GPS Coordinates: 59° 1’30.55″N 155°37’28.34″W
If you have not sent us your completed questionnaire, please click on the link below. This will take you an electronic questionnaire form that we ask you to complete and submit to The Fly Shop®. Please be sure to click the “Submit” button at the end of the form. The information provided will help us — and the outfitter best coordinate your trip. THANK YOU!
Trip Questionnaire: CLICK HERE
TACKLE
Single-Handed Fly Rods:
Though a few of the rivers are large enough to allow the use of light switch rods, single-handed rods are really the best choice on the various streams you’ll be fishing. They are best fished with 9’ or 9’ 6” rods that are designed to cast 6, or 7 weight lines. Ideally, fishermen should have two rods available for the trip, each rigged with different flies and lines according to the guide’s suggestions. This will maximize your time on the water, negating the need to continually change out lines and flies. Bottom line, though, a floating line will be what you’re using the most; if you’re only bringing one outfit, make sure it has a floating line rigged up and ready to fish. Sage, Winston, Scott, and The Fly Shop’s Signature Rods are rods to consider if you are looking to add a new rod to your quiver.
Fly Reels:
Single-action fly reels with rim-control features are needed for these hot rainbow trout. Your reel should be equipped with a drag system that’s smooth, and reliable. Extra spools rigged and ready to go with sinking tips or spare floating lines are optional. Ross, Galvan, Hatch, Hardy and Abel produce quality reels with excellent drag systems.
Fly Lines:
A floating line is going to be the most used tool during your stay at Royal Wolf Lodge, as it allows for maximum flexibility with different fishing techniques. Anglers often go from dead-drifting single egg patterns beneath indicators to throwing weighted streamers, to skipping mice across the surface, all of which can be accomplished with a large belly floating taper. Sink-tip fly lines are great for those fishing strictly streamers, allowing you to keep your leeches and streamer patterns deep and in the domain of the larger river’s large rainbows; a great line to keep rigged on a spare outfit.
Line Suggestions:
Make a note to bring bright-colored fly lines, such as yellow, orange or chartreuse. This allows constant tracking of your fly’s whereabouts, and the ability to avoid submerged snags that are more than willing to take your flies. For a floating line, we recommend the Scientific Anglers manufactures a fantastic floating line with an extended and bulked-up forward taper perfect for turning over the larger flies (or indicators) used. The Scientific Anglers 10’-15′ sink tip, type 4 sink rate, is an ideal choice for the leech and sculpin-hunting rainbows in the streams you will be fishing.
Early Season Rainbow Trout Flies:
Early in the season, big streamers are the flies of choice. Leeches, smolt patterns, sculpins, and wooly buggers are all great options, often swung through riffle drops and deep current seams. As well, don’t hesitate to skate a big mouse pattern, as these early season fish are hungry after a long, cold winter, and will often crush a skittering rodent. Remember, these big trout are not leader shy.
Fly Selections for the Early Season (June thru mid-July):
- Sculpzillas #4
- Lanier’s Streamer #4
- Silvey’s Sculpin, tan/black/olive #4
- Living Leech, black/chartreuse #2
- Egg Sucking Leech, black/purple #4
- Home Invader, white #6
- King Smolt #2
- Mr. Hankey (mouse) #4
- Dali Lama, olive #2
Mid-Season Rainbow Trout Flies:
At this time of year (mid-late July-early September), sockeye salmon will be thick, and spawning in the rivers of Royal Wolf Lodge. With the onset of spawning, trout begin to move out of traditional river lies and adjacent lake systems, positioning themselves behind mid-river salmon spawning redds, drawn to the massive protein infusion into the system. Guides typically have their angler indicator-nymphing with beads or yarn egg patterns. Arctic grayling and Dolly Varden compete with the rainbow trout at this time of year. Both are crazy about salmon eggs – this is definitely the time of year for those who predicate the success of their trip on sheer numbers of fish! The guides will provide the indicators, beads and hooks.
