
My son, James, and I recently completed an eight-day fishing trip to Alaska. Our plan was to sample the fishing in a number of spots on the Alaska Peninsula, which is renowned not only for its salmon runs (all five species), but for huge rainbow trout (up to 10 pounds), grayling, char, and northern pike. We booked four days at Rainbow Bay Resort (above), in Pedro Bay; and four at Nak Nek River Camps, in King Salmon (more on this lodge later). I made all the flight arrangements way in advance -" United Airlines from New York to Anchorage and back, Lake Clark Air from Anchorage to Pedro Bay; Rainbow Bay floatplane to King Salmon; and Penn Air back to Anchorage. Rainbow Bay Resort (www.rbrlodge.com, 907-850-2234) sits at the north end of huge Lake Iliamna (which is about the same size as Lake Erie). Jerry and Karen Pippen have been running things there for 21 years. The lodge is comfortable and has all the amenities, including Internet service and television (we watched some of the World Cup while we were there). It's also in the middle of great fishing for every species you might want to catch. James and I both caught northern pike, arctic char, rainbow trout, grayling, and king salmon. We didn't have time to do a halibut fly-out, but some of the other guests did, and caught a bunch of the huge flatfish. The lodge also offers brown bear hunting, spring and fall in alternating years. Jay Cassell

Fishing in Alaska

Fishing in Alaska

Fishing in Alaska

Fishing in Alaska

Fishing in Alaska

Fishing in Alaska

Fishing in Alaska

Fishing in Alaska

Fishing in Alaska

Fishing in Alaska

Fishing in Alaska

Fishing in Alaska

Fishing in Alaska

Fishing in Alaska
