November – The Quiet Time of Year

As the ice starts to envelope the creek and the cold and darkness begins to set in for the long winter, it’s time to pull out the last remaining boat and settle in until the creek and river are frozen enough to hold the weight of a snowmachine. As for river conditions, this year is anything but normal. The river and creek should have been frozen by now but the late fall and warm weather has made for a more damp than frozen season. Most November’s usually bring snowmachine traffic out for holiday rides and stops for a quick bite and gasoline. On favorable years, we would likely have more than a quarter inch of snow, (our current accumulation) and a frozen drive by snow machine for our annual community (around 20) Thanksgiving dinner. This year it will just be the 8 neighbors on our side of the river, one of which will try and cross the creek with her canoe. Let’s just hope that the shelf ice on the edges of the creek won’t make it too much of a challenge to get in and out of the canoe, in which case we may have to throw her a rope to assist. It may make for an interesting Thanksgiving story in the years to come. Winter darkness is setting in, which means we currently have about 8 hours of daylight and are actively losing about 5 minutes a day until December 21; Alaska’s shortest day of the year. We celebrate this day, not because the lack of light, but because it signifies that brighter days are ahead! Most years around this time, we would be traveling out of state to seek sunshine and sand but this winter, we are currently awaiting the arrival of our newest granddaughter. She is our 4th grandbady and we are so excited to meet her!   With each changing season, we’re thankful for all the experiences living here in rural Alaska. The quiet and solitude out here is incomparable to anywhere else in the world and for that we are grateful. Wishing you a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving.

Closing Out Yet Another Memorable Season At Northwoods Lodge

alaska fishing lodgesAs the summer wraps up here at Northwoods Lodge, we can’t help but look back on our season and reminisce some of the best memories our guests created with us. Like most Alaska fishing lodges, we have had numerous incredible trips out on the water and are reluctant to put our gear away for the winter. From families taking their children out for their first Alaskan fishing adventure to monster catches, we could not have asked for a better season or better people to share it with.

Late Season Castingalaska fishing lodges

Our late season guests are casting out their lines for those chum salmon, northern pikes, arctic graylings, and beautiful rainbow trout. Taking every opportunity to rig up their fly rod and toss their lines into the drink. With such a perfect location and waters that host exciting fish that love to put up a challenge for anglers, it is easy to see why so many want to spend as much time as possible wading out into the waves. The time of winterizing our gear is approaching, but that doesn’t mean we are throwing in the hat for the current season just yet!

Season Highlights

This season has been packed with incredible memories made, a few exciting upgrades to our lodge, and of course some of the best fishing yet! Earlier in the season, we spruced up our picnic tables with a stunning new paint job. We also added a few custom benches for our guests to enjoy around a firepit made by one of our own family members using material from the Alaska pipeline. We had new anglers alaska fishing lodgescome out to learn the ropes, and longtime guests celebrate another year with us. Smiles shined bright, and laughter was had by visitors and staff alike all summer long. The king salmon were splashing in the waters right by our lodge in June just tempting our anglers to get out for a chance to reel one in, and colorful rainbows made a youngster’s day as his very first catch. Great food, fantastic fishing, and incredible guests have all made this season another one for the books!

A Thank You To Our Incredible Guests!

Winter may be setting in, but we are holding onto the last of summer with warm memories of everyone that chose Northwoods Lodge this year in their search for Alaska fishing lodges. Our staff is already planning for an even better year next season. So keep us in mind again and create new traditions with us. When it comes to Alaska fishing lodges, Northwoods strives to give each and every guest the best fishing trip possible, and we hope you visit us in the upcoming year for yet another spectacular season of fishing adventures!

Nabbing Those Late Season Fish With Northwoods Lodge

fishing for salmonThe journey for a salmon headed inland to their spawning grounds is long and tiring. Every four years, they make their way upstream from saltwater to the freshwater pools they once hatched from, themselves. Late July and August bring up the very end of our main salmon season due to many of them focused on reaching their destination no matter what. However, when spawning season comes around, many other prized catches are following close behind.

Late Summer Reels

Though fishing for salmon is one of the main draws for anglers on an Alaskan fishing adventure, spawning season creates an excellent opportunity to reel in some of our other prized catches. Trout especially enjoy a hearty meal of salmon eggs; therefore many of our guides rig up their lines with egg patterns. Using eggs for bait draw in some of the most colorful fish swimming in our waters that also put up a good fight for anglers.

Trout, Pike, and Graylings – Oh My!

With all of the trout filling up on the spawning salmon eggs, the trout become hearty and plump. This adds a bit of weight behind the already challenging agility of the rainbow trout. The trout season begins in the late days of July and continues into the late fall. Once August comes to a close and the leaves start to turn to their vibrant cadmiums, siennas, and golds, northern pike also come into their peak season. Arctic Graylings emerge around the same time to wrap up the season and offer fantastic spinning and fly fishing.

Fall Frenzy

The season of fishing for salmon may be coming to a quick close, but there is still plenty of time for a Northwoods Lodge fishing getaway. Test your skills and have a blast reeling in some of the most agile fish in our waters this fall. What are you waiting for? Give us a call or visit our website to view the best times to visit our lodge for each of these incredible fish and cast your line with our seasoned guides. The season is not over yet!  

Baiting For Salmon: Fly Fishing

Alaska Fishing VacationThere are a lot of ways to fish, whether it be trolling backwaters, shoreline fishing, or wading in the shallows. One of our favorite ways to fish here at Northwoods Lodge is the classic fly fishing. It is popular on an Alaska fishing vacation to grab a fly rod when you are on the hunt for salmon along with our other all-star fish. Though we have seasoned guides to help you along the way of your fly fishing journey, we have a few fun tips on how to be successful on the fly.

