Float Trip Reviews
I am writing to share with you the most amazing experience I just had on a 7-day float trip commencing in Bethel. First off, I am new to fly fishing - frankly, I was a bit worried about my lack of experience. The other participants has plenty of experience but not me. As a recently retired University professor and administrator I have opted for "cushy" vacations over the years where my idea of "roughing it" was going to a hotel with old towels. I am happy to report this will not be the case any longer as the result of the wonderful trip I experienced.
One of the aspects that made this trip so enjoyable centered around the three guides - Dave, Skye and Chris. Holy buckets! They really know their stuff to include not only fly fishing, but also they know about biology, ichthyology, history and culture of native peoples in Alaska, navigation, cooking, weather, and methodology for teaching a newbie to fish Their cheerful demeanor day after day was remarkable - despite the weather and mosquitoes - and the fact my fishing line was wrapped in everything. They were patient with demonstrations concerning the proper procedures for taking down and packing our tents. They suggested and used alternative flies, re-rigged our rods, assisted with releasing fish and even took on the role of photographer when we landed photo worthy fish. In other words THEY DID IT ALL. They cheered each time we reeled in a fish, making for a lively and spirited trip on the river each and every day.
Then there was the food - delicious, varied in menu, and incorporating personal preferences for each camper. The fact they delivered a mug of steaming hot, strong coffee to each tent in the morning was a dream come true. Breakfasts, lunches and dinners were hearty - it was always a treat to see what was on the menu for each day.
Your guides assisted me with catching a boatload of fish. While I caught considerably less than the five experienced men on the trip I still reeled in about 400 fish including salmon, trout, and dollies. It was thrilling to say the least. I cannot thank you and the staff enough for this wonderful experience.
I wanted to share with you just a few comments about the trip. All 6 of us were on the same flights home so we had time to discuss our experience on the river. Words that I heard frequently; awesome, outstanding, astounding, fabulous, incredible, inspiring, remarkable, unbelievable, wonderful, and when can we book next. If you will please book us on the same trip for next year.
Having spent 38 years as a faculty member in the Dept of Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality Management at a state University and serving as a consultant to numerous commercial outdoor recreation enterprises, I would like to share with you several observations:
1. The Chosen River - This river is truly one of the most remarkable rivers on planet Earth. Both the quality and quantity of fish are outstanding. Few rivers have all 5 species of salmon, grayling, dollies, char, and rainbows. The silver salmon fishing was remarkable. In the lower river each raft was landing 100 plus silvers each day. One of the younger members in our group landed 67 himself. Some of the grayling were over 18 inches, and the dollies were even bigger than in past years and the rainbow fishing was outstanding. There are no more beautiful rainbows in any river than the leopard spotted rainbows of the Chosen River.
2. The Guides - Your guides work together to form an outstanding guide team. David, Chris, and Skye are highly professional in every aspect of their work and go out of their was to make sure that they meet and often exceed client expectations. As one of the members of our group said to me there are "good vibrations" surrounding everything the guide team does. The food is outstanding, camp life is enjoyable considering you are in a wilderness environment (good tents, nice cots and air mattresses, great new cook tent, and hot showers every time) and the guides know the river well and are highly professional. David is to be commended for sharing his vast knowledge of the river with both Chris and Skye. All are to be commended for working so diligently to provide a remarkable experience for your guests.
In closing I would like to say that this years trip was the most enjoyable trip that I have ever experienced in Alaska.
Thank you so much for such a perfect adventure! We are so blessed to have experienced this beautiful country and everything it has to offer. You guys made the trip for us. I cant express how thankful I am to all of you. This will be a trip I will always remember and will be able to tell my children. This place will always hold a special place in our hearts as will you!! Thank you for the memories!
I cant put in to words how much I appreciate how hard yall worked to give us the adventure of a lifetime. Each day of the trip was better than the last. The fishing was red hot, the meals amazing, and the effort yall put in to making us all comfortable never stopped. Trip of a lifetime for sure! Thanks again!!
