View of the lodge from the air.

Plan Your Trip

The crew poses next to a float plane on the dock after loading.

Temperatures range from the high 50s to the low 70s. It is advisable to bring a sweater or pullover that can be removed if you become too warm. We supply you with any rain gear you may need, a warm float coat, and boots to wear on the boat.

Please keep your baggage weight within 40 pounds. Packing your gear in soft duffel-like bags is also very helpful. If you would like to bring your favorite rod or rods, please refrain from packing them in the large diameter rod cases. Two small ones are preferable than one large one.

The only major airline service to Ketchikan is Alaska Air. If you are flying your favorite airline other than Alaska Air, you will change planes in Seattle to continue your journey north.

Once in Ketchikan, you will have the rest of the day to explore Alaska’s first city. Go here to visit the City of Ketchikan’s website and here to explore the Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce.

Enjoy yourself and visit the many shops and sporting goods stores. As part of your package, you will stay the night in one of Ketchikan’s nicest hotels, the Cape Fox Lodge. At approximately 7:30 A.M., a shuttle will take you to Island Air Express where you will board their Cessna Caravan floatplane. Some have said this floatplane trip is worth the price of the entire package.

You will fly over Clarence Straits then across Prince of Wales Island, the third-largest island in the United States. After about 45 minutes, you will be flying Northwest over Sea Otter Sound. Most pilots will point out the breaching humpback whales. All too soon you are preparing for a water landing on the north side of Heceta Island. The floats just touch down and skim the water as you pass Camp Island and enter Camp Island Cove, home to Sea Otter Sound Lodge.

The crew loads the float plane with fish boxes.

After your bags are put into your rooms, you will go into the lodge and purchase your fishing license and king salmon stamp. There are breakfast burritos, ample cookies, coffee, soft drinks, and juices while you take a brief break. Soon you will be introduced to our staff and given an orientation from our guides on fishing and where and how they are being caught. Before long you are on the water with a box lunch heading for the fishing grounds.

With a 5 day/6 night package, you will spend the next five nights at the lodge. On the sixth day, Island Air Express will land at about 9:00 A.M. to transport you back to the Ketchikan airport to continue your journey home.