Last week, Alaskan Governor Mike Dunleavy initiated the process to appeal Pebble Mine’s denied permit. The US Army Corps of Engineers denied Pebble Mine’s permit application back in November, due to its failure to comply with the Clean Water Act. Despite enormous support for protecting Bristol Bay–the location of the would-be mine and a multi hundred million dollar salmon fishery–Governor Dunleavy seeks to resurrect the mine.
“The flawed decision by the Alaska District creates a dangerous precedent that will undoubtedly harm Alaska’s future and, any potential project can fall victim to the same questionable standards,†said Governor Dunleavy in a press release. “We have to prevent a federal agency, in this instance, the Alaska District of the Army Corps of Engineers, from using the regulatory process to effectively prevent the State from fulfilling a constitutional mandate to develop its natural resources.â€
The ‘flawed decision’ that Dunleavy refers to is the Army Corps permit denial. The Corps denied Pebble’s permit under sound science and federal law, finding, “the project would likely result in significant degradation of the environment and would likely result in significant adverse effects on aquatic system or human environment.”  Further, the Corps “concluded that the proposed project is contrary to the public interest,” Army Corps Alaska District Commander Col. Damon Delarosa said in a statement.
Yet, Dunleavy remains focussed on pushing this mine forward by claiming federal overreach. You may remember the Pebble Tapes, a series of videos uncovering the corruption of Pebble Mine. In one of the videos, Pebble executives bragged about their relationship and influence with Governor Dunleavy, “the Governor and I are pretty good friends.”
“Flawed can only be used to describe the Dunleavy Administration’s logic here. The science is clear that the proposed Pebble mine will cause permanent and catastrophic harm to Bristol Bay’s waters and fisheries,” said Nelli Williams, Alaska Director of Trout Unlimited. “At every turn, Alaskans have made clear that developing the Pebble deposit is a risk they’re unwilling to take. This appeal just goes to show Governor Dunleavy has lost sight of Alaska’s best interests and is out of touch with the people he’s supposed to represent.â€
Save Bristol Bay is calling on us to call the Governor’s office and let him know that his appeal is irresponsible and threatens Bristol Bay. Bristol Bay will not be actually preserved until the surrounding land is permanently protected–we’ll see if 2021 can accomplish that goal.
Fat rainbow trout, colorful leaves, and sprinkles of rain make Alaskan Autumns awesome. During this time, rainbow trout gorge themselves for the long winter ahead and get fatter than almost anywhere else in the United States. From Southcentral to Western Alaska, amazing fishing is to be had. With most of these areas being so remote, these fisheries are pristine and for the most part, relatively unpressured. This makes the cooler months of Fall the best time to experience the chunky Rainbow trout in Alaska that dwell under the cold Northern waters.
This September, we were lucky to head up to the Iliamna River and stay at the Iliamna River Lodge for a chance to learn more about targeting these beautiful beasts in their natural environment. Feel free to CLICK HERE to check out how you can explore one of the most remote fisheries in the world.
Why is Fall in Alaska so special for rainbow trout fishing?
Salmon are what make Alaskan fall unique from many other places. The salmon spawn around the same time leaves begin to change and rainbow trout are ready to devour the eggs. As they fatten themselves up for the long winter, these trout get impressively large. Autumn in Alaska is a quick season, it spans from August to early October, so it is important to plan a trip within that time. Although the days get shorter and shorter, the last frontier keeps one up all night thinking of the fat rainbows to be caught.
Alaskan Rainbow Trout
During autumn in western Alaska, it is not unusual to catch 25″-30″ rainbow trout, with an accumulated mass that is equally impressive. The remote location of the Bristol Bay region provides fish that do not see flies every day and will fight ferociously for their food. Once you feel the head shake of a rainbow trout in Alaska it is hard to go back to any other type of fishing. Alaskan rainbows are also incredibly beautiful, with dark colors and leopard spots.
Flies to Use to Catch Alaskan Rainbow Trout
Fall fishing in Alaska is so unique because salmon are spawning and trout are eating their eggs. As the salmon naturally die, chunks of their flesh fall off and trout also eat these along with leeches.
