair of shoes for around the lodge.

Gloves
One pair of warm fishing gloves for early or late in the season. These can also be used to keep the bugs off your hands.

Buff
One facial sun protector. This can also be used to keep the bugs off your face.

Sunglasses
One pair of polarized sunglasses. It is great to have a lens cleaner and a soft cleaning cloth as well.

Sunscreen
One bottle 30+ SPF

Lip Balm
One tube of 30+ SPF lip balm

Insect Repellent
Insect repellent and a lightweight head net

Tape Measure
Optional

Backpack
One waterproof backpack or boat bag for day gear

Camera
Camera with extra batteries and waterproof case/bag

Headlamp
One small LED headlamp with batteries

Toiletries Kit
Toothpaste and toothbrush, deodorant, razor, lotion, mini, shampoo bottle, anti-inflammatory, sleep aid, ear plugs, band aids, anti-bacterial ointment, antihistamines, Gold Bond powder and Pepto.

Contact Taylor Goodhue

Taylor is a native Oregonian who has been passionate about fly fishing for as long as he can remember. Prior to joining Fly Water Travel, he worked with Confluence Fly Shop in Bend, Oregon, where he served as an instructor, guide, and sales associate. His deep love for both travel and the sport has taken him across the globe in pursuit of a wide variety of fish species.

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