The Goodnews River, in southwest Alaska, is 450 miles from Anchorage. The Goodnews, a three-branch wilderness river system, runs along the Togiak National Wilderness Refuge before emptying into the Bering Sea. Goodnews River Lodge is the only full-service fishing lodge on the river.
"That's what Goodnews River Lodge is to me... that little tiny village in the middle of nowhere where everyone is insane about fishing." - Mike Gorton - owner
Goodnews River
The Goodnews River has excellent runs of all five species of Pacific salmon, sea-run dolly varden, resident leopard rainbows, and Arctic grayling. The Lodge is a fixed camp right on the river just above tidewater and is not a fly-out camp. The Lodge has access to over 490 miles of the river, feeder creeks, braids, sloughs, and tidewater fishing. The Goodnews River is restricted to artificial flies and lures with a single hook only. No treble hooks. Species: The season kicks off in late June with the arrival of king salmon, teamed with rainbow trout and grayling fishing.
In early July, thousands of chums and sockeyes move into the river. Sea-run dolly varden arrive in mid-July, and some of the season's largest dollies up to 30" are caught during this time. In even-numbered years (2024 and 2026), thousands of pink salmon flood the river. In 2024 and 2026, aim for a Grand Slam, when an angler lands all five species of Pacific Salmon in one day. The Lodge is best known for its silver salmon season. Silvers begin showing up in mid-July until the camp closes in mid-September. Fishing Seasons at a Glance: King Salmon: June 16 - July 24 Grand Slam: July 24 - August 7 (Kings, Chum, Sockeye, Dollies, and Rainbows) Silver Salmon: August 7 -September 4
The Fishing Program
2024 Season: The Lodge season runs from June 19 through September 11, 2024. Jet Boats: Sea Arks, Lowes, and Roughnecks with up to 115 HP Yamaha motors. Guides: You'll fish two anglers per guide and jet boat. Mike, the Lodge owner since 1996, is onsite all season. All guides have had prior experience on the Goodnews River. Each guide has his favorite fishing methods and sections of the River, so you'll fish with a different guide each day. Equipment: All flies and lures are provided. In addition, the Lodge has a supply of loaner gear, including rods, reels, waders, and wading boots, at no cost should you need them. Two-handed spey rods are not available. The Lodge has a drying room for your gear. A complete list of equipment and gear is included in our confirmation packet. Fishing License: Your fishing license and king salmon stamp, if applicable, are not included in the package. Fish Care: Strict catch-and-release on all trout and grayling. If you want to take salmon home, they will vacuum seal up to 25 pounds of your catch and pack it in airline-approved waxed boxes for your trip home.
Fishing The Goodnews
The Scenic Goodnews
Typical Fishing Day: 5:30 am - Generator power is turned on for the day. 6:00 am - Hot coffee and tea are available. 7:00 am - Family-style breakfast buffet. Afterward, you'll make your lunch at the sandwich bar. 8:15 am - The boats depart for a full day of fishing. 5:30 pm - Boats return to the dock. 6:00 pm - Enjoy appetizers at the Lodge. 7:00 pm - Dinnertime. After dinner, discuss fishing options with your guide for the next day, then enjoy a game of ping-pong or get in more fishing in front of camp. 10:30 pm - The Generator is turned off, allowing for a good night’s rest.
Goodnews Dolly Varden
In mid-July, as thousands of king, chum, and sockeye salmon that have entered the river start their spawning rituals, the Goodnews gets a world-class run of sea-run Dolly Varden. These chrome-bright fish follow the salmon upriver, lining up beside the rainbows to feast on eggs. You can sightfish to rainbows and dollies as they stack up behind the spawners!
Goodnews Rainbow Trout
Resident Rainbow Trout are beautiful, healthy fish averaging 18-22″ with many larger fish up to 30″ landed each season. They are available all season. Streamers work well, and when the water hits 48 degrees, they will eat a deer hair mouse skated across the surface. Once the spawn begins, the Bead Egg is hard to beat. All rainbows are catch-and-release, so pinch those barbs and minimize their time out of the water. The Lodge never fishes the same stretch of the river two days in a row, allowing the fish to rest between trips.
