Kingfisher Charters — Hotel in Baranof Island

Cannot be more disappointed from being starved to death to being on nothing more than a boat ride for 3 days. Total waste of money. Went at end of season and all I heard was all the workers saying they were tired and couldn’t wait for the season to be over. Got driven to the lodge for a 4 night trip. I went as a solo and was teamed up with some outstanding, friendly people. The lodge is beautiful and clean. The 1st night they gave us appetizers of shrimp. Before going I advised them I can’t eat beef, shellfish or cheese for medical reasons. I was assured it was no big deal. So obviously no appetizer for medical reasons. The 1st night dinner was fish, so I ate and it was good. Next morning at 5 am breakfast was cheese eggs, cheese danish and sausages. I didn’t eat. Met our captain named Mike. For the next 10 hrs we went in a boat ride. Only 2 poles in water. Trolling out of the 5 of us. A total of 8 salmon were caught. On the boat they served lunch. Everyone had these huge submarine sandwiches, I got a handful of lettuce and a pick sized piece of frozen, steamed cod. Not much. We returned and saw all other boats come in with 20+ lbs for each fisherman worth of various fish. They were given the option of finding other varieties since they couldn’t find salmon. We weren’t given that option. Dinner was crab legs and roast. I didn’t eat. 2nd day breakfast was same thing, I didn’t eat. Lunch in boat was the same thing. It gagged me and now I was literally starving. Not only that the captain couldn’t land on fish. I asked him if we could mooch. He said he doesn’t allow live bait on his boat since it makes a mess. Imagine 5 men standing around on the de ck of a boat with only 2 reels in water waiting for a bite that hardly ever comes. Then you choose who will be reeling it in. By the 2nd night dinner I was starving and looking forward to a meal. They served beef hamburgers and roast. I stormed out pissed. Lodge director approached me in cabin asked what was wrong, I told him I hadn’t eaten for 2 days other than lettuce. He said I needed to list out my preference sheet correctly. When he looked, he said, “oh, you did, so what do you want?” I told him a tuna fish sandwich or a piece of chicken, something, anything. He said he will take care of it but never returned leaving me for the 2nd night of no food and our boat had only caught a total of 18 lbs of filet each while other boats were nearing 50 lbs. 3 morning I had toast and coffee since you guessed it, cheese eggs were offered. On the boat lunch was roast beef sandwiches. Again, I couldn’t eat. We went miles off shore and caught some cod off automatic reels since we fished at 1300 feet. I asked if I could free reel, I was told no by Capt Mike. We returned 2 hrs early and barely any fish. All I could hear the captain talk about was getting back to dock and partying with the other captains with a special bottle of tequila he had. We returned to the lodge and discovered in total we had only caught 37 lbs of filet to bring home while all other boats had 70+ lbs plus. So, before dinner, we drove to the fishery and had to purchase fish so we had some to bring home. Lodge said it embarrassed them as a lodge by doing this. I didn’t care. At dinner, they served beef again and said they had cooked me a piece of chicken, yet while the rest of the table had finished eating I was still waiting for my first meal in 3 days to be served. It finally came and it was just a piece of chicken but at least I ate. Then came time for the tips. They wanted a total of $300 for the captain, service, cook, processor. This was easy for me, they refused to feed me, incompetence of lodge director, we didn’t catch fish to process and the captain only took us for a boat ride refusing us the ability to actively fish. I didn’t tip, the tips w ent to pay for the fish I bought at processor down the street. Next morning couldn’t wait to get to the airport. This place only wants your money and could care less about your actual experience. And as far as the “chef?” Yea ok, what a joke, all of it. Will never return...

We have been going to Kingfisher Lodge for over 15 years. This family run operation is the absolute best fishing camp I have ever been to, and all the people are super friendly. The accommodations are spotless. The home made meals are to die for, especially the deserts . The boats are new, clean, organized, and fast. Tackle is new and well maintained. The captains are constantly doing their best to put us on the fish, help keep the anglers from running into one another, and quickly untangling the messes that us fishermen always seem to run into. We have almost always gone home with our daily limits (normally 120 to 160 pounds of FILLETS per person for a 3 day trip). They are nothing short of expert in fish prep, vacuum sealing, freezing and packaging. We have never had any damaged fish after our trip home. THE BEST PART IS THEY ALWAYS TREAT US AS PART OF THEIR OWN FAMILY AND AS A TRUE FRIEND. I can't say enough good things and highly recommend the...

This is a charter fishing lodge. They contract with about 20 charter captains. Each boat can take 5, but the will let a party of 4 have a boat to themselves. There are multiple multi floor buildings. Our floor had a capacity of 13 in 2 and 3 person rooms. There is a common area with a kitchen which is pretty unnecessary as they feed you generous breakfast and dinner. Lunch is a sandwich on the boat. Meals are served in a common area. The reason for going is the fishing. Salmon, halibut and rockfish are the main ones. Lingcod are available but Alaskan game rules only allow retention of fish within a narrow size range. The lodge cleans, vacuum packs and freezes the catch then packs it in 50 pound boxes for travel. All very well done. BTW, boots and wet weather clothes are provided so don't waste your luggage allotment on those. Save it for the fish you will be...