Your goal is to get to Ketchikan. Alaska Airlines can get you there from Seattle. Once you arrive at the Ketchikan airport, you will grab your bags and traverse the 50 ft in our tiny little airport to the Island Air Express kiosk. Check in and it’s a 30 min flight to Klawock where we will pick you up and shuttle you to the lodge. The lodge is about 10 mins from the airport.

No. If you are traveling from the US to Alaska, no passport is needed. You will need a real ID though.

Each room has 2 queen beds in them.

We require a deposit of $1000 per person prior to January 15.

This can work sometimes but is not always an available option. With a group with an odd number, someone could have a single room.

Each room has a spacious bathroom with a shower.

Yes. Breakfast is what I call a “continental Plus”. This means there are continental items plus different hot items each day. You will take your lunch with you out on the boat and has some assembly required. In other words, you will build your own lunch. Our evening meals are where we get to be quite fancy. We operate restaurant style where you will have a reserved table and time for your group. You will be presented with a menu of 5 to 6 items that differ each evening. Nightly appetizers kick off the evening meal with a bang and it just gets better from there.

You do not need to bring any fishing gear. We have everything you will need and we are setup for the style of fishing that works well here.

We use a style called Mooching. We believe that when trolling, a fish hooks itself and all of the most fun part is over. We enjoy the challenge of the hookup, the tease, getting them to bite is the best part. We are very successful with this style. When mooching, we will put the boat into a controlled drift in an area where fish are concentrated. You will run your own rod, free spool to the bottom or desired depth and retrieve back toward the surface. At some point, the fish is gonna getcha. We have line counters on the reels that allow you to target the specific depth your guide will instruct you to target based on what he is seeing on the sonar. This is pure fishing.

This, of course, can vary. For salmon, we are typically between 40 and 100 ft. For bottom fish, including halibut, we will fish between 150 and 400 ft.

We believe your trip should be exclusively yours! For this reason, we do not mix groups on our boats. We will fish groups as small as 2 and as large as 6 on one boat. Our pricing is structured to accommodate these group size differences. We recognize there are too many potentials for conflicts of interest; as simple as cigarettes or motion sickness.

We have great raingear and top of the line boots for everyone. You can bring your own if you prefer but that’s unnecessary.

This depends on where the fish are. The open ocean is 18 miles from the main lodge. We love to fish near the open ocean if not on it. Typical boating time is between 30-60 mins but can be farther.

We have a lot of protected water out of Craig. Rough water cannot always be avoided but we can choose very well protected areas to fish. This is a huge advantage over other areas in Alaska.

We start the day at 6 am and are back to the dock by 4pm. A 10 hr day is promised but definitely not forced. You and your group are welcome to return to the lodge when you are ready or have limited on your fish. This occurs frequently.

Chilly and wet days happen in S.E. Alaska. Even with raingear and warm clothes it is nice to step into a warm cab. We can crank the temps up to 80 degrees inside if we want to. Warming up is not a problem.

Each boat has a functioning marine head. They are definitely intended for ladies use but can work in an emergency for guys. They are compact but function well.

Although this trip is on the “high adventure side”, it is very safe. Our captains are U.S. Coast Guard licensed and know the waters very well. We have set up our vessels with all required safety equipment and more. Each boat has three engines but can come home on only one at full speed. Our boats are equipped with Starlink for communications anywhere. Top notch Garmin electronics including radar for safe navigation in fog.

We target kingsalmon, silver salmon, halibut, ling cod, and a variety of rockfish species. The goal of our guides is to get you a limit of each species available while you are here.

You go home with the specific fish caught on your boat. Because we don’t mix groups on our boats, 99% of our groups combine their catch on the boat to then divide it up evenly amongst anglers at the end.

Our cut crew has a goal of providing you with a beautiful, easy to use finished product you will enjoy all winter. We only use the heaviest vac-pack bags so it can last up to 2 years in your freezer. Each package will range between 12oz and 16oz of fish so you don’t waste much. All white meat is as boneless and skinless as we can get it. Each package is species labeled so you know what you are eating. When we take the skin off of the white meat fish it can quickly become mystery meat without a highly trained eye. Once your trip is complete, it will be packaged in a 3 layer system box including a leak-proof liner and an insulative liner for safe travel.

All fish processing is included in your fishing package.