Here’s a list of some of the best flies to use:
Flesh Fly: Imitating dead salmon flesh, peach, and orange rabbit strips are used to create flesh flies. Even smaller remote rainbow trout will devour articulated flesh flies larger than their heads.
Beads: Some people argue that beads are not a real fly fishing technique… but fall in Alaska is one of the best times for bead fishing. One uses beads by pegging them on their line with a soft plastic peg, less than two inches above a hook. Just as one might “match the hatch”, beads can be appropriately matched to eggs found on the river bed.
Wooly Bugger: Although the wooly bugger does not represent any singular food source, it is popular amongst Alaskan fly-fishers and trout alike.
Mice:Â While your chance of enticing some epic top-water-eats is certainly higher in the fall, there is nothing more heart-stopping than watching a big fish come up and slam a mouse pattern skating across the water.
Black Leech: Tied similar to a flesh fly, the black leech uses black rabbit strips along with flash to create an attractor for large rainbow trout.
Egg-Sucking Leech: An all-time favorite for Alaskan rainbows, the egg-sucking leech is tied with a bright orange egg imitation near the hook eyelet. Commonly tied in black or purple, this fly is often smacked by rainbow trout.
Dalai Lama: Another popular fly for both rainbow trout and silver salmon fishing in Alaska, the Dalai Lama is an articulated streamer created with black and white rabbit strips.
Where to Fish for Huge Rainbow Trout in Alaska Next Fall?
The Bristol Bay Drainage in Western Alaska offers incredible Fall fishing. The trout and char become huge from munching on salmon eggs all summer and offer some of the most intense fishing you’ll ever experience. Being in such a remote part of Alaska, the only way to get to these pristine places is by bush plane.
Here are some lodges we recommend:
Iliamna River Lodge: With access to all the famed rivers of the Bristol Bay region, this lodge is dedicated to ensuring you have unforgettable memories of your time in western Alaska. From their spectacular lodge to the exquisite food, fishing is only half of the experience when staying at this pristine lodge. Located on the Iliamna River, jet boats and floatplanes will take you to incredible fishing destinations. Famed for massive rainbow trout, native arctic char, salmon, grayling, and pike, Iliamna River Lodge will not disappoint. Check out how you can book your trip HERE
Alagnak River Lodge: Located in the tidal region of the Alagnak River, the pristine wilderness experience is what Alagnak Lodge has to offer, from wildlife encounters to salmon fishing and an “at home” feel.
Mission Lodge: Overlooking Lake Aleknagik, this remote luxury lodge provides fly out fishing throughout the Bristol Bay region and has its own spa.
Alaska’s Bearclaw Lodge: Based on Lake Aleknagik, the Bearclaw Lodge offers access to five different rivers and a variety of species including arctic char, grayling, rainbow trout, pike, king salmon, and sockeye salmon.
Intricate Bay Lodge: Located near the center of Iliamna Lake, this Orvis endorsed fly-fishing lodge treats guests to the beauty of Iliamna Lake while allowing easy access to local rivers and chunky rainbow trout.
What to Pack for Fall Fishing in Alaska
While most of the lodges/ outfitters lower 48 residents will find themselves in the company of will have almost all the gear you need, it never hurts to come prepared with the essentials. If you can stow away a pair of waders, a rain jacket, and the appropriate cold-weather gear, you don’t have to worry about relying on rental gear that may not fit right.
Important Tip:Be prepared for the weather. Temperatures can get below freezing as fall reaches its end in Alaska. Especially in October, wearing the warmest clothing you have is important. Layering up is always a good idea because it is much easier to take layers off than add them. Having a rain jacket (that is 100% waterproof) is a must-have since there is nothing worse than being wet and cold!
