Sapsuk River Camp
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

✓ Send Fly Water Travel your alcohol/soft drink order

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

✓ Complete your personal online guest registration form

Sapsuk River Camp
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 Sapsuk River Camp, guests will need to arrange travel to and from Anchorage, Alaska (ANC). From Anchorage, guests will take the lodge's included charter flight to Nelson Lagoon's airstrip.

Arrival Day:
There are technically two days that can be considered as arrival days. Below we have outlined both of these days:

  • Anchorage Arrival: Guests arrive the day prior to their lodge transfer, and overnight at their elected accommodations in Anchorage (not included in package).

  • Sapsuk River Camp Arrival: On arrival at the lodge, guests will be given a tour of the property and shown to their rooms. There will be ample time to prepare your gear for the next day's fishing,


Departure Day:
In the morning after breakfast, guests will pack their bags and be transported by boat to Nelson Lagoon. Here, they will catch the lodge's included charter flight back to Anchorage.

Charter Flight:
A charter flight between Anchorage and Nelson Lagoon's airstrip is included in your package.

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, etc.

Credit Cards:
The lodge does not accept credit cards, please be prepared with enough cash to cover your weeks' stay.

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 or fish for 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.

  • $1,500 (USD) per person per week

Gratuities can be given directly to the lodge manager at the end of you stay. Tips will be pooled and equally distributed among the guides and lodge staff.

Cell Coverage and Wi-Fi:

  • Cell Coverage: There is no cell signal at the lodge.
  • Wi-Fi: Available, but is generally only good for simple texts and emails. You should come to the lodge prepared to be fairly off the grid.

Power:
There is 24/7 generator power throughout the lodge.

Laundry:
Laundry service is available daily throughout your stay.

Water:
Filtered water is readily available.

Beverages/Alcohol:

  • Beer/Wine, Alcohol & Soft Drinks: Not included in your package, but can be ordered in advance.. Please let Fly Water Travel know in advance if you would like to order anything.

Climate:
The weather in 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 an hour and a half 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:
Due to the remoteness of Alaskan operations, we recommend that guests purchase travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage. Our preferred provider for this service is Global Rescue.

Sapsuk River Camp
Tackle 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.

Alaska Peninsula Tackle Overview

The tackle at Hoodoo Lodge is entirely season dependent. For King Salmon and Steelhead season, the rivers are dominated by Spey casters. 7 to 8 weight Spey rods between the 12 and 13 foot mark are preferred, both being paired with a high quality Spey specific reel. Skagit heads with sink tips are the most common lines setups used on the Hoodoo River. For Silver Salmon, we recommend a single hand 9 foot 8 weight rod, paired with a high quality reel. A floating line is the most useful, as these salmon are just as happy to take a fly on the surface as they are subsurface.

Hoodoo Lodge Provided Equipment:

  • Rods/Reels/Lines: The lodge has rods and reels available for guest use. Please let Fly Water Travel know ahead of time if gear is needed, as it is available on a first come first serve basis.
  • Flies: Flies are included in your package, though we feel it can be helpful to bring a small selection. Our detailed fly selection at the bottom of this page will point you in the right direction.
  • Waders and Boots: Hoodoo Lodge does not provide guests with waders and boots. Please plan to bring you own pairs, and keep in mind that Felt soles are not legal footwear in the sate of Alaska.

Alaska Peninsula 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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Alaska Peninsula Silver Salmon Setup

For an Alaska silver 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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Alaska Peninsula Steelhead Setup

The Alaska Peninsula is home to some of the best Steelhead runs in the state. These fish are fresh, coming right out of the Bering Sea and entering the Sapsuk/Hoodoo and Sandy Rivers. For the fish here, a Skagit setup is a staple for anglers. They are easy to cast and are used most often in conjunction with sink tips. RIO Skagit Max heads are typically recommended for rods over 13 feet, while the RIO Skagit Power is recommended for Spey rods 13 feet and under. We recommend traveling with a good variety of tips, ranging from T8 through T17. 16 or 20 lb tippet is the standard for these fish.

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Sapsuk River Camp Recommended Flies

At Hoodoo Lodge, flies are included in your standard package. For those who enjoy bringing a personal touch or tying ahead of the trip, you’re welcome to pack your own favorites. Our detailed fly selection list below will get you started in the right direction.

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 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)


Steelhead

  • Hartwicks Hoser - Black/Blue
  • Silveynator - Black/Blue, Black/Orange
  • Rio's Animal - Black/Blue, Black/Red, Pink/White
  • Hoh Bo Spey - Black/Blue, Cerise/Black
  • Stu's Ostrich Intruders - Black/Blue, Black/Purple

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.

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

Bug Dope
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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