The Best Fly-Bait For Salmon

Salmon are predominantly carnivorous fish and are often in a hunt for prey on their journey upstream, so if they see your bait, chances are they will be biting. Many anglers double hook their lines by placing a second hook just above the initial hook on the end of your line. One key to baiting for Salmon is to have brightly colored flies. Each year the “new hot color” is different but any bright green, pink, orange, and others. When it comes to bait, salmon roe and herring are popular choices for tempting those prized catches.

Where To Cast

The only significant difference in each salmon is where each of them like to swim. The kings tend to swim in the deeper areas of the water near the middle while red salmon swim closer to shallows in medium currents. Silver, Coho, and Chum sit in clear water and may require a darker patterned lure, so they aren’t as easily recognized and blend in with prey a little easier. When casting, you want to flick your line out at the 10 o’clock angle about 20 feet out when onshore fishing and allow your fly to move with the current. Depending on the species you are targeting the distance of your cast and the weight/sinker/bobber combination may vary; this is something our guides can help you identify.

Alaska Fishing VacationFly Fishing With Us

Though some of this information may tend to vary with species, currents, and areas of the river, our seasoned guides will be with you the entire way to make sure every detail is in your favor. Salmon can be extremely heavy and agile so making sure your lines are rigged correctly and all equipment and bait is enticing are the first essential steps to catching these monsters. Salmon give even the most experienced anglers a challenge, so by having a guide with you, we will be able to help you finesse your line to get the most out of your experience and successfully pull in an incredible catch every time. You can give us a call or visit our website to book your fishing trip and put all of these tips into action. It is your time to get out on the water and get in on the unforgettable experience of an Alaskan fishing vacation at Northwoods Lodge!

Getting Ready For Salmon

fishing for salmonEvery year, Alaska becomes a hub for anglers from across the globe in search of world-class salmon fishing. Here at Northwoods Lodge, we are well underway with the new fishing season and are excited for the array of salmon making their way into our waters once more. When it comes to fishing for salmon, we are just as excited as you to get out on the water and start reeling them in as the season unfolds.

Salmon And Their Seasons

At Northwoods Lodge, we have a little bit of an earlier season than other Alaskan fishing lodges. In late May, we begin to hit the waters and start casting our lines for those fantastic catches we seek out every year. King Salmon kick off the first portion of the season from late-May through early-July as they head into the fresh waters to spawn. July brings the other four species of salmon with it. You will notice the numbers of Sockeye and Pink Salmon grow around the 20th of July with Chum not far behind. Once the tail end of July rolls around the final species, Silver Salmon, also known as the Coho Salmon press upstream into our waters for an epic battle on a fly rod.

Guides And Salmon Fishing

When it comes to finessing salmon and coming out with incredible monster catches rather than broken gear, there are different techniques for each fish. Even seasoned anglers from other corners of the world will find a challenge when they hook a salmon. This fact is why having one of our guides along for the ride can be extremely beneficial. With tactful tips and tricks, our professional guides will help you have the best experience possible by sharing information on things like proper baiting techniques, how to finesse your line to keep the salmon where you want it, and ultimately bringing in the trophy fish you came here for.

Lodging On Your Excursion

If you travel all the way to Alaska for an unbeatable fishing trip, there is no doubt that you will be looking for equally unbeatable lodging for your stay. Finding comfort and accessibility is important for a fun and successful fishing trip, and here at Northwoods Lodge, we have just what you need. You will have an unforgettable time fishing for salmon while staying in complete comfort in our lodge accommodations. You can visit our website to get in on all the details of this year’s salmon fishing season and begin planning your very own Alaska salmon fishing excursion with us at Northwoods Lodge!

Our Favorite Season Is Here!

alaska fishing lodgesAs the temperatures begin to warm up once more and the ice and snow dissipate, Northwoods Lodge is prepping for one of our favorite seasons. While our fishing fanatics are tuning up their gear, the start of a new fishing season is coming into full swing. While our Northwoods Lodge staff is eager to accommodate our fly fishing guests, we are breaking out the fly fishing gear, tuning up our boats, and getting our Alaska fishing lodges ready for visitors.

The Time Of The Year Every Angler Waits For

When late spring and early summer grow ever closer, we get a tad restless as winter has been stuck around for far too long. Lake Creek and its tributaries become our favorite stomping ground once June rolls around. The late spring weather and fast approaching June gets our guides and guests excited to hit the water and cast a line for their prized catches. King Salmon kick off our early season along with many other fish creating unforgettable fishing experiences.

Hook, Line, And Sinker

Our fishing guides are ready to take you out for a fishing excursion you will never forget. Every one of our seasoned guides is getting back into the groove to prepare all of our equipment and get ready to hit the water. Many of our guests here at Northwoods Lodge travel considerable distances just to experience all that our Alaskan home has to offer. This is one of the many reasons we want to go the extra mile to make your visit an epic adventure.

Making New Memories

If you are anything like us here at Northwoods Lodge, and cannot wait to get out on the water for those trophy catches, then give us a call at 907-339-9160 or visit our website. The beginning of a brand new fishing season is the perfect time to take hold of the opportunities that Alaskan fishing lodges like Northwoods Lodge have to offer. The fish are making their way to our waters once again, are you ready for another epic season of Alaskan fishing? Grab your gear and stay with us at Northwoods Lodge for yet another season of Alaskan fly fishing!