Here is a short packing list for some essential gear we recommend:
Mountain View Sports Fly Shop employee, Keenan (@keenbo) shared some local expertise about fall fishing in southcentral Alaska. ” I think flesh flies and some smaller streamers are necessities in the fall. It is also key to have both fresh and dead egg imitations in the fall because of the variety of salmon spawn times. For example, silver salmon can spawn late into the fall so all spectrums of 8mm beads can be usable. If fresh eggs aren’t available though, the trout may transition back to flesh flies or streamers such as sculpins. Especially later in the year, finding deep water where food can easily flow to is a must. The trout don’t have to expend so much energy in the oxygen-rich depths.”
Pre-tied leaders rigged with beads, split shots, and hooks are a great tool for when it is cold out. That way when you break off it’s simple to tie on another leader without freezing your hands off!
Also, always be sure to also always handle fish with care and keep them in the water for as long as possible. If you are taking pictures, hold the fish in or over water and release it in a timely matter. Check out the Keep Fish Wet site for more tips and information.
Fly fishing in Alaska during Fall is an Unforgettable Experience!
Fall fishing for trout in Alaska is unlike anywhere else, the fish are huge, hungry, and wild. Nothing compares to catching a massive rainbow trout on flesh flies and beads. Hopefully, these tips will prepare you for an awesome adventure in the last frontier. A special thank you to Iliamna River Lodge for helping make this piece happen! To book your Alaskan fall fishing trip, CLICK HERE.
Here’s some feel-good news for these weird first days of 2021. Two Florida kids found and helped to rescue a bald eagle that had become tangled in fishing line after a hook became embedded in its beak, likely from trying to eat whatever fish was previously speared on the hook.
According to the Pasco County Fire Rescue, “Upon realizing that the animal could not fly or eat in its current condition, firefighters contacted Owl’s Nest Sanctuary — a nearby wildlife rescue and rehabilitation organization in Odessa — for assistance. A volunteer named Dianne arrived soon after and determined that the severely dehydrated eagle was likely tangled in the fishing line for days. The animal was then transported back to the sanctuary, where the fishing hook was removed.”
“After closer examination, firefighters realized that the eagle was underweight, a fishing hook was through his beak, and a fishing line was wrapped around his wing,” explained Pasco County Fire Rescue.
The unnamed eagle is current in rehabilitation before its eventual release back into the wild.
Picture yourself out on the river. The fish are hungry and biting like crazy. You’ve found the hot fly only to look down and see that it is beginning to fall apart from the abuse it has been taking. This can be very frustrating for fly-anglers alike, especially if that is the last of that pattern in your box. Having well tied, secure flies can be a game changer out on the water. This is where UV Cure Resin comes into effect. UV Cure Resins are viscous bonding agents used to securely coat thread wraps, build up glossy heads, or coat the bodies of flies. The advantage of using resins over head cement is drying time. There is no rush when using UV Cure Resins. Apply as much or as little as you need and when you’re ready, zap it with the UV torch and you’re set. In this tips and tricks video of the week, Tim Flagler of Tightline Productions and the Orvis Company demonstrates and explains the benefits to using UV Cure Resins.
How to Effectively Use UV Cure Resins
Select your resin of choice for the fly you are tying.
Apply a small amount of resin on a notepad or similar surface.
Using your bodkin, apply a small amount of resin to your fly.
Add as much or as little as you’d like to the fly before torching it.
Select the appropriate UV torch based on the resin being used and apply the light for 20-30 seconds or until hardened and dry.
Thin – Hard  is approximately the same viscosity as 30 wt. motor oil. It is easy to apply a thin, shellac-like clear coat that will cure in seconds when irradiated with sunlight or our UV flashlight. This product is a very durable aliphatic urethane which characteristically does not yellow with age.
How to Use:
Apply in shade. Irradiate with intense UV light for ONE SECOND. Wait 15 seconds. Irradiate again for one second. Wait. Complete with 30 full seconds of UV light. This technique will reduce heat & shrinkage.
While these are only two options on the market, resins come in all viscosities and colors. Do some trial and error to determine which resin suits your needs the best. It is very important to have the correct UV torch as well. Read up on the resin you choose and then select the torch appropriate for that resin. You want to get the most out of your flies after spending hours at the vise. UV Cure Resin is a great way to do that. Happy tying!
