Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Rainbow River Lodge?
Rainbow River Lodge is located 210 miles to the South West of Anchorage. We are located on the Copper River, which was one of the first “Trophy Trout” Fly-Fishing only rivers in the State of Alaska. We are accessible only by floatplane. Our only neighbors are bear, moose and a few million fish.
When is the best fishing?
In order for us to answer this best for you, we need to know what you want to experience in Alaska. Each of our 5 species of Salmon enter our rivers at different times of the year. Our rainbow fishing also changes during the season as their food source changes in the rivers. June, July, August and September all offer unique experiences. We will discuss each of these time periods with you to find what experience best matches your specific interests.
How many guests are at the lodge during my week?
We only accept 14 fishermen each week. There may be less, but there will never be more. Exclusive use of the lodge may be arranged for groups of 11 fishermen.
Will my phone work at the lodge?
There is no cell service at the lodge, however, we have satellite wifi calling available on the lodge phone or your own cell phone if your phone has wifi calling capability . We always have satellite phones available as a backup or in case you want one while on the river. We also have satellite internet connection with a wireless router if you want to bring your laptop, you can get a wireless signal around the lodge.
What is the guide to fisherman ratio?
We have 7 guides on staff for a max of 14 fishermen. We are very proud of our guide team. No young kids here that are just going to take you on a boat ride or a hike. These are all older professional men who have made guiding their life. They have multiple seasons of guiding in our area with valuable local knowledge of our fisheries guaranteeing you a great day on the river.
Does the lodge provide fishing equipment?
If you don’t have the proper rod selection for your week of fishing or just don’t want the hassle of traveling with your rods, we will provide you with the necessary gear. Iliamna River Lodge provides rods, reels, flies, leaders, tippet and everything else needed to fish our rivers. We also provide waders and wading boots. You can leave your waders at home or bring your own. This has been a great service for our guests (NON-felt bottom wading boots per Alaska Department of Fish and Game rules and no-studs). We ask that you bring a great Gore-Tex rain jacket . In case you forget it though, we have a stocked pro shop at the lodge for all your needs. For more info on this please refer to our equipment page.