Orvis-Endorsed Fly-Fishing Lodge in King Salmon, Alaska.

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Orvis-Endorsed Fly-Fishing Lodge in King Salmon, Alaska.

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Dan Michels, Heather or Alex Oberholtzer

Crystal Creek Lodge


Phone icon907-357-3153 Email iconinfo@crystalcreeklodge.com Link iconcrystalcreeklodge.com
1 Big Creek Road
King Salmon, AK 99613

Item #8C570000

The Story

Crystal Creek Lodge overlooks the Naknek River near King Salmon, Alaska.

The lodge is a log & rock bastion of rustic luxury and inspired hospitality. It is a magic place with 20-mile views. Bears and Bald Eagles can be seen from the dining room windows. It is a prime location where millions of salmon literally swim past on their annual run. The largest wild rainbow trout on earth swim the Naknek. The hidden treasures of nearby Katmai National Park, including the greatest trout fishing on earth and thousands of observable Brown Bears, beckon the enthusiast and adventurer within all of us.

Personal service is the hallmark of this trip. Your adventure starts long before you arrive, the moment you book your reservation. Heather Oberholtzer, one of our owners, personally handles your inquiry call and tailors your reservation to suit your needs and preferences.

A team of 24 staff members cultured in our inspired view of hospitality caters to just 16 guests. They make your trip a grand experience. Read the reviews! Whether you're a couple, a family, or a group of friends, you'll find our people welcoming and accommodating. Most of your needs are anticipated, and the few decisions you are required to make regarding your meal choices, beverage choices and adventure choices are based in sheer delight.

An inviting chef’s kitchen is adjacent to a dining room overlooking the Naknek River. The kitchen is open to guests, and you are welcome to watch our Chef de Cuisine & kitchen staff and converse with them as they prepare your meals and serve the table. Our kitchen provides some of the very best dining available in Alaska and focuses on Alaska sourced ingredients.

Getting to King Salmon, Alaska, is a breeze, and reaching Crystal Creek Lodge from there is even easier. Once you land at the airport, our staff takes care of everything. From escorting you to your room to providing an orientation and fitting you for waders, we ensure a seamless transition into your Alaskan experience.

Dan Michels, another owner, the general manager and a guide at the lodge since 1988, personally welcomes you at your first dinner. His years of experience and gentle oversight are an assurance your stay is in good hands.

Five aircraft and an array of watercraft assure our guests express service to over 75 fishing spots, nearby natural wonders and adventure activities. Your safety is priority one; if weather conditions aren't suitable for flying, our expert guides are ready to take you to the incredible Naknek River for a day of fishing. All our guides are licensed U.S. Coast Guard Captains and trained in wilderness first aid, ensuring your safety throughout your adventure.

We’ve got this.

Orvis is pleased to offer our travel customers access to two valuable services: Global Rescue travel membership and IMG Signature Travel Insurance℠.

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At the Lodge:

Crystal Creek Lodge is THE standard of luxury accommodations and remote Alaska. The lodge is made of massive logs and river rock, and is tastefully decorated with Alaskan artifacts.

EVERY guest room has a high-speed private fiber optic internet port, allowing you the freedom associated with remaining connected.


Food & Drink:

While in your hometown & desiring an inspirational break, odds are that you go to an excellent restaurant. Accordingly, you will receive the same while on vacation at Crystal Creek Lodge. We search the farms and markets of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest to bring you the finest ingredients then arrange a menu to present them. We always offer a choice of fresh Alaskan seafood OR fresh land meat at dinner. Breakfast is off of a rotating menu as well. Lunches are typically a rotating menu of proven favorite hot soups & sandwiches packed to accompany your guide in the field. Our accommodation of special needs diets is legendary.

We believe every good dinner should by accompanied by an appropriate fine wine. Our wine cellar has approximately 75 labels of new and old world wines to choose. Wine aficionados are certainly welcome to bring their own wines, yet will be surprised by the variety we have on hand.

Our famous Beaver Bar features an excellent selection of name-brand beer, craft beer, and quality spirits in a decor bound to keep your own spirit amped.

What is Provided:

Included:

  • Advertised days guided fishing, adventure or hunting activities. Advertised nights double-occupancy accommodations. Three meals per day.
  • Up to $250 per person bar credit.
  • Use of chest waders, fly rods and reels, king salmon rods and reels, spinning rods and reels and all flies, lures, and tackle.
  • Fishing and hunting licenses. Preparation of all harvested fish and game and an airline-approved non-insulated shipping container.
  • Daily housekeeping and midweek laundry services.
  • Transfers between the king salmon. Airport and the lodge.
  • All local taxes.
  • All privileges advertised within the Crystal Creek Lodge brochure or web site.