For more tying tips, check out Tightline Productions on Youtube by clicking here.
American billionaire Paul Tudor Jones II wants to make his already super-sized trout even bigger by injecting phosphorous into the river to create more habitat and food for the trout. Paul owns a 25,000-acre ranch that sits along the Blue River in Colorado. The section of the river is already known for its steelhead sized rainbow trout that many refer to as “pelletheads”. The private ranch doesn’t offer access to the general public, while many anglers do float through the area. You’ve probably seen the grip and grins and been surprised at the sheer size of these fish. So what would be the benefit of making these trout even larger?
Photo: Nick Keogh
According to an Aspen Times article, “The ranch expects that adding phosphorus to the river will grow more algae, a building block in the aquatic food-chain supporting fish. If the project helps the fish, water managers could use a similar one to restore the gold-medal status of a section of the Blue River upstream from the ranch’s property that the state delisted in 2016.”
“Scientists warn that adding too much phosphorus could create problems downstream. Excess phosphorus creates cyanobacteria, an algae that can be toxic to humans. Last summer, such algae blooms prompted the state to issue warnings and closures to lakes across the state, from Steamboat Lake, north of Steamboat Springs, to Denver’s Cherry Creek Reservoir.”
“We have to better understand those factors. And measure them. And then rate them,†said Richard Van Gytenbeek, the Colorado River Basin outreach coordinator for Trout Unlimited.
While this project could improve the habitat on the specific part of the Blue River, it could have a negative impact downstream where the Blue River meets the Colorado River.
Map by Shannon1, courtesy Wikimedia Commons.
Nick Keogh of Minturn Anglers, a permitted guide service on the Upper Colorado River stated, “This ranch is not far upstream from a part of the Colorado River that is one of the most popular stretches of river for recreation in the state that also contains one of its most important fisheries, one that many commercial outfitters depend on for their livelihoods. I would hope that the state would be absolutely certain there will be no negative downstream effects to this area, especially during low flow periods in late summer, before giving them a discharge permit.â€
So will tinkering with a billionaire’s stocked trout really worth the risk of negatively impacting an already at-risk river system downstream? It may be too early to tell as the analysis of the impacts is still on-going.
Kirk Deeter and Tim Romano from Angling Trade also make a great point in stating, “Maybe instead of figuring out how to feed unnatural fish in the Blue, it’s time to acknowledge that certain rivers have a “carrying capacityâ€.
The Blue Valley Ranch hasn’t applied for a state discharge permit, which it will need to start the project. This is a developing story.
Winter steelhead populations in the Pacific Northwest have been on the decline for many years now. They face different challenges from harvest, hydropower/dams, habitat degradation, hatcheries, to warming ocean conditions. With a plethora of different interests and stakeholders involved in the conservation of these fish, state fishing regulations just can’t keep up with the protection of these fish. Winter steelhead’s fate may be in the hands of the angler.
We recently saw a story posted by British Columbia photographer Chase White on his Instagram introducing a conservation concept that he dubbed #OneAndDone. The idea behind it is simple: as a steelhead angler, once you’ve caught and released a wild fish, opt to put your rod down for the day.Â
Here’s how Chase put it on his posting:
With winter steelhead season approaching, would you support a “one-and-done†pledge to catch only one (at most) wild winter steelhead per person per day?
Think of it like this: if you’re lucky enough to get a fish, rather than try to get as many of them as you possibly can, just kick back and celebrate your fish with a beer or a stogie for that day.
The idea is to self-regulate pressure on the resource while also fostering the ability to go out and fish as many days for these fish as you want.
What do you think? #OneAndDone?
With traction on the post building, his poll at the bottom of the story received 96% in-favor support.
