Alaska Sportsman's Lodge

Anglers Cast Off This Weekend in the 24 Hour Fish-A-Thon

2011-09-08T10:09:00.000-07:00

Help us save B

stol Bay!

http://www.recycledfish.org/our-programs/fish-a-thon-2011/team-bear-trail.htm

BOWnanza

2011-09-08T09:40:00.000-07:00

Tom and Mike both received hats for these monsters, setting the bar high for the last month here on the Kvichak.

"A trout is a moment of beauty only to those who seek it." -Arnold Gingrich

First Fog

2011-08-29T19:25:00.000-07:00

August 29 marks the first major fog delay here at the Sportsman's Lodge, "forcing" guests to stay and fish the Mighty Kvichak in the morning. Fortunately producing yet another trophy rainbow at 30.5 inches. I would say it was worth the delay.

2011-08-16T00:06:00.000-07:00

Jim flashes a shot with morning Dolly

Brian Ward, Nick Zeidman and Pete Moran limit out on silvers.

Pete Moran shows us how to talk to a chum...

Another great day at Alaska Sportsman's Lodge.

Da Kitchen Krew

2011-08-16T00:03:00.001-07:00

Liz, Steph, Tue, Michelle and Sarah sum it up...

Swimming with Salmon

2011-07-23T19:15:00.000-07:00

Here you can see Harry and Pat McDonald from Carlile Transportation (Ice Road Truckers), after a successful day of salmon fishing. The Kvichak sockeye run topped 2 Million fish that swam past Alaska Sportsman's Lodge in a three week period!

Pets...

2011-07-16T16:43:00.000-07:00

Director & Cinematographer: Campell Blair
Cast: Brian Kraft, Nate Thompson, Tom Liddelow

Short clip of our dock pets getting a little snack from the daily catch...

Kings are IN!

2011-07-04T00:41:00.000-07:00

The Kings have returned to their home river with great force! We have had days where we land 50 King salmon between two anglers in one day! There is no place left in the world that yu can catch those kinds of numbers of King salmon. Our "King Camp" is about 40 minutes by float plane from Alaska Sportsman's Lodge. The sockeye salmon have also shown up with good numbers so now is the time to have a great combination trip of Kings and sockeye. We have clients that have caught Kings all day long and then returned to the lodge, had a nice dinner and then go right in front of the lodge to catch their limit of sockeye! What a great time to be here!

Youngest trainees...

2011-06-28T13:53:00.000-07:00

We make sure our staff; the pilots, guides, housekeepers, chefs and kitchen crew are world class. We are very proud to say we have an exceptional staff year after year at ASL.

In some cases we start them in their wee-years, so when they are legal to work they are well groomed in how to take good care of our customers.

Here Sydney and Amber, in "training", demonstrate that at 10 years of age, they have the "right stuff" to be a future ASL employee. Although Sydney will need to work on her shirt-buttoning-skills ;).

Kings, Kings and more Kings

2011-06-27T15:47:00.000-07:00

When a day fishing for Kings produces 50 fish in one day, that's not only fantastic fishing, but one-heckuva good workout!

ASL clients who had a stellar day on the Nush, not just fishing, but catching to their hearts content.

Stop and smell the flowers

2011-06-27T15:38:00.000-07:00

With the incredibly beauty that surrounds us out here, sometimes it is nice to stop for a moment to take in what really makes this landscape so colorful.

There are so many riches out here it is not possible to capture them all. This shot was beautifully taken by ASL Pilot & Guide Brian Boe while fishing on the Nush for Kings.

Paradise

2011-06-09T08:40:00.000-07:00

A beautiful morning on the Kvichak River, taken from the view of our guest cabins. Let's go fishing!!

Still Working Hard...

2011-06-09T08:34:00.000-07:00

Nellie Williams is clearly working hard this season opener showing us how to catch two 26" rainbows, one hen and one buck, in the same
"hardworking" day.

26" Lady Luck

2011-06-08T14:25:00.001-07:00

While fighting mines and doing Spring research in Bristol Bay Nellie Williams with Trout Unlimited took a few moments to wet a line. Luckily she happens to be at Alaska Sportsman's Lodge on season opener to do so! Here she is doing her job with a 26" beauty.

Hook UP

2010-09-29T18:11:00.000-07:00

Silvers are hot in September...4 ASL clients all hooked up, not having any fun at all.

2010-09-02T20:48:00.000-07:00

"The monster took me into my backing and gave my quite a fight. This was on my float with Colin as a guide and Tue :) We had an amazing time caught a ton of fish and saw 68 bears!!! This was one of the most amazing experiences of my life-I loved every bit of it!"

