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.
Exclusive flyout fishing is our passion and specialty. Ugashik Narrows connects two large lakes on the Alaska Peninsula—Upper and Lower Ugashik. It is a world-renowned fishery and a favorite of fly anglers at the Lodge. Grayling, trout, Arctic char, and silver salmon are all caught there. It’s a remote area with spectacular scenery and wildlife;…
Read more »
Meet Alex and Experience the Thrill of Alaska Fishing Alex Oberholtzer is the head pilot and guide at Crystal Creek Lodge. He’s the guy who works with you to craft your Alaska fishing & adventure vacation. He’s been guiding the rivers and streams of Alaska for 25 years, 20 of them with Crystal Creek Lodge….
Read more »
Katmai National Park Fishing The world of Alaska is yours to discover, experience, and cherish. The staff of Crystal Creek Lodge takes pride in opening up that world to you through hospitality, adventure, and interaction with nature. Let’s take a minute to walk together in Katmai National Park to see many of its natural wonders….
Read more »
Brown Bear Photo Safari in Katmai National Park & Preserve Bears, Bears, Bears! We are surrounded by millions of acres of roadless, untamed wilderness full of wild Alaska brown bears. The nearby Katmai National Park and Preserve alone holds an estimated, stable population of 2,250. Without searching for them, the guests of Crystal Creek Lodge often…
Read more »
A truly exceptional wilderness experience offering diverse scenery, wildlife viewing, and some of the most amazing fishing in the world is at American Creek. It is a world-famous, prolific rainbow trout, dolly varden, and grayling fishery. Located in Katmai National Park, the American is deep in the Naknek River watershed but is a short 20-minute seaplane…
Read more »
The Wildlife, Scenery, and Brown Bears of Katmai National Park & Preserve When people envision Katmai, they think of brown bears and salmon… mostly bears. Yes, Katmai is one of the premier brown bear viewing areas in the world but it is also a wonderful backyard playground for guests at Crystal Creek Lodge to explore…
Read more »
It is a deep love of the Alaska wilderness that drives us to keep exploring the remote and undeveloped areas that we call our backyard. The sky’s the limit, above Alaska. Fly out fishing and adventures are what we specialize in. Check out our Fishing page and our Adventure page to learn more about opportunities…
Read more »
Southwest Alaska is our playground Let us probe the silent places, let us seek what luck betide us; Let us journey to a lonely land I know. There’s a whisper on the night wind, there’s a star agleam to guide us, And the Wild is calling, calling . . . let us go. – Robert…
Read more »
Alaska’s Wild Moments with Crystal Creek Lodge Take a journey and discover many of Alaska’s wild moments that Crystal Creek Lodge has to offer. This is the sort of journey that cleanses your soul, where you can breathe in the fresh air while wandering the beach in search of lost treasures, hike trails that explore…
Read more »
Best practices to catch, handle, and release fish. High fives for Fish Need Water! Check out some amazing shots of catch-and-release underwater footage of rainbow trout, char, and dollies. Thirty years ago, when Crystal Creek Lodge was founded, it was one of the first Alaskan fishing lodges to fully embrace catch and release, with zero…
Read more »