Testimonials
Perfect is the only word to describe the whole experience. Best fishing ever! Food and people could not have been better.
A fantastic time. Food was awesome; fishing was the best, a perfect week
Breath taking natural splendor, fresh, invigorating air, exhilarating boat rides, phenomenal fishing, great jokes, and incredible gourmet meals. Going the extra mile to make an awesome, lifetime experience
The VERY BEST vacation we have ever had. Our first time fishing was made so simple for us we had no problem landing lots of fish (except the BIG ONE that got away.) The food was simply fabulous- a gourmet treat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. FISH ON!!
The best fishing adventure of my life! The hospitality, food and service was top notch, fishing was excellent.
The fishing was certainly world class and the meals 5 star, that combo would be hard to match but you’ve taken it even further by creating an extra special environment! Family Style! I’ll never forget the experience.
A wonderful trip to a new favorite destination-memorable fishing, food and friends to share it all.
Excellent Trip, more memories to cherish. The “triple” on kings stands. Can’t wait to do it again.
Great five days of fun fishing and excellent weather and food. First Class Outfit
Technically a fishing trip, really a trip of memories! A wonderful time that will be talked about for years!
Life is so short, why not do fun things in life? This was BIG FUN! I had a great time, learned new things, caught big fish and made new friends-doesn’t get much better than Chignik Bay Lodge.
Wonderful time, we had delicious meals, caught lots of fish, found fossils! Looking forward to a return trip.
What a great week! As always the fishing was outstanding; but even more than the fishing was the incredible hospitality. Great food, comfortable accommodations and family atmosphere make Chignik a special place. Can’t wait to see you again.
We have been to many places in Alaska and abroad and can honestly say that Chignik is our favorite “pick” for fishing, food, fun and new friends. A wonderful time!
Thanks for the rich memories that I’ll never forget. This week has been awesome and will be with me forever. There truly is no place in the world like Chignik and the fishing is the best.
I have experienced fishing lodges around the world; yours is at the top of my list. Big John, Mary, Tonya and Chris make this a home away from home with the added benefit of great fishing, great scenery, fabulous food and hospitality.
I can attest to an amazing season of fishing with Chignik Bay Lodge – I would suggest booking your trip soon for next year if you like catching lots of quality fish, having the fishing waters to yourself and some wonderful hospitality from Mary Ann and John Rantz!
Our family of four (including two teenage girls) spent a week at Chignik Bay Lodge last August. Since my wife and daughters are not particularly avid fisherwomen, there was some trepidation about spending seven whole days in a remote fishing town. To all of our surprise, the time flew by! Upon arrival, John and Mary Rantz, served hot hors d’oeuvres and wine, and settled into comfortable accommodations, warmly welcomed us.
The first day it rained buckets as it can only do in Alaska. No problem. We enjoyed playing games in the living room, meeting the other guests, and eating a huge lunch. When the rain slowed, John took us to an amazing round rock beach. Such a wonder, it is not to be missed!
Knowing that my wife and kids were probably not interested in fishing every day, John promised wild life adventures and we were not disappointed! One exciting excursion took us to the mouth of a stream in a remote bay near spectacular Castle Cape where huge bears were gorging on salmon headed up to spawn. Another day we explored one of the Deadliest Catch crab vessels that was tied up in port, leaving with armloads of king crab that we feasted on that evening.
Each day started out with a wonderful hot breakfast. Mary sent along a huge cooler of fresh halibut sandwiches, homemade cookies, snacks and beverages. Our guides did all the work setting up our rods and reels, given us good direction and then assisting as we caught one fish after another from feisty King Salmon to huge halibut.
Each night, Mary and her staff served up huge quantities of the most fabulous food, smoked ribs, baked halibut and salmon, or mounds of king and snow crab followed by desserts that couldn’t be resisted. We enjoyed the company of the Rantz family and the wonderful staff as well as meeting the locals and exploring the town, kayaking on the lake and just marveling at the majestic views in and around Chignik Bay.
