The Crystal Creek Lodge Blog is a place of possibilities, where you can learn deeper insights into how to explore the tens of millions of acres of wild Alaska surrounding us. Whether you’re after fishing, wildlife, the perspective of history or simply feeling the awe of being in wide-open spaces, it’s all here. Enjoy the journey.
The first King Salmon of the 2014 Crystal Creek Lodge season was caught today at the Nushagak River by William Oberholtzer, age 6. Guiding him was his dad, Alex Oberholtzer, pilot/guide and partner at Crystal Creek Lodge. The Nushagak run of Kings is ahead of schedule and the run is predicted to be strong! Kings…
Read more »
Giant Rainbow Trout lurk in the wide-open Naknek River and the air is stone silent, save the occasional whistling wingbeat of diving ducks as they trade amongst their flocks. Crystal Creek Lodge awaits the throng of staff to arrive late May to begin another season.
Read more »
In a stunning announcement on September 16, international mining giant Anglo-American said it was abandoning its claim to the Pebble deposit in order to pursue projects with less risk and more value. While that is a huge victory for those of us who desire to protect the wild salmon runs of Bristol Bay from the…
Read more »
Alaska Duck HuntingThe colder weather is bringing the ducks down! The ducks have been flying well on the Naknek River and all of the coastal ponds we have been hunting. The variety of ducks has been great this year from Mallards to teal and both greater and lesser scaup. Dan has been flying some trips…
Read more »
Alaska Shore Lunch Paul and Jeff H., father and son from North Carolina and Pennsylvania respectively, are smacking their lips as they anticipate delivery of fresh Silver Salmon to their plates. Paul and Jeff have fished with us several times, but for the first time they did an overnight at Yantarni. We treated them to…
Read more »
We are at the peak of the Yantarni camp Silver Salmon run. Shown is Connor holding a beautiful Yantarni Silver. Photo taken by Ryan Thompson. Ryan works with the Fly Fishing Film Tour and was at Yantarni this week to shoot a commercial short. Yantarni Salmon Camp will be a presenting sponsor of the Fly…
Read more »
A Magic Day A day of magic with guests Jack and Brad from Connecticut and guests Shari and Judith from Washington. Jack and Brad have been guests of Crystal Creek for over 15 years, and they usually bird hunt and do a little fishing. Shari and Judith love to fish and this is their first…
Read more »
Two fish, caught from two rivers, two days apart. One, a 20-inch fish that lives it’s life year round in a stream far from a lake connection, turns pigmented, spotted, green and bright red from exposure to sunlight. The other, a 29-inch fish, remains chrome and without pigment from living it’s life year round in…
Read more »
Guide Connor Scott is shown holding a Chum Salmon caught by Rick and Lee P. of Phoenix, AZ. This is Lee’s 24th trip to CCL and his first to Yantarni Salmon Camp. Rick and Lee went on a day trip. They and two other guests caught numerous Chums and Pink Salmon within sight of the…
Read more »
Yesterday we put Beaver N602AK on wheels. Man! I love that plane on wheels! It is an incredible performer. After doing a few touch-and-goes last night that allowed me to pilot Steve to brush off the dust, we put it on the schedule today to go char fishing at Becharof Lake. The guests caught hundreds. While…
Read more »