Exclusive River Fishing!
Explore True Wilderness Streams & Lakes for Wild Pacific Salmon and Trout on a guided freshwater fishing trip, Where the Only Other Anglers Wear Brown Fur Coats!
Within 60 minutes of Whalers Cove Lodge by boat, float plane, or helicopter you can access up to 85 separate freshwater lakes, streams, or rivers. Whaler’s Cove Lodge is uniquely situated: centered in Northern South East Alaska with private freshwater fishing opportunities on Admiralty, Baranof, and Chichagof Islands. We rarely see other anglers, but we frequently see brown bears feeding on salmon.
Our professional fresh water guide staff will ensure you and your friends enjoy a safe adventure in bush Alaska. All guides are avid fresh water anglers and are there to teach and assist as needed. We accommodate parties of 2 to 6 anglers per boat/aircraft/guide.
Spin and fly casting are equally successful. Experienced and novice anglers can enjoy fast action fishing in these fish-packed waters. The fish do most of the work. Fishing the lower parts of these rivers, we hook bright wild salmon that offer aggressive action. Hard fighting, these fish are on a mission to their spawning ground.
Since we are fishing on the home waters of the salmon, please note that the limits on keeping salmon can be less than in saltwater (depending on the system). The amazing sight of the spawning streams, plus fast fishing action, is what fishing dreams are made of.
Whether you chose to access remote Alaska by boat, float plane or chopper, you will become immersed in prehistoric wilderness areas where it is only your small group and your guide. We do not partake in the idea of “combat fishing”.
Our version of Alaskan freshwater fishing is going deep into the wilderness! Whaler’s Cove Lodge is on the doorstep of hundreds of remote and pristine locations on Admiralty, Baranof, and Chichagof islands. We will select the best available to fit your ability and desired angling experience.
Getting There – Pick Your Ride!
By Boat
$ Included in base package rates, Group Size 2 to 6 plus guide
Within 1 hour of our lodge aboard one of our freshwater capable guide boats, you can access 25 separate freshwater streams and rivers! Whalers’ Cove expert guides anchor our fresh water guide boats at the mouth of these secluded streams and rivers. From there you will walk and fish the riverbanks to pools of salmon and trout stacked up on their upstream migration. Some hiking is required, and we can build an itinerary for any physical ability! Simply let us know at time of booking what your daily interests are, and we will ensure that happens. All fresh water trips are based on availability of fresh water capable boats and guides at time of booking.
By Float Plane
$3,000 to $6,500 per day*, Group Size 2 to 6 plus guide
Within 30 minutes using a float plane, you can fish over 50 secluded freshwater lakes, streams and rivers! After a hearty Alaskan breakfast, gear up and board a float plane at our private dock with your guide. Our aviation partner (Ward Air) and pilots are some of the best in Alaska! From there you have your choice of over 50 unique freshwater destinations. Either get dropped off at one location for the day and then get picked up for the short hop back to the lodge or have the aircraft stand by with your group and gain the ability to fish several systems in one day!
Please note: *Aircraft fees apply per day/not per person. All fresh water fly-out trips are based on availability of aircraft and guides at time of booking. Adverse weather conditions can prevent these trips from happening. Aircraft usage is only charged if used and is based on flight time and stand by time (if any).
By Helicopter
$4,000 to $9,000 per day*, Group Size 2 to 6 plus guide
Within 45 minutes using a helicopter, you can fish over 85 secluded freshwater lakes, streams and rivers! After a hearty Alaskan breakfast, gear up and board a helicopter at our private helipad with your guide. Coastal Helicopters and their dedicated & experienced pilots are the gold standard of helicopter aviation companies for this part of Alaska. From there you have your choice of over 85 unique freshwater destinations. Either get dropped off at one location for the day and then get picked up for the short hop back to the lodge or have the aircraft stand by with your group and gain the ability to fish several systems in one day!
Please note: *Aircraft fees apply per day/not per person. All fresh water fly-out trips are based on availability of aircraft and guides at time of booking. Adverse weather conditions can prevent these trips from happening. Aircraft usage is only charged if used and is based on flight time and stand by time (if any).
It’s all about the Gear!
We provide you with all of the gear you might need! From lightweight waders & boots to dry bags, special NRS fishing PFD’s, pliers, snips, foreseps, lanyards. TFO Rods and Hatch Reels for the fly fishing enthusiast! TFO rods and Shimano reels for spin casting…its all here waiting for you. Even the terminal tackle is provided!
Spin Casting- All of our vacation packages include the use of our Temple Fork spin cast rods equipped with Penn BTL series reels. If an angler would like to use his own gear, we recommend medium-light action spin or bait-casting rods with 10 to 12 pound test line for salmon or light action for trout with 6 to 8 pounds test.
Spinners- As for the tackle, we use #0 – 2 spinners for trout as well as small chrome spoons and other chrome lures. For salmon, we use spinners in the #2 – 5 class with body colors of chrome, blue, fire orange, hot pink, chartreuse, pine green and brass.
Fly Fishing- As for the fly fisher, we provide 5/6 Wtg & 7/8 Wtg class Temple Fork Outfitter rods with Hatch reels with sinking line. If you are an avid fly angler and would prefer to use your own gear, we recommend a 5/6 weight rod for trout or pink salmon or a 7/8 weight rods for the Coho, Sockeye and Chum Salmon. For line, we recommend weight forward floating for our streams, but also to bring an intermediate sink or shooting heads for the deep holes. As for the flies, your guide has well stocked boxes that he ties for you.
Flies- If you would like to tie your own, think wet and brightly colored for Coho and Pink Salmon. For Chum salmon, think sparse with pink or drab olives. Sockeye we use single egg patterns and yarn! Hook sizes on all flies for salmon should be in the #2 class. The best pattern for early season salmon in our area is the Egg-Sucking Leech with a purple body and fuchsia head on a size #4 hook that has been weighted. Now the trout are a different story, again think wet since most of the trout are sea-going and have always survived on shrimp and other minnows. The trout of our region are caught on flashabou flies, drab olive colors with crystal flash for accents and assorted other minnow patterns in hook sizes averaging #6 – 8.
Cabela’s Guide Class Light Weight Chest Waders & Boots- We have a large inventory of Cabela’s chest waders and boots to fit most any sized adventure angler.
Floatation Aids- All fresh water anglers are equipped with high back NRS Chinook floatation vests to ensure a safe experience among our streams and lakes.
