Northwoods Lodge

We love Northwood Lodge. it is our home away from home. This year is our third year returning and often we go 2 times a yin June and August. The fishing is superb and our guide Skyler is one of the best that we have ever had. He is a total expert in finding fish. He takes extremely good care of us in every regard and has a very laid-back positive personality. The accommodations

We spent 3 weeks in Alaska traveling by air, boats and trains from the backcountry of Denali National Park to Homer Alaska. We stayed at many amazing places but this was our favorite spot (although seeing the bears at Brooks Falls and watching hump back whales bubble net feeding in Seward were close 2nds but also had to share these experiences with other tourists). We had many rivers and lakes to ourselves to fish and seldom saw any other fishing parties. Although King Salmon were off limits, there was an abundance of other fish. As a beginner fly fisherwoman I was able to spot the fish in the clear melt water streams and land several nice trout and graylings. My more experienced husband was "slaying it". We enjoyed seeing the salmon jumping and the abundance of wildlife above and below the water line. Our guide, Vance, was patient and taught me several casting techniques and he kept us on the fish. Eric and Shan were attentive and the food was outstanding. The lake view from our cabin was beautiful and peaceful. This isn't a 5 star hotel but it is a luxury lodge: clean, hot water, lots of space. Photos accurately show the accommodations.

Just got back with my brother and two sons from a week long Flyfishing trip at Northwoods Lodge. Got picked up in Anchorage by Rust’s Flying Service and no problems coming or going on the float plane and very nice people schlepping us around Anchorage while we waited for our plane out. The Lodge was beautiful, deluxe cabin was small for the four of us large men but comfortable. Had some trouble with the hot water which they worked out for us. We caught lots of Silver salmon and Sockeyes even thought the water was low and the silvers were late. The guides took good care of us and knew where to go even with the low water. Mike was especially excellent - knew the water well, was always nearby when we needed assistance or some advice. Shan and Eric are great hosts. The food was superb and they accommodated our diets. The Northwoods Lodge is a real Alaska adventure and for the diversity of fishing and fun you wouldn’t want to go anywhere else.

We had the absolute BEST time at Northwoods Lodge! Everyone that works at the lodge makes you feel like you are family! Our fishing guide, Vance, was very professional and was very patient when teaching me. Shan made wonderful home cooked meals and had everything ready for us when we arrived back from our fishing for the day. If you are looking for a great place to go fishing in AK, then this is the place! Thank you all for everything and we hope to be back soon!

What a tremendous experience. Went on a special trip with my son and brother to spread my dad’s ashes around Alaska. Eric, Sham, and our guide Vance made it a wonderful experience. Everything about it exceeded my expectations! We caught tons of fish too!

Eric and Shan have a beautiful location and cabins are very comfortable and accommodating. They really make it feel like home and as if you are with family. Their expertise with fishing is top notch and our guide Vance was amazing to work with.

Beautiful, friendly and fun! We just enjoy fishing (not crazy about it)and this was PERFECT for our first time to fly in. Booking was easy and Shan provides detailed, helpful info. Rust flying service is great - we had 4 hours before our flight - so they dropped us off and picked us up downtown with great food recommendations. The flight to Northwoods was spectacular! We were welcomed and enjoyed a delicious home cooked rib meal. Though the best food was owner Eric’s smoked salmon sent in our snack bag with the guide for fishing. Jason was an awesome guide! Stream fishing and caught trout, river fishing for salmon and learned to “floss.” Tried fly fishing too! We also went kayaking on the lake. Very nice room and so very quiet! Each group has their own guide who caters to what you want to do or not do. They have vehicles and other boats strategically placed, so not a lot of hiking unless you want to. This is one of the original fly in lodges - they are the experts! Their focus on their guests, delicious food, and knowledgeable guides are what make a great experience. And, plenary to do if you just want to relax and not fish. Would recommend to everyone!

Shan and Eric have built a paradise in the wilderness. They employ expert guides who know all the best spots to limit out every day on Salmon, Rainbow Trout and much more. Amazing freshly prepared meals both in the lodge and kept in coolers while you fish. Shan cooks it all from scratch and includes fresh ingredients from her garden - it’s gourmet quality. Most of all, Shan and Eric are the most wonderful hosts you could imagine. They are professionals and at the same time make you feel comfortable and at home. They can accommodate anglers of all ages, with a guide that will stay with your group the entire stay. We had Mike and he was an expert on the water conditions and always knew where to be on the rivers. Their boats can accommodate up to 4 plus a guide - many other local lodges with 5 stars can only fit 2 guests per boat. Went with a family of four, including our 15 and 10 year old and they had the time of their lives. Accommodations have everything you need and the main lodge has many luxuries - game room, bar, large sofas, and more. Can’t wait to go back - book early as there are a lot of repeat customers and there’s a good reason for that!

