WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO GO? & ON WHICH RIVER?
Ouzel has operated trips on over 40 different rivers in Alaska since 1978. Our goal is: ?To take you to the best stream at the best time to be there.? We match your fishing interests to the wide variety of rivers in Alaska. All summer long we have fantastic rivers with fresh runs of salmon, Rainbows, Char & Grayling!
Give us a call on our toll free number 1-800-825-8196 and we'll send you a free video of our trips!
WHY IS A FLOAT FISHING TRIP BEST?
1. The fishing is better on a wilderness float trip because we follow peak Salmon runs across the state. We offer you the best fishing river at it?s peak. We aren't confined to one geographic area.
2. You have increased fishing time. You couldn't be any closer to the fishing. We camp at hot fishing holes. At 5 o?clock you don?t have to stop fishing. Many die hard fishers join us for this reason alone!
3. A raft can cross or hold in water that stops a pair of chest waders cold. We can put you on the hot fishing holes, one after another all day long.
4. You can present your hook to a fish in the most effective way from a drifting raft.
5. Our rafts give you a huge range. We go where jet boats and airplanes can't. We float about 10 miles a day, just the right balance of drift fishing from the boat and wade fishing from the bank. We stop at hole after hole, all day long. It is impossible to just wade the enormous area we cover.
6. Solitude. This quiet way of traveling offers more opportunities for relaxing and seeing wildlife in it's natural surroundings. Our trips take you on a journey through the most wild and beautiful country in Alaska!
7. The "experience" shared by a group of people on an adventure through remote, breath taking wilderness is something that you will remember forever. Many of our guests re-join their new found friends on other vacations with Ouzel. 70% of our guests each year have been with us previously.
Give us a call on our toll free number 1-800-825-8196 and we'll send you a free video of our trips!
SALMON RUN TIMING. Some fishers want to catch certain species. Our experience on a wide variety of rivers gives us knowledge of many Salmon runs across Alaska. King season, our busiest time, starts in late June and runs through July. Silver season, next busiest, runs from August through September. Our variety of rivers extends the season on these two most popular Salmon. Sockeye are the third most popular salmon and run from early July through August and into September on some streams.
Rainbow Grayling and Char. More discriminating fishers join us each year for Rainbows. The season opens June 8th in Bristol Bay, an excellent time to go. Late July and early August is a real hot time for Rainbows on a variety of rivers. Grayling and Char fishing is excellent all summer long. The best time of all is September and October. The fat Rainbows start running out of eggs and have to look a little harder to get something to eat.
Catch & Release Fishing. We have practiced catch & release fishing on all our streams for years, now it?s the law for Rainbow Trout everywhere we go. We fish with single hooks only and keep enough fresh Salmon or Char for dinner and breakfast. We?re an ecologicly minded company and have believed in the conservation of our countries natural resources since the 60s. Hunter Fisher Taxidermy in Anchorage does an excellent job of trophy fish mounting (907) 561-1466. Their fiberglass casts are excellent.
Give us a call on our toll free number 1-800-825-8196 and we'll send you a free video of our trips!
RESERVATIONS We arrange our vacations from June into October on a first come first served basis for groups of fishing friends, couples, families and individuals. Flexibility to best fit your fishing desires and vacation times is one of our major concerns. Group sizes vary from 4 to 9 guests. We have 1 guide and raft for every 2 or 3 guests. Trips are normally 6 to 8 days. Trips 10 days or longer can be arranged, 6 days is our shortest trip. Individual fishermen or pairs are accommodated within our existing groups.
Early reservations are advised. Please call our TOLL FREE number 1-800-825-8196 for space availability and more details. Your phone call will hold your reservations for 14 days. A $1000 deposit per person is required after that. Final payment is required 60 days prior to your trips departure.
We make airline reservations for you from Anchorage to King Salmon, Dillingham, Bethel or wherever your trip requires. (Jet flight prices to our jump off points are controlled by the airlines and are subject to change.) You pay us directly for these flights. Payments for jet flights are due with the final payment.
On the River
Moveable Camps We have complete moveable camps. Our large KITCHEN TENT affords us shade and shelter. In late September & October it’s heated. We have folding directors chairs with back rests in camp & a dinner table. During the day you can sit in these chairs in the raft. We camp right at great fishing holes. It’s a wonderful way to see the country, wildlife, fish and enjoy the wilderness in comfort. We have portable shower for your use. Each night a toilet is set up outside camp.
