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:

✓ Arrange flights to/from Anchorage, Alaska

✓ Arrange accommodations in Anchorage (if applicable)

✓ Send Fly Water Travel Anchorage flight and hotel information

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

✓ Complete personal online guest registration form and sign waiver

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).

Note: If your trip to Rapid's Camp is shorter then the standard week package, please review your invoice for included and not included items.

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 a hotel in Anchorage (independently arranged). The following morning, guests are picked up and transferred to the charter flight bound for King Salmon. Guests are notified of hotel pickup times approximately three days prior to the start of the trip.

  • Option 2: Same-Day Connection (No overnight in Anchorage):
    If guests are able to arrive in Anchorage prior to 12:00 PM on the day they are scheduled to fly into the lodge, then they will be met at the Anchorage baggage claim by a lodge representative and transferred to the charter flight bound for King Salmon.

Departure Day:
In the morning after breakfast, guests will be transferred to the King Salmon airport, where they will take the scheduled charter flight back to Anchorage.

Charter Flight:
The round-trip charter flight between Anchorage and King Salmon is included in the full week program and runs on Fridays. The lodge owns and operates its 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, guests are notified of pickup time and location in Anchorage (typically one week before your trip).

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

Anchorage Hotels:
Hotel Captain Cook
939 W 5th Ave
This is a luxury hotel located in downtown Anchorage.

Lakefront Anchorage Hotel
4800 Spenard Rd.
Set on the shores of Lake Hood, the busiest seaplane base in the world, the Lakefront gets high marks for its great Alaskan feel. The hotel has a full bar and restaurant and offers airport shuttles.

Courtyard Marriott
4901 Spenard Rd.
With its short drive from the airport and convenient shuttle, this is a great option. The hotel offers a small bistro that is open for breakfast and dinner.

Puffin Inn
4400 Spenard Rd.
This is the least expensive option closest to the Ted Stevens International Airport (ANC). We suggest requesting a room in the updated wing. They offer a convenient airport shuttle and a complimentary continental breakfast.

Anchorage Restaurants:
Glacier Brewhouse
737 5th Avenue

Moose’s Tooth Pub & Pizzeria
3300 Old Seward Hwy

Humpy’s Great Alaskan Alehouse
610 W 6th Avenue

Snow City Café
1034 W 4th Ave

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°F - 70°F.

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 Visa and Mastercard.

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

  • 10% - 15% of the total trip cost

Fishing Licenses:
Fishing licenses are not included and can be purchased in advance HERE. Licenses can also be purchased on-site at the lodge. Guests need to have the following:

  • Alaska sport fishing license (seven days, beginning on arrival day at the lodge)
  • King stamp - only for anglers wishing to retain a king salmon in June and July

Note: Alaska requires that anglers carry their fishing license and identification on them while on the water. Please be sure to print a copy of the license.

Cell Coverage and Wi-Fi:

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

Power:
The lodge has 24-hour power.

Laundry:
Laundry is available upon request. 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: 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.

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 on-site 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 setups 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 and 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 provided. Guests are also welcome to bring their own but be sure that they are not felt soles as these are not allowed or legal 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.

Rapid's Camp Top Recommended Flies

Rapids Camp Lodge provides guests with flies during their stay. If you were to bring some of your own, here are some common patterns that work well throughout the season.

Trout, Char, and Grayling

  • Dolly Llama - Olive/White (Sizes 2-4)
  • Beads - Peach and Roe (6mm - 10mm)
  • Flesh Fly - Peach, Cream, and White (Sizes 2-8)
  • RIO's Morrish Sculpin - Black and Olive (Sizes 2-4)
  • Stimulator - Orange and Yellow (Sizes 8-12)


King Salmon

  • Intruders - Black/Blue, Blue/Chartreuse, and Orange/Pink (Sizes 1/0-1)
  • String Leech - Pink and Chartreuse (Sizes 1/0-1)
  • Comet - Pink, Orange, and Chartreuse (Sizes 1-2)
  • RIO's Morrish Trailer Trash - Baitfish and Sherbert (Size 1)


Silver, Chum, Sockeye, and Pink Salmon

  • Starlight Leech - Pink (Sizes 1-2)
  • Pollywog - Pink (1/0-2)
  • Clouser Minnow - Chartreuse and Pink (Sizes 1-2)
  • Egg Sucking Leech - Black/Purple and Blue/Black (Sizes 1-2)
  • Flash Fly - Pink and Pink/White (Sizes 1-2)

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, 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 by themselves or together, depending on conditions.

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

Rain Jacket:
One high-quality rain jacket. Either a 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 is 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

Backpack:
One waterproof backpack or boat bag for day gear

Camera:
Camera with extra batteries and a 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, earplugs, 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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