"he didnt measure it but he said it was def 27"." -Sarah

ASL Guide Colin and Tue...nice bow
another gloriously foggy day in Bristol Bay....

New dogs learn old tricks

2010-08-16T14:19:00.000-07:00

This is Denali's first year at the lodge as an adult...last year he was just a little pup (that looked like a miniature white polar bear) getting into all kinds of trouble. We shipped him off to military school in November of last year...well... really it was a beautiful Orvis Endorsed hunting program for dogs outside of Salt Lake City, UT. When he returned to us he was a "hunt em up" machine...still had his bundle of energy with lots of lovable puppy charm-but when it comes to bird biz, it's serious biz. Here he is hunting with Brian for a few Ptarmigan this past weekend...obviously he's pretty proud of himself on this day.

Serious Biz...

2010-08-13T20:36:00.000-07:00

A beauty of a lake Trout, ASL Guide Collin

Hmmmmmm....I'm thinking Bristol Bay has NO place for something like this!!!

2010-07-29T15:31:00.000-07:00

Sorry to the fellas on our staff as I'm sure you'll agree...here are the prettier faces of Alaska Sportsman's Lodge

2010-07-16T17:53:00.000-07:00

(left to Right)
Stephani, Tu, Michelle, Sarah and Liz

One for the fish!

2010-07-15T16:20:00.000-07:00

The Associated Press July 14, 2010, 8:36AM ET
Pebble opponents score court victory

By MARY PEMBERTON
ANCHORAGE, Alaska

A Superior Court judge has cleared the way for a legal fight over state-issued permits for a huge copper and gold mine near some of the world's most productive wild salmon streams.
The fight is being waged by eight Bristol Bay village corporations, former first lady Bella Hammond, former state constitutional delegate Victor Fisher and two Bristol Bay residents over Pebble Mine, 200 miles southwest of Anchorage.

They contend that Pebble Mine exploration permits violate the Alaska Constitution. The lawsuit says that the state issued the land and water use permits without looking at the potential harm to resources.

Judge Eric A. Aarseth said in his decision Monday that there was enough evidence to allow the constitutional issues concerning the permits to be heard at a Dec. 6 trial.
"The state has issued permits behind closed doors without even looking at the harms to public resources," said plaintiffs' lawyer Nancy Wainwright.

Mike Heatwole, spokesman for the Pebble Limited Partnership, said work will continue at the mine.

"We are still reviewing the judge's decision and will continue to work on this through the court," he said Tuesday.

The coalition of Bristol Bay villages, known as Nunamta Aulukestai, argued that the state has numerous duties under the state constitution, including to develop the land near Pebble for the maximum benefit of the people under a sustained yield principle.

But the state maintains that it is not required under the Alaska Constitution to do certain things when making land management decisions concerning upland hardrock mining. The state says it is up to the Legislature to make those procedural requirements specific.

The lawsuit filed in July 2009 sought to have the court void the permits. It also wanted the state to be prevented from issuing any more until a valid constitutional analysis and public notice is provided.

Tom Crafford, the Department of Natural Resources' large mine coordinator, said the state would have preferred to see the judge rule in its favor on every point but "this case is going to go on for a while yet, that is pretty clear."

According to the lawsuit, the state issued permits from 1989 to 2010 with no public notice and no findings with respect to impact on public resources in the area.

Plaintiffs say the mine's developers, Anglo American and Northern Dynasty Minerals, have used the permits to drill more than 1,000 exploratory holes.

Subsistence users already know that exploration at Pebble is having a serious impact on the water, wildlife, and fish in the area, said Bobby Andrew, spokesman for Nunamta Aulukestai.
"We rely on these resources for survival, yet DNR continues to rubber stamp permits without public notice and without any analysis to justify these impacts," he said.

Heatwole said great care is taken to minimize the environmental impacts at Pebble.

AK Laker-36"

2010-06-26T16:53:00.000-07:00

ASL Guide Schuyler and ASL Guest Rick

Fishing the mouth of a lake can deliver some surprising catches. Although the target this day was rainbow's and we certainly caught a quiver of them...we weren't too terribly disappointed when this beautiful lake Trout ended up on the end of Rick's line. Nice Job!

First 30"+ of the year! Eric Dompeling-Breaking the ice...

2010-06-13T20:40:00.000-07:00

Beautiful 30.5" spring rainbow Trout...guest Eric Dompeling

BAM!!! OPENER!

