With over 25 years of experience in the lodging business, Brad and Brenda Waitman look forward to hosting your Alaska fishing vacation at our  location near Igiugig, Alaska. Our lodge sits on Lake  Iliamna at the mouth of the Kvichak River.

 

           Brad Waitman serves as your pilot-guide with 29 years of experience flying and guiding in Alaska’s Bristol Bay waters. Brad is a registered Big Game and Sport Fishing Guide and is a licensed Commercial and Instrument rated Pilot with over 5,500 hours. He also holds a USCG license and is a certified First Aid & CPR First Responder. You will find his passion for flying and fishing is apparent. Brad has a reputation for finding amazing fishing.      When on a fly out with Brad in his Cessna 206 float plane, he is your pilot and guide for the day, so the airplane is with you all day.  This is a great feature of our operation, as you always have the option to move to a different river to fish, or simply go back to the lodge at any time, especially if inclement weather is moving in.

     Another great feature of Igiugig Lodge, is we are on the Kvichak river.   The Kvichak has the largest run of Sockeye salmon in the world.  Every year in late June through mid July from 2 to 4 million Sockeye salmon run right past our lodge.         Sockeye are a huge food resource for the region.    Brown Bears are prolific through the area because of the huge numbers of fish.      Rainbow trout in the Kvichak river, as well as many other creeks and streams throughout the area , grow to over 30 inches because of the protein rich Sockeye eggs .   The Rainbows also feed on the flesh of the Sockeye at the end of the salmons life cycle as well as feed on the millions of out going Salmon smolt in the spring time.

   Having our lodge situated right on the Kvichak river means that we can always go fishing on a blue ribbon river, no matter what the weather conditions are.    If the weather is not fit for flying, we fish our home river and never have to miss out on any fishing time.          In addition to the huge runs of Sockeye salmon and incredible Rainbow trout fishery, the Kvichak also gets a good run of Coho or Silver Salmon.   The Kvichak also has a huge resident population of Arctic Grayling that are great fun to sight fish with dry flies all summer long.   The Kvichak has both big water that is great for spey casting and swinging leeches, as well as miles and miles of  a section called the braids, that is like disneyland for a fisherman.   Every side channel is like going to a different creek.        Igiugig Lodge has one full time Kvichak river guide.   We have both jet boats and prop boats to fish the Kvichak.

       Igiugig Lodge also has 2 boats on the Nushagak river that we utilize for the King Salmon fishery there.    From mid June through the end of July the Nushagak gets the largest run of King Salmon in the world.  It is not unusual to be able to hook into 20 or more King Salmon per person on the Nushagak.     Where we keep our boats on the Nushagak is only a 20 minute flight from Igiugig Lodge in our Cessna 206.

      There are so many fishing opportunities within a 10-20 minute flight from Igiugig.   Our location is optimum for a fishing lodge in the Bristol Bay region.    With our well seasoned experience we know where to go ,and when ,to get into the fastest sports fishing action.  And  we always have multiple options available for a variety of fishing experiences, as well as incredible photography opportunities of the huge population of Brown Bears through out our area.    With Igiugig Lodge being situated right on the Kvichak river ,and having a Cessna 206 floatplane to access the close by  rivers in the area, it simply makes for the perfect combination for an incredible, successful, high adventure sport fishing  vacation.

 

While you’re all out fishing, Brad’s wife, Brenda, manages the lodging details to ensure your stay is comfortable. She’s a third generation Alaskan familiar with the logistics and demands of running a remote lodge and providing welcoming Alaskan hospitality. Sons Chase and Danny have spent every summer of their lives out in the wilderness learning skills that will serve them in the future. It’s our family tradition.

    We are committed to providing a quality Alaskan fishing experience tailored to the personalities of our exclusive clientele.