Rapids Camp Lodge, an easy to reach, full service fly-out lodge with excellent home water and one of the most diverse and exciting fly fishing programs in Alaska. The lodge is located on the Naknek River, near King Salmon, just an eighty minute flight from Anchorage. They offer unparalleled fly fishing in the heart of the famed Bristol Bay watershed – home to enormous rainbow trout, all five species of Pacific salmon, dolly varden, arctic char and grayling. They utilize float planes and a fleet of jet boats to access a wide variety of fisheries in the Bristol Bay region, Katmai National Park, and the Alaskan Peninsula.
The Bristol Bay/Katmai region is a pristine wilderness with majestic views, and the second largest national park in the United States. Katmai National Park encompasses 4.2 million acres of virtually untouched wilderness, home to brown bears, moose, caribou, and wolves. From the Valley of 10,000 Smokes to the deep turquoise of the Ice Age glaciers, you’ll see scenery that rivals the wildlife and fishing that leaves most anglers slack-jawed.
Seasoned hardcore fly anglers appreciate the wide range of water the lodge frequents. This includes staples like the Moraine, Battle Creek, Contact Creek, Headwaters Creek and American Creek as well as numerous prolific salmon and char fisheries. During the early and late season the lodge concentrates on fly fishing for large rainbows in the “rapids” of the Naknek River near the lodge. Anglers typically employ Spey rods and steelhead-like tactics to entice these supercharged rainbows that commonly run in the 7-12 pound range – and larger!
Rapids Camp Lodge is one of the few destinations equipped and willing to handle a wide range of eco type activities including flight seeing the region’s many glaciers and volcanoes, bear and wildlife viewing, clam digging, and beach-combing. The lodge features eight comfortable double occupancy rooms with private baths, a detached private home that sleeps three, a large friendly bar, two gourmet chefs, workout room, state of the art tackle and waders for all who need them.
Guests design their own day trips – there isn’t any set destination. The Rapids Camp team makes recommendations based on your goals and desires, and you make the decision where you want to go the next day. Sightseeing, bear viewing, hiking and a wide variety of fishing, are all options. They provide everything you need for the fishing trip of a lifetime — the finest rods, reels, tackle and waders. With three Beavers and a turbine Otter, and handsome jet boats for the home water, Rapids Camp has endless options for all who visit. Whether you are after silvers or kings, massive rainbows on the Spey rod, or a crack at wilderness rainbows that rarely see a fly, this operation has the flexibility and hospitality to keep you coming back, year after year. You can expect to catch trophy rainbow trout, grayling and dolly varden, and depending on the specific week, all five species of Pacific salmon.
Rapids Camp Lodge is a beautiful log lodge and accepts no more than ten guests at a time. Each of the bedrooms has its own full bath and, more important to the angler, it is located within casting distance of the Naknek River.
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)