2010-06-10T21:46:00.000-07:00

29.62" Bud Fackrell, ASL guide Schuyler

First 2010 orientation...
A couple fine Bristol Bay mornings...

We've been working and preparing for 8 months for this week to come and we are thrilled it is here. Remnants of winter from Lake Iliamna greet us as we rev up the engines on the boats, turn the plane props, and grab a few rods to see what the river has to offer. As sure as the sun rises in the East we are not disappointed. It is so quiet out here on the river the only sound that rises is the river's body wrapping around the silhouettes of our boats and gently passing under the floats of our planes. We truly celebrate what an incredible playground we have and that we are able to share this playground with our friends...

Cheers to 2010 season at Alaska Sportsman's Lodge...we'll see you soon.

ASL Staff...

Brian, Todd, Robbie, Jerry, Elizabeth, Matt, Michelle, Sarah, Stephanie, Tue, Jeffy, Brian B, Schuyler, Cody, Jimmy, Colin, Dan, Tom, Jason and pup-Denali.

Let the DRUM ROLL begin

2010-05-25T12:10:00.000-07:00

Are you ready for the ridiculously fun fishing for spring Trout with leaches and some weighted line? Opener is June 8th at Alaska Sportsman's Lodge for the 2010 season. Opener for Alaska Sportsman's Bear Trail Lodge is June 19th for the 2010 season. We have worked hard all winter to make your upcoming trip better than ever! We look forward to seeing you soon......

2010-01-07T08:23:00.000-08:00

Looks like we're ready for the show...if you're in Denver make sure to stop by!

SPORTSHOWS 2010 ASL ON THE ROAD AGAIN....

2009-12-06T10:37:00.000-08:00

Denver: ISE Sportsman's Expo January 7 to January 10

Sacramento: ISE Sportsman's Expo January 21 to January 24

Chicago: Great Waters Fly Fishing Show January 29 to January 31

Long Beach: Fred Hall Sportsman's Show March 3 to March 7

Minneapolis: Great Waters Fly Fishing Show March 26th to March 28th

Sportsman's Photos

2009-10-27T13:27:00.001-07:00

Gotta love Funnel
Skylar's first Rainbow on a fly rod
Elizabeth and Steph...WOW...the cuisine was incredible
Day break...
Kate with Arctic Char
Bears...really, really close to us

GHOST-RYDER

2009-09-24T21:00:00.000-07:00

Photo compliments of ASL pilot Steve Hartel

Angling in measurements of 14', NO WAIT that's 30 inches plus, no wait that's IMPRESSIVE!

2009-09-24T18:16:00.000-07:00

BTL Guide Akash Patel

BTL Guide Health Lyon & BTL Guide Kate Taylor

BTL Guide Justin Crump & spey angler client Kate Hertz

Here's the thing...Ms. Talented Guide Kate Taylor with Alaska Sportsman's Bear Trail Lodge has been touting the double-handed rod's many talents. Baiting me with the fun of covering twice the water with a heck of allot less effort than a single-handed rod. Increasing the success of what we all step into waders for...

So today I'm nudged yet again by Ms. Kate with what the spectacular possibilities are. Clearly, I need to get my hands on a double-handed rod, get my butt up to Naknek River and get schooled on what I'm missing. (Hopefully she has more patience than the normal individual.)

BTL guide Akash, BTL guide Justin with spey angler Kate Hertz, BTL guide Heath & BTL guide Kate know what it feels like to catch a 30" plus line-possessing-rainbow Trout on one of these bad boys.

If you missed out on this year's Spey Casting Clinic held by Kate and Justin...make sure you get in for 2010 season...I'll see ya there.

Numbers are everything!!

2009-09-21T15:25:00.000-07:00

Guest Shelly Allen with ASL pilot Jerry (putting on a guide hat for a moment) wins the COHO gamble. Actually I don't think there was a cast made by this lady that didn't end up in Mr. Coho's mouth...basically Shelly had the rod in one hand, a beer in the other and showed everyone how to get-r-done!

Is that SNOW?

2009-09-21T15:19:00.000-07:00

ASL Guide Jimmy and guest Allan Dolynny brave the thicker than thick No See-Ums to catch this beautiful 26 and 3/8" rainbow Trout.

ALL DAY AS THE DAY IS LONG

2009-09-09T13:46:00.000-07:00

The weather is unseasonably warm, but we aren't complaining. A low ushered in two days ago and like a light switch 27", 28", 29", 30" all day long. We are in the thick of BIG BOW season and it is red hot!

