United States

Royal Coachman Lodge

Alaska
Species
Trout, Rainbow Trout, King Salmon, Silver Salmon, Arctic Char, Grayling, Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Pacific Salmon, Chum Salmon, and Sockeye Salmon
Destination Type
Fly Out Lodge
Fishing Style
Dry Fly, Jet Boat, and Wading
Season
June - September
Fishing Days
6
Rate
$$$$
Why We Go

Located in the heart of the Wood-Tikchik Park on the banks of the Nushagak's main tributary, the Nuyakuk River, Royal Coachman Lodge offers access to exceptional home waters as well as fly-out fly fishing to some of Alaska's most scenic and least crowded trout and salmon waters.

Overview

Located in the heart of the Wood-Tikchik Park on the banks of the Nushagak’s main tributary, the Nuyakuk River, Royal Coachman Lodge offers access to exceptional home waters as well as fly-out fly fishing to some of Alaska’s most scenic and least crowded trout and salmon waters.

Royal Coachman features full time professional fly fishing guides, two float planes, exceptional cuisine, friendly staff, and great fly fishing. The lodge also holds several exclusive permits in the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, guaranteeing access to some of the best king and silver salmon fly water available in southwestern Alaska.

The Royal Coachman Lodge features private cabins for each pair of guests. Cabins are complete with bathrooms, showers, and comfortable furniture. The main lodge is tastefully furnished, with living room and dining room overlooking the Nuyakuk River. This beautifully situated, intimate Alaskan fly fishing lodge caters to only twelve guests per week, ensuring complete flexibility in the fishing program and a high level of personalized service throughout your stay.

Fishing Program

The Royal Coachman Lodge has the distinct advantage of being a small operation located right on the river. This allows them to cater to both the serious and the more laid back fly fisherman. Flexibility is the key to the fly fishing schedule. Every evening they sit down with guests and go over the plans for the next day. With nearly 15 boats scattered throughout the region, and many rivers where you do not need a boat, you will have an amazing number of fisheries to choose from every day. All they need to know is what species you would like to focus on for the day and then they will help pick the best fishery for you.

Each day begins with a hearty breakfast (coffee is set out beforehand for early risers). An hour after your breakfast you will depart for the day’s fishing. The guides will pack a picnic lunch, or if desired, they can do a shore lunch of fresh salmon (when available). The daily fly fishing schedule departure times are flexible to maximize your angling success. Pickup time will vary depending on the groups' desired plans for the day. Remember that at the end of the day, if you have not gotten enough fishing in, you can always fly fish in front of the lodge.

Each river that the guides fish is different. They use Jon boats with 40 hp jet units on the rivers that have boats stashed. They fly fish from the boat or wade fish depending on your preference. If you are on a creek that does not have a boat, your guide will carry lunch in a backpack and you can wade fish the creek for the day.

Dinner time will be between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM. All the anglers return to the lodge one hour prior to dinner, so you’ll have time to shower, relax and enjoy hors d'oeuvres. A generous dinner is served family style, followed by a gourmet dessert.

On the Sunday exchange days, you will usually get some fishing in. Please keep in mind that they use the transfer days to prepare for the next guests, so fishing time is limited.

Located on the Nuyakuk River in the middle of the Tikchik State Park (the largest state park in the U.S.), the Royal Coachman Lodge offers tremendous flexibility and solitude. They have two exclusive permits in the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge and nearly 20 boats cached throughout the best fishing locations in the Bristol Bay Region. The sheer numbers of fish that this region supports is mind boggling. It contains all five species of Pacific salmon; Kings, Silvers, Sockeye, Chum, and Pinks, along with seven species of freshwater game fish; rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, Arctic char, Arctic grayling, northern pike, lake trout, and sheefish. You will chase these fish in a variety of waters from very small streams to large rivers, lakes, and the thoroughfares that connect them.

Accommodations

The Royal Coachman Lodge sits on the banks of the Nuyakuk river overlooking its home pool and caters to a maximum of 12 anglers per week. The lodge is staffed with six to eight people. This small number of guests and large staff helps to ensure that you will have the maximum amount of personal service and attention that this truly world class fishing adventure offers.

The Main Lodge houses the kitchen, dining room and lounge, library corner and fly-tying bench. It is comfortable and cozy, and is where you will plan the following days excursions. You will sit around the fire or the tying bench, and your guides will discuss what type of fishing you would like to do, and plan the details of the next day’s outing. There is no pre-scheduled fishing program here. Custom tailoring each day’s fishing is one of the major advantages to the small and personal approach.

Guests stay in four finely furnished cottages each with living rooms, one and two bedrooms, and private baths. They also have two well appointed bedrooms in the main lodge. Each cabin or room has modern bath facilities, independent heat, excellent beds, and all the creature comforts of home, along with spectacular views of the river and snow capped peaks. Guest rooms are cleaned daily.

The Lodge has freezer capacity to allow for clients to take home salmon. Salmon will also be available for shore lunch nearly every day during your stay. Please notify them if you are planning on taking home salmon.

Additional Experiences

Guest experiences are highlighted by bear viewing tours at Brooks River. This is best done during the month of July.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Anchorage and overnight at your elected accommodations (independently arranged, not included)

Day 2: Fly to Dillingham (independently arranged, not included). A lodge representative will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to the float plane (approximately 30-minute drive) at Lake Aleknagik. The beautiful, 40-minute float plane flight takes you to the lodge and will give you a great perspective of the Wood Tikchik State Part and the endless landscape of Alaska. You will have a chance to settle in and prepare your gear for the following day's fishing.

Days 3 - 8: Full days of guided fly-out fishing (weather permitting). There is even great evening fishing in front of the lodge after dinner if you haven't gotten enough.

Day 9: Depart the lodge by float plane for Dillingham and points beyond.

Rates & Details

2025 Rate: Per person based on double occupancy

7 night/6 day package: $13,200

Included: Accommodations and meals at the lodge, transportation between Dillingham and the lodge, guided daily fly-outs from the lodge (weather permitting), flies and taxes.

Not Included: Round trip airfare to Dillingham, accommodations and meals other than at lodge, fishing license, king salmon stamps (if appropriate), staff and guide gratuities, alcohol, personal gear, rods, reels, lures.

Species: Rainbow trout, char, grayling, pike, salmon

Season: June – September

Capacity: 12 anglers