Rust's Flying Service
Founded by World War II veteran Henry "Hank" Rust in 1963, Rust's Flying Service runs out of the busy Lake Hood Seaplane Base in Anchorage, where it is the oldest and largest seaplane operator. Visit remote spots, including Lake Clark Pass, Winter Lake and the Yentna River, for king salmon, silver salmon, rainbow trout and Arctic grayling. Specialized floatplanes can land on lakes during the season, which runs from mid-May through September. Rust's offers guided and unguided trips into wilderness cabins and tent-cabin, as well as use of a boat and motor. Its pilots handle Cessna 206s, de Havilland Beavers and de Havilland Turbine Otters. Rust's offers a free shuttle from Anchorage hotels to its office.
Rust's Flying Service
P.O. Box 190867
Anchorage, AK 99519
(800) 544-2299
flyrusts.com
Branch River Air Service
If you want to get a little deeper into the bush country Alaska's fishermen love, head further west toward Bristol Bay and the Alaska Peninsula. Branch River Air Service delivers fishermen to the rivers, parks, refuges and preserves at Katmai, Togiak, the Wood-Tikchik, McNeil River and Kodiak. You'll fly-in fish for salmon, rainbow trout, Dolly Varden (trout), grayling and Arctic char. The vast Bristol Bay area provides opportunities for fly-fishing, casting and spinning. Branch River can get you to accommodations in any price range, from sport-fishing lodges to camping. Your pilot will take large groups in a de Havilland Beaver and small groups in a Cessna 206. Trips typically drop off four to six fishermen in a remote spot and pick up later the same day or after several days.
Branch River Air Service
branchriverair.com
October-May
4540 Edinburgh Drive
Anchorage, AK 99515
(907) 248-3539
June-September
P.O. Box 545
King Salmon, AK 99613
(907) 246-3437
Twin Peaks Adventures
To attain remoteness even by Alaska standards, head to Nome and hook up with Twin Peaks Adventures. Its pilots will help you fly-fish in Western Alaska for Arctic grayling, Dolly Varden, northern pike, sheefish (a form of Arctic whitefish) and all five species of Pacific salmon, including king. Grayling and the other fish need clear, clean water to survive, and they thrive in Western Alaska's Seward Peninsula. Depart Nome for float excursions or base camp with helicopter tours of fishing spots. Sheefishing tours take you to the remote Alaska Native village of Kobuk. Twin Peaks uses Robinson R44 helicopters to land on gravel bars in rivers that would otherwise be inaccessible by air.
Twin Peaks Adventures
PO Box 754
Nome, AK 99762
(907) 443-2398
twinpeaksadventures.com
