Planning Your Trip

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The most popular question we receive is “when is the best time to go?” The answer is so subjective we created this graphical explanation in hopes of concisely explaining the difference between early August and late September. Because in a matter of weeks, you can see two very different fisheries.

We did our best to make this chart accurate, but please take into account the variability induced by Mother Nature. Please let us know if you have any questions.

2024 Season

• $6,250* Mid Season – early August thru 3rd week of August
• $7,850* Late Season – 4th week of August thru September + 2 days heli fly-out fishing

Pricing per person, Saturday to Saturday, 9 guests max. per week.

*(1) Due to recent large fluctuations in flying and fuel costs, a possible fuel surcharge may be applied to your trip. (2) If you are or your group is heavier than average, you may be subject to additional charges due to charter aircraft weight limits. Please contact us for more details.

**Camp has hot water and shower facility. Sleeping shelters include bedding (linens and pillow), gear storage box, clothes hangers, sitting chair, nightstand and reading light.

***Our camp bar supply is based on reasonable adult consumption based on averages from over the years. If you or your party consumes more than an average, please supplement our supply with your own.

****We do have a limited supply of loaner and backup fishing equipment (fly and spin). Please let us know ahead of time if you need to borrow a rod or reel for the week.

Please see our cancellation policy here.

On more of a budget? Check out our early season Alaska Wilderness OUTPOST operation.

Or consider a shorter (prorated daily) stay at SAFARI camp. This option is available for groups of 3 or more during the first or last week of each season (dates vary each year). Certain constraints do apply. Please contact us for more information on this option.

NOTE: 2024 prices are TBD.

ALASKA WILDERNESS SAFARI operates from early August through the end of September. Please contact us for available dates.

A 50% deposit per person is required to secure your reservation when you book within 12 months of your trip. For trips more than 12 months out we generally require a 25% deposit at the time of booking, with another 25% due in October before your trip.

Payments are not refundable unless that space can be refilled, but they are transferable to another person or to any open date within that season. The final payment is due 90 days prior to arrival.

While this payment policy may seem harsh, we almost always bend over backwards to the customer’s benefit and our own financial detriment. But we definitely have limits. We are less flexible with very short notice cancellations, even for medical reasons, because it is near impossible to refill your space within days or weeks of your trip. And we are less flexible when we know that we’ve turned business away while you held a spot on our calendar.

Does this worry you? Consider Travel and evacuation insurance through Global Rescue.

ALASKA WILDERNESS SAFARI or EPIC ANGLING & ADVENTURE, LLC will not be responsible for damage or injury to participants or personal property. We will not be responsible for any expenses incurred from delays as a result of weather, transportation or other conditions over which we have no control.

Medical and security emergencies happen. When they do, we rely on Global Rescue, the world’s leading membership organization providing integrated medical, security, travel risk and crisis response services to travelers worldwide. Memberships start at $139.

Global Rescue has created the industry’s most complete travel insurance that was built with the outdoorsman in mind. With minimal exclusions, the IMG Signature Travel Insurance is the perfect add-on to your Global Rescue membership.

To find out more information please go to our landing page on Global Rescue’s website here.

Although we have a small amount of gear available for loan, most anglers prefer to bring their own.

Please download our SAFARI camp gear list for information about clothing, tackle and equipment appropriate for this adventure. Contact us for a hard copy if you are unable to download the electronic version.

Most anglers prefer to bring their own rods/reels, but we do have a limited supply of loaner and back-up fishing equipment (fly and spin). Please let us know ahead of time if you need to borrow a rod or reel for the week.

Some of our day hikes require wearing waders, so non-anglers should bring comfortable chest or hip waders even if they do not plan on fishing.

Check out our blog for some good info and discussion on your Alaska fishing trip gear and clothing. Plus, there’s more gear discussion by one of our guides here and here.

NOTE: The State of Alaska banned felt-soled wading boots in 2012.

If you need a satellite phone for personal use during your visit, please rent one prior to your arrival at camp from Outfitter Satellite. They may be reached at (877) 436-2255 or through their website. There is a satellite phone available at camp for emergency use only.

We do see bears throughout the season, but please DO NOT bring personal firearms to camp.

We used fixed-wing and/or helicopter to access camp

Following is a brief overview of the travel logistics to and from camp. For further details please carefully read our “Travel & Logistics” information sheet, which we will send to you via email or regular mail.

To King Salmon

Most major commercial airlines fly to Anchorage from the lower 48. But Covid really screwed up the historical good flight schedules between Anchorage and King Salmon.

The bottom line is we highly recommend that guests travel all the way to King Salmon and overnight on the Friday before you start your trip at SAFARI camp.

Currently you have two practical choices flying into King Salmon, Alaska Air and Ravn Air.

Once in King Salmon contact our charter company, Egli Air Haul at (907) 246-3554 to let them know you have arrived in King Salmon, or you may press #20 at the airport call terminal. If you are overnighting in King Salmon Friday, call your lodging provider for shuttle service from the airport.

To Camp

Arrival to SAFARI camp via fixed-wing

The next morning (Saturday), Egli Air Haul will shuttle your party to their hanger then transport you from King Salmon to the camp via bush plane and/or helicopter. The flight is stunning and takes 1 to 1½ hours. Generally, 3 round-trips are typically required to get all 9 guests and gear to/from camp.

In 2010 we added a helicopter as part of our standard charter aircraft fleet. This is a HUGE advantage in more reliably and consistently getting you to/from camp during poor weather days. The weather conditions on the Alaska Peninsula can be notoriously challenging, but now you don’t have to worry as much about getting stuck in King Salmon or at camp. Worry less, fish more!

