GPS Coordinates: 56°57’35.35″N 156°56’27.57″W
Trip Questionnaire (Important):
As soon as you have an opportunity, please take a few short minutes to complete this online form to better help both The Fly Shop and the Epic Staff in coordinating the best possible fishing experience for you during your stay in Alaska:
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Alaska Wilderness Safari Re-Booking Policy:
As with many small, highly sought-after fly fishing operations, Alaska Wilderness Safari has a “first right of refusal” rebooking policy in place to better support anglers who wish to return the following year. Each guest has the opportunity to rebook the same corresponding week the following season. To do so, a written or verbal commitment must be made known to The Fly Shop within 14 days after the current departure date from Alaska Wilderness Safari. At that point you will be invoiced for deposit to guarantee your reservation the following season.
If we do not hear from you within this 14-day period, we will release your space to other interested anglers.
Thank you for your cooperation and thank you for your support, we greatly appreciate it.
If you have questions or would like to make a payment using your credit card, please call us toll free at (800) 669-3474 or (530) 222-3555. Any of us here are happy to assist you in any way that we can.
Appreciatively,
The Fly Shop® Travel Department
Silver Salmon (Coho)
Fly Rods:
Single handed rods are perfect for silvers, as casting distance is not critical, but actively stripping the flies back is important. We recommend an 8-weight graphite rod, 9’ or 9’ 6” in length. Generally speaking, a floating line is all you’ll need, though a Type III 15’ sinking tip can be a very effective streamer line.
- Rods to consider are: Sage, R.L. Winston, and Scott
Fly Reels:
A high quality, single-action (direct drive) fly reel with rim-control feature is what to look for in a fly reel appropriate to handle ocean-bright coho. The reel should be equipped with a smooth, reliable, preferably disk-drag system. Reels should be filled with a minimum of 150 yards of fresh 20 lb. high-visibility backing. Reel models to consider include: Galvan, Hardy, Abel, and Hatch.
Fly Lines:
The proper collection of fly lines is critical to your success and will get your fly in the proper water column. You need two lines to effectively fish Alaska Wilderness Safari’s rivers.
- Floating line: Preferably a weight-forward fly line like Scientific Anglers Freshwater Titan Taper, or their Anadro fly line. When conditions are right a floater can really come into play; either fishing a weighted wet fly just under the surface, or skating a Pink Pollywog across the surface. Often the only line you really need
- 10’ – 15’ sink-tip: This can be an important line for covering varying water levels on the river. A Type III is just fine. We highly recommend Scientific Anglers Sonar sink-tip lines, in a Type III sink.
Silver Salmon Flies:
The Alaska Wilderness Safari coho fishery is a typical Alaska summer/fall-run scenario – big, chrome-bright fish in the 8–15-pound range flooding into late-season rivers with cold water temperatures. The fish are aggressive to the fly and screaming hot when hooked, and typically as aggressive to a surface popper as to a weighted streamer fished mid-depth. Floating lines – particularly those with extended, bulky front tapers – are usually all the angler will need here, though sink-tips can be quite effective for those who like to strip streamers. Traditionally- tied flies should be on hook sizes from 4 – 1/0. Egg-Sucking leeches should be full and long, up to 4 inches in length. Flies should be tied full with lots of flash in varying colors and color combinations. Don’t be afraid to tie and throw larger flies for these fish, they love ‘em.
- Foam Top Wog – our favorite surface pattern #2/0
- Hareball Leeches (fuchsia, bubblegum, orange/chartreuse, pink/orange, purple) #1/0 – probably the single most used streamer pattern for Alaska Wilderness Safaris silvers
- Egg Sucking Leech variations using marabou or rabbit strip in black & purple (add dazzle w/flashabou or crystal flash)
- Popsicle, size 1/0
- Bjorn Super Prawn Series (varying color combinations)
- Starlite Egg Sucking Leeches, purple, or pink
- Sili Legs Intruder #1/0 pink/purple
Chum Salmon
Fly Rods:
Single or double-handed rods are perfect for chums. Casting distance is rarely critical, and chums love a swung fly, much like kings, as well as often being willing to chase stripped flies. We recommend an 8-weight graphite rod, 9’ in length. Generally speaking, a floating line is all you’ll need, though a Type III or IV 15’ sinking tip can be a very effective streamer line.
- Rods to consider are: Sage, R.L. Winston, and Scott
Fly Reels:
A high quality, single-action (direct drive) fly reel with rim-control feature is what to look for in a fly reel appropriate to handle ocean-bright chums. The reel should be equipped with a smooth, reliable, preferably disk-drag system. Reels should be filled with a minimum of 150 yards of fresh 20 lb. high-visibility backing. Reel models to consider include: Galvan, Hardy, Abel, and Hatch.
Fly Lines:
The proper collection of fly lines is critical to your success and will get your fly in the proper water column. You need two lines to effectively fish Alaska Wilderness Safari’s rivers.
- Floating line: Preferably a weight-forward fly line like Scientific Anglers Freshwater Titan Taper. When conditions are right a floating line can really come into play, typically swinging or stripping streamers.
