2027 RETREAT GUIDE

Start Here: 2027 Alaska Mens Retreat

Dates, schedule, packing guidance and everything newbies need to know.

Anchorage, Alaska

Fish On!

Welcome and Overview

Welcome to the 2027 Alaska Men’s Retreat—an invitation-only week of salmon fishing, saltwater fishing, shared meals, long days, good friends, and stories that improve with age.

This is a trip organized by friends for friends. It is not a luxury vacation or a guided package where someone else handles every detail. We travel together, fish together, eat together, and share the work required to keep the trip running.

No previous salmon-fishing experience is required. First-time attendees will receive help with equipment, fishing techniques, river safety, fish handling, and netting. You are expected to listen, learn, arrive prepared, and contribute to the group.

Expect:

• Early mornings and long fishing days
• Cold water and rapidly changing weather
• Extensive standing and wading
• Shared lodging, transportation, meals, and responsibilities
• Limited sleep
• Plenty of fishing, humor, poker, cigars, whiskey, and questionable advice

The trip is physically demanding, but it is also memorable, rewarding, and a lot of fun.

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2027 At a Glance

Trip Detail	Information
Dates	Saturday, July 24–Saturday, July 31, 2027
Arrival airport	Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport—ANC
Arrival window	To be confirmed before flights are booked
Departure window	To be confirmed; do not book an early Saturday departure
Primary area	Kenai Peninsula
Activities	River fishing, saltwater fishing, shared meals, and fish processing
Experience required	None, but preparation and willingness to learn are required
Physical demands	Long days, wading, standing, loading gear, and limited sleep
Trip cost	To be confirmed
Fishing license	Required and purchased separately
Personal gear	Rod, reel, waders, boots, rain gear, and eye protection
Group-provided gear	Terminal tackle, nets, fillet knives, bear spray, and life jackets
Attendance	By invitation only
Waiver	Required before attending

Tentative Week

Day	Tentative Plan
Saturday, July 24	Arrive in Anchorage, collect vehicles and supplies, and travel as directed
Sunday–Thursday	River fishing and saltwater fishing based on conditions and scheduling
Friday, July 30	Final fishing day and group celebration
Saturday, July 31	Pack fish and gear, clean the lodge, and return to Anchorage

Fishing locations and daily plans may change due to weather, river conditions, salmon movement, regulations, or charter availability.

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First-Timer Checklist

Before Committing

• Read this page and review the physical demands.
• Confirm that you can attend the entire trip.
• Confirm that you are willing to fish all day, every day.
• Discuss health, mobility, dietary, or other concerns with the organizers.
• Understand that everyone helps with fishing, cooking, cleaning, loading, and group tasks.
• Review the cost and cancellation terms when published.

After Accepting

• Confirm your participation.
• Complete the legal disclaimer/liability waiver.
• Pay the required deposit.
• Provide any dietary restrictions or helpful information.
• Wait for approved flight instructions before booking airfare.

Prepare Your Gear

Each attendee must bring:

• Chest waders
• Non-felt wading boots
• Rod and reel with 30-pound test line
• Polarized sunglasses or other eye protection
• Breathable waterproof jacket
• Fishing pliers and line clippers
• Appropriate clothing and footwear
• Alaska fishing license
• Government-issued identification

Terminal tackle, nets, fillet knives, bear spray, and life jackets are generally provided by the group.

Prepare Yourself

• Break in your wading boots.
• Practice moving in your waders.
• Improve your walking and standing endurance – you are expected to fish all day, not sit and watch everyone else fish.
• Watch the beginner fishing and knot videos.
• Review river, hook, bear, and boating safety.
• Purchase and save multiple copies of your fishing license.
• Use the full packing checklist before departure.

One Week Before Departure

• Confirm your flights and airport instructions.
• Review the latest schedule and weather.
• Inspect your waders, rod, reel, and rain gear.
• Review current Alaska fishing regulations.
• Label your luggage and fishing equipment.
• Pack medications and essential documents in your carry-on.
• Read the final group update.

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Expectations

Be Ready on Time

When the group sets a departure time, be dressed, fed, packed, and ready to help. Eleven people should not be waiting because one person cannot find his gloves.

Help Without Being Asked

Everyone contributes to:

• Cooking and dishes
• Lodge and vehicle cleanup
• Loading and unloading equipment
• Preparing rafts and fishing gear
• Grocery and supply runs
• Fish handling and cooler preparation
• Final lodge cleanup

Pay attention, step in, and do your share.

Show Up Prepared

Bring the required equipment and make sure it works before traveling. Alaska is not the ideal place to discover that your waders leak or your reel does not function.

Respect Safety Instructions

Follow all instructions involving:

• River crossings and wading
• Boats and rafts
• Life jackets
• Hooks and weights
• Wildlife
• Weather
• Vehicles
• Fish handling

Eye protection is required while fishing. Life jackets must be worn while on rafts.

Be Flexible

Fishing plans can change quickly because of weather, river levels, regulations, charter conditions, and salmon movement. A change in plans is part of fishing in Alaska—not a crisis.

Respect the Group

Humor, sarcasm, and teasing are part of the trip. Everyone should be able to laugh at himself while still treating others, the lodge, local businesses, and the public with respect.

Manage Alcohol Responsibly

Alcohol must never interfere with safe fishing, boating, driving, helping the group, respectful behavior, or being ready the next morning.

Stay for the Full Trip

The group coordinates vehicles, luggage, lodging, fish coolers, and airport transportation around a shared schedule. Do not book an early departure or plan to leave independently unless approved in advance.

Contribute to the Experience

A good attendee:

• Helps others
• Maintains a positive attitude
• Learns from mistakes
• Handles changing conditions without excessive complaining
• Takes care of equipment and shared spaces
• Contributes positively to the group

Future invitations are not automatic. They depend in part on whether an attendee contributes to the success of the trip.

In simpler terms: don’t be a dumbass.

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Next Steps

1. Review the detailed trip information.
2. Review the packing and fishing gear lists.
3. Complete the liability waiver.
4. Review the cost and payment schedule.
5. Pay the required deposit.
6. Wait for flight-booking instructions.
7. Submit your travel and emergency information.
8. Begin preparing your equipment.

Welcome to the 2027 Alaska Men’s Retreat.

Fish on!