- Lodge Weekly Stay Adventure Package / Boats / Kayaks / Fly-Outs
- Fishing schedule
- Intinerary & Flight Schedule)
- Brooks Falls Bear Viewing Fly- Out.
- FloatPlane Fishing Fly-Outs To The Kvichak or Nushagak Rivers
- Self Guided Fishing Rafting Float Package On The Chilikadrotna River
- Self Guided Moose & Caribou Hunting Rafting On The Mulchatna River Package
- Guest Responsibilities
- Shipping Policy & Procedures
45 Years of Expertise in the Heart of Alaska
Nestled in a secluded finger cove in Pope Vannoy on Iliamna Lake, Bush Pilot Hunter’s Retreat Lodge is managed by Scott James — a veteran with over 45 years of experience in Alaskan hunting, fishing, and lodging. This is not a guided outfitter. This is a cabin rental, transportation flying service, and fully self-guided lodge built for guests who want to lead their own adventure in one of the most remote and breathtaking places on earth.
Where Wilderness Meets Legacy Experience
About the Lodge, Cabins, and the Owner Scott James with 45 years of experience in hunting, fishing, and lodging — we have everything covered.
The lodge is a log cabin lodge, 2000 square feet with a loft where the bedrooms are located. The downstairs has a huge kitchen, dining room, and a fantastic great room with a wood-burning fireplace.
The Lodge is located 100 miles west of Homer, 8 miles northeast of Kokhanok Village Airport on Kokhanok Bay in Pope Vannoy — nestled deep back into a secluded finger cove, out of the winds, on Iliamna Lake, Alaska.
The Retreat Lodge is set in a prehistoric scenic wilderness location, with beautiful and fantastic landscape views of the mountains, lakes, and wildlife in every direction.
Private Lakeside Living with Rustic Luxury Comfort
The Retreat Lodge overlooks this beautiful lake in a cove — an unforgettable prehistoric perfect setting for your luxury retreat. The lodge features 2-story guest cabin featuring 8 private units, each 48×28 feet, with a center divider wall that creates a private 10×28-foot unit per guest. A center divider wall runs through the middle of each cabin, creating two completely private units — giving each guest their own 10x28 foot personal space.
All cabin units include:
- 1 queen size pillow top bed
- 1 shower and toilet
- 2 small electric range and sink
- Small refrigerator freezer kitchenette
- Flat-Screen Bluetooth Smart TV
The exterior and interior of the lodge are logs, While the 2 story guest cabin units are 12x28 cedar exterior with wood interior for a rustic look. At the lodge and cabins you can cook and eat whenever you like and wherever you like, it's up to you. Sleep as long as you want your not on any time schedule.
Every Moment an Adventure, Every View a Masterpiece
When it's time to load the boats with poles, fishing gear, food, and drinks, you will adventure out into a lake where around every corner is a new experience and a photographer’s dream. It could be a bear, wolf, moose, or caribou as you get to your fishing location with just your spin casting fishing pole or fly fishing pole, it's all yours to enjoy that time and moment.
If you like, you can just tour the lake for picture taking, or simply stay at the retreat lodge to relax.
The salmon runs are plentiful, passing by the lodge in the lake.
After your lodge retreat experience, your luxury stay will stay with you for the rest of your life, and you are always welcome back to stay at Bush Pilot Hunter's Retreat Lodge.
FAQs
Where exactly is the retreat located?
We are nestled in a secluded finger cove on Iliamna Lake, Alaska, approximately 100 miles west of Homer and 8 miles northeast of Kokhanok Village Airport.
What makes this a "DIY" style lodge?
Unlike fully guided operations, we provide the infrastructure—including private cabins, boats, fuel, and all food—but guests are responsible for their own cooking, cleaning, and self-guided adventures.
What kind of accommodations can i expect?
The lodge features a 48×28, 2-story guest cabin with 8 private units. Each unit is 12×28 feet, fully equipped with a queen size pillow top bed, private shower, toilet, refrigerator, flat-screen TV, and cedar/wood interior for a rustic look.
How do we handle power and water in such a remote location?
The lodge operates on a hybrid system of diesel generator and solar power. We use in-floor heat for our hot water and heating. For our water we use a floating submersible well pump with a sediment filtration filter system and a purification filter system for our drinkable water.
DIY Style Lodge — Floatplane Transportation
The lodge is accessible by floatplane only. All guests fly via Lake & Peninsula Air Service to Kokhanok Village Airport, then transfer by ATV to the beach and a 20-minute landing craft boat ride to the lodge. Your stay includes two fly-outs: every Wednesday to Brooks Falls for bear viewing, and every Friday — your choice of the Kvichak River (Sockeye salmon) or Nushagak River (King salmon).
Is the property safe from local wildlife?
Yes, we have an electric fence surrounding the entire property to keep guests safe and protected from the world-class brown bears and other wildlife in the area.
What species of fish can I expect to catch?
Iliamna Lake is home to all five species of Salmon (King, Silver, Sockeye, Chum, and Pink), as well as Rainbow Trout, Steelhead, Northern Pike, Arctic Char, and Arctic Grayling .
What is the lodge's philosophy regarding guests?
At Bush Pilot Hunter's Retreat, we believe that when you arrive, you are our guest, but by the time you leave after your week stay, you are part of the family.