- 8’ – 15’ sink-tip: This can be an important line for covering varying water levels on the river. A Type III sink rate is just fine. We highly recommend Scientific Anglers Sonar sink-tip lines, or equivalent.
Chum Salmon Flies:
The Alaska Wilderness Safari’s chum fishery is a typical Alaska summer-run scenario – big, chrome-bright fish in the 6–12-pound range flooding into the rivers in mid-summer. These salmon are super aggressive to either a swung or stripped fly, and incredibly powerful when hooked. They are in many ways very similar to kings, just not as consistently large. Traditionally-tied flies should be on hook sizes from 4 – 1/0. Egg-Sucking leeches should be full and long, up to 4 inches in length. Flies should be tied full with lots of flash in varying colors and color combinations. Just as with silvers later in the season, you don’t want to be afraid to tie and throw larger flies for these fish, they love ‘em.
- Hareball Leeches (fuchsia, bubblegum, orange/chartreuse, pink/orange, purple) #1/0 –
- Egg Sucking Leech variations using marabou or rabbit strip in black & purple (add dazzle w/flashabou or crystal flash) – probably the single most used streamer pattern for Alaska Wilderness Safari’s chum salmon – these fish love egg-sucking leeches
- River Rat Tube
- Stu’s Tiger Tail Turbo Cone (tube) hot pink
- Sili Leg Intruder #1/0 pink/black, pink/blue
- Stu’s Rhea Intruder #2, purple/black
- Burnt Chicken #2 pink/purple (a guide favorite)
- Stu’s Jungle Tail Turbo Cone (tube)
- Stu’s Metal Tube, purple
Dolly Varden
As well as the world-class salmon fishing at Alaska Wilderness Safari’s, guests are welcome to pursue the secondary targets of Dolly Varden. The stream upriver of camp gets a strong run of sea-run Dolly Varden, and for the person wanting to do a bit of hiking and exploring, this is a great change up from catching loads of big, bright salmon.
Fly Rods:
Single handed rods are perfect for these species, as casting distance is not critical. We recommend a 6-weight graphite rod, 9’ or 9’ 6” in length. Generally speaking, a floating line is all you’ll need.
- Rods to consider are: Sage, R.L. Winston, and Scott
Fly Reels:
A high quality, single-action (direct drive) fly reel with rim-control feature is what to look for in a fly reel. The reel should be equipped with a smooth, reliable, preferably disk-drag system. Reels should be filled with a minimum of 100 yards of fresh 20 lb. high-visibility backing. Reel models to consider include: Galvan, Ross, or The Fly Shop’s L2A.
Fly Lines:
A good quality weigh forward floating line is the most important line to have for these species, preferably a weight-forward fly line like Scientific Anglers MPX.
Dolly Varden Flies:
This strong, colorful char can add a great change of pace from the non-stop salmon fishing that is always available. While famous for their gluttony when it comes to eating eggs, dollies will sometimes take skated dry flies and small pencil poppers.
- Stimulator dry fly #10
- Chubby Chernobyl #10
- Pencil poppers #6-#10
- Single Egg patterns #6-#10
Alcohol for Camp:
EPIC provides a limited open bar, including some basic hard liquors and beer – if you like to enjoy a specific cocktail in the evening, please bring your own bottle (plastic is best) and pack it in your checked baggage.
Alaska Fishing Licenses:
You will need to purchase an Alaska Sport Fishing License before you fly into Camp as licenses are not available for purchase in the Camps. The easiest way to handle your fishing license is to pre-purchase it online through the Alaska Department of Fish & Game at: http://www.admin.adfg.state.ak.us/license/ You can also purchase your license in Anchorage or King Salmon.
Gratuities:
The custom of tipping is welcomed at Don’s Safari Camp for exceptional service. The employees understand this thoroughly and make every effort to give you 110% service. The choice is personally yours, and management will be happy to discuss the norms with you at your request. A good standard is 10% -15% of the gross lodge package price. A blanket gratuity can be left with Don (easiest and most common method), or you may tip staff individually. Remember, gratuities should be based on the service you received and are completely at your discretion.
Contact Numbers:
Don Mutert – Alaska Wilderness Safari’s EPIC Camp: The camp has a satellite phone they use to communicate to the outside world – as with all SAT phones, calls can only be made TO the camp when planned in advance, and the phone is turned on. The Camp does make scheduled calls out on a daily basis. In case of an emergency, if family members need to contact a guest at the Camp, you can call their Lower 48 phone number at (512) 656-2736 and speak with Shannon – she is in daily phone contact with the Camp. You can also email her at shannon@epicaaa.com.
You can always call us, as well, The Fly Shop®: (530) 222-3555 | Toll-free: (800) 669-3474 | travel@theflyshop.com
Items Not to Forget:
- A headlamp can always be handy
- Bring some bug repellant
- Bring extra batteries and/or charger for your camera and phone
- Bring sunscreen in varying strengths, SPF 30+
- A bath-towel