To book a flight to King Salmon, AK check with your local travel agent or if you're computer literate, schedule the trip online yourself; you'll usually save some money this way. Over the years I've found that its best to leave your home as early as possible in order to arrive in King Salmon on Saturday if possible, allowing you a good night's rest. You can pick up beer or wine to bring out to camp with you in town, you can also buy your fishing license if you haven't already gotten one online. Arriving on Saturday means you won't have to fly out from Anchorage at the crack of dawn and you'll have a chance to sleep out your jet lag. Most importantly, if any luggage has been lost, it has a chance to catch up with you.
You'll need to book some lodging for Saturday night, we use the Antler's Inn, a stone's throw from the airport. Its run by two wonderful people; Jim & Flora McFarland. They will pick you up at the airport and bring you to the local store to pick up your necessaries. Sunday morning they will bring you down to Branch River Air for your float plane ride out to the Alagnak. Please call Flora for their latest rates, as they fluctuate from season to season. They have a suite available for up to six persons and several other rooms. Their phone # is 1-888-735-8525 or locally 907-246-8525. Please confirm with them before you leave home to be certain everything is ok. They are a small business like us, so its wise to book as early as you can. (The same goes for your airline tickets, July & August are the busiest months for Alaskan travel.) There are restaurants and a store within walking distance from the Inn, making it very convenient. There is other lodging available in the Ponderosa Inn, however, its out of town and a bit more pricey. They will also pick you up at the airport. The phone # is 907-246-3360.
If you don't stay in King Salmon on Saturday, you'll have to take the first flight out from Anchorage on Sunday morning, usually about 8:30 am. This can work in a pinch, but you'll be rushed and have little time to get last minute items in town before the float plane ride out to the Alagnak. The first flight from Branch River Air is @ 10:00 am, but they can leave as early as 8:00 am. After a 20 minute flight overland, you'll touch down on a calm spot on the Alagnak River. We'll be there waiting to load your gear into our boats for the 10 mile trip up the river to camp. You'll spot eagles and bears and a preview of the fish you'll soon be catching. Its wise to pack some rain gear within easy access to assure a dry arrival in camp about half an hour later. After we unload and store your gear, you'll get a quick tour and lunch. Then you fish, simple as that.
After a memorable week of great fishing, the same plane that flew you out will pick you up Sunday morning to bring your smiling faces back to King Salmon, then to the airport. This should be around noon, weather permitting. Your return flight should be leaving King Salmon on Sunday around 3pm, you can always get on an earlier flight for no charge, but you always want to leave some leeway for inclimate weather. We use Branch River Air and I book all flights out to camp, we try to have full planes each way. Its always good to check with them concerning flight times or a ride. Their # is 907-246-3437, call the afternoon before your trip out to camp or very early the day of the flight.
A non-resident 7 day sport fishing license is $55.00, (you will need a King Salmon stamp as well, if you intend to keep one. They are $30 for a seven day stamp. Keep in mind King season ends on July 31st.) You may purchase your license online if you wish, before you arrive, but be certain to enter the correct dates of your license to coincide with your trip dates. Remember, you'll be fishing from Sunday to Saturday.
We have a satellite phone in camp, if you need to contact us during the season. The # is 011-881-631-456-844, keep trying, weather affects the reception.
To contact us at Trapper's Place in New York;
call # 315-298-6655
write: Alagnak Wilderness Camps
Nelson "Trapper" Young
563 Centerville Road
Pulaski, NY 13142
e-mail: terry@alagnakwildernesscamps.com
Alaska's Alagnak Wilderness Camps & Trap
563 Centerville Road
Pulaski, NY 13142
Phone 315-298-6655
Fax 315-298-6655