Fly Selections for Mid-Season (mid-late July thru early September):
- Flesh Flies (Articulated Flesh #6, Mini Carcass #8, Skin N’ Bones #6)
- Clown Egg #6-10
- Single Eggs #8
- Mouse patterns are optional at this time of year
Late Season Rainbow Trout Flies:
Once the heaviest runs of spawning sockeye salmon are over, resident trout will slowly slide back into bank-side cover, and more and even larger lake rainbows will continue to enter the rivers. Streamers and mouse patterns will once again be swung and skated. Beads continue to be quite effective, but savvy anglers understand that the biggest trout are scarfing down tons of decomposing salmon flesh, as the spawned out sockeyes die and drift downstream, disintegrating along the way. Dead-drifting “flesh” patterns this time of year can account for the largest trout of the season. Along with the chance for a trout of a lifetime, there are sea-run Dolly Varden in full and spectacular spawning dress. Bank-side foliage is beginning to change colors, days are getting shorter and crisper – this is a gorgeous time of the year to experience Alaska, and is probably the most popular with guests.
Fly selections for late season trout (Mid-August thru September):
Identical to the selection listed for mid-season, with the following additions:
- Living Leech, black/chartreuse #2
- S.O. MOAL Rhoid #6
- Twofer Flesh #6
You are also free to contact us with specific equipment and trip preparation questions at (800) 669-3474 or travel@theflyshop.com. We are extremely familiar with the techniques and equipment needed to best take advantage of the fishing opportunities on the rivers fished by Royal Wolf.
Fishing Licenses:
The most convenient way to buy your Alaska Sport Fishing License is online. If you are fishing for king salmon (so if you’re fishing through late July), you will also need to purchase a king stamp.
The lodge does NOT sell fishing licenses; you must purchase your license in advance of your arrival to the lodge, online, at: http://www.admin.adfg.state.ak.us/license/purchasing.html
No Felt Soled Wading Boots:
Anglers are reminded that effective January 1, 2012, footgear with absorbent felt or other fibrous material on the soles are prohibited while sport fishing in the fresh waters of Alaska.
Spiked & Studded Wading Boots:
Please be aware that cleated and/or spiked wading boots are strictly prohibited at Royal Wolf Lodge as they are extremely detrimental to float equipped aircraft. Alaska has banned the use of felt-soled boots in all of their rivers, so rubber-soled boots are what you will want to bring.
Wi-Fi:
As with most Alaska lodges, Royal Wolf Lodge has Wi-Fi available for clients who would like to bring their own Wi-Fi-enabled electronic devices. It is satellite-based and not completely predictable – some days it works better than others – but generally speaking it is more than adequate to send and receive emails. There is not adequate bandwidth to support sending images or for streaming videos.
Electricity at Royal Wolf Lodge:
Electricity at Royal Wolf Lodge is provided by a diesel generator during the day, 120V. The lodge also runs an inverter system which delivers 120V electricity all night. If you use a CPAP machine, you can plug it right into the electrical outlet in your room, no battery required.
Gratuities:
Gratuities are a personal decision based on services rendered. Normally, guides and staff are tipped upon departure, in accordance with their individual effort and service. In most cases, we like to leave a gratuity with the camp or lodge manager. A good rule of thumb for figuring an amount to leave is 10-15 percent of the package cost. If you have any questions concerning gratuities, please feel free to call or ask the Lodge/camp manager for guidelines. Please note that Royal Wolf Lodge is now equipped to take credit cards for things like gift shop purchases – but please take enough cash (or a personal check) to cover gratuities.
Credit Cards:
Royal Wolf Lodge accepts credit cards for payment of any items purchased while at the lodge. A 2.5% surcharge will be added to your bill to cover credit card fees.
Laundry:
Royal Wolf Lodge does have limited laundry service available, for those needing a one-time load of laundry done during their stay.
Contact Numbers
The direct phone number to Royal Wolf Lodge:
Toll free: (866) 428-1842 or Alaska lodge number: (907) 205-5253. This is a Voice over Internet Protocol phone.
- Nate Morris (lodge manager) (541) 993-0577 | nate@royalwolf.com
- Chad Hewitt (503) 720-5063 | chad@rainbowriverlodge.com
- Bill Betts (719) 371-6177 | bill@iliamnariverlodge.com
- Lake & Peninsula Airlines is located at Merrill Field Airstrip at 1740 E. 5th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501 (907) 345-2228
- The Fly Shop® (530) 222-3555 | (800) 669-3474 | travel@theflyshop.com
Royal Wolf Lodge Re-booking Policy:
Royal Wolf Lodge is a small operation and demand for space each year well exceeds availability. The lodge has initiated a rebooking policy in order to better support returning anglers. Each guest will have the opportunity of rebooking for the same week the following season. Commitment must be made known to The Fly Shop® within 30 days after departure from Royal Wolf Lodge. The space will be released to other interested anglers after this 30-day period.