Goodnews River Lodge Alaska
July 2017
John Boyden and Dean Barker, participants from our Redding, CA program, were two of eight participants selected to go to the Goodnews River Lodge in July. Located on one of the three forks of the Goodnews River, the lodge is in a remote corner of southwest Alaska 450 miles from Anchorage.
After overnighting in Anchorage, an old DC3 flew the group to Goodnews Bay followed by a six mile boat trip up river to the lodge. After a welcome from Mike Gorton, the owner-operator of the lodge, the group headed out for a half day of fishing. The fishing craft were generally 20 ft. boats with 80 hp. engines. Dean and John fished together all week and had a different guide each day.
They spent six and one half days fishing for King Salmon (Chinook), Sockeyes (Reds), Humpys (Pinks), Dolly Varden, and Chum, and even caught a Leopard Rainbow. John and Dean caught a total of 133 salmon during the week making this a very exciting and memorable fishing trip.
Everyone connected with the Goodnews River Lodge was totally professional and did everything within their power to make the trip enjoyable, productive, and certainly one to dream about for many years. John and Dean wish to thank everyone connected to the lodge and PHWFF for providing this incredible opportunity.