Royal Coachman Lodge

Of all the attributes that make Royal Coachman Lodge attractive, none are so obvious as their location, and the quality of their staff.

The lodge itself is located on the banks of a wilderness river in the remote Togiak/Tikchik region of Alaska, an area where lodges are few and far between, and most of the fisheries lightly hit. Their staff is top-notch, with customer service obviously paramount; from the guides, to the camp staff, it permeates the entire operation. They fly their 12 weekly guests to new rivers and streams each day, unless of course they would prefer to repeat… and they even hold a private lease permit on a small coastal river that loads up with kings, chums and silvers each season. Their emphasis is on variety; each week they normally have anglers catching rainbows, salmon, grayling, dollies, pike, and even a special strain of large and gorgeously-marked char found only in one lake system. There truly is something for every fly fisherman!

Headed out on your next adventure with us? The Fly ShopⓇ has you covered. As a thank you to our travel guests, enjoy 15% off all retail purchases for a year! — the perfect chance to gear up before your trip.

Whether it’s flies, leaders, apparel or a new rod and reel outfit, we’ve got everything you need to make your journey more comfortable, more successful, and more fun. (some exclusions apply)

Seasons

Early season is a great time at RCL; the trout are hungry after a long winter under the ice, and are absolute suckers for streamers. As well, a few of the streams they fish will be good for mousing, which has to be one of the most exciting methods ever to hook Alaska 'bows. This is one of the best times of the season for grayling on dry flies, as most of the insect hatches occur in the brief, warm early summer days. The sea run dollies will begin showing up in the streams connecting the lake systems, and the guides can bring you to a special little lake they know of for over-sized Arctic char. Finally, for anyone interested in hooking some big northern pike on surface (or near surface) patterns, the lodge has some fun backwaters on which to do this... and it's a blast!

As the summer matures, the various salmon species make an appearance. First to arrive are the kings and chums, and the lodge's private permit stream gets plenty of both, making for some memorable days with a 9 weight. Next comes the sockeyes and pinks, and while many anglers don't actually fish for these salmon, the amount of eggs they lay and the poundage of decomposing flesh their post-spawn carcasses provide the indigenous trout is unbelievable. Almost overnight the area's leopard trout put on prodigious weight, some even doubling in poundage! It is a time of plenty, and fly fishers should plan on dead drifting egg patterns, primarily, and catching large numbers of good-sized rainbows, dollies, and grayling.

August gives way to the crisp nights and cool days of September, and the rainbows continue to gorge and fatten on drifting chunks of yesterday's salmon. This is the number one time of the year for hunting trophy trout, with rivers like the Kvichak and the Nuyakuk offering daily opportunities for the fish of a lifetime. Mid-August through much of September also finds a heavy run of silver salmon in the lodge's permit river – these chrome rockets will often take surface poppers, and are a handful on an 8 weight, fresh from the ocean.

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Getting There

On Saturday, the day prior to your arrival into camp you should plan on travelling to Anchorage and overnighting.

Please make your flight reservations into Anchorage and hotel arrangements early, as space fills quickly during the short Alaskan summer and fall.

Day of Arrival:
Depart Anchorage for Dillingham on Sunday around 11:00pm on the lodge’s private charter, arriving Dillingham around 12:30pm. A lodge representative will meet you at the airport and transport you to their floatplane base for the trip to the lodge. This beautiful flight covers a greater part of the Wood River/Tikchik State Park, one of the more heavily wooded and beautiful portions of the Alaskan Bush. There is no official luggage weight limit for this final leg of the flight itinerary (Dillingham to the lodge), but it would be appreciated if the per person total luggage weight is kept to no more than 75 pounds.

Lodging

The Royal Coachman Lodge sits on the banks of the Nuyakuk River overlooking a gorgeous home pool, and caters to a maximum of 10-12 anglers per week.

It also has a staff of 10-12 persons - this small number of guests and large staff helps to ensure that you will have the maximum amount of personal service and attention that this truly world class fishing adventure offers. The fishing lodge houses the kitchen, dining room and lounge, library corner, and fly-tying bench. Comfortable and cozy, this is where you will plan each of the following days excursions.

The lodge has four finely furnished guest cottages, each with living rooms, one and two bedrooms, and private baths. We also have two well-appointed bedrooms in the main lodge. Each cabin or room has modern bath facilities, independent heat, excellent beds, and all the creature comforts of home, along with spectacular views of the river, the rapids, and the snow-capped peaks.

Fishing

You and your guides will sit around the fire or the tying bench each night, decide what type of fishing you would like to do, and plan the details of the next day's outing.

There is no pre-scheduled fishing program here. Custom-tailoring each day's fishing is one of the major advantages to RCL's small and personal approach to sportfishing. The Royal Coachman Lodge in Alaska has been serving guests since 1970. Their philosophy and attention to detail is their trademark, and they're proud of it! Plan on flying to a new fishery each day, and experiencing some of the best this area has to offer. After a long day on the water you'll be picked back up and returned to the lodge, tired of hooking fish. You'll be met with hors d' oeuvres, a cold drink, and given some time to shower and relax before diving into a wonderful dinner. Then its time to plan another day!

Rates

The cost of the week-long Royal Coachman Lodge package is $13,850.00 per person. Groups of four or more or group's of ten or more qualify for a price reduction.

Inclusions:

Included in your angling package at Royal Coachman Lodge is all accommodations and meals, taxes, the round trip flights between Dillingham and the lodge, flies, and guide service.

Non-Inclusions:

Not included in the packages are the roundtrip air transfers between Anchorage and Dillingham (though it is included as a separate line item in your billing and arranged automatically upon receiving your deposit), tackle, alcohol, fishing license or gratuities.

Travel Insurance:

The Fly Shop® is not in the insurance business, but we recommend Travel Guard coverage as a service with a desire to see your best interests protected. It is impossible to know when an unfortunate situation (loss of luggage, fly rods, illness in the family, or an accident) may occur. However, such things can and do happen, and this insurance can provide a means of recourse against non-refundable financial losses.
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Seasons Details

Seasons

Getting There Details

Getting There

Lodging Details

Lodging

Angling Details

Fishing

Inclusions Details

Rates

Why We Endorse Royal Coachman Lodge

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