Trip Planning

Trip Insurance. Do I need it? Where do I get it?

Yes, we highly recommend you get trip insurance, because of our short season, all payments are non-refundable for any reason and no exceptions will be made.

It should be trip insurance  that allows you to cancel for any reason.  No refunds will be made for late arrivals or early departures, or for cancellation of fishing due to adverse weather, mechanical failure beyond our control, or acts of God.  The weather in this area can cause delays and cancellations of excursions.  We cannot control the weather, wildlife or the fish.

While we don’t want to recommend one company over another, you can search the internet’s major search engines for “trip insurance” and you will locate agents and companies. One option is TripInsuranceStore.com that offers a quick and easy comparison of the leading insurance providers. You’ll be able to let this site do the research for you and then you can sign up right there on his site making it a painless event. He even allows pre-existing conditions if you get the insurance when you send us your deposit. The insurance covers everything from non-refundable airline tickets to medivac out of the Alaskan bush to covering your non-refundable trip cost should you need to cancel your trip with us.

Lodging in Anchorage

If you are arriving the day before your departure to the lodge, Lake Shore Motel, Travel Lodge, The Long House, Holiday Express and the Millennium Hotel (listed from cheapest to most expensive) provide free shuttle service to and from the airport and to the air carriers on Lake Hood. Most of these hotels also have freezer space for your salmon if you have to spend the night on your return from the lodge. Our air taxi, Rust’s Flying Service also has freezer space that is accessible if your flight leaves late at night

All of these hotels can be found on any hotel website like Hotels.com or any other for probably cheaper than booking direct with the hotel

Note: When selecting a hotel there are a few things you may need such as free shuttle service, freezer space for your catch and possibly storage of any extra gear while you are in the bush.

Here are a few of the Hotel Links:

Lakeshore Motor Inn

Long House Hotel

Holiday Inn Express – Anchorage

Millennium Hotels – Anchorage

Rust’s Flying Service sell fish boxes for $20 each and hold 45# of fish which is just under the per bag limit for airlines. You may need two boxes for your fish (for stays of 3 days or more), so expect to pay excess baggage with the airlines.

SAMPLE ITINERARY

3-DAYS OF FISHING / 3-NIGHTS ACCOMMODATIONS
  • Day 1
    Arrive to Anchorage the day prior to your trip start date. In the morning, catch your float plane trip departing Lake Hood for Northwoods Lodge. Get settled into your cabin, grab a snack and head out for a full 8-hour day of guided fishing for trout and salmon. Return back to the lodge in time for appetizers, cocktails and a gourmet dinner.
  • Day 2

    Enjoy a full day of guided fishing for Alaska-sized rainbow trout and/or at least one and sometimes 2 species of our 5 species of salmon.. You may fly fish or use conventional tackle. At the end of the day, you may soak in the hot tub, hit the game room, or just relax in your riverside cabin.

  • Day 3

    Another full day of guided fishing on the nearby waters surrounding the lodge. End the day with a delicious meal and all the amenities at Northwoods Lodge.

  • Day 4
    Departure day. Pack your things and catch the early morning flight back to Anchorage.

TRAVEL DETAILS

How to get there

Arrival

Flights to the lodge depart from Anchorage’s Lake Hood (Adjacent to Ted Stevens International Airport) at 7:30 AM and 5:00 PM from  Rusts Flying Service, unless arranged otherwise. It is unlikely that your commercial flight will arrive at Anchorage’s Ted Stevens International Airport that same morning, as most incoming flights arrive afternoon or early evening. You may find it necessary to overnight in Anchorage if you are booked on an early morning departure to the lodge. If your flight arrives just prior to your flight to the lodge, call  Rusts Flying Service at 907 243-1595 for a free complimentary shuttle. If you need to stay in Anchorage overnight, most hotels provide free shuttle service to  Rusts Flying Service.

Departure

Your return flight will leave the lodge at 8:30 AM and  (depending upon your preference) on your scheduled day of departure. You will arrive back in Anchorage at either 10:00 AM or 7:00 PM. The flight is about a 40 minute flight, but added time is allowed for taxiing down the creek, etc. It is best to allow several additional hours in Anchorage before flying home from the Anchorage International Airport. If you arrive at the lodge in the AM, you will normally depart the lodge in the AM. The same applies to PM arrivals and departures.

Fishing License

Fill out our Pre-Trip Information Form to sign up for a Fishing License.