Bill Smedy, from Barre, was all smiles when he got off the plane in Burlington following a week of fishing on the Kenai Peninsula. Bill had always dreamed of going to Alaska and to hear him talk about his trip, one is left with no doubt, that this was all he had dreamed of and more. With some reservations about going solo, Bill booked with a local agency for a week at Bear Paw Lodge and at 7:00 in the evening of June 22 he found himself shaking hands with Scott Eggemyer, his host at Bear Paw who was there to meet him at Anchorage's International Airport.

Bear Paw is located in Cooper Landing on the Sterling Highway about an hour and a half from Anchorage and in the heart of Alaska's best fishing territory.

"The drive down to the lodge was nothing short of spectacular", was Bill's comment regarding his first glimpse of the vast landscape that trademarks America's last frontier.

In mid-June it doesn't ever get really dark, as most of Alaska is above the 50th parallel. Heading south down the Seward Highway as it winds its way around Turnagain Arm, one of several large bodies of water that extend inland from Cook Inlet, Dall sheep were clearly visible grazing the hillsides just below the snow capped mountain peaks. Bear Paw Lodge is designed in traditional Alaskan style with one large log lodge facilitating guest rooms, dining room and common areas with amenities like open bar, pool table and hot tub. Two other log buildings provide additional guest accommodations.

"From the time I met Scott and the rest of the staff, my concerns about doing this trip alone evaporated. As hosts Scott and Susi are just great people who look after every detail. The attentiveness of the staff and laid-back casual atmosphere of the lodge combined to provide one the most stress-free vacations I have ever had."

The lodge provides all gear and equipment. However, the list of things to bring provided to Bill in advance of his trip included items like your favorite cigars and the desire to have fun. According to Bill this outfitter is all about fishing and having fun. Bear Paw accommodates only eight to ten anglers per week which allows for a lot of personal attention and 1x2 guide service.

Bear Paw boasts some of the best fishing guides on the peninsula and to hear Bill tell of his success with Sockeye Salmon on the Kenai River or Rainbows on the nearby Kasilof there is little doubt of the combined skill and knowledge exhibited by the 5 guides the outfit employs. According to Bill accommodations were perfect and, because Scott is not only a respected guide but a master chef as well, the food was exceptional.

The lodge offers 4, 5 and 6-day packages that range from $3200 to $4000. The rates are all-inclusive and customers are encouraged to customize. For example, Bill wanted an opportunity to do some sightseeing and also was interested in doing a Halibut charter. So in the middle of his week he and his guide, Eric Lund, hopped in the truck and headed for Homer. Located at the extreme southeastern end of the Kenai Peninsula, Homer is a picturesque Fishing village surrounded by glacier-covered peaks making it one of Alaska's favorite photogenic locations.

"We stayed at a place called Room With A Brew with apartment style accommodations located above a local micro brewery. Upon registration, we were invited to sample the five different beers custom brewed in the building and upon selection of a favorite an evenings worth was delivered to our room in 20 ounce bottles."

The Halibut charter proved to be even more than Bill had bargained for, " By mid afternoon, I was ready to call it a day. We had really been into a lot of big fish all day and my arms were aching from pulling those big boys up from 125 feet down."
Bear Paw is somewhat unique in that all their packages also include float plane fly-outs to remote lakes and rivers from Prince William Sound to western Alaska. This provides anglers with exceptional opportunities for sea run Silver, King and Sockeye Salmon as well as Grayling plus a bird's eye view of some of Alaska's most dramatic wilderness. Often moose, dall sheep and even brown bear are prey to the camera lenses of Bear Paw guests on these excursions.

In Bill's words, "If you have never been to Alaska or fished with an outfit like Bear Paw it is almost unimaginable how beautiful it is, how comfortable the lodge is and how exciting the fishing is. I am definitely going back in two years and I don't know, maybe I'll go every two years."

Life is good at Bear Paw Lodge.