Copper River Lodge

Located right on the banks of the famed Copper River near Iliamna, Alaska, this is, arguably, the most beautiful location and one of the finer fishing locations for rainbow trout in our 49th state.

It is Alaska the way most anglers imagine it to be — a shallow, crystal clear stream, alive with trout and salmon, flowing through an evergreen forest teeming with wildlife. The lodge itself is new and beautiful, renowned for the quality of its guides, and takes only 6 anglers per week, guaranteeing an intimate, personalized experience. Guides use jet boats to access many miles of the Copper River, and utilize a larger lake boat to cross a portion of Lake Iliamna to access yet another great trout fishery, the Gibralter, on days when the wind and weather allow. Starting in 2023 the lodge became a partial fly out lodge, typically fishing two days on the home water out of jet boats, two days flying to upper stretches of the Copper, and two days flying out to other regional rivers. The food is delicious, prepared from scratch daily, and presented with a pleasing flair…you won’t be losing any weight here! This is an excellent choice for the serious trout addict who prefers smaller, clear streams, and who has little interest in other species.

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

There isn't a finer, more predictable dry fly, trophy trout fishery in Bristol Bay than the Copper River.

Each June and early July the stream experiences strong hatches of caddis, small stones, and a variety of mayflies, and the river's healthy population of big rainbows take full advantage of this floating smorgasbord. A typical early season day sees anglers fishing nymphs beneath indicators during the normally cool mornings, switching to dry flies after lunch when warming temperatures spark prolific hatches. Small streamers, imitating the masses of outgoing Sockeye salmon smolt, are also very effective, and sometimes account for the largest fish of each day. A boat trip out of the Copper into Lake Iliamna, then up the "coast" to the Gibralter River normally is often another option, with streamers normally producing excellent daylong action.

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Getting There

On the day prior to your arrival in camp (Saturday) you should plan on traveling to Anchorage and overnighting. The next day, Sunday, you will arrive in Iliamna on the afternoon (Iliamna Air Taxi, 907-571-1245) flight from Anchorage. When booking this flight, be sure and tell the carrier that you're clients of Copper River Lodge, as they'll have a seat reserved for you already… you just need to pay for it. It will take some time for luggage to be unloaded from the plane in Iliamna, so relax; you're on bush time now! Once you get off the plane, walk over to the Iliamna Air Taxi building. Iliamna Air Taxi is owned by Tim and Nancy La Porte, who have been providing safe air travel in the Bush for well over three decades. The La Portes may be a little busy turning around various flights, so please be patient. Give the folks at Iliamna Air Taxi your name and indicate that you are guests at Copper River Lodge. The lodge will have furnished them with a list of guests, so they'll be expecting you. The La Portes will then put you on one of their floatplanes for the short 20-minute flight to the mouth of the Copper.

You will be met at the mouth of the river with jet boats that will transfer you to the lodge. After arriving at the lodge there will be ample time to settle into your room, set up your fishing equipment, have fishing licenses issued (if needed) and receive a brief orientation. As soon as everyone is organized, they'll meet at the dock and head out for your first day of fishing. A lunch will be packed and ready to eat on the river.

The schedule is for a Saturday afternoon departure from the Lodge back to Iliamna, allowing you to fish that morning. Depart Iliamna via Iliamna Air Taxi. You'll want to schedule a late evening flight out of Anchorage for home, or overnight and go out the next morning, as you'll arrive back to Anchorage after 5:00pm.

Fishing

One of the great advantages of a river-based operation is flexibility in the daily fishing program… though you have four fly out days built into your package, should you experience a bad weather day you still have a great trout stream to fish, using jet boats for wade access.

And at Copper River Lodge, with only 6 guests, if you prefer to sleep in, or get up extra early... no problem, the crew will make it happen. The level of personalized service is superb. Once you have gotten up and enjoyed your choice of breakfast options, you will meet your guide down at the dock (2 anglers per boat/guide), and be off in your jet boat or floatplane for a day covering the many gorgeous miles of local streams. As each day draws to a close, tired anglers are returned to the lodge, and the awaiting hot showers, appetizers and amazing dinner entrees.

Rates

We have been traveling to and fishing with Copper River Lodge for decades; we know the lodge, the rivers, the staff... and can tell you all you need to know about this superb destination.

The cost of the 6 night/6 day package is $10,250 per person

Inclusions:

Float plane transfers between Iliamna and the Lodge, fly outs to other destinations for the 2025 season (weather, schedule, and aircraft maintenance permitting), all accommodations and meals during the week, taxes, flies, leaders, tippet, and guide services are all included in the package. This is considered a partial fly out package. Our fly out package includes a couple "local" or non-fly out days. This usually means either fishing the lower Copper River, or taking our lake boat over to the Gibraltar River, but does not include the airplane.

Non-Inclusions:

Airfare to Iliamna, fishing license, gratuities for the camp staff, liquor, and fishing equipment. (Some back-up fishing equipment is available at the lodge.)

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 Copper River Lodge

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