Lorenky1

Hello again. Thanks so much for your help so far. So we have done some research, found a couple of fishing guides that offer great sounding guided walk-in fishing trips away from the crowds on the Kenai and Russian rivers for reds. Also talked to Redoubt Mountain Lodge which is on Crescent lake and liked them alot. They are a fly in lodge and we can fish for reds with them away from the combat fishing and also be taken bear watching, for about the same price that Brooks Falls, 2 days of guided fishing, and lodging will cost. We are a bit concerned about the cancellation policies at Redoubt Mountain which is losing 50% of the very hefty deposit if we cancel even a long time before the date, it makes us hesitate but we still may do it. So the question is: we don't have the time or money to do both plans, if we do Redoubt Mountain Lodge, that's all the fishing and bear viewing we do. Think we should give the Russian and Kenai rivers a miss for the wilderness lodge experience?

spirobulldog

I would go for the Lodge and skip the rivers. Of course, it would be nice to hear from someone who has actually stayed there. I take it you are doing the 2 night stay?

Alaska Homestead Lodge looks interesting as well. All 3 get good reviews on Tripadvisor.com Looks like Alaska Homestead only charges 10% cancellation outside of 30 days. However, they do charge for vacuum sealing your fish.

I say "Go For It"- looks fantastic. makes me want to do it.

Lorenky1

We looked at all three, Homestead, Silver Salmon Creek and Redoubt Mountain, and all looked great. I particularly liked Silver Salmon Creek Lodge. But what swayed us is that the other two only have Silver Salmon in mid-August and pinks in July and we really want to go in July for the reds or kings, plus I think the July weather is better for flightseeing and such. Actually I was just trying to work out an itinerary and it seems that if we go to Redoubt Mountain it ends up being a bit cheaper and takes a day or two less than doing the guided fishing at Cooper Landing and then going to Homer for Brooks falls. We may even be able to squeeze in a day at Cooper Landing to at least see the run there, the reafting in the Kenai canyon looks fun and I'd like to see the salmon jump up Russian River Falls. But of course going to Redoubt means no Brook Falls and those classic pictures. I told my husband tonight we actually need a month and $20,000 to really do this right, (ha ha). I looked at Redoubt's website again and I think I read it wrong, it's not really clear if there is a penalty for canceling months in advance, they only say they take 50% of the deposit if you cancel within the month and the whole amount within the week of your arrival, and that seems reasonable.

spirobulldog

The excursions to Alaska are very expensive, especially the ones that require air, or are in a remote area. Far more expensive than Hawaii, imo. But I guess with tourist there for only a couple of months, they have to be high just to begin to make a profit. Another point, if I can't do a trip the way I want to, then I don't go. For us, its more about time than money. It is extremely hard for us to be away more than 5 or 6 days at a time. Have a great trip! I think you finally narrowed down your fishing and bearviewing part of it. I hope to go back to Alaska sometime(several trips), don't see it happening in the next couple of years, have to many other places I want to see.

you should search on here for Bill's photos they are amazing photos of bears, and the lynx is just incredible

I remember seeing one of his photos with a cheetah that is the best ever.
Maybe he will put a link on here. They are that good

Lorenky1

Thanks, yes, we still don't know exactly what we will do but we have a better handle on the choices, thanks for all the help clarifying the options.