Ravencroft Fishing Lodge offers two distinctly different types of fishing packages. You can either come to the Lodge on a Guided Package, or you may choose to do a Self-Guided Fishing Package in Valdez, AK. Choosing the right package for you and your group depends upon several factors, including your experience and comfort level, as well as experience with operating boats and/or kayaks in a coastal marine environment. Also, your familiarity with Alaska weather and wildlife.
Self-Guided
Fishing
Our Self-Guided fishing packages are less expensive than our
Guided packages, and designed for people with some fishing
experience, or those who simply feel they would prefer to
'be your own guide, on your own schedule', while at the
lodge in Valdez, AK. The lodge provides an informative
training/orientation which covers the operation of the
particular fishing skiff or kayaks to be used, as well as
all peripheral gear, safety equipment & radios, and safety
procedures. Also included are discussions of the area's
geography, weather, fishing hotspots, fishing methods,
which can be as detailed as you request.
Although incredible fishing grounds are 5 minutes away and
usually within site of the lodge in Valdez, AK. We feel that our
training/orientation will address every aspect of your
stay at the lodge, we do not guarantee that it will cover
any and all situations that may arise, nor that it will
enable you as a watercraft operator or group participant,
to make a proper decision if an emergency occurs while
your are fishing or kayaking.
Trip Itinerary Saturday
-Travel to Anchorage, then onto Valdez arriving on the last
flight at 5:30pm. We will be there to great you at the gate
and load your luggage into our complimentary 15-passenger
van. We will then stop by any stores for last minute items,
then head over to the dock. We'll then head out on our USCG
approved catamaran boat, the "Viking" and arrive in the
evening at the lodge. It's a short 1 hour ride and you may
encounter whales, sea lions, porpoises and sea otters while
in route. Once we arrive at the lodge, you'll get settled
into your rooms and then come down to the dining hall for
dinner and a quick orientation. Your the free to explore the
lodge and surrounding area before heading off to your room.
Sunday - Start
your day off with a hearty breakfast, while the lodge staff
prepares one of our 18' skiffs with tackle, bait and fuel.
We'll get you started in the right direction for fishing
holes or just stay with in sight of the lodge. You may
encounter bears cruising the coast lines, migrating whales
and floating sea-otters. Close the day down allowing enough
time to head back to the lodge in time for you to freshen up
just before dinner. Once at the lodge, our staff will assist
you in hanging your catch for any pictures that you may
want. We will then assist in showing you where the fish
processing table is located and how the vacuum seal
equipment works.
Monday - Spend
another great day of fishing or hike one of the trails among
the 200+ acres that the lodge is located on. There are some
breath taking views that can be found just above the lodge!
You can also take one of the lodge ocean kayaks out for a
relaxing evening tour before dinner, launching from the
lodge beach. It is entirely up to you and how you spend your
days either fishing, kayaking, hiking or just lounging at
the lodge.
Tuesday -
Another great day of fishing or exploring!
Wednesday -
Another great day of fishing or exploring!
Thursday - On
the last day, most folks have filled their fish boxes by now
and are more then satisfied with what they will be taking
home. You can continue fishing/exploring from your 18'
skiff, go for a hike or take a side-trip Columbia Glacier
Kayaking/Wildlife Day Trip. This trip can
also be arranged anytime during your stay at the lodge.
Columbia Glacier is the second largest Tidewater glacier in
Prince William Sound. Its calm waters make it an ideal
kayaking location. This is wonderful experience to be had by
all. There is a added cost for this trip ($220 per person,
2-6 guests). There is a spectacular sea lion rookery to see
while traveling to the glacier, so bring your camera for
this adventure!
Friday -After
breakfast, we'll get gear, luggage and fish boxed up and
ready for a 9:00am departure from the lodge. This allows
enough time to head back to Valdez for a 12:00pm flight so
you can travel back to Anchorage to your connecting flight
back home. (Floatplanes will follow the same schedule, but
the only floatplane service is from Cordova, AK or
Anchorage, AK. Just remember that floatplanes have a strict
weight limit and you may have to charter a second plane for
extra fish boxes.)
Self-Guided Activities included at the lodge
There are many more things to do
then just sport fishing while visiting the lodge in Valdez. The lodge
has over 200+ acres to explore and there are trails that
lead to the top of the property that offer spectacular
views. Single and Tandem Kayaks are also available for all
lodge guests at any time during the day. Cast off from our
secluded beach and enjoy the surrounding wildlife and
diverse eco-trips that can be found within sight of the
lodge. There are no crowds here and being remote offers the
real Alaskan experience! The area of Prince William Sound
where the lodge sits, is sandwiched between the inlet and
the Great Pacific Rainforest. There are literally hundreds
of miles of deserted bays, lagoons, sheltered beaches along
its shorelines. It is an undiscovered kayakers paradise.
From the Lodge, one may go for a few hours or an all day
adventure into these seldom-visited coastal mountain inlets.
Just remember to make it home in time for one or our famous
home cooked meals.
Comfortable, heated bedrooms - including bedding and towels.
Bathrooms & hot showers-accessed from the covered porch which surrounds the sleeping quarters building.
Meals - Three meals per day. Breakfast and dinner served in the lodge dining room, with a sack lunch on the boat or back at the lodge.
Fishing skiffs and/or kayaks - equipped with all Coast-Guard required safety equipment.
Fishing rods/reels - spinning rods for Salmon & Trout & deep-water rods for Halibut & Rockfish
One heavy-duty fish-box, which holds 50+ pounds of cleaned, frozen fish (additional boxes, if requested, are for sale at the lodge)
Daily checking and re-fueling of your fishing skiff by lodge staff
Lodge staff assistance in helping you to clean & package your catch, and place into lodge freezers.( we assist you, we do not perform the task)
Vacuum Sealing.
Satellite T.V.
Wireless Internet
Packages Do Not Include:
Water-taxi or float-plane transportation costs (We can help with arrangements but you pay for this separately)
Bait, lures - Available for sale at the lodge
Fishing License
Alcohol
Other personal expenses due to weather or delays in flights.
The Weather and What to Bring- Alaskan weather is unpredictable and can change hourly. Summer temperatures range from the mid-60's to the low 70's. Rain and showers are frequent in the summer months. Even on the sunniest days of summer, the temperature may feel cool. Layered clothes is a good idea, and you will find that long sleeve shirts feel good on most days. A light jacket will probably come in handy. Good rain gear is a must, along with warm head gear. Good rubber soled shoes, or rubber boots. Be sure to bring a camera, flashlight, binoculars and your personal items. Bring your favorite spinning rod or fly rod, or the lodge will supply one.