I was a little unsure in 2006 when, for the first time, I went to Alaska and experienced Chignik Bay Lodge. You see, I have a disability and walk with a cane. I didn’t know how much of the activities I would be allowed or could participate in. But from the moment I stepped off the plane at Chignik, all my apprehensions were instantly dispelled by the welcoming smiles and professionalism of John & MaryAnn Rantz and their staff. Always extending an arm to help sturdy me, they never left me out of any adventure due to my handicap. If I wanted to participate in an activity, they figured out a way to get me there! Fishing, beach combing and bear watching were not out of reach. Last year, John even arranged a tour of the “Cape Caution” boat from “Alaska’s Deadliest Catch” TV Show who happened to be in port at that time!
My disability prevents me from fishing, but taking action shots of family and friends reeling in their prize fish always keeps me busy! In between the constant calls of “FISH ON”, my camera captures breathtaking scenery and playful wildlife.
The accommodations at the lodge are cozy comfortable with stunning views of the mountains reflected in the lake behind lodge. Delicious appetizers, refreshing drinks, a sauna or just relaxing in the chairs on the deck, await you after a day of world class fishing.
Celebrating my birthday in Chignik each year, culminates with one of MaryAnn’s gourmet feasts! All meals are served family style with healthy portions of good stories and infectious laughter!
So, come and enjoy the adventure! It is truly a once in a life time experience, BUT I warn you, once you partake, Chignik Bay Lodge will be a yearly destination! This is my 9th year and I plan to go there for another 99!
If you are looking for the ultimate Alaska experience, you have found it at Chignik Bay Lodge. Accommodations are first class and the fishing is world class. Being a guide and outfitter for over 20 years, I have fished all over the Northwest. Chignik Bay not only has the most diverse options of fish to catch, but there are not many places left where you can partake of being the only boat in the fishing hole. I recommend to all of my clients that a trip to Chignik Bay is a must.
Get ready for adventure and excitement… and be sure to bring your appetite!
If you love the sea, the wilderness, wildlife, enjoy photography and do not mind catching a few fish along the way, then take a plane ride to Chignik Bay, a small seacoast community located near the end of the Alaskan Peninsula, and plan to spend a few days with John and Mary Ann Rantz, owners of Chignik Bay Lodge. They will offer you a most unique, one-of-a-kind experience as you settle in to enjoy their hospitality set in a beautifully wild landscape.
You will be in birdwatchers’ paradise: eagles, puffins, murres, cormorants and gulls abound. Sea otters dot the sea surface in protective kelp beds, and on occasion, you can spot the blow of a whale or two close by. Along the coastline and beaches uprivers, you will likely encounter bears foraging for food.
The guides are very professional and extremely knowledgeable naturalists. They work very hard to give you the most lasting, colorful impressions to carry home. They will clean, fillet and freeze your fish, and leave you with bragging rights on the ones you choose to leave behind.
Chignik Bay Lodge has become a top destination favorite on our Alaskan itinerary each year. We will return for more!
In 2014 I will commemorate 10 summers of fishing in Chignik, and it remains my all-time favorite angling destination, despite fishing throughout Alaska, Patagonia, Baja, and Belize.
I grew up in Alaska, fly rod in hand and not until I visited Chignik did I truly know the meaning of ‘wild’ and ‘pristine’. Chignik stands apart from other destinations as the diversity of fishing opportunity here is unparalleled; from fly-fishing for Dolly Varden, sockeye salmon, coho salmon, and Chinook salmon in freshwater, to catching halibut and coho on flies in saltwater, to traditional methods of catching salmon and halibut on conventional tackle.
Beyond the fishing, John and Mary Ann are superb hosts, running the lodge in a family-style tradition that is extremely comfortable, without a hint of pretentiousness. The food is wonderful and abundant. Simply put, I can’t wait for my next trip to Chignik!