Pricing for guided fishing, wildlife, or natural history trips on Bristol Bay's premiere rivers.

Wild River Trips are $4,000. per person per week/ based on double occupancy.

My pricing is straightforward. I keep my rates about two thousand, $2,000 dollars per week below the region's best lodges*.

Beginning in 2008 I am offering a limited number of “Row Your Own Boat Trips”. I am going to model this upon the success built over the years taking very experienced fishermen like Hank Ashforth and Chuck Mangus who row one or 2 of the boats in our trip while I row a boat in the trip leader position. This means that if your group provides 1 or more very experienced oarsmen I will pass along the savings that I would have paid to oarsman/ guides.

Obviously this is not for everyone. I have a gold standard that my assistants must meet to row one of my boats but if you own a drift boat or whitewater raft and enjoy spending time on the oars let’s talk…The savings to a group of 6 can be several thousand dollars!

Fishing Trips: I guide only premiere wilderness waters
These rivers & creeks rank highest among the most productive fisheries in Alaska. I specialize in hard to access virgin waters. The difference between the lodge and my service is that we fly our rafts into the headwaters where motors are not heard. Then we float, camp, wade, and fish a river thoroughly for 30-50 miles. This is unimaginable on a lodge schedule where you will fish from jet boats or wade & bank fish after daily flights. Another difference is that this is customized to your own small group of 2-6.

Wildlife & Natural History Trips:
I guide only in pristine wilderness landscapes and waters. The mountian lakes and tundra uplands of the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge are the heart of my Eco-Tourism and Natural History guiding area. I specialize in unvisited wilderness areas and focus our wildlife observations toward areas where our solitude is a priority. The difference between large tours and my service is that we fly into the mountain lakes amidst remote peaks where motors are not heard and years go by between tours. Then we hike camp, boat, photograph, paint and travel in the most extraordinary landscape for 3-6 days. This is unimaginable on a large tour schedule where you will experience exactly what yesterday's tour experienced. Another difference is that this is customized to your own small group of 2-6.

What is included in the per person per week cost? You will be met at the Dillingham, Alaska airport after your flight from Anchorage. Your floatplane flights are of course included. You are provided state of the art North Face or Mountain Hard Wear tents, sleeping bags, and Cascade Design luxury edition thermarest sleeping mattresses, all other camping gear, plus premium waterproof river duffle bags to pack in. Meals are provided of course, and are wonderful. Your menu favorites or particular diet are planned for. The rafts, kayaks, and canoes we use are state of the art and designed for the rivers we will fish. The best in the business!

You are responsible for your own transportation to Dillingham on major airlines. Your lodging in Dillingham before and after the trip is your responsibility. We can recommend a wonderful guesthouse / Bed & Breakfast. Most guests bring their own fly rods or spinning gear. You supply outerwear, clothing, cameras, backpacks for Natural History & Wildlife treks & personal items. If wine or alcoholic beverages are desired you will supply those. Brooks Camp bear viewing & photography require special scheduling and pricing, so call for current prices. Once dates and the logistics are agreed upon a 50% deposit holds your reservation.

What do you want?
Help choosing between Mark Rutherford's custom trips versus staying at a premiere lodge?

Mark's trip is customized to your interests and the service is personal. The lodge is somewhat more institutional. Without any exaggeration fishing and wildlife guests of mine can double the hours fishing & touring per week compared to lodge guests and large tours. We camp in the wilderness landscape amoung the fish & wildlife. However lodges & day tours have hot showers - running water and cocktail hour while we have expedition tents, sleeping bags, and luxury edition thermarest sleeping pads. Our meals are eaten in streamside or alpine seats while attired in waders or fleece. In a lodge your shirts and slacks might stay pressed. Alaska is a long way from anywhere. The success of your trip is important. Mark fishes and travels through world-class landscapes of wildlife amoung trout, char, & salmon water and so do the premiere lodges & tours. Let's get it right for you and your friends or family one way or another.

What kind of outdoor experience do you want?
Does a glass of wine taste different by the campfire? Does Starbucks French roast coffee placed by the tent door in the morning taste the same as coffee at the polished lodge buffet? I recommend both Tikchik Narrows Lodge or Mission Lodge for seniors who are unsteady, for those individuals with serious medical conditions, and for the less hardy 5-10 year old anglers. Rafting & camping is the way to go for those who value camping, for wildlife photographers, hikers, the hardcore fly- fishers plus the meticulous casters who want to search thoroughly for a trophy, and don't want to be rushed.

If you choose the total Alaska river trip experience then let's listen to the warblers and thrushes sing, and watch Arctic terns dive into schools of migrating salmon fry at midnight!

Special Discounted Pricing
Each year, 2 full weeklong trips are offered on a sliding scale to individuals who might never get to experience an Alaska wilderness fishing trip any other way. Call or email to discuss this. This applies to college students, "wannabe guides" & regular people who may not have the cash but have a great attitude about wilderness travel.

Guests sometimes are curious about tipping for guided trips?
Tipping for great or extraordinary service is appreciated! We give each trip 100% of our abilities as guides and hosts. Prior guests have variously contributed to the guides in amounts from 5-15%. Tipping is entirely at your discretion!

* 2008 prices average $7,000 at Tikchik Narrows lodge, Mission Lodge, & Crystal Creek. There are also less expensive lodges, tours, and more heavily fished water. Mark's expertise is with the premiere wilderness / world-class level of service.

IMPORTANT: Deposit & Disclaimer Info.