The Last Frontier

Copper River:


The Copper River can be as remote as you would like it to be.  Take a three day, two night float trip from from the Upper Falls to the mouth of the river (13 miles) or take a jet boat up the Copper and spend the entire day fishing.  Expect to see Golden and Bald Eagles, daily encounters with Brown Bear (especially when the Salmon have made their way into the river), breathtaking scenery, and a serious chance of hooking into Dolly Varden, Sockeye Salmon, and multiple 20" plus Rainbow Trout (even on a dry fly during the early season).  


Gibraltar River:


The Gibraltar River is a one day float trip where you will be dropped off via float plane.  After you are dropped off you will often times embark in a one day float to the mouth of the river.  This specific area of Alaska is different than the Copper River but the fishing there is spectacular as well.  The species you will encounter here are Grayling, Rainbow Trout, Sockeye, Chum, and Pink Salmon.    

Gibraltar Leopard Rainbow Trout

Things to bring for the Copper/Gibraltar Rivers: 5 - 8 weight rod, Mouse Patterns, Stimulators, Turk's Tarantula, Black Caddis, Lime Trude, Brown and Black Woven Stonefly, Leeches, Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns, Salmon Flies (purple, pink and chartreuse), Egg Patterns (clown, illiamna pink, pink, late pink, golden, and flame), and an assortment of Trout Beads.  


Secret Rivers/Lakes


They call it the "Last Frontier" for a reason.  With so many untouched lakes and streams, Lake Iliamna offers a wide variety of angling opportunities.  To maintain their virgin quality the names will remain untold to continue the unspoiled conditions that fisherman have come accustomed to when visiting Cusack's Alaska Lodge.



Pike ranging from 25" - 44" can be found in hidden lakes and slues, rainbow numbers are counted by quarters and it's not uncommon to have multiple fisherman exceed over 100 fish per day.  Lake trout feed on unsuspecting rainbows and anglers often catch two fish on both of the tandem patterns.

Double Hook-Up for Mike Cusack!

If any of that sounds like a bad time, well I'm not so sure you are as obsessed with the sport as many of our fellow followers.  Do yourself a favor and experience one of the last areas in the United States where you can ask yourself, "I wonder when the last person (if any) was to fish the exact spot I'm standing?....."


Things to bring: 5-8 weight rod, Wooly Bugger, Egg-Sucking Leeches, Egg patterns, Copper Johns, Prince nymph, Mouse Patterns, Stimulators, Lime Trudes, Black/Tan Caddis.  Basically almost any works, you just need a decent drift with no slack in your line.

42" Pike on a Mouse Pattern

Brian's Lake Trout that ate a Rainbow prior to the connection!