Welcome Aboard!
Here we will lay out any information you may need to ensure a great experience with Travel Creel on the Gunnison River in Colorado. Here is information regarding your trip,
This information can also be found in the printable planner in the link below.
If you will be driving to the lodge, please arrive anytime after 2pm on arrival day and please be sure to communicate your schedule with us.
If you are taking the flight from Kenai to Anchorage, please try to arrive to the Kenai Airport after 2pm on your scheduled arrival day.. We will coordinate the shuttles and be there to pick you up.
The airport is only about 15-20 minutes from the lodge.
If you have any questions about flights or getting to Kenai, please reach out to us.
Please make sure to fill out the travel details form we sent once you have your flights booked.
We will be able to make a few pit stops during the shuttle to stop for booze and any other treats you may want to bring back to the lodge.
PLEASE INFORM US OF ANY FOOD ALLERGIES OR RESTRICTIONS TO ENSURE THE BEST EXPERIENCE POSSIBLE
TRAVEL INFO
Fly into Montrose, CO. Airport code MTJ. Most major airlines service Montrose. Direct flights may be hard to come by but there are often short layovers available through Denver or Dallas.
Please book arriving flights as close to 3pm as possible.
Please make sure to fill out the travel details form we have sent you once you have your flights booked.
The Travel Creel Crew will be there waiting for you curbside, just outside of the baggage claim.
(We will be in touch on arrival day to let you know exactly where we are)
As a group we will then head to the Storm King Distillery not far from the airport, in Montrose. Storm King is a small local distillery, We will taste some of their creations and load up before hitting the road to the lodge. Storm King Recently won an award for the best American Whiskey… Check out their website here, they have some awesome stuff!
www.stormkingdistilling.com
As we hit the road to the lodge, we will be able to make some stops for other beverages.
The drive from Montrose to the lodge takes about 45 minutes.
Arrival -
Once we are at the lodge we will settle into our rooms. Freshen up after a day of travel and dinner will be served around 6PM.
The Fishing -
You made it! Captain Jordan Carter and his crew of guides are super excited to have us!
The Kenai River is known for its prolific salmon runs, Kings, Coho, Sockeye, Pinks, Dolly Varden, Steelhead... but we are here to chase Rainbows!
Trout fishing on the Kenai is one of the best opportunities to catch a trophy rainbow especially in the fall months. These fish have attained great size from eating decaying salmon parts and eggs. Flesh flies and beads are the name of the game after the salmon have begun to spawn and die.
Our week is centered around the prime time to chase these amazing fish!
We will be targeting them from drift boats each day, fishing with indicator rigs.
Please practice your casting before you get to Alaska!
Being able to throw a 7wt/8wt all day is important to your success on the water.
“Mending” is extremely important too. Being able to stack, push, and mend up and downstream will help you have better drifts... and ultimately a better shot at finding a fish!
- Gear -
Travel Creel always recommends that you bring your own equipment, however the guides are able to provide rods/reels if needed.
Please be sure to let us know prior to the trip so we can communicate your needs to the guide team.
For the Kenai, 7/8wt rods rigged with floating line are preferred.
Scientific Anglers makes a line called the Anadro taper that is excellent for indicator fishing.
Make sure you have at least 150 yards of backing, attached to the flyline with a good knot!
Guides will be supplying all flies/ terminal tackle
Be sure to bring a good raincoat and warm layers! Although we are not in full winter, weather can be unpredictable and being prepared is important to having a good time!
Waders are also recommended.
They function as excellent rain gear, and there may be instances that you will step in and out of the drift
boat.
FELT soles on your wading boots are not allowed in Alaska. Rubber only!!
The guides have also asked that your rubber soles do not have studs in them.
Fishing Licenses
We will be fishing for a total of 4 days. The 7 day non-resident license is
$45 and can be purchased ahead of time online at this link.
https://store.adfg.alaska.gov/Home/Guest
Travel Insurance
TCH Highly recommends travel insurance for all your adventures.
Please reach out to us if you need assistance choosing the right insurance for you.
- The Lodge/Food Program -
Travel Creel will be taking care of all of your meals!
Typical Day on the Kenai
6:30am - Coffee is served in the main lodge
7:00am - The Travel Creel crew will serve a delicious breakfast to get you going.
7:30am - Pack up your lunch bags, and meet up with your guides for the day,
head out and hit the water!
3:00pm - Reel em up.. time to head in.. We will pick you up and head back to the
house for some R&R.
5:00pm Appetizers and cocktails will start flowing
5:30pm- Dinner is served family style.
7:00pm- Have a nightcap, take a stroll to the water, or turn in... Mornings come fast
in Alaska!
- Departure -
We will be preparing a grab and go breakfast on the morning of departure.
We will run shuttles based on when you need to leave.
When booking departing flights, please try to book between 9-11am
If you have made other arrangements or have concerns, please let us know
prior to the trip.
- What is included -
- 5 nights accommodations
- 4 days guided fishing
- All meals provided by Travel Creel
- Airport Shuttles
- Terminal Tackle
- What is not included -
- Airfare / Travel Expenses
- Booze
- Fishing Licenses
- Gratuities *Gratuities are a personal decision based on the service that you received.
It is customary to tip your guide after each day, and the lodge staff at the end of your
stay*
Typical gratuities
- Guide tips - $150 per day - per boat (split with boat mate)
- Lodge Staff tips - please budget $200-$250 per angler