THIRTY-ONE AND HALF WITH A SEVENTEEN GIRTH

2009-09-06T01:06:00.000-07:00

This is a serious fish. As you can see on ASL guide Cody Adelman's ecstatic grin these heavyweights don't come around often (in fact I'm not sure who's happier him or Joe). Client Joe Pagliero makes the glory wall with this beautiful trophy.

Jimi Hendrix

2009-09-06T00:46:00.000-07:00

The magic Purple Haze. Its the curtains shutting to the end of a spectacular fishing day in Bristol Bay.

BIG BOW SEASON

2009-09-01T12:48:00.000-07:00

Big bow season is upon us and Tyler with ASL guide Jeffy respectfully rang the beginning bell with this 28 in, chromer!

SPEY CASTING INSTRUCTION IN ALASKA

2009-08-29T23:34:00.000-07:00

SPECIAL GUEST TONY WEAVER WILL BE JOINING ALASKA SPORTSMAN'S BEAR TRAIL GUIDES KATE AND JUSTIN IN A FANTASTIC WEEKEND OF SPEY CASTING.

Jim Repine

2009-08-25T20:39:00.001-07:00

I just wanted to say thank you for all your contributions to fly fishing, sharing the passion with the world and teaching us what a precious resource we are privileged to experience.

Dollywood

2009-08-24T14:09:00.000-07:00

ASL Guide Brian Boe

Niiiiiiiiice.

BET SILVER

2009-08-22T09:50:00.001-07:00

In Vegas you bet black. Bristol Bay in August you bet silver. Here are some clients that did just that and cashed in nicely.

GEAR TRAIN

2009-08-21T15:04:00.000-07:00

ASL guide Kate Taylor

Familiar? Most of our guests know what the "gear train" is...This symbolic exercise of "many hands makes the load light" is the beginning of what you've travelled so far to experience. No matter how many times you've been a boxcar on this train it sets in motion the excitement of the day. Spectacular scenery, incredible fishing and rivers quietly slithering under your waded feet. Yep...its much more than "grabbing your bag". Guy Reynolds and guide Kate Taylor know what I'm talking about.

Jeff "Big Fish" Winton

2009-08-18T08:36:00.000-07:00

Pilot Jerry and guide Jeff "Wincee" Winton

The Big Bow 30" season is upon us, bets on are the table and Wincee is not screwing around...thanks to Jerry its custom with 30" rims.

A day out of the office...

2009-08-17T22:31:00.000-07:00

ASL guide Brian Boe

ASL guide Schuyler Grove

I had the great pleasure to accompany two of our guides on their day off...I wish my days off looked like this! Awesome two days...thanks guys.

30 years of bliss.....

2009-08-11T12:25:00.000-07:00

Gary and Mary Cartwright in the beginning...

Mary competing with Gary....

Mary ditching Gary for talented Guide Jeffy Pfaender...

Mary ditching training wheels altogether...

Okay so here's the story...Mr. Gary Cartwright (above) has been coming to the lodge for, I don't know, like 15 years?!?!! All the while he's telling his beautiful and understanding wife...Mary, "Ya, I gotta go to Alaska Sportsman's Lodge with the guys for season opener. Yep, it does help when I also do a few business trips a year at Alaska Sportsman's Lodge. I hate to leave you hon...but its important to do these trips." Mr. Cartwright is so good at convincing his wife, he's able to make it out as many as three times per season! BTW Gary IS a salesman by trade.

This year he decided (or maybe Mary decided) that it was time to make a trip together for their 30 year anniversary (congrats by the way). The pictorial of the trip pretty well sums up the story; Mary is officially hooked on fishing.

It took Gary 10 years to get on the 30-inch glory wall! My guess is Mary will beat that by a long shot!! Yes, Gary...Hawaii is out and we are pleased to say that trips to Alaska Sportsman's Lodge are in (with your wife of course)!

Thanks Gary and Mary! 30 years inspires us all!!

Heavyweight Champion of the World

2009-08-10T18:24:00.000-07:00

Thirty inches or more, that's the mission. I don't mean to sound like I'm announcing the heavyweight champion of the world...but pound for pound the rainbow trout on the Kvichak and Naknek rivers are the most explosive freshwater fish on God's green earth. I realize there will be some dispute on this opinion. So I challenge you to come up during September and prove me wrong. We have many guests that have been coming to the Lodges year after year preparing themselves, "I have three days to get-r-done. This is my year!...I'm getting in that 30-inch club. Yes-sir-ee me and my guide will be on the 30-inch glory wall."

