Daily Schedule
Each evening at the lodge a daily schedule is created by Head Guide and Operations Manager Alex Oberholtzer, which takes into consideration current fishing, water, wildlife availability and weather conditions as well as any guest requests. The schedule is posted after dinner, when our guides meet with each guest for a briefing on the next day’s activities and to discuss equipment needs.
Breakfast is served beginning at 6:00 am, with departures from the lodge by aircraft or watercraft beginning at 7:00 am from the dock. Schedules are flexible, but most guests return between 4:30-5:30pm. Dinner is served at 6:30 pm.
Weekly Schedule
A sample fishing itinerary for a guest visiting for a full week might be as follows:
Sunday of arrival: Arrive at either 3:00 pm or 6:00 pm, transfer from airport to lodge, be shown your room, meet with head guide, Alex, get equipped with waders and tackle, meet with guide, have dinner.
Day 1: Fly to a small stream in Katmai National Park to walk and wade fish for trout and char
Day 2: Fly to a small stream in Katmai Preserve to raft a river and fish for trout and char
Day 3: Fish the Naknek River for salmon or trout
Day 4: Fly to a river near tidal water to fish for salmon arriving on the tides
Day 5: Fly to a to small stream in Becharof National Wildlife Refuge to walk and wade fish for char and grayling
Day 6: Repeat a favorite day or embark upon a new adventure elsewhere.
Sunday of departure: Depart lodge at 8:00 am after breakfast to meet 9:20 flight to Anchorage
Customization of your Alaska trip is of the utmost importance to us, and there are many ways to customize your trip. Some guests like to fish the entire week, or fish for a specific type of fish or technique of fishing, some like to mix hunting or other activities with fishing.
Upon arrival, you will be offered a variety of guided activities from which to choose for your days afield. All are carefully designed and are comprehensive and entertaining. These activities include:
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Fly Fishing for all species of fish
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Trolling or spin casting for salmon
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Wildlife viewing for bear, caribou, walrus, marine mammals and birds
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Hikes in nearby Katmai National Park, and the Becharof National Wildlife Refuge
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Beachcombing hikes on nearby seashores
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Kayaking on the Naknek River in the Katmai National Park section
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Wing shooting for ptarmigan or ducks
All trips are sold double occupancy/participation and the scheduling of activities is dependent upon guest participation in increments of two unless other arrangements can be made. In other words: two guests traveling together must schedule for the same daily activities unless they “trade” with another pair of guests at the lodge or unless unusual circumstances permit scheduling otherwise. Guests may elect to fish the entire week or break up fishing with wildlife viewing or hunting activities.
Aircraft and Watercraft
Crystal Creek Lodge’s aircraft and watercraft give guides and guests maximum mobility.
Two DeHavilland Beaver airplanes equipped with floats are utilized for aircraft flights. These workhorse aircraft are owned by the lodge, are in excellent physical and mechanical condition and seat pilot plus six passengers comfortably. Dan Michels, owner and pilot with 20 years of Beaver flying experience in the Bristol Bay area, personally flies and conducts flight operations working closely with one other carefully chosen and trained pilot.
Jet-powered riverboats are placed at the lodge on the Naknek River and at other key fishing rivers, namely the Nushagak, Kvichak, Alagnak and Egegik Rivers. Seven 20 ft. boats are based at the lodge for guests to fish the Naknek River in the event of inclement flying weather.
One or more days of your trip may include rafting rivers to fish Rainbow Trout and char. We have a fleet of premium quality inflatable rafts with rowing frames for the purpose.
Guides
Crystal Creek’s Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guides are licensed U.S. Coast Guard Captains and first aid/CPR trained. Most have been with us several years. Guests spend each day with different guides. Guides are assigned to fishing destinations according to their expertise
Rods, Reels, Tackle, Guns, Equipment & Licenses
All guests receive a detailed pre-trip preparation and travel information package upon reserving a trip, which includes recommended rod and reel combinations, clothing, personal items and accessories. However, guests need not bring any rods, reels or tackle for fishing nor guns and ammunition for shooting sports. We have dozens of premium-quality Orvis fly rod and reel combinations available for use at no extra charge. Also stocked are all necessary custom-tied flies, a variety of lures and extensive terminal tackle. Whether a guest will be fishing for Grayling, King Salmon or anything in between, they will have quality, appropriate tackle for the purpose. Guides carry extra rods, lures or flies and tackle. All house or guide provided tackle, in addition to Orvis waders in a variety of common sizes, are available for use at no extra charge. Guns and ammunition are provided at no extra charge for hunting trips. Fishing and hunting licenses are not available at the lodge. We will assist you with procuring a license beforehand.