We reached out to Chase for some additional thoughts, and here’s what he had to add:
“I’m glad people are so receptive to this because I think in some cases it could have a real positive impact on the health of our migratory wild fish runs. That said, this sort of thing can be a surprisingly polarizing topic. Many conservation efforts these days are, especially when it comes to migratory fish. You have to remember, these are very complex issues with many contributing factors. Beyond recreational fishing pressure, there are more, bigger, often institutional, issues detrimentally impacting these fish (ahem—gillnets), but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do things as anglers to minimize our impact (and no, by acknowledging that anglers have an impact is not going to take away their rights to fish).
Further, I’m not proposing that this should be implemented as a regulation, or that this is necessarily a good idea for every fishery. For example, you should still remove hatchery fish from rivers where regulation allows. In this case, I was talking about an opt-in practice for wild winter-run steelhead on my home rivers in BC which have no active steelhead hatcheries. Although many people have reached out in response, suggesting that they would appreciate this mindset on their home fisheries, as well.
I’m not suggesting people should fish less days. Hell, fish more days… It’s super fun and deeply cathartic. Hopefully, if we’re smart we can fish more days for these incredible fish, subsequently bringing in new generations of anglers while increasing angling license revenues to fund additional conservation efforts.
Ultimately, this is an opt-in idea, similar to keeping fish wet. You don’t have to do it. But then again, you don’t have to keep fish wet either. It’s up to you as the angler where you stand on that.â€
Where do you stand on this? #OneAndDone? Comment below.
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Comment and photo from Chase White – follow him at @anadromous on Instagram for fishy adventures and outdoor inspiration.
Want to learn more about why the #OneAndDone pledge might be necessary? Check out the film below.
Big news for Maryland’s only native trout species!
As of January 1st, the state of Maryland now requires 1) catch-and-release for brook trout in all put-and-take waters statewide, and 2) catch-and-release for brook trout in all waters located east of Interstate 81 (central Maryland).
The purpose of this action is to eliminate the harvest of mature brook trout in Maryland’s most pressured waters (put-and-take waters) and stressed populations (fish east of Interstate 81).
This is a big win for brook trout conservation because brook trout populations have decreased substantially throughout their native range. The combination of human population growth, urbanization, and climate change have resulted in considerable habitat degradation, mainly through loss of forest cover and riparian zones, increased water temperatures, and siltation. Consequently, brook trout are found in less than 35% of their historically occupied areas in Maryland.
In an effort to maintain and enhance the current brook trout populations, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is in the process of developing a conservation plan to improve population resilience. Additionally, Maryland is a signatory partner of the Chesapeake Bay Agreement. The Agreement includes the Brook Trout Outcome, which calls for an 8 percent increase in occupied habitat by 2025.
For anglers worried about their ability to harvest trout, the DNR will continue their usual stocking efforts of approximately 330,000 hatchery-raised trout per year. Outside of native brook trout, stocked trout will provide ample opportunities to catch and keep other trout species. When it comes to brook trout, the DNR believes that the value of releasing these fish is greater, both socially and ecologically than harvest, especially given the abundant opportunity to harvest stocked trout.
It is also incredibly important for anglers to be able to distinguish between trout species when deciding whether or not to keep a fish. This is especially important for the put-and-take waters where there may be populations of both wild and stocked fish including brook, brown, and rainbow trout. If you need to brush up on your trout identification skills check out this video from our friend Huge Fly Fisherman.
Brook trout populations are in constant flux due to a variety of factors. Droughts, high flows, and anchor ice are all factors that can impact the recruitment and future abundance of these fish. Eliminating harvest will not correct population declines associated with weather extremes, climate change, and land-use changes, but it may minimize further loss— particularly during stressful periods when large adults are most vulnerable.
For more detailed information on the new regulations see here. You can read the original regulation proposal, here.
In this week’s Video of the Week, we are throwing it back 6 years to Craig and its epidemic of streamer junkies. Back then it was all about Clousers, Dungeons, and buggers until the black market dealer “7wt” got ahold of some flashback and maribou. All jokes aside this video touches on the sarcasm and fun it is to be a fly fisherman. Whether you’re a dry fly purist, a nymphomaniac, or a meathead this video will give you a good laugh alongside some awesome fish from the ever famous Missouri River. So sit back and enjoy as Mark Reisler and John Arnold get to the bottom of the Streamer Epidemic of Craig, Montana.
