Sky-lined on a remote mountainside, stands the best kept secret in Alaska. A quaint timber-framed lodge, constructed of materials entirely imported from Finland, overlooks the meandering banks of the Copper River. It's at this lodge, appropriately named The Ridge, that four to six anglers per week can have one of the premier experiences that Alaska's Bristol Bay region has to offer.
Each week from June through early October, adventurous fishermen make the journey to The Ridge. Anchorage is the first stop. From there, Ridge guests take a spectacular flight to the bush village of Iliamna, well off the road system. There, the transfer is made from a small 10 seat prop plane to a smaller DeHavilland Beaver float plane. A 20-minute low-altitude flight across the breathtaking Lake Iliamna sets the stage for the rest of the week. Peering out the window, it's hard to fathom the expansive 77-mile long, 1000 ft deep lake that is at the heart of the week's adventures. It's from this central location that a complex system of rivers and lakes interlace the unspoiled landscape. Once the floatplane sets down on one of these smaller lakes, anglers are taken on a short jet boat ride up one of the main arteries of the Lake Iliamna system: the famous Copper River. A few hundred feet above its bank, you will find The Ridge. While the Copper River itself could easily be the focus of an entire fishing trip, it's only the beginning. A day or two of fishing on the Copper is complemented by four or five float plane excursions to some of the region's other exceptional fisheries.
The Ridge's home-water and flyout program offers diverse fishing opportunities throughout the season. Resident and lake-run trout are taken on dry flies, swung streamers, nymphs, and mice in June and early July. Pacific salmon will also file in by the millions in July: the sustaining lifeblood of the region's indigenous people, its local economy, wildlife, and of course its trout fishery. When the salmon spawn begins in late July, the trout will feed voraciously on eggs through August and into September. During the latter half of September and into October, the trout prepare for the approaching winter with a more varied diet of flesh, leeches, sculpin, and even lamprey eels. The Copper and other rivers in the Iliamna and nearby Katmai region offer fly anglers a variety of species, but many would call the native Rainbow trout the most prized of all.
The Copper flows through a rugged, timber-filled valley. Amongst its large cobbles and cliff walls, giants reside. Some flaunt their size boldly on shallow gravel bars for all to see, inviting anglers' best sight-casted presentations; others lurk in the deep buckets, lying in wait to ambush swung flies with reckless abandon. Serene pools, riffles, and classic swing runs carve out walls of rock that serve as the perfect backdrop for fly line to unfurl over the glassy water. After landing downstream and across, your fly begins to fall, diving through the current as the swing approaches the kill zone of a lake-run, chrome torpedo. One of the best parts about swinging flies on the Copper is that it's not necessarily automatic. At times, they can require persistence, but these trophy rainbows are far more forgiving than their steelhead cousins. Still, not every cast is going to be a fish, but every cast certainly brings the possibility of a 24-30+ inch rainbow, leaving the angler in nearly constant anticipation. It's of course in these moments when anticipation begins to fade that the rod jumps out of your hand and a violent run is ignited, bringing the river and the angler to life!
Every day brings opportunities to explore new water. The variety of fishing that can be accessed by float plane is unending. A guest could visit The Ridge every year for 5+ years and not fish the same body of water twice. Whether it's floating a small river with technical pocket water and abundant sight-casting opportunities or wading an outlet river where long Spey casts are rewarded with truly massive fish, each day offers a unique experience. The fishing here is as diverse as the landscape.
The Ridge has a unique Spey fishing program during June, July and late-September/October. Their guides maximize the guests' fishing opportunities on small and mid-size rivers with the use of two-handers, not only on the big waters like many fishermen tend to assume. Choosing to Spey cast (especially on streams where others don't) opens up stretches that can't otherwise be fished with a streamer, but there are also plenty of opportunities to utilize single hand rods. It all comes down to angler preference. This being said, having seen it all for myself this past September, I would implore anglers to focus on the swing game whenever it's an option, as the area's rivers beg to be meticulously worked with a Spey rod. Utilizing 4-7 wt. Spey rods, anglers have the option to fish a variety of Spey styles. Depending on the time of the year, anglers can skate dries and swing size 10 salmon fry patterns just under the surface on a scandi head, or utilize 12 ft of T-14 on a skagit setup to get small intruders into the money zone. Regardless of how you choose to chase these fish through the week, there will be several constants: the average fish size will be overwhelmingly impressive. The fish will fight hard with exciting runs and acrobatics, and the instruction from your guides will be top notch. These factors all set the angler up to have an amazing week.
When you return from the water, you will be greeted by attentive staff, comfortable accommodations with an amazing view, and the best cuisine I've experienced at any lodge. Macy and John have created a family atmosphere at The Ridge, inviting their guests to truly check out of their everyday lives and relax. Watching a spectacular sunset from the comforts of a hot tub, guests can enjoy a cocktail while reflecting on a once in a lifetime day of fishing with anticipation of another on the horizon. Your week at The Ridge will feel much more like a private week of fishing with friends than a week at a lodge where you simply become another guest.
It's because of the unique ways that The Ridge has tailored their guest experience to satisfy the most discerning of fly fishermen that R.L. Winston has now invited this operation to become a part of our exclusive Preferred Lodge Program. We are grateful for the relationship we have with these folks and look forward to the future of our partnership. So, when you are planning your next trip, consider joining The Ridge Family for an unmatched week in Alaska.