I've seen plenty of spankings by these magnificent beasts, slamming, ripping, line-possessing, frustrating chrome torpedoes. Exploding so fast that the line is into the backing in a matter of seconds, flying into the air in all their splendor and then bolting directly towards you like a bullet while feverishly trying to get the line back on the reel...only to discover "ping" its gone. Stunned, silent and opened mouth at exactly what "Just happened?"

Here Brian Kraft is explaining to Jim Bowles, Rick Fox and me that it takes a little more than ambition, skill and hope to get on this wall.

Reputation

2009-08-09T23:04:00.000-07:00

Jim White, my father

I wish this guy could at least ACT like he is having a good time! The weather, the fish and all the other elements out of our control is hard enough...just kidding...he's our poster child.

Eat or be eaten

2009-08-08T17:33:00.000-07:00

ASL Guide Jimmy Welch facing a mama sow and triplets

Shot by ASL pilot Steve Hartl of ASL pilot Jerry Bloomfield ...
occupational perk...playing in bear tracks.

Shot by one of our talented pilots Steve Hartl.

Bear tracks centuries old of bears walking in the same footsteps each time.

Shot by ASL Guide Greg Breslau

Fishing in Bristol Bay is not your everyday experience. The Brown bears in Bristol Bay are in simple terms mammoth, plentiful and very well fed! Now I know their Kodiak cousins are among this elite breed of bears and break many world records in size...but I also know their Bristol Bay cousins can hold their own in this category. The streams are teeming with the freshest Grade A sushi imaginable; the tundra is a reef of berries, bushes and succulent whatever. It is truly a remarkable assault of adrenaline to come across these bewilderingly magnificent animals. And yes because you ordered today...you get the remnants of what we call Survival of the Fittest.

2009-08-03T12:49:00.000-07:00

Fellow flyfishing lady Debbie Kraft

When I first started fishing, it was far and few between to find another fellow lady who enjoyed the heart-thumping-yeah-baby-please-don't-lose-this-fish feeling that I have every time I make a cast, set the hook and the fight is on. Watching the line float with the rhythm of the current, making a few mends, praying to the fish Gods that what I have on the end of my line is so utterly attractive that my targeted fish couldn't possibly resist! I would ask myself, "Why aren't there more women with this fever?" The winds however are changing as more of our guests are females. Not only do the ladies have the contagious fishing addiction, but they are frankly sometimes better than their partners who talked them into coming! It is rare to find a female guide in this industry, at Bear Trail Lodge we have two of the best that Bristol Bay has to offer. (Nancy Morris, who is also part owner, and Kate Taylor ). This year we have had an overwhelming response for women booking at the lodges. It makes me believe perhaps women who love sport fishing will no longer be a rarity but the norm. I can also say that our regular fishermen seem to enjoy that change too!

Aloha from Alaska Sportsman's Lodge

2009-07-27T13:58:00.000-07:00

Theme night at Alaska Sportman's Lodge!! From fishing the crisp waters of the day, changing gears and shak'n it up Hawaiian style to include an infamous sunset on the Kvichak River.

2009-07-21T14:40:00.000-07:00

"Just a note to say thank so much for all the great fun for the Carlile team and our clients. You guys did an outstanding job taking care of us and we truly appreciate all the great memories that you have made for us and our clients. Take care and have a great rest of the season !"

Linda Leary, President Carlile Transportation

...this speaks for itself

2009-07-21T14:37:00.000-07:00

Apparently these Alaska Sportsman's Lodge clients chose their weapons carefully...

Rays of Gold...

2009-07-20T14:18:00.000-07:00

This is the only gold that should be coming out of Bristol Bay!! Another spectacular sunrise followed by a mimicking sunset on the Kvichak River.

2009-07-12T00:37:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

2 ridiculously good guides: Jeffy and Schyuler

add 5 hockey players

3 coolers full of beer

78 degrees

some shenanigans

Shake the hell out of it....and whatta ya get...some darn big kings!

Triplets and a Mama

2009-07-11T01:37:00.000-07:00

So damn close were these triplets

we had to jump in the plane.

Ahi in a season of sockeye and kings!

2009-07-11T00:46:00.000-07:00

Nothing to change the landscape of a season hot with sockeye and kings like a little tuna. Another fine meal to wet the clients palate and keep em guess'n at Alaska Sportsman's Lodge.

2009-07-09T11:10:00.000-07:00

Its looking pretty rosey in Bristol Bay and another fantastic day at Alaska Sportsman's Lodge. Kara, Aris & Rob slay the kings on the Nush...while Serena gets-r done on the Kvichak.