Silver Salmon Run
Silvers enter the river by the last week of July and keep pouring in until after the camp closes in early September. Averaging 10-15 pounds, chrome-bright, and fresh from the Bering Sea, these silvers aggressively take a fly or spinner. They are the ultimate fly-rod fish, especially targeting them with a popper on the surface. Fifty-plus fish days are the norm in August, chucking streamers.
You'll fish for silvers in the tidewater portion of the river. You'll also follow them up all three branches of the River as far as 25 miles from the mouth. Silvers by the hundreds are resting in every break from the main river current and pushing their way into the numerous sloughs and creeks upriver.
The Winged Grayling
The Goodnews has a large population of these old-timers. Grayling can live to be over 30 years old in Alaska. The Lodge targets them with a 3 to 5wt rod and a floating line, small streamers, and skated mice, and when the sun pops out, Elk Hair Caddis can be deadly.
Special Weeks at the Lodge
KID'S WEEK – July 24-31, 2024: The Lodge loves to welcome future anglers. For the week of July 24-31, each full-paying adult can bring a kid under 16 for only $3,500.00, which includes the charter flight between Anchorage and Goodnews. Kids can learn to fish, tie flies, and more.
Cast-and-Blast Options
The CAST AND BLAST is offered for two weeks. Aug 28 - Sept 4, 2024, for the three days (Waterfowl season opens Sept. 1), and September 4-11, 2024. Limited to six guests per week. Hunt for ducks early or late, then fish for silvers and rainbows for the rest of the day. Hunters will need a Federal Duck Stamp, a State of Alaska Duck Stamp, and an Alaska Small Game hunting license.
Guided Fishing
Twelve Elevated Tent Cabins
Elevated, cabin-style tents with carpeted wood floors, extra long beds with flannel sheets and thick comforters, and a bath area with a shower, a sink, and a toilet. The cabins have lighting and thermostat-controlled propane heat. Two guests per cabin. One tent can accommodate three guests. The bathhouse has six complete bathrooms. There is also a drying hut for your gear. The Lodge hosts 16 to 24 anglers, depending on the week.
Gourmet Meals Served in Dining Hall
Meals: At 7:00 a.m., hot breakfasts with pancakes or french toast, bacon, sausage, freshly baked muffins, bread, hash browns, quiches, hot and cold cereals, fruits, and, of course, eggs to order. After breakfast, you'll make your sandwich or wrap at the lunch bar and grab sodas and cookies. The guides bring along hot coffee and tea, plus drinking water. Hot soup is always available at the lodge--and looked forward to on rainy days. If you want a shore lunch, tell your guide the night before, and he will arrange it. Appetizers are in the evening, and then dinner at 7:00 p.m. Entrees include prime rib, halibut, BBQ, and nightly salmon. Delicious nightly desserts. Alcohol: No alcohol is provided at the Lodge. You may purchase alcohol in Anchorage, but be mindful of the 50-pound checked weight limit on the charter flight.
Cabin Interior
Communications: Complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi. WhatsApp is recommended as no cell service is available at the Lodge.
Appetizers Sometimes Include Caviar
Recreation Hall
After dinner each evening, you'll have some free time. In the Recreation Hall, play Foosball or Ping Pong, tie flies, or tell tall tales of the one that got away. Or, if you still have the strength, wrestle with more fish right out in front of the Lodge before bed.