Not Included:

  • Airfare between your home and King Salmon
  • Staff gratuities
  • Alcoholic beverages consumed in excess of $250 per person per week. Massage therapy services.

Gear Recommendations:

We provide ALL waders, boots, premium rods and reels and all necessary flies, lures, and terminal tackle. A list will be provided at time of reservation for those who wish to bring their own or supplemental equipment.


What to Bring:

A comprehensive pre-trip pamphlet will be provided at time of reservation.

Season:

June 8-October 8


Species:

For many anglers, fishing Alaska is a dream come true. Most of the guests at Crystal Creek Lodge like catching a variety of fish species. All season long we have rainbow trout, dolly varden, Arctic char and grayling available. Throughout the season, we have various salmon species to catch as well. King salmon are available from the second week of June to the end of July. Silver salmon are targeted from late July through the middle of September.

Alaska fishing; please visit these pages to learn more about the fishing program:

Rainbow trout:
The rainbow trout of Alaska are fish of legend. The Naknek River and streams of the surrounding Katmai National Park region offer the finest rainbow trout fishing in the world. Crystal Creek Lodge is on the Naknek River and our guests can be casting to 25-inch-plus rainbow trout within 10 minutes of leaving our dock by boat.

Char fishing:
The chars are common to Arctic and subarctic waters, and thrive in the Bristol Bay region. They are aggressive, strong and beautiful fish that populate streams in prolific numbers. It is common for anglers to catch dozens of char in the 18-28 inch range.

King salmon fishing:
Prime king season is June 15 -July 30. Kings are the largest of the Pacific salmons. They average 15-30 pounds, though each year a handful of brawlers tip the scales in the vicinity of 50 pounds. We literally can catch kings within sight of our dock.

Salmon fishing:
Five species of Pacific salmon run the local rivers by the millions and they are thus available in prolific numbers. One or two species of salmon are available in peak configuration during any week of the season. Alaska salmon fishing at it's best! Our home river, the Naknek, sees a sockeye salmon run into the millions of fish.


Region/Terrain:

Our operations are based in King Salmon, Alaska and we will range up to 125 miles north, south, east or west to experience a wide variety of terrain, from spectacular mountains created by plate subduction and volcanic activity to rolling terrain created by glacial recession. Rivers and streams vary greatly in size and character but most are light gravel and sand bottom also created by glacial recession and thousands of years of washing.


Typical Weather:

Our weather is tempered by the nearby Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska so temperatures range from 50-65 F most weeks in the season. September will be cooler. Wet and rainy weather can occur at any time in the season; that is what makes the rivers flow. Be prepared for inclement weather to influence at least a portion of one day of your trip.

You can find all pricing information at: crystalcreeklodge.com/rates/

Additional Activities:

Bear viewing:
The nearby Katmai National Park and Preserve is world famous for its population of Brown Bears. Literally thousands live there. It is very common to see bears each day as we fly between the lodge and field destinations.

Beachcombing:
There are many places to go and find great beachcombing. What are we looking for? Shells, driftwood, interesting rocks, bones of giant sea mammals, antique artifacts and detritus from around the Pacific Ocean that washes up on shore. This is pure kids play!

Hiking:
Our roadless region of Alaska is filled with inspiring possibilities for the hiking enthusiast. We have innumerable locations to find breathtaking wilderness hikes, and the floatplane is just the ticket to get you deep into the wilderness for a day hike and back home again in time for a hot shower and delicious dinner.

Rafting and kayaking:
Two options are available for day adventures. One is a kayak day trip floating the from the headwaters of the Naknek River in Katmai National Park downriver to Crystal Creek Lodge. The other is a raft trip on a remote river in Katmai National Park. Both options have fishing available or you can just enjoy the ride.

Walrus viewing:
Three of the only regularly-used terrestrial haul outs for Pacific Walruses in the United States are within flying distance of the Lodge, two of the haul outs are on capes accessible by aircraft and one on an island accessible only by boat. We visit one site 125 miles south of the lodge that has the greatest number of approachable walrus.

National Parks:
Get out your National Park Passport and check-off Katmai National Park, Lake Clark National Park and Aniakchak National Monument. Aniakchak is the least visited Monument in the National Park system.

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