Wow!!!! What an experience. We did a spring snow machine ride up the Yetna river today and ended our day at Northwoods lodge with Eric and Shan Johnson. Great people great stop, a welcome site after a hard day's ride. I have stayed at several lodges around the state over the past 35 years, many great experiences , many disappointments. At Northwoods we felt we were at home. Down to earth experience, clean & comfortable . Outstanding value and experience and strawberry rhubarb pie, Dynamite

Fantastic food, scenery and fishing!! Highly recommended! The owners and staff are friendly and welcoming

Spent a week here with customers and my son and I can not say enough about the Service, the fishing, the lodge (including pool table) and the meals!!! What an unbelievable experience. Go to www.northwoodslodge.net Eric and Shan and the boys are the ultimate hosts and I've fished all over the world (Amazon, etc) Saw a 50 pounder landed and released and we all got keepers to take home !! Marvin Shotts Square D Co

Tucked away in a beautiful and picturesque setting of the remote Alaskan bush is one of the best full service fishing lodges you'll find along the Yenta River . The lodge is home to King, pink, sockeye, and silver salmon, rainbow trout and pike fishing in the summer season. Come the winter months it is an adventure getaway for snow machining in demand place to stay for one of the Iditarod checkpoints for Yentna. The lodge is nestled 65 miles NW of Anchorage where you'll depart via a single engine plane flown by some well versed bush pilots. Soaring over the lush trees in your float plane in the summer you can get a feeling during your 40 min scenic flight over marshes and just low enough to see some wild life, just how great, and off the beaten path Alaska and your destination point really is. Taxiing up and around the bend of the property you'll be greeted at the dock by the welcoming owners Eric and Shan Johnson, your fishing guides and lodge staff. Whether your there for just a day trip or staying over night for two days or a week you are immediately treated like family. The hospitality is like any other 4 star hotel. Your bags are taken to your cabin and you are immediately given a tour offered beverages to your liking or efficiently helped with getting your fishing license on site there if needed if you're on a tight itinerary and there for a day trip. Staying at the lodge is a superb idea. It offers brunch and dinner service with daily fresh made from scratch breads, cookies, biscotti's, herbs and vegetables from the gardens, local game meats and fish. Guests can enjoy the open coffee bar including hot teas, chocolates and local Alaskan coffee. Fruits, nuts and snacks are always available with an ever full cookie jar. The lodge offers Alaskan beers on tap as well as a variety of bottles or domestic and imported as well as a tasty wine list. Each cabin comforts include northwoods decor, heaters, bunks and extra blankets and towels. Whether your stay is in the standard cabins or the Deluxe Northwoods you will be quite comfortable especially with a each one having their own full view of the lake and creek as they sit on the bluffs of the Lake . Breathtaking. During the summers your days will include your 8 hours of fishing weather it be up early for the Kings, lazily enjoying an afternoon fish after brunch and a nap or back out at night after dinner to reel um in. You can enjoy the hot tub or sauna to warm up after your catch or join your friends upstairs in the new game room for a round of poker, ping pong, billiards, Wii, perhaps a board game of Risk or a pick from the large movie collection on the comfy couch. The game room library will impress any one of the book worm or researching type. It is full of Alaskan literature, and information on the history of the state, the natives, the pilots, Iditarod, gold, videos as well and everything Alaskan. Don't let it intimidate you. There are plenty of short reads too to glance through as you fall asleep at night to well round your Alaskan stay. If your looking for out doorys stuff or a bit of a stretch, and your not looking for your daily work out in the exercise room, try the trails. There is a variety of trails depending on your ideal length and style. Along these deep woods, quite serene trails you'll find all kinds of wildlife, indigenous mushrooms, thick lush bushes, tall trees, animal tracks, berries and waves of seasonal flowers. You can also jump in the canoe and take a paddle around the lake or up the rapids to explore many other lakes and see many types of fish, beavers, moose and otters. You're friendly and knowledgeable fishing guide will set you up with all you need for your day excursions. From fitting you to proper gear, setting your poles up, or grabbing a cooler with beverages of your choice they are there to exceed your expectations. Whether you be a well versed angler here to fish Alaska for the first time or never touched a pole in your life, they will make you feel welcome to the sport and make it a fun experience. The ratio of guide to client is small so that you may receive one on one attention and direction. They are very encouraging and love to take photos for you of you and your catch. When back at dock you get a great opt. to take photos and weigh your fish at the Northwoods sign while your guide quickly fillets and packages your fish for you. Owner and executive chef of Northwoods lodge, Shan Johnson delights her family and guests with fresh fish, her collection of family recipes, and produce from her gardens.v