Goodnews River Lodge By Kent Danjanovich Senior Editor
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laska has been described in many ways over the years, with ‘The Last Frontier’, ‘Land of the Midnight Sun’ and ‘An Outdoorsman’s Paradise’ just a few of its catch-phrases. But after traveling around its massive expanses for the past 15-years, I think I have come up with a simple one-word phrase that will do the job as well and that word is simply, ‘Amazing’! With its expanses seemingly almost endless, no matter the area that you visit, it is truly like stepping into another world. Its colorful contrasts offer the eye a non-stop spectacle of excitement and its adventures, well, let’s just say they are pure fantasy, dare I say the perfect example of “What Dreams Are Made Of”. I get asked all the time, “What part of Alaska is your favorite”? Well, to be honest, I really can’t give a definitive answer. I truly love all of it. Each area holds a different and magical intrigue, but each will also open your eyes to a whole new world as well. Here at Sportsman’s News, we are always looking for new and exciting places to visit and it is my job (cough) to search those destinations out, especially in Alaska. My focus for the summer of 2018 was on the western side of the state, to a river that I had heard a lot about but had never visited – The Goodnews. Located about 425-miles southwest of Anchorage, the Goodnews River’s three forks start in the Ahklun Mountain range, with the braids eventually joining a few miles from its final destination, the Bering Sea at Goodnews Bay. The Goodnews River Lodge was born back in the early 1970’s and was then located about 40 miles upriver from the bay. An aspiring river guide named, Mike Gorton, landed a job at the camp in the late ‘80’s and in 1996, with the help of a good friend and his family, purchased the lodge and now 22-years later, the Goodnews River Lodge has evolved into one of the best salmon and trout destinations in Alaska. Mike knew that the first thing that he needed to do when he took over the camp was to relocate it. The original location was some 40-miles upstream, requiring long boat trips each day to reach many of the best fishing locations. The process quickly began to move the camp down to basically, the confluence of the three forks, about 7-miles from Goodnews Bay. By doing this, he would be able to access all three forks of the river, simplifying the travel time to the best stretches of the river, while taking advantage of the offerings of each braid. Hence, the present day Goodnews River Lodge. Both the main and north forks of the river begin with their headwaters in lakes in the Ahklun range, part of the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, while the south fork is formed by small tributaries and springs, with no lake as its source. Because of this, most of the five salmon species that come into the drainage are found in the middle and north forks, with the focus of the south fork, trout and Arctic grayling. But because of these distinct forks, a great opportunity for diversity is created offering guests in reality, a uniquely different and exciting adventure every day of their stay. Your adventure starts in Anchorage on Tuesday night. You will need to book an over-night stay at a local hotel in order to be at the Trans Northern Airlines desk, located on the baggage level at the main terminal, by 8am. You and your gear will be weighed and checked-in for your chartered flight to Goodnews Bay. At 9am, weather permitting, you will then load into your awaiting plane for your scenic, two-hour flight. Upon arrival at the small air-strip in Goodnews Bay, you will be transported the short distance to awaiting, covered boats and then off on your 10-minute ride to the camp. Once at camp, your bags will be taken to your living quarters (raised, insulated, cabin tents that sleep two), complete with carpeted hardwood floors, thermostatically-controlled propane heaters, lighting and most updated with their own bathroom. Your waders and boots can be stored in the drying room, centrally located in camp
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January 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS
The south fork of the Goodnews is the place to chase after big Arctic grayling.