Our chefs love to start with the freshest and that is right off of your boat. It is common for our cut crew to send requested fish to the Chef for either an evening appetizer or a meal. Our Chefs do an amazing job with seafood.

In our restaurant we have a full service bar with 3 beers on tap, a beautiful wine list and a wonderfully selected liquor stash. No need. However, wines are allowed should you choose to pack one of your favorites to share. Corking fees are required by law. You may not bring in your own alcohol into the licensed premises areas.

Yes. Absolutely. There is a store close to Shelter Cove and we are happy to get you there to purchase your favorite beer for the boats. Cans only please.

Craig’s weather will vary throughout the summer. Plan for rain and cool temperatures in the 50-60 degree range. Most mornings are cool and we hope it warms as the day progresses. Pack warm layers to go under the raingear we provide. Temps can warm up to 75 degrees if you get a nice stretch while you’re here.

This is actually a frequently asked question. The answer is approximately 15 feet at high tide and 30’ at low tide. I think people get confused. Because there are islands everywhere, the water looks like we’re on a lake.

Yes! Our guides will show you how to use the equipment and teach you a very hands on style of fishing. You will hook your own fish and reel it in. Guides are there to teach and help but not to fish for you. In 30 years doing this, I learned that beginners’ luck is REAL! We think it may be due to it being easier to learn a new fishing style than adjust an old fishing style.

This does happen on occasion. Fishing out of Craig, we do have the advantage of fishing inside waters where protection by the islands from wind and waves helps keep the waters flat. However, if you know you may have a problem, or don’t know, medications are recommended. The Scopalamine patch is a prescription drug your physician will likely be comfortable prescribing you. They are the most effective in my experience with very few, if any, side effects.

Final payments are due by March 31st. Payments received after March 31st will incur an additional 1% charge due to a city sales tax rate change.

Your goal is to get to the Ketchikan Airport where you will connect with your Island Air Express flight.

Arriving early to mid afternoon works great. You’ll likely connect with a 4pm or 6pm flight to Klawock where we pick you up. No hitchhiking necessary.

You are required to have a fishing license in the state of Alaska. However, the required registration allows us to take care of that for you so it is ready for you when you check in.

You do not need to have the ever complex State of Alaska fishing regulations memorized. We will keep you 100% legal. I’m afraid we have them memorized. The will also be available at the lodge for you to see on a simple laminated card specific to the area we fish.

Registration is easy. Yes, we will need your drivers license. No, none of this information is private. This registration is important so we can procure a fishing license for you and make sure your fish travels with you. You can find the registration under the reservations tab or use this link: https://sheltercovefishinglodge.com/reservation-form/

Once in the Ketchikan Airport, you will be forced to go down stairs to baggage claim. The Island Air Express Kiosk is 50 ft to your left. It is at the opposite end of our tiny little airport.

Check in with Island Air first to find out when they would like you back for your flight. Assess if you have enough time. There is a ferry involved to get to the Ketchikan side. If you choose to do this to go get lunch or something, keep your receipt as it is a round trip ticket. Please note how much time you have available as you must take the ferry back. This does consume some time.

Na, we’ll come get you. We are likely coming to pick up others as well.

Klawock is a small Native town just North of Craig on the West side of Prince of Wales Island. Craig and Klawock are separated by about 7 miles of paved highway. The airport is in Klawock.

In our restaurant we have a full service bar with 3 beers on tap, a beautiful wine list and a wonderfully selected liquor stash. No need. However, wines are allowed should you choose to pack one of your favorites to share. Corking fees are required by law. You may not bring in your own alcohol.

Yes. Absolutely. There is a store close to Shelter Cove and we are happy to get you there to purchase your favorite beer for the boats. Cans only please.

We suggest toiletries, a lounging set of clothes and a fishing set of clothes to include a layered system. Start with a short sleeve Tshirt, then a long sleeve, then a light fleece, then a sweatshirt followed by the last layer of a puffy jacket or vest. The raingear we provide will top all that off to keep you warm and dry.

Yes, there are three washers and three dryers available each evening.

Jen and I will be there no doubt. We are your hosts along with our 3 kids that will work tirelessly to make sure your fish is well cared for, the captains are well stocked, and the food is served hot and amazing. We are here to make sure everything within our control is as perfect as it can be. Don’t worry, we’ll be praying for good weather and lots of fish as well. Sincerely, Dave Creighton