Make sure to check out these other articles as well and remember if you ever find yourself in Craig without your meat box, you know where to look.
Southern Alberta, home to some of the most pristine wilderness and fly fishing in the world, is currently under consideration for a 1,520-hectare open-pit coal mine known as the Grassy Mountain Coal Project, funded by an Australian company Riversdale Resources. Coal mining in this region has been illegal since 1976, with the creation of the Coal Policy created in part due to potential impacts on fish and wildlife, until recently when the policy was rescinded without notice or public consultation. Open-pit mining is a process that involves destroying a mountain and separating the valuable parts from the invaluable parts, in this case, coal.
I traveled to this region from where I previously resided in Upstate New York in 2017, some 2500 miles each way, for a chance to catch both a Bull Trout and Westslope Cutthroat, one of the few places left in North America where you could catch both. In the United States, many of the remaining fisheries that still hold these fish are protected or restricted. Since 1999, the Bull Trout has been considered threatened in the United States, and in 2019, Canada moved them to a threatened status as well.
Location of the proposed Grassy Mountain open-pit mining project.
Bull Trout and Westslope Cutthroat populations are in major trouble in most locations in the United States and Canada due to habitat loss and degradation, blockage of migration corridors, and poor water quality. Bull Trout require colder water temperatures than most salmonids, need the cleanest stream substrates for spawning, and need complex habitats of lakes, rivers, and oceans that connect to headwater streams. Two of these headwaters are the exact proposed location of the mine.Â
Author with an Alberta Bull Trout.
There are several rivers in Alberta where you can catch both a Bull Trout and Westslope Cutthroat in an afternoon, one of which being the Oldman River –a river system that is easily one of the most pristine and beautiful places I have been to. The river runs 225 miles through the Canadian Rockies, with a drainage of over 10,300 square miles, before joining the Bow and becoming the South Saskatchewan River, eventually draining into Hudson Bay. The river system is not only the home to these fish and other wildlife but is also the drinking water for 200,000 people.
The Grassy Mountain Coal Project will drain into both Blairmore Creek and Gold Creek, two critical habitats for both fish species and other wildlife. According to Riversdale Resources Limited’s website, “The Project is projected to produce around 93 million tonnes of product coal over its 23-year mine life.†The company goes on to state economic benefits for the region of about 350 jobs after construction and that they have an intensive plan to “minimize or reduce overall impacts to fish and fish habitat.†It is impossible to say how much the acknowledged impact will actually have on the fishery and does not account for the possibility of any kind of unforeseen accident. It is noteworthy that although Westslope Cutthroat are mentioned in the FAQ’s regarding the mine, Bull Trout are not mentioned anywhere.
You don’t have to be a biologist to see that an open-pit coal mine placed at the headwaters of two fish species that are very sensitive to pollution and poor water quality is a bad mix. I know that there are always economic benefits to projects like these, but is there really no other way to get them than this? Can the Bull Trout, the Westslope Cutthroat, and all the other species of wildlife in the area withstand the impacts of this mine over the next quarter-century? Is it worth finding out at the cost of this beautiful fishery for 350 jobs? The author, and many others, would say no.
I got the chance to chat fishing, flying, and lodge living with Matt Bertke, owner of Chelatna Lake Lodge in Alaska. Lake Creek comes out of Chelatna Lake, and I have spent some time rainbow fishing out there, so it was wonderful to chat with him about the creek and the beauty of the area. Matt is living the Alaskan dream, but it does sound like a ton of work! Check out the interview below to learn more about what it takes to own a remote Alaskan lodge and the amazing experiences to be had at such an incredible place.
Flylords: Who is Matt Bertke?
