Steve Ranney's two camps are located southeast of Cordova Alaska, and Prince Williams Sound, on what Alaskans call, "The Lost Coast of Alaska." They are very remote and accessible only by bush plane. The flight (20 minute) from Cordova to the lodges is worth the price of admission, by itself. You'll fly by rugged, snow-capped mountain ranges, breathtaking hanging glaciers and lush virgin forests. Keep your eyes open, for along the way you'll have a chance to see the area's numerous mountain goats, clinging precariously to the sheer rock walls! The big highlight at Steve's two wilderness fishing camps is flyfishing for enormous, ocean-fresh Coho salmon ("silvers"). These brutes range up to 20 pounds, with an average fish pulling the Boga to the 11-12 pound mark; that's enough to put plenty of stress on your 8 weight! When conditions are right you can expect to catch 20 to 30 silvers per day, but anglers have had 50 and even 100 fish days. And that'll put stress on your whole body, not just your fly rod. Obviously they can't guarantee you size and numbers of fish; there are too many variables. But that's been the experience of the past seasons. And, as if all this isn't appealing enough, much of the time you can cast dry flies to these chromers, if that's your choice. Both of Steve's camps offer high-volume Coho fishing, in a wilderness setting that is rugged and spectacular.

Fishing at the Hidden Cove and Sunshine Point Camps is an action-packed fishing adventure and a great wilderness retreat, far off the beaten-path, away from the combat fishing zones of other lodges and camps elsewhere in the State. Other than your fellow anglers, you won't see another person while fishing Steve's two remote fishing camps.

Accommodations at the camps are quite comfortable, and the food is simple, tasty home fare.

Hidden Cove & Sunshine Point Coho Camps
Hidden Cove and Sunshine Point Fishing Season: The two remote Coho Camps that Steve operates are unique in comparison with other Alaskan operations in the incredible length of the fishing season. You can expect good fishing for silvers from late August through mid October. On each high tide, twice a day, cohos will ride the surf over the river bar into the lagoon and start their journey upriver. Much of the dry fly fishing for the salmon takes place in the lagoon, where the fish are mint-bright and very aggressive. The water here is perfect for the coho flyrodder; easily waded, not fast, and effectively fished with a floating or light sink-tip fly line. What more could you ask for? These camps have been located and designed for the serious Coho angler. And what the camps might lack in fancy, gingerbread amenities, they more than make up in the fishing, attention to detail, and service.

Hidden Cove Camp: Hidden Cove Camp is an approximate 20-minute flight from Cordova, Alaska, and is located on 100 acres of privately owned land, one of the few private land holdings in the Eastern District of the Chugak National Forest. The exclusivity of the property and difficult access ensures a private and intimate wilderness fishing experience, where the only other people you will see will be those in camp. Hidden Cove can accommodate a maximum of twelve anglers at one time, and from right in front of the camp anglers have access to approximately 14 miles of water (North and East branches) as well as a huge tidal lagoon. Two or three anglers share a guide and access the waters via an outboard powered jet-skiff. With the river being right in front of the lodge, anglers can literally fish from sun-up to sundown. It is estimated that more than 20,000 cohos migrate up the two main river branches at Hidden Cove Camp.

At the Hidden Cove Camp, each two anglers share a comfortable cabin complete with all linens, wood or oil heat, generator supplied electricity with plenty of room for laying out gear and getting organized. Meals at Hidden Cove are what you would expect in a maritime wilderness operation. Hearty and simple, they include such dishes as Alaska King Crab legs, giant Alaska Gulf Shrimp, halibut, cut-to-order prime rib, and three inch fillets. Plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits, homemade breads and desserts will satisfy even the hungriest angler. You won't go hungry at Steve's camps, so don't plan on losing any weight.

Sunshine Point Camp: Situated approximately 50 miles southeast of Cordova, Sunshine Point is accessed only by bush plane and is perfectly located to take advantage of three different river branches that support an annual run of Pacific Northern Coho Salmon in excess of 20,000 fish. As an added bonus, anglers at Sunshine Point have the option of fishing a lake system for wild rainbow trout. Access to all the fisheries at Sunshine Camp is by jet-skiff, and small groups of two to three angles share a guide for each full day of fishing. The camp sits on 100 deeded, private acres, some of the only private land between Cordova and Yakutat. Private property and near impossible access means no outside intrusion from other lodges or do-it-yourselfers, so the lucky four anglers that Sunshine can accommodate at one time have it to themselves.

As with the Hidden Cove Camp, anglers at Sunshine share spacious, double occupancy cabins that come complete with all linens and oil or wood stove heat, and generator supplied electricity. The cabins are not fancy, but spacious and serve their purpose well. Being right on the Gulf of Alaska, some of the richest commercial fishing grounds in the world, anglers can look forward to fresh seafood such as crab, halibut, prawns and, of course, fresh silver salmon. Prime rib, cut-to-order, filet mignon, fresh-baked bread, home-made desserts and fresh vegetables and fruits round out the menu.

Lodging: Cabins.

Travel Arrangements:  It's easy to get to Cordova (the jumping off point for the two camps) via Seattle or Anchorage. If need be, you can overnight in Cordova, Seattle or Anchorage, although it's possible to get there without laying over, especially from the West Coast.

Length of Stay: Sunday morning; to the following Sunday afternoon.

Inclusions: The rate includes: Round Packages include round-trip transportation to the out camps from Cordova, all lodging at camps boats and professional guide service, home-cooked meals and wine with dinners. Also includes all applicable municipal rents, user fees, and sales taxes.

Non-Inclusions: This rate does not include: Alaska sport fishing licenses, flies, equipment, tackle, liquor (not available on site - must be purchased prior to arrival at Camp), gratuities, or items of personal nature.

Deposit: A 50 percent deposit is due to secure a reservation. Final payment is due 60 days prior to scheduled arrival date.

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Comments and questions are welcome. Please contact me at mercer@theflyshop.com or call 800-669-3474