Your Trip
On arriving in Sitka from a two hour flight from Seattle, staff will pick you up at the airport for transport to the lodge. After a short stop for beverages and licensing, we will drive you to the lodge, approximately 5 minutes from downtown Sitka. You will be fitted in rain gear and boots for the remainder of your stay and for you fishing comfort. After the stop at the lodge we will take you to your hotel for your first night before fishing. Dinner the first night is on your own and we are happy to provide you with transportation if needed.
Around 445 we will pick you up at your hotel with all your luggage. We will drive you down to our boats, where your captains and deckhands await dockside. The remainder of your trip will be spent at the lodge. A typical day will involve a 30-90 minute “commute” to the fishing grounds. Each angler will have their own salmon fishing rod, employing what is known as mooching.
Mooching involves a simple line from rod tip to weight, attached to Gamagatsu hook setup…with a herring hitching along. This allows for maximum fight for both the fish and the angler…no flashers to get in the way of the play. As we like to say, we like to teach people how to fish…not just how to reel in fish.
After you have (hopefully) retained a limit of king or silver salmon (or a combination of both), you will be driven out to the halibut grounds to soak for halibut. This involves a set-up of heavier tackle, braided line, and circle hooks.
The crew will provide hand-crafted sandwiches, built to your desires. Chips, cookies, sodas, coffee, and waters are also provided on board. The halibut we catch range from smaller “chicken” sized halibut (very tasty), to oversized halibut which test the merit of many fishermen. Due to the halibut regulations enforced in southeast Alaska for numerous years, our halibut fishery is very sustainable and maintains healthy populations in our fishing grounds.
In the afternoon on your return to harbor, you may stop and catch one of many species of rockfish that inhabit the area. You will return to the dock at approximately 3 pm, where you will be picked up and transported to the lodge. Fresh baked cookies and snacks await your arrival. After time to shower and relax, it is appetizer and social time. (Or you can be transported into town to view the incredible scenery and history that Sitka offers.)
This is followed by a full service meal prepared by our Chef Kristen (Kribbs), who enjoys her job of teaching the anglers new and creative ways to enjoy their catch at home.
As you are enjoying social hour, we have your fish professionally filleted, processed, and vacuum sealed. From there it is flash frozen in a walk in freezer, and stored in 50 lb. waxed boxes for your return trip home. (We offer unlimited packaging of fish that you lawfully retain on your trip at no cost)
After your trip, we will transport you and your fish to the airport, which will be shipped with you as your checked luggage. After hugs at the airport (and hopefully breakfast with your group) we will ship you off to your home destination with wonderful fish and unforgettable memories.
Friends will say goodbye to old friends and new friends alike.
THE LODGE
Fishing may be tough work, but that's why we believe in making the whole experience as comfortable as possible. We'll provide you with a chef, staff, and homely accommodations to make sure your stay with us is nothing short of amazing. We're more than happy to pick you up from the airport and take you to our lodge tucked away in a peaceful hillside just a short drive from the marina we fish out of. Once you're here, you can sit back, relax and enjoy a drink while taking in the beautiful sunset over Sitka Sound. And after a long day on the water, you can look forward to delicious, chef-prepared meals, and maybe even a fun game of cribbage or cards with your favorite fishing buddies.
The Food
At the lodge, gourmet food often combines the freshest catch with locally sourced ingredients, creating a culinary experience that celebrates both the bounty of the waters and the flavors of the region.
OUR SERVICES
Wifi
Laundry
Airport Transportation
Coffee
Rain Gear Provided
All Meals
Included
The Lodge Team
Our Lodge team takes great pride on making sure your trip goes above and beyond your expectations
The Vonnie's experience was established to carry on the tradition of the former fishing lodge owner, LaVonne "Vonnie" Grunn, who was widely known for her welcoming hospitality and offering her lodge a second home to returning fishermen and women. In early 2023, the entire fishing crew from Vonnie's Lodge joined forces with the new owner and operator, Mike Allen. Mike ran his boat exclusively at Vonnie's lodge for eight years prior to taking over. Despite the change in ownership, Vonnie's has upheld the cherished tradition of "family-style lodging" and a commitment to exceeding expectations. We believe that fishing in Alaska should be a fun and enjoyable experience, far from the traditional fishing trips where the captain barks orders all weekend long. We understand that fishing is most fun when you are actually catching fish. You can count on our expert fishing crew to provide you the best possible opportunities to catch fish, while our dedicated lodging staff ensures that you have a comfortable and memorable stay.
.jpeg)
OUR STORY
