Nick Blanco Fishing - Kodiak Island, Alaska
Driftwood Wilderness Lodge
During the building of his off-grid cabin in Larsen Bay, owner Nick Blanco was featured in eight episodes of Building Alaska, the DIY network series. He now operates out of Driftwood Wilderness Lodge, his second lodge in Larsen Bay.
Kodiak Island
Captain Nick: Owner Nick Blanco has lived full-time in Alaska for 11 years, working as a fishing guide or assistant. A licensed U.S. Coast Guard captain, Nick has been in Larsen Bay for seven seasons and knows where the halibut and salmon are biting.
Catch halibut, salmon, lingcod, and rockfish and lingcod; all fantastic fighters and delicious to eat. Eat what you catch at the Lodge, or bring your fish home. The fish bag limits in Kodiak are higher than anywhere else in the state, which means you get to keep more fish that you catch. Nick offers guided saltwater charters on his vessel, The Kita, fly-fishing trips, and Cast-and-Blast options.
Typical Fishing Day:
7:00 a.m. - Breakfast
8:00 a.m. - Head out to fish.
Mid-day - Lunch on the boat.
5:00 p.m. - Help care for your catch!
7:00 p.m. Dinnertime.
Fishing Facts:
Boat: The Kita is a 32’ aluminum landing craft with twin 225 Honda 4-stroke outboards, a self-bailing deck, a heated cabin, and sponsons. The Kita is fast, comfortable, hosts up to six anglers, and its captain knows where the fish are hiding in Uyak Bay.
Species: Target king salmon from May through July. Silvers, August through October; Halibut, July through September; and Lingcod, July through December. Rockfish are available year-round.
Group Size: Groups of four to six are best on the vessel. Fishing charters are generally from 8 a.m. to - 4 p.m.
Equipment: Fishing equipment is provided. A comprehensive gear and tackle list is included in our confirmation packet.
Fishing License: An Alaska fishing license is not included $45.00 (2023). You will also need to purchase a king salmon stamp ($45.00) if fishing here in June or July.
Regulations: You can keep two halibut a day, one of any size and one under 28" daily. You can keep two kings per day with no annual limit.
Fish Care: Guests are expected to help with the fish care process. You’ll need to bring a fish box or cooler to take your fish home.
Stream Fishing
King Salmon Fishing
Lingcod Fishing
Halibut and King Salmon
Guy and Toni Schoenborn with king salmon during their exploratory trip to Driftwood Wilderness Lodge in 2022.
Cast-and-Blast Option
Cast-and-Blast options with deer or waterfowl hunting and halibut are available in the fall. Some freshwater silver fishing in September with flies or lures.
Larsen Bay
The new Driftwood Wilderness Lodge is in the Village of Larsen Bay, Alaska. It is steps from the ocean and a stream called Humpy Creek, where salmon spawn and the locals fish. The new Lodge has all the conveniences of home, including a washer and dryer. There are four double-occupancy bedrooms and two bathrooms. Electricity, Wi-Fi, and running water.
Communications: Wi-Fi is available at the Lodge.
Comfortable Living Room
Watch for bears and whales from the lodge deck and boat.
Dining Room
Delicious home-cooked meals. Nick asks that you bring extra snacks. If requested a month in advance, he can order them for you for a fee.
Alcohol: No alcohol is provided at the Lodge, and there are no liquor sales in Larsen Bay, so guests should bring their own beverages or request in advance.