Memorable, exceptional, hard to think of how it could have been improved. Big time thanks to special guides - always positive, helpful and smiling.
This trip made my year! Thanks for all the personal attention you extended to my family. I watched and listened to my kiddos laugh and catch fish of a lifetime and it made me thankful for having such talented and good men, such as yourselves, taking care of them. Thank you! Thank you!
PS Loved the food
Where do I even start - the crew, the experiences, the fishing, the food...wow! Thank you for the trip of a lifetime - we went in to this trip trying to not have expectations, but it would have been impossible for them not to be exceeded. I think I will talk just as much about you guys and the experiences we shared together as anything else. There is no doubt in my mind we will see you guys again up here. Thanks for an amazing week. Dolly or Die!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! This has been the best trip of my entire life. What an amazing river we had the chance to experience... Im honestly sad to not wake up to this amazing group of people every day going forward. David, Skye, Chris - you guys are family as far as I am concerned. Thanks for giving my family the trip of a lifetime!
FISH ON!!!!
Great trip, wonderful fishing, great guides. Was an exceptional wilderness experience. Got my first silver salmon and it was one hell of a fight. Great job guys.
800 miles on the Kanektok with Capt Davo - Every year is a new and great experience. Thanks for all the help and hard work.
Eleven years and counting..... there are no words to express my thanks for all you do to accomodate me.... I always smile when I think of this trip!
This is my second trip on the Kanektok. Thanks to Capt Davo, Skye, and Chris for an unforgettable experience! It cant be done better. The trips will live with me forever and I hope to have many more.
Best guided trip ever. You and your staff are incredible in their attitude toward helping their guests. Very nice personalities and helpful. Thanks for the nicest vacation I have ever had - Wild Alaska Adventure
Unbelievable. Yall are the best. Cant wait to get back thanks for everything
I had an awesome time up here. Yall are badasses - thanks for getting us through the hurricane. Best food I have ever had. Thank yall for the trip of a lifetime!
Had a blast - thanks for everything!!! Yall did a great job and couldnt imagine anyone doing better
Great trip with a World Class crew. Brought us home safely in some rough weather but great fishing. Cant wait until we get to go again!
Awesome Trip!!! Couldnt imagine a better group of guides and fishermen. Fishing was unbelievable and food was out of this world!!
Greatest Trip Ever. Food is awesome. Big top tent is awesome! Friends fishing and fun is off the charts. No low points. This crew is great!
Wonderful trip, fantastic guides, fishing galore, delicious food, excellent camaraderie. It was a most excellent 7 days so many memories to treasure. Thank you so much!
Everything about this float trip (my first) was incredible. The guides, their help and extra efforts are greatly appreciated - the food......what can you say to describe it - thank you thank you thank you!!
I have been on a few float trips. This has been a blast - fun people, great fishing, wonderful cooking and food. I really appreciate these guys and all the hard work - wonderful trip.
What a wonderful trip, I have been on several Alaska float trips, but this one takes the cake. Davo, Chris, Skye - you make a fantastic team, great cooking, instruction, all around great guides. The absolute best silver salmon fishing that I have ever experienced. Thanks for a very memorable trip!
I have always dreamed of going to Alaska since I was little. To get to experience it this way with Davo, Chris, and Skye was beyond everything I imagined. You guys worked extremely hard and do a great job! The fishing was amazing and I will return with my family.
What a fantastic trip! Great guides, great friends, unbelievable fishing and a great variety of fish. Weather was good - thank you Lord! and friendship is priceless - thank you guys and this time will never be forgotten!
The "True Alaskan Experience" what a great group of men - the professionalism of the guides - three pure gentlemen that did everything possible to make this a meaningful adventure - they are true outdoorsmen that care about the real meaning of life and friendship - thank you forever!
