Skip to content
 
  • Wild Alaska Blog Image

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. 

Hello, Dolly

Hello, Dolly

The sea-run Dolly Varden are flooding into the Bristol Bay area rivers, following the salmon from the ocean to the spawning creeks. The Dollies are stacking the catch numbers substantially as our guests fish small streams.  Shown is pilot/guide Alex holding a Dolly caught by guest Joe W. of Long Beach, CA.  Joe just completed…

Read more »

Miss Virginia’s Big Day of Small Stream Fishing

Hello, Dolly

As the millions of Bristol Bay Salmon begin entering the small streams on their way to spawn, they draw from the lakes and rivers Rainbow Trout and Dolly Varden, hungry fish that follow eagerly to await the deluge of eggs about to be dropped by the salmon as they spawn. All of our guests fished…

Read more »

The Black Mamba of Salmon…

Hello, Dolly

We woke today expecting to fly out all the guests.  Duane went to the dock at 5:30 to report the “Black Mamba”, a procession of nose-to-tail Sockeye Salmon several thick, was snaking past the dock.  We quickly re-geared all the guests to the Naknek fleet of boats and in short order, all 14 guests had…

Read more »

The Rivers are Alive with Salmon!

Hello, Dolly

The Kings are in both the Naknek and Nushagak Rivers. Alex and Josh state it’s the best they’ve seen in years.  One angler reported bringing 21 Kings to the net yesterday.  Incredible!  Sockeyes are running the Naknek, Kvichak, Egegik and Ugashik systems and we have had great days at each thus far. Great weather has…

Read more »

Is It Safe to Fish With or Watch Bears?

Hello, Dolly

Most bears tend to avoid people. In most cases, if you allow a bear to do the right thing, it will. Many bears live in Alaska and many people enjoy the outdoors, but surprisingly few people even see bears. Only a tiny percentage of those few are ever threatened by a bear. A study by…

Read more »
Read 450+ Orvis reviews