Guides Our ORVIS ENDORSED guides are there to help you get the most out of your vacation. They do the cooking and camp chores. Our oarsmen have experience on white-water as well as calm rivers. They are skilled fishermen and can help you with knots, flies, casting, spinning and where and how to fish. Many of our guests are expert fishers and don’t want much help. Our guides can hike with you so you can photograph and learn about the flora and fauna.
Meals We serve fresh meats and vegetables cooked in dutch ovens on gas stoves and over fires. Sumptuous meals like char broiled steak, spaghetti, fresh broiled salmon, turkey and mexican food are served family style for dinner. Breakfasts offer a variety of things: pancakes, hot cereal, fresh fish, bacon, eggs, coffee and juice. Lunches are sandwiches, chips, and candy. We serve hors d’oeuvres before dinner. Please make special requests 1 month ahead of time.
Give us a call on our toll free number 1-800-825-8196 and we'll send you a free video of our trips!
Hotels We recommend the Courtyard Marriott Hotel, 1-800-314-0782 or (907) 245-0322. They provide free shuttle service to and from the airport and they can store your extra suitcases and unwanted things while you are on the river. It also works well for us if everyone going on the trip stays at the same place.
Day before the trip in Anchorage
1. Alaska trips originate in Anchorage.
2. Spend the night before the trip in Anchorage. Arrive sometime around 3 pm the day before the trip.
3. Take your hotel’s free shuttle service. When you get to your room, call us. We’ll arrange to meet you and give you your gear at around 5 pm.
4. Have a good breakfast the morning your trip departs. We travel a long way the first day.
5. The first morning take the hotel shuttle to the airport or to Lake Hood. Ouzel will meet you there one hour before your flight departs.
Exploratory Trips Every year we like to explore a new river or two. Alaska has places you can explore where no one else or few others have seen. We have found that the further off the beaten path you get, the better the fishing is! You also see more animals and less people. Imagine the excitement of being the first of only a handful of people who have ever floated a remote wild river! At last count we have floated over 40 different rivers Alaska, dozens in the continental US, a few in Canada and 11 in Russia. Normally, we set up exploratory trips at our past clients requests, but anyone can join in. Remote river explorations cost may be high due to additional air freight and logistical costs, but the payoff is yours in excitement! These trips prices vary with the additional costs involved.
Sleeping Tents We provide Northface tents for your sleeping comfort. They are roomy 3 person expedition, mountain climbing tents used on Mt. McKinley and are extremely water & wind proof. You stay dry and warm in them. 2 people share a tent.
Waterproof Gear Bags We provide waterproof camera bags and waterproof bags for your personal gear. We also provide self-inflating sleeping pads. Some people prefer to bring their own; others don’t want to carry extras on the airlines.
Rafts Our SOTAR rafts are American made in 14 and 16 foot lengths. SOTAR rafts are the best professional quality river rafts. These comfortable rafts are oar powered by our experienced guides. We use aluminum boat boxes rowing frames and large ice chests. You fish from these oar powered rafts with skilled oarsmen drifting you through beautiful holding waters and scenery.
Communications We go out into very remote wilderness on our trips. We cannot be reached by phones anywhere. In case of emergency we carry hand held aviation radios. We can talk to overflying airplanes to ask for help if needed.
Licenses You can get your Alaskan fishing license at many drugstores, sporting goods or convenience stores. You can order online from Alaska department of fish and game.
Waders This is really a matter of personal choice. Orvis Gortex waders work well anytime of year.
The Last Day Most people spend the night of the last day of the trip in Anchorage. A lot of our trips don’t return to Anchorage until 7pm or later. It’s better to get a good night’s rest and fly home early the next morning.
Give us a call on our toll free number 1-800-825-8196 and we'll send you a free video of our trips!
Areas of Operation We operate our vacations on Alaska’s various rivers. Some are on State or Federal land. Here are some of the places we are licensed: Aniakchak National Park & Preserve, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Chugach National Forest, Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve, Katmai National Park & Preserve, Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, Wrangle St. Elias National Park & Preserve, Lake Clark National Park & Preserve.
Disclaimer Ouzel Expeditions will not be responsible for additional meals, lodging or other expenses due to delayed flights, weather or other delays. We will not be responsible for natural acts such as but not limited to: weather, storms, rain, floods or salmon run timing. We reserve the right to change the trips itineraries and to change the river at our discretion.
Cancellation Policy A complete refund (minus $100 per person service charge) will be given if written notice is received by us more than 60 days prior to your trip’s departure, or you can apply your deposit to a future expedition. 60 days or less prior to your trip’s departure no refunds or credits will be given. After trips completion no refunds or credits will be given for any reason. Trip Insurance from Travel Guard International is available and we encourage you to buy it. We can fill out their policy for you and take your credit card information over the phone and send it in.