Quality Control
Upon booking your Alaska Sport-fishing Adventure to Elfin Cove Lodge we promptly
mail a travel planning kit to you. This kit consists of a portfolio of
information including: a 'VIP Guest Planner' form that enables us to have your
sport-fishing license and king salmon stamp prepared prior to your arrival,
alert the gourmet chef of any dietary restrictions and give attention to your
special requests. Our special effort to customize your vacation truly
distinguishes our operation from others. We ask our guests to mail back the
planning forms and a copy of the airline itinerary. After receiving the airline
itinerary., we contact Ward Air, the charter air service, and arrange your
flight to & from Elfin Cove; thereupon a charter service confirmation is mailed,
faxed, or emailed to you.
Leaving Home
We will contact you a few days prior to the start of your fishing adventure to
Elfin Cove Lodge. This gives you the last minute opportunity to share any
special requests prior to the commencement of your adventure you may have
forgotten earlier.
Arrival
Welcome to Juneau, Alaska's capital! Juneau International airport is a small,
friendly, easy to get around airport. Upon your arrival, contact your charter
plane operator, check in your luggage, and confirm the charter flight schedule
to Elfin Cove. The flight by floatplane is approximately 40 minutes. Typically
the flights will depart Juneau around 3:00PM. Enjoy the spectacular scenery
along the way! Many guests plan a day or two early arrival to Juneau so they can
explore the state's interesting capital city and travel to nearby communities
such as, Skagway, and Haines Alaska. There's a wide range of activities in
Juneau to enjoy.
Our staff is waiting dockside to greet you and assist with your luggage when you arrive. We are really glad to see you!
Welcome to our paradise!
After getting situated at the lodge, we invite our guests to an informal
orientation, where we introduce the lodge staff, discuss our lodge's special
features and services, and give our guides an opportunity to discuss fishing and
answer any questions you may have. We encourage you to inform us of anything we
can do to make you a bit more comfortable. Now settle in and enjoy one of the
lodge's delicious dinners.
Fishing Days
Your first full day of fishing starts at approximately 7:00 AM after a hearty
breakfast at 6:30AM. No need to rise at the crack of dawn - there's plenty of
fish, and besides - the crack of dawn occurs at 3:00AM in the early summer! Each
day is planned considering our guest's desires in conjunction with their guides'
knowledge of the weather, tides, and best places to fish or explore. A hearty
lunch, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and cocoa accompany you onboard. Enjoy your day
of fishing and wildlife viewing!
Now this is Living!
The day of fishing ends at about 4:30PM; this allows time for you to freshen up
and swap a few fish stories during "happy hour" prior to dinner. Dinner is
served at 6:30PM.
Airlines
Currently, ALASKA AIRLINES is the only airline serving Juneau, Alaska.
Connecting flights are made from Seattle, Washington.
Travel Service
We encourage you to make your travel arrangements with UNIGLOBE, our
travel agency (800)-377-0096. They are familiar with Juneau hotels, activities,
etc..., and specialize in Alaskan travel. Rest assured, they will help you with
the best rates and answer questions pertaining to your individual trip.
Clothes to bring
Summer temperatures range between 50 - 70 degrees F, so bring warm layered
clothing, wool socks, hat, and light weight gloves. Rain gear will be provided
by the lodge. Bring a pair of short rubber boots if you have them, if not, the
lodge has extra boots available. Don't forget your sunglasses and sunscreen.
Camera and Film
Elfin Cove is a photographer's dream come true, so bring your camera, an
adequate supply of film, and a telephoto lens, if possible. The general store
will have a limited supply of 35m film. Bring extra batteries and a moisture
proof camera bag is you wish to take your camera onboard daily.
Liquor
Either bring your favorite liquor or plan to purchase what you like at the
liquor store near the Juneau airport. Elfin Cove has a liquor store with an
adequate supply, so plan accordingly. The lodge provides ice, mixers and soft
drinks in the wet bar for your enjoyment.
Gift Shops
Elfin Cove has gift items available at the general store and in several local
gift shops. Our lodge has T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, and miscellaneous items
available to purchase. In Juneau you will find plenty of gift hops and a large
selection of items.
Lodge Facilities
The recreation area has a wet bar, satellite television, VCR and videotape
movies, and a card table for your enjoyment. There is a good selection of nature
tapes about Alaska. You can also hook up your video camera to view your daily
fishing action if you wish. The lodge has four guest bedrooms with private bath,
showers, and two beds per room. We also have a separate Chalet adjoining our
main lodge that can accommodate up to four adults. The Chalet has a glacier view
and a private bath with shower. Our new ocean-front Chalet accommodates six
adults very comfortably and features comfortable bedrooms, private baths, and a
view deck. Enjoy our FINNISH SAUNA, or outdoor hot tub. The sauna accommodates
up to four guests at a time. The sauna and hot tub have view decks looking out
towards the Fairweather Mountains and Brady Glacier. The sauna and hot tub are
available upon request. We provide you with a sauna robe located in your
bedroom. The dining room has a breathtaking view of Brady Glacier and the
Fairweather mountain range; you'll enjoy the one-of-a-kind fish sculptures by
Franz Dutzler featured in the dining area.
Lodge Staff
Our lodge staff and guides are professionals, courteous, and very personable.
Each employee has a wealth of experience to assure you a quality sport fishing
vacation.
Fishing Info
You fish aboard comfortable 30 foot walk-around catamarans and 26 foot
Pro-Anglers, rigged specifically for salmon and halibut fishing. Our boats are
well equipped with safety equipment; VHF radio, radar, GPS, and fish finders.
You will be fishing with an experienced guide and only four anglers per boat for
comfort, with lots of deck space. The 30 foot walk-arounds have an enclosed
toilet facility. Quality fishing gear is provided and includes: bait, tackle,
and lures. If you like, bring along your favorite rod & reel. A nonresident
fishing license and king salmon stamp are available at the lodge.
Sport-fishing Methods
We have accumulated a wealth of knowledge fishing our local area during the past
25 years. We plan your fishing days suited to the tides, weather, and location
on a day-to-day basis. Mooching and trolling herring is the most effective
method for Chinook salmon. Mooching and drift fishing with lures and bait is
best for halibut and bottom fish. Artificial lures are used for humpback,
sockeye, chum, and coho salmon.
Type of water fished
Saltwater fishing is within several protected bays and inlets near Elfin Cove.
If the fishing is hot on the outside waters, our 30 foot catamarans are the
perfect boats to pursue salmon while maintaining a safe trip. The inside water
conditions are usually calm and stable with an occasional light chop during the
season.
Your Catch
Usually you will catch plenty of fish to take home in 2 to 3 days. It is
customary to take home one or two wet-lock boxes of vacuum packed fresh frozen
salmon, halibut, ling cod, and an assortment of rockfish fillets. Additional
boxes incur a processing charge and shipment fee to Juneau. Ward Air has a large
walk-in freezer at the airport if overnight storage is needed.
The fish boxes will travel with you as checked baggage from Juneau when you depart for home.
Conservation
As do most experienced lodge operations in Alaska, we encourage and participate
in catch and release sport-fishing of salmon and halibut, especially when
fishing is exceptionally good - In the SPIRIT of conservation!
Baggage
Please travel light and keep your personal baggage to 40 pounds or less. We
suggest the use of duffle bags which are easier to pack on the floatplanes than a
suitcase.