Departing King Salmon

Egli Air Haul will return for you the following Saturday.

For your return flight to Anchorage that day, book a very late afternoon or evening flight to allow for morning weather delays when departing camp. The later the better.

Avoid tight connections times in Anchorage on your way home. Weather delays do happen!

If you want to mitigate travel surprises, usually due to weather delays flying from SAFARI camp to King Salmon, overnight again in King Salmon after your trip with us then depart to Anchorage the following day. You’d likely have time for a guided half day of fishing on the famous Naknek River, some DIY fishing on King Salmon Creek near town, or a quick trip to Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park via Katmai Air before you return to Anchorage. Or just hang out and relax.

VERY IMPORTANT:

Please bring “soft” luggage (two medium duffel bags are much better than one large bag) and do not over pack, as these specialized aircraft have limited cargo space. There is a strictly enforced 50 pound per person weight restriction, including rods/reels, day packs and duffel bags. Yes, you can get everything within 50 pounds. And you can safely leave extraneous items in the Egli Air Haul hanger.

Air between Anchorage and King Salmon

• Alaska Airlines at (800) 252-7522
• New Ravn (maybe)

Lodging in Anchorage

• Lakeshore Inn & Suites* (a cute, clean 3-star hotel) at (907) 248-3485
• The Lakefront Anchorage (a “nicer” hotel) at (907) 243-2300
• Alex Hotel & Suites* (a very basic hotel) (907) 243-3131

All 3 hotels above are located conveniently close to the Anchorage airport. (There are many lodging options in Anchorage, so don’t hesitate to shop around.)

Lodging in King Salmon

• Antlers Inn* at (888) 735-8525 or (907) 246-8525
• Bear Trail Cabins at (907) 246-3011
• Blue Fly B&B at (907) 246-2030
• The Suites at King Salmon at (907) 891-1111
• King Salmon Lodge may have upscale rooms available for single nights late August through September

*Be sure to declare that you are an EPIC client when making phone reservations at Lakeshore Inn & Suites, Alex Hotel & Suites or Antlers Inn, as you should receive a reduced rate. Email us to receive a discount code if you book Antlers Inn online.

SEE OUR  BLOG FOR THE FOLLOWING:

• More detailed description of the King Salmon lodging options
• Things to do in King Salmon, AK
• Things to do in Anchorage, AK

Please contact us if you have any questions about air or hotel reservations.

A Typical Day

Gearing up for another fantastic day of fishing

Since we do not have to rise early to race against other lodges trying to compete for the best waters, a typical day begins around 7:00 a.m. with a steaming cup of coffee or hot tea and a casual look across the tidal flat. A hearty breakfast is served at 8:00, with a departure from camp between 8:30 and 9:00, depending on when guests are ready to go. The guides pack the lunches and they are typically served while out on the water. If the weather turns crummy, we’ll return to camp for hot soup. We generally return to camp between 5:00 and 5:30 for appetizers and cocktails. Dinner begins at 6:00 or 6:30, then we all congregate around the observation table for an after dinner drink to reflect upon the memorable day of fishing, watch the wildlife through our spotting scopes, or engage in a variety of other activities around camp.

Of course, you can walk right down in front of camp after dinner (after the guides have finished their chores) to fish the tidal flat again!

Heading out for river fishing

A Typical Week

The Saturday of arrival acquaints guests with the layout and amenities of the camp. Guests may unpack their bags and “move” into their sleeping shelter, then grab equipment for rigging instruction, a casting lesson, or just head straight down to the water in front of camp for an abbreviated day of fishing. After dinner that night guests hear full staff introductions, the very important bear safety briefing, and are provided with further information about the daily operation of the camp and the week ahead.

During our Late Season, Sunday through Wednesday is spent in and around our home waters, with helicopter fishing on Thursday and Friday. During our Mid Season, there are no heli fly-outs. You spend the entire week fishing in and around Nakalilok Bay. The following Saturday guests return to King Salmon.

Please note that we DO NOT have licenses available for purchase at camp and they MUST be purchased prior to your charter flight to camp. You may buy your license in King Salmon or Anchorage, however we strongly suggest that you pre-purchase them online several weeks prior to your trip.

You should buy a “7 day nonresident sport fishing license” ($45 in 2022). Choose a start time of noon on your arrival day to camp.

NOTE:

You DO NOT need a king salmon stamp at the SAFARI camp.

REGULATIONS:

Please take some time to review the state of Alaska Fishing Regulations for the Alaska Peninsula region.

When the weather is nice in Alaska, it’s heavenly.

Typically, the earlier in the season the more mild the weather, but IT CAN RAIN ANYTIME IN ALASKA.

You can expect July and August daytime temperatures from the low 50s to the high 70s, nighttime temps from mid 40’s to low 50’s. Cold fronts arriving in September could drop nighttime temps into the low 40s, or occasionally but not often, the 30s. Daytime temps in September will range from the low 50’s to 60’s.

The later in September you travel to AK, the greater potential for colder/nastier weather. But when the weather is good in mid to late September, it is absolutely heavenly.

Be mentally prepared. Rain squalls and wind are likely to occur sometime during your week, so high quality hooded rain gear is essential. Remember to dress in layers – the conditions can change from rainy and windy to sunny and calm, and back, in the same afternoon.

Rain is likely to occur sometime during your trip, so high quality hooded rain gear is essential.

Please remember that you are traveling in a very remote area, even by Alaska standards, and weather-related flying delays can occur. And even though a helicopter does a better job in poor weather than a plane, we appreciate your patience in dealing with any possible delays.

If you check the weather forecast prior to arriving at camp, weather information from Chignik, AK is a better representation of camp’s weather compared to King Salmon, AK.