Written by Adam Cuthriel of Fishhound Expeditions
In addition to a more traditional lodge experience (but perhaps still incomparable, as it’s deluxe in every way despite being exceptionally remote), Fishhound Expeditions offers something fairly unique: multi-day, fly-in, float expeditions into wild Alaska.
Alaska and incredible fishing are synonymous! Our huge state has more rivers and lakes than, well, almost anywhere. But, with the size of our state and its inherent rugged nature we have fewer roads than the tiniest states in the union. So, what does this mean for anglers wishing to fulfill their dreams of wild fish and vast expanses of wilderness?
This means that in addition to the conventional methods used to access rivers such as driving, hiking, and floating one may need to enlist a more unique means…a helicopter!
Helicopters provide some of the greatest access to Alaska’s countless rivers and lakes, and unlike conventional fixed wing aircraft which are dependent on an airstrip; helicopters can land nearly anywhere, from tiny gravel bars to remote alpine tundra.
Air travel has long and storied history in Alaska. And it’s true: nearly everyone here is a pilot, has flown, or spent many hours in small aircraft. In fact, air travel is the only way a lot of smaller “bush” communities are accessed. Fixed wing aircraft is a great way to access prime fishing locations that have a great history of producing wild fish. However, there are many, many smaller systems and systems that do not yet have a great history and have “flown” under the radar because there aren’t any landing strips or lakes where planes can land. This is where helicopters shine! These amazing aircraft are safe, stable, and meticulously looked after by the pilots, mechanics, and the FAA. In addition to being a super effective means of gaining access to hard-to-reach areas, heli’s are also generally more affordable to anglers than their fixed wing counterparts. These factors are why heli-fishing is opening up new frontiers in the last frontier.
Heli-Fishing Options - Day & Overnight Trips
For most heli-fishing in the state anglers will travel to our main hub which is Anchorage. From there they will travel either by air or road to a smaller city or town. Then from that point they will hop in the “bird” and be flown to a fishing paradise. There are a variety of heli-fishing options, from single-day fly-out trips, multi-day remote float trips, to high-end flyout and back everyday lodge trips. Basically, there is a heli option for every budget from super lavish to true dirtbag fish bum!
No matter the budget, anglers will not be disappointed in the product they receive. Fly-in fishing in Alaska is phenomenal, however heli-fishing takes it to a whole new level and the variety of options make it accessible to most anglers visiting Alaska. If you’re on a budget or short on time you can choose to do a single day heli-fishing fly out. For overnight heli-fishing trips you can vary the length of your trip to suit your budget…and for those with no budget, there are high-end lodges where the lodges have their own helicopters to fly guests out to remote waters daily.
I have been fortunate enough to heli-fish and guide heli-fishing throughout Alaska and Kamchatka. The experiences, memories, and stories it has given me has shaped the angler I have become. The access, affordability, and ease these amazing machines offers anglers is something that has been greatly overlooked in our sport/lifestyle. I had been on many fixed-wing fly out trips before I started heli-fishing and was used to the incredible access a plane offered. But with planes, the pilot, landing strips, or lakes dictate where you go.
The first time I was scouting a new river with one of my favorite heli pilots, we were flying right over the river through an incredible broad canyon, and I could see the spawning salmon and splashes on the surface as fish moved through the gin-clear water. I was used to being told where we would land and was almost expecting this when the pilot looked at me and she asked “where do you want to land?” I was speechless!
I asked if we could fly up a few more bends and she agreed, and there it was: a tiny little gravel bar where the river above braided into many tiny little braids full of fish! The gravel bar was probably only 30 or so feet in circumference. She sat the helicopter down so perfectly and smoothly I barely knew we were back on the earth! I had never experienced such freedom or choice in exploring wild places and chasing fish! I got all my gear unloaded and the helicopter flew off.
Immediately I was greeted by the sounds of the river, and of complete silence. The only tracks in the sand were of bear and birds. Looking over the water I could see countless Silver Salmon and Chum Salmon and moving in between them were Trophy Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden, and Arctic Grayling. Few if any people had ever been this far up in the system and if they had they took such care to make sure their presence was not left behind. This is the type of experience heli-fishing offers anglers in Alaska!
Adam Cuthriel is the owner and operator of FishHound Expeditions, located in the town of Willow, Alaska just an hour north of Anchorage…FishHound Expeditions offers heli-fishing day trips as well as 5-10 day fully-guided remote heli-fishing float fishing adventure to Western Alaska for those looking for the ultimate Alaska fishing adventure. There are a variety of options for heli-fishing in Alaska, but what separates FishHound Expeditions is their passion, knowledge, amenities, gear, and continuing exploration with these amazing aircraft. Their gear is handmade or purchased specifically to fit in helicopters, which allows them to bring incredible freshly prepared food, great comfortable camp scenes with cots & pads, separate sleeping tents for clients, and specific cooking/eating shelters, and lots of room for beer/wine.
