Hello all. I'm planning a self guided steelhead trip to POW and was looking into lodges,Like Thorne Bay lodge among others. Anyone have any experience with this? I am just in the early planning stages and was hoping to get some feed back on what to look out for,any issues I should safe guard against,etc. Thanks.

Haven't been there myself, but I've known and know of others who have done so. It's very doable in terms of places to stay and "rent-a-wreck" vehicles for transportation. If internet searching doesn't turn up what you're looking for, I could look for some old fishing reports from the fly fishing forum. The only safe guard issue I"m aware of is that POW is litterally crawling with black bears - one behind every tree - so if you intend to camp, food storage is a major issue. However the weather during steelhead season is sketchy, and if I were going, I would get a room, a cabin, or something with a good roof.

Thank Salmo yeah I am of a pioneering and adventurous spirit,but I will pass on camping. I am looking into options for lodging and it probably would behoove me to book a day or two with a guide to familiarize myself with the area before we break off on our own. Maybe not. I am spearheading this trip for myself and a couple of buddies who are not afraid to invest the time and money into a trip like this. I really am wondering about how to get all my gear up there on the plane ,so all that needs to be ironed out.

POW is hardly pioneering. Folks have been going there to fish for decades now. I know of guys who camped, but that was in late summer when the weather isn't so sketchy. Two med-large duffles per person, plus rod tube, will haul all you need. Airlines vary on checked baggage fees, but Alaska has always been good on fishing gear for me.

I'd send a note off to Rob Endsley and pick his brain a bit. Tom Nelson (ESPN Radio) would be another person to send a note off too. There are some lurking board members here who own places up in POW that may PM you, or chime in too.

Haha I know that.

Thank you El Parquito.