Getting to the Lodge:
You'll fly to Anchorage on a Tuesday. Your trip requires an overnight stay in Anchorage. (Airfare, hotel nights, ground transfers, and meals in Anchorage are not included in the package.) From Anchorage, the Lodge has arranged a private charter flight with TransNorthern Aviation to Goodnews Bay. This 450-mile scenic flight is a highlight of the trip. Flight check-in time is 9:00 a.m. with normal departure at 10:00, weather permitting. Please limit your baggage to 50 pounds plus a 10-pound carry-on. For overweight baggage, fees may apply. For the 2024 season, roundtrip air between Anchorage and Goodnews Bay is $1,375.00 per person and is not included in the package. Price is subject to change. When you exit the plane, have your Gore-Tex rain gear ready in case of rain. After a 20-minute boat ride upriver to the Lodge, it’s time for a quick lunch, gear up, and get in a half day of guided fishing! Departure Day: At the end of your stay, the charter will get you back to Anchorage at approximately 3:00 p.m., weather
permitting. Do not schedule a flight home prior to 6:00 pm in the case of a weather delay.
2024 Rates:
Season: June 19 through September 11, 2024. All Packages are for 7-nights and 6.5 days of guided fishing Wednesday to Wednesday Schedule
• June 19-26: $7,995.00 per person Kings, Rainbows, Grayling, Chum, Sockeye
• June 26 - July 3: $7,995.00 per person Kings, Chum, Sockeye, Rainbows, Dolly Varden
• July 3-10: $7,995.00 per person Kings, Chum, Sockeye, Dolly Varden, Rainbows
• July 10-17: $7,995.00 per person Kings, Chum, Sockeye, Dolly Varden, Rainbows
• July 17-24: $7,995.00 per person Grand Slam Week: Kings, Chum, Sockeye, Dolly Varden, Rainbows
• July 24-31: $8,200.00 per person KID'S WEEK Grand Slam Week: Rainbows, Dolly Varden A full-paying adult can bring a kid under 16 for $3,500.00
• July 31 - Aug 7: $8,995.00 per person Grand Slam Week: Silvers, Rainbows, and Dolly Varden
• Aug. 7-14: $8,995.00 per person Silvers, Rainbows, Dolly Varden
• Aug. 14-21: $8,995.00 per person Silvers, Rainbows, Dolly Varden
• Aug. 21-28: SOLD-OUT
• Aug. 28 - Sept. 4: $8,995.00 per person Silvers and Rainbows
• September 4-11: $8,200.00 per person Silvers and Rainbows Cast-and-Blast Week add $150 per day for duck hunting.
• Boat transfers between Goodnews Bay and the Lodge • 6.5 days of guided fishing • All flies and lures • 25 pounds of your vacuum-sealed salmon, if desired • 7-nights tent lodging • Meals and non-alcoholic beverages at the Lodge • Wi-Fi, mainly for emails
The Packages Do Not Include:
• Airfare to Anchorage, and return • Hotel, meals, and ground transfers in Anchorage • Roundtrip charter flight Anchorage/Goodnews Bay, $1,375.00 p.p. (2024) • A Native Land Fee of $120 per person • Alcohol, may be purchased in Anchorage • Alaska Fishing License, $45 • King Salmon Stamp, $45 • Duck Stamps • Gratuities to guides and staff • Global Rescue • Travel insurance • Anything not covered under inclusions.
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Goodnews River Lodge Policies: Charter Flight: All guests must take the Charter flight. There is really no other way to get here. Goodnews River Lodge will not be held responsible if you miss the Charter.
Deposit Policy: Reservations are accepted on a first-come first-served basis. Reservations will not be confirmed until we receive your 50% non-refundable deposit per guest. Due to our short season and the need to plan far in advance, all monies are non-refundable. Since all monies are non-refundable due to our short season, we highly recommend that you consider purchasing
travel insurance. And, we highly recommend that you consider medical evacuation insurance through Global Rescue.
Cancellation Policy: Notification of cancellations must be received in writing. If you must cancel, the Lodge will offer you the option to move your trip to another week in the season, if space is available. If none is available, they will allow you to find someone to come in place of you in your original week. We reserve the right to assess a fuel surcharge should one become necessary.