Matt: Oh man, that’s a hard question. I am a guy who lives in the middle of nowhere, and I like to go fly fishing and snow machining. I am also a lifelong Alaska resident and private pilot. Growing up I spent winters in Anchorage and summers out at Chelatna Lake Lodge. For the past six years, I have lived year-round at the lodge and get to experience the hard work and fun times of remote living.
Flylords: What is life like living at a remote lodge?
Matt: Lodge life is not easy, there is a lot of work involved, but it is also very rewarding. Being able to share the beauty of Alaska with others is awesome. The northern light shows that I get to see all winter long are insanely beautiful.
Matt: In the summertime, I fly my Cessna 206 back and forth from Chelatna Lake to Anchorage 2-3 times a week. During the trips, I get groceries for everyone at the lodge as well as fuel and other supplies. Summer lodge life is super busy and it goes by so quick, I wouldn’t change it for the world!
Flylords: What are some challenges that come with living at a remote lodge?
Matt: Living in a place away from civilization sure has its challenges. For example, if I need something, I have to fly to get it. If the weather is bad and I can’t get to town then I’m out of luck for a few days. Logging is part of my daily life due to the lodge being heated by a wood stove, which is hard work. If something breaks down at the lodge, the only way to get parts is to snowmachine or fly them in.
Flylords: When did you start fly fishing?
Matt: I was a freshman in high school when I started fly fishing; spending summers at the lodge gave me lots of time for fishing. Thanks to my dad I started being an assistant guide at the lodge right after that. It was always fun to go out with the guides after dinner and do some rainbow research.
Flylords: What species can you fish for at your lodge?
Matt: Rainbow trout are my favorite species, and Lake Creek offers excellent rainbow fishing. Fall is the best time for rainbow fishing because the salmon start dropping eggs. The trout get super fat from eating all the eggs and late fall brings the huge bows. Fishing for arctic grayling, lake trout, and salmon is also offered at the lodge.
Flylords: What do you do all winter?
Matt: Work hard – spending winters out here is a whole lot of work. A wood stove heats the lodge, so I have to cut down trees all winter long to stay warm. There is also a considerable amount of effort involved to get groceries or any other goods. I have to get all the snow and ice off my PA-12 and heat up the engine before making the flight to Anchorage. The short days of winter also make it harder to get things done.
Matt: Although there is a ton of work involved, there are some pretty cool things I get to do! I love snow machining, and the Chelatna Lake area has some insane mountains and powder. Snowboarding is another fun winter activity that is pretty sweet to do with buddies when they come to visit.
Flylords: Why/how did you choose the lodge lifestyle?
Matt: My parents bought the lodge the year I was born, so I grew up spending summers enjoying lodge life. I always knew I wanted to run the lodge eventually, and my parents were thinking of selling it so I volunteered to do the winter caretaking. My parents and I ended up breaking a deal and six years ago I purchased the lodge and became the caretaker and owner. My parents would always hire a winter caretaker, but I decided to go all-in and move to the lodge full time. After spending one winter at Chelatna Lake, I fell in love and cannot imagine moving back to civilization.
Flylords: How has COVID affected you and the lodge?
Matt: I mean I’m in the right place for COVID… just my girlfriend, me, and the dog out here! It’s definitely not super cool to be in tourism right now, we had some big-time impacts this past summer. Once March hit my phone was dead, no one was calling. I had to decide if it was worth bringing the staff out, and I did and we got some projects done and made the most of the situation. Luckily I was able to hold on to some bookings and push others to the summer of 2021. Hopefully business goes back to normal this summer!
Flylords: Is there an experience from lodge living that you will never forget?
Matt: My first winter at the lodge it was super cold and clear, so the northern lights were amazing almost every night. That first year I also realized how many noises the lake makes. Giant ice sheets would drop and giant cracks would form. I’m not going to lie, it was kind of scary at first but now I find it pretty cool! It definitely made me feel very small compared to the huge lake. An awesome part about lodge living is that there are always amazing experiences to be had, being out in nature brings exciting challenges and adventures.
To keep up with Matt and his adventures in lodge living, follow him on Instagram @mattbertke or check out the Facebook page Chelatna Lake Lodge.
