ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Agents with affluent anglers for clients may
want to suggest fly-fishing in the Frontier State.
Sportfishing lodges, often run by families, are located all over
Alaska. Their remoteness adds to the adventure -- and to the cost,
which translates into higher than normal commissions for
agents.
In the far north, for example, Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge is
six miles outside the southern boundary of the Gates of the Arctic
National Park, 60 miles north of the Arctic Circle and "180 degrees
around from anything else," according to owner Pat Gaedeke.
To get to Iniakuk Lake, guests take a one-hour commercial flight
from Fairbanks to the bush community of Bettles, then a half-hour
flight via float plane to the lodge.
Although a vacation at Iniakuk Lake Lodge is expensive, at $3,225
per person, double, for a three-night package including lodging,
meals, activities and roundtrip air from Fairbanks, it's "not a
paint-by-the-numbers experience," Gaedeke said. "We cater to
high-end clients and people who can afford and want that
experience. We're not interested in high volume."
The main lodge contains a dining room, a kitchen and four
double-occupancy guest rooms. An additional guest lodge has two
double rooms. Each building has shared baths with hot and cold
running water.
Gaedeke said her staff, which includes her son -- a naturalist
and leader of the fishing and hiking trips -- makes a point of
learning each guest's likes and dislikes.
Gaedeke also cooks for her guests and bakes her own breads,
muffins and desserts.
Commission at Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge is 20%. For
additional information on the Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge, call
(877) 479-6354 or visit www.gofarnorth.com.
Meanwhile, another fly-fishing option is the remote Zachar Bay
Lodge on Kodiak Island in the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge.
The lodge contains four guesthouses with 11 private rooms and
private or shared baths. Meals are family-style.
Per person rates range from $1,130 for two nights ($1,380 with
one fly-out) to $3,580 for seven nights with one fly-out.
The price includes roundtrip air from Kodiak to Zachar Bay,
accommodations, fishing equipment, a guided trip and three meals
daily.
Zachar Bay Lodge pays 10% commission. For additional information
or reservations, call (800) 693-2333 or visit the lodge on the Web
at www.zacharbay.com.