Talaheim Lodge

Talaheim has chosen to buck the standard bush-plane in favor of a more flexible mode of travel. While bush planes are limited to landing on deep streams and long gravel bar runways, Talaheim uses helicopters for maximum flexibility. With helicopter fishing, Talaheim can follow the King Salmon as they migrate north. The lodge typically targets these Kings, as well as Sockeyes and Silver Salmon.

Sockeyes are a lovely metallic green when first arrive in the area, but turn pink as they enter fresh water, and are in great condition when they reach Talaheim. Pinks enter the Talachulitna in large numbers. These aggressive fellows will attack any correctly-presented lure or fly. No matter your fishing method, you can expect to catch a lot of these during your outings. Chum Salmon follow close behind the Alaska Pink run. With their vertical stripes, large teeth, and fierce strikes, these fish have earned the nickname 'Tiger Salmon'. Silver Salmon are very popular with fly fishermen. The Talachulitna is also crowded with Rainbow Trout for you to catch and release; dozens of them can be caught daily. One guest has even described them as 'fat as footballs'. Grayling are aggressive top water feeders that are easy to catch, making them a great target for anglers of all levels. While the famed Northern Pike don't enter the Talachulitna, they can be found in abundance in nearby lakes.

Hosting only six to eight guests per week, the lodge is able to provide exceptional hospitality, and the staff has top notch experience in their fields. The helicopter pilots are lifelong staff members who have flown Talaheim's guests for the last 15 years. They're also licensed mechanics who maintain the aircraft on-site. There's a two-guest-to-one-guide ratio, allowing for personalization of your itinerary. Go ahead and change your plans, doing as the day's conditions dictate '“ go from wading to canoeing, or follow the fish.

The lodge's two helicopters can fly you out to fish a different stream every day. While most are wade-able, you can fish by canoe if you wish. Helicopter power means you can skip over the known, crowded fishing holes accessed by bush plane, and spend your time at productive streams rarely shared by other anglers. What's more, the lodge itself is located in an area only accessible via its private airstrip. These arrangements mean you hunt fish that aren't used to human predators, making for easier fly fishing.