Alaska shouldn't be a "once-in-a-lifetime" trip. Johnsons Outdoors owns two lodges right on the Naknek (Naknek River Camp and Katmai Trophy Lodge) and both have the same goal: to make Alaska affordable, without cutting costs on anything. With fantastic fishing right at your doorstep, delicious meals, and great accommodations, there's nothing more you could ask for. Read below for more information regarding this trip!
Trip Dates:
August 29 - September 5, 2026 — 1 SPOT AVAILABLE (Naknek River Camp)
September 5-12, 2026 — 3 SPOTS AVAILABLE (Katmai Trophy Lodge)
August 16-23, 2025 — Sold Out
The Alaskan Experience
The opportunities available in Bristol Bay are unparalleled to anything else on this planet. With an endless number of fisheries and species, you could spend each day doing something completely different and you would barely scratch the surface.
In our 2025 trip, our group caught a multitude of species, including coho salmon, jack king salmon, chum salmon, sockeye salmon, Naknek rainbow trout, leopard rainbow trout, dolly varden, arctic grayling, arctic char, and northern pike. None of these fish required a fly-out to pursue, although if arctic char and grayling are on your bucket-list, we highly recommend taking a fly-out.
Fishing with Naknek River Camp and Katmai Trophy Lodge gives you the opportunity to have plenty of different experiences, all included in the cost. During our stay, you can fish the main river with a Certified USCG Captain targeting trophy rainbow trout or coho salmon. Taking a boat ride across Naknek Lake, you can experience fantastic wade fishing at Idavain Creek and Margot Creek. Fish are everywhere in these waters, but like at home, the further up you're able to hike the better! Both of these fisheries hold trophy rainbow trout, but Idavain is also home to arctic grayling, while Margot has dolly varden.
To experience some of the more exceptional fisheries in the area, fly-out trips are offered everyday the weather allows. There's an endless number of fly-out options available, with cost varying on each one. Once booked, Xavier will run you through the different fly-out options.
Brooks River and Falls
One of the most photographed locations in the world, Brooks Falls is an iconic display of nature. Brown bear line the waterfall waiting to catch a jumping salmon. If viewing this location is on your bucket list, then Naknek River Camp and Katmai Trophy Lodge will make it happen.
The best part of your tour to Brooks is you get to fish! Brooks River is home to rainbow trout that gorge themselves on the millions of salmon eggs that are laid in the river. You'll start your morning going to "Bear School" where you'll learn how to interact with the bears on and off the water. Afterwards the guides will get your rods ready and off to the water you go.
Plus, this is 100% FREE!! No planes are required either, we'll take an approximately 45 minute boat ride across Naknek Lake to get to Brooks.
Gear for the Naknek River
During out 2025 trip, we focused our dates on coho salmon with an off chance at migratory rainbow trout. Our 2026 trip will be fully focused on migratory rainbow trout, with coho salmon still available to target for those who want to take fish home. Bringing a 9-10' 7-8wt and a matching reel would allow you to properly fish heavy rigs and fight large rainbows and salmon.
Coho salmon fishing can be done with a floating line and heavy streamers that are pink, purple, chartreuse, black, or any combination of these.
Fishing for the giant, migratory rainbow trout is done with two methods: chuck-and-duck and bobber dogging. Each technique is best in different scenarios, although chuck-and-duck will likely take the cake on our trip. These fish will be sitting in deep water (15-25ft) behind spawning salmon, requiring us to get down to them in the most effective manner. Chuck-and-duck is very intimate, as you get to feel your rig tap on the bottom until one of the taps feels different! For this, bring 40lb shooting line, Amnesia, or Maxima.
Gear for Small Creeks and Fly-Outs
Many of the small water options, whether a fly-out or boat, feel very similar to Colorado waters. Small and intimate, it's the ultimate chance to sight fish and target trophy fish. These small waters have their challenges though, as they can be difficult to wade, sometimes you'll need hike to good fishing spots, and there's plenty of downed trees for trophy fish to break you off in.
