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| Mission Lodge's strategic location and outstanding staff justify
its reputation as one of Alaska's top fly-out lodges. Located in the heart of the Bristol Bay region of southwest
Alaska, it is within easy flying distance to the finest fishing waters in the state. Depending on the week, five
species of Pacific Salmon are targeted, as well as Rainbow Trout, Arctic Char, Dolly Varden, Arctic Grayling, Lake
Trout and Northern Pike. Mission Lodge is located 300 miles southwest of Anchorage, near the confluence of Lake Aleknagik and the Wood River, in the heart of the fabled trout and salmon waters of Bristol Bay; the Wood River/Tikchik Lakes, Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, Lake Iliamna and the Alaska Peninsula. The lodge management is committed to providing the best service possible. Its ultimate goal is to offer guests a fun and relaxing environment while ensuring great fishing an big catches. |
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The lodge is easy to get to; a 35-minute ride by vehicle from Dillingham,
plus a 5-minute boat ride. It is medium sized by Alaska standards, accepting 22 guests. Mission Lodge is owned
and managed by Dale DePriest, whose commitment to operating the finest fly-out Lodge in Alaska is second to none. Mission Lodge strives to utilize the numerous accessible fisheries while each is in its seasonal prime. To do this guests are flown out to different rivers and streams depending on the time of year and specific species targeted. Each evening management confers with guests to assess the kind of experience each visitor is after. The guides will then gather the necessary gear from Mission's tackle room (which doubles as a great story telling hang out). The following morning after breakfast guests board one of Mission's float planes with a guide and fly off to one of the many world class, and in some cases world famous, rivers and streams of the region. Depending on the location, jet boats will be provided to take guests up and down various rivers. Because of a short growing season, all native species must be released without exception. If you are interested in taking back some salmon, your guide will fillet or steak them, vacuum pack them in suitable portions and freeze them. Upon your departure your catch will be put into an airline-approved waxed fish box for the trip home. |
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| The lodge itself is a modern facility, emphasizing basic comfort and
taking full advantage of the surrounding Alaskan beauty. The well-traveled angler will appreciate the lodge's dedication
to service and commitment to detail. Facilities are deluxe, even by Alaska standards. Twenty guestrooms allow each guest to be accommodated in a private room, some of which have private baths. The lodge is spacious and includes a large lounge with big screen TV, dining room, private meeting room upstairs, sauna, and hot tub. Aircraft safety is absolutely the top priority at Mission Lodge. Other lodges will eventually follow suit, but Mission Lodge was the first fly out Lodge in Alaska to hold an FAA #135 airtaxi license which requires stringent maintenance and certification. |
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Sauna, Hot tub, sumptuous dining, a comfortable lounge and recreation area are added features of Mission Lodge. A large deck surrounding the facility is just steps from the dock, float planes and boats. Large bay windows frame views of Lake Aleknagik and the beautiful mountains beyond. Alaska is a rugged, immense land of startling beauty - a great place to just step out of everyday pressures and relax. At the end of the day each guest retires to his or her own private room. Few Alaska fly-out lodges have such a variety of aircraft. Mission Lodge's airplane capacity allows them to fly-out passengers and guides, keeping their client to guide ratio at or below 3 to 1. Having four planes enables groups of fishermen to split up and fish several different locations every day. |
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In addition, Mission Lodge operates three mobile camps, which they
move from river to river, according to productivity and time of year. Each camp is outfitted with large weatherport
tents, one or two guides and several boats with jet-motors. Guides are stationed at these camps for the entire
season, and keep in radio contact with the lodge. They report daily on the weather and fishing conditions (they
actually track the progression of migrating salmon) and with this information, head guide Bob Kratzer determines
the daily fishing plan. In the past, Mission Lodge has strategically placed these camps on such notable rivers
as the Igushik, the Togiak and the Nushagak, and many small, unknown rivers, which will remain unnamed. Cots and sleeping bags (with washable liners) are available at the mobile camps should clients elect to spend a night on theriver. Overnighting at these camps is strictly an option. Most guests fly back to the main lodge each night. |
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If weather prevents the planes from flying (which happens an average of 2 days out of a four month season), several jet boats docked at the lodge can transport guests to several rainbow trout, char and grayling streams that feed into Lake Aleknagik, as well as the well-known Agulawok and Agulapak Rivers, which are loaded with grayling and 2-5 pound rainbow trout and char. In addition, guests can travel by boat (with guide) to the McClung River or on foot to the Wood River, which has an excellent run of sockeye salmon and char, and a lesser run of pink and silver salmon. Mission Lodge is well situated to fish for sockeyes, chums, kings, pinks or silver salmon, in addition to rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, arctic char, grayling and pike. If you're looking for the greatest variety, I suggest the late June/July time period, when you can catch sockeyes, chums, pinks (even years) and king salmon in addition to the fresh water species. If you're interested in silver and pink salmon (in addition to the fresh water species), I recommend the last two weeks of August and the first two weeks of September. If your primary interest is rainbow trout and char, I recommend early June, the middle of the season (mid-July to mid-August) and the month of September. |
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| RATES (subject
to change) The 2007 cost of a 7-night/6-day stay at Mission Lodge is $6,900 per person (plus 5% tax and $17.50 per person bed tax). The 2008 cost of a 7-night/6-day stay at Mission Lodge is $7,100 per person (plus 5% tax and $17.50 per person bed tax). The lodge operates on a Friday to Friday basis. A 50% deposit, payable by check to Angler Adventures, is necessary to secure a reservation. Final payment is due 95 days prior to arrival. We offer trip cancellation insurance to all our customers. Included in the cost: transportation to and from Dillingham, lodging, meals, use of Mission Lodge's laundry facilities, liquor, soft drinks, tackle (fly and spinning rods and reels), noeprene waders, flies and lures, fly-outs, guiding and packing of fish for shipment. Not included in the cost: airfare to Dillingham; City of Aleknagik's 5% tax and City of Dillingham's $17.50 per person bed tax; fishing license ($55), plus an additional $35 for a king salmon tag when applicable. While gratuities are at the discretion of the customers, we are often asked to suggest a guideline. At Mission Lodge a guide line would be approximately 10% of the trip cost per person. Angler Adventures has considerable experience arranging trips to Alaska. We obtain the lowest air fare from any major U.S. city and we are familiar with the seasonal flights within Alaska, such as from Anchorage to Dillingham. We would be happy to make your airline and hotel reservations on your way to and returning from Mission Lodge. We are also knowledgeable about tackle and techniques for fishing in Alaska. After making a reservation, we will send a complete listing of what to bring, and we are always available to consult with you over the phone. |
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