That said, it's still best to fish a 9' 5 or 6wt rod for these waters. The 9' 5wt remains the most versatile, but in waters with more trophy caliber rainbow trout it's advised to bring a 6wt in order to properly fish these fish. Additionally, there are a few fly-out options where a 7wt would be highly encouraged to fight the large fish that call those waters home!
Naknek River Camp
Naknek River Camp is exactly what it advertises itself to be, a camp! This isn't just any old fishing camp though. The camp has numerous cabins that have beds and a bathroom. They are built to fit two to four people, depending on the cabin, although we will occupy the larger cabins.
There are two common areas at camp where you can converse and unwind from your day with others at camp. The dining cabin is where breakfast and dinner are served, and depending on the fishing or weather that day, they'll cook up a hot lunch! The other is Trappers Cabin, a lounging area with games, tv, plenty of indoor and patio furniture, and an ice machine for those making themselves cocktails.
Don't expect to starve during your stay with Naknek River Camp! The kitchen staff does an amazing job of cooking delicious meals every single day, even during travel days.
If you want to see more information on the lodge, follow this link here: https://naknekrivercamp.com/facilities/.
Katmai Trophy Lodge
Katmai Trophy Lodge is just a few miles downstream from their sister lodge, Naknek River Camp. Best of all, the fishing program at KTL is identical to NRC!
Unlike NRC, everything is situated right in the main lodge! Enjoy your meals at the dining table with your fellow fishermen and women, wind down in the living room just feet away, and wrap up the night in your private room.
If you want to see more information on the lodge, follow this link here: https://katmaitrophylodge.com/the-lodge/.
Getting to Anchorage - King Salmon
Flying in the United States is a painless process in comparison to many international destinations. No language barriers, no customs, no passport required! Direct flights from Denver to Anchorage fly every single day. Unlike other Alaska destinations, flying to Naknek River Camp and Katmai Trophy Lodge does not require a private charter flight. Alaska Airlines offers flights from Anchorage to King Salmon, making travel easy. Xavier has flight recommendations to make shuttling from the airport to the lodge as straightforward as possible.
Cost and Details
Price Per Person:
$5,495 - Shared Guide and Shared Room
Included:
-Six days of guided fishing
-Lodging
-Meals, snacks, water, and soft drinks
-Transportation to and from airport
-Fishing equipment
-Salmon processing
-Visit to Brooks Falls/River
Not Included:
-Guide/staff gratuities, recommended 15-20%
-Alcohol
-Fees for optional fly-outs
-Flights to and from King Salmon
-Personal fishing equipment, including boots and waders
-Fishing license, $45 for 7-day nonresident
Deposit and Cancellation Policy
Golden Fly Shop strives to make your destination travel as smooth as possible. A 50% non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking, with the remaining 50% due 90 days prior to the trip. If the trip is within the 90 day timeframe, we require full payment upfront. You may cancel from the trip, if we are able to fill your spot you will get a refund on the remaining 50% portion. If we are unable to rebook your spot, no payment will be refunded. You are able to rebook your trip to a future date or separate trip if your request is made before the 90 day timeframe, with an administrative fee of $100. Initial payment serves as acknowledgment that the guest has read and agreed to our payment/cancellation policy.
Liability and Responsibility
Golden Fly Shop is not responsible for any injuries that happen during travel, non-fishing, nor fishing days during the scheduled trip. Golden Fly Shop and the outfitter is not responsible for the loss of fishing days due to missed, delayed, or cancelled flights. Nor are they responsible for lost fishing days to injury, illness, or weather. Guests are responsible for any extra fees resulting from delays or situations out of the control of Golden Fly Shop or the outfitter. Lost gear, baggage, or any other personal items are not the responsibility of Golden Fly Shop or the outfitter. Golden Fly Shop strongly encourages each of our guests to purchase a travel insurance plan and medical evacuation plan. Initial payment serves as acknowledgment that the guest has read and agreed to our liability/responsibility policy.
Find out More
Contact us today to find out more about this opportunity.
303-330-1292
xavier@goldenflyshop.com