Guest Feature: Rick and Kristi Allen

Within marriage, alone time isn’t always a bad thing. The opportunity to recharge, refresh and come back together can work wonders for the relationship. However, there comes a time to share the hobby with the other person; It becomes too much of a passion for it to be done alone. For Rick and Kristi Allen, fly fishing became an activity they shared with one another on their 25th Wedding Anniversary trip in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.  Time spent on a mountain lake stripping Woolly Buggers and landing fish was enough to whet their appetites and start the obsession with fly fishing. Their love and excitement for fly fishing grew even faster than their skill, but they took every opportunity they had to fish and quickly were able to combine their passion and newly developed skills. “We do a lot of activities together,” Kristi said. “Fly fishing has definitely become one of our absolute favorites.”

 As one of Kristi’s birthdays was approaching, Rick was looking for a way to celebrate it on the water. Their location of choice in Alaska paired them up with Kate Crump from Frigate. “I wanted to take her (Kristi) somewhere that’s not like a deer camp,” Rick said. “I wanted it to be nice and something that we would remember. Kristi and Kate became fast friends and we’ve been returning and fishing with Kate ever since.” Fast forward to today and they prioritize spending as much time fishing with Frigate as possible. They have fished with them over 10 times in Alaska throughout the years. Not only are the locations great, but the Allen’s love everything that Kate and Justin are able to provide.

“They both care greatly about the fish and the environment,” Kristi said. “Whenever we go, we feel like we are their favorite guests and they make us feel so special. I know that’s the case with the other guests they work with as well.” Rick and Kristi like to take their grandchildren on a fly fishing trip when they get to an age where they’re able to enjoy it, and a trip to Alaska with Kate and Justin with their grandson is just what they had in mind. “To see how they treated a 10-year-old kid was amazing,” Rick said. “Justin and Kate have guided household names, but they’re equally as professional with elderly guests, young children, experienced anglers and beginners. Seeing how much he enjoyed the trip was so special.”  

The anticipation of fishing at the new Lodge at 58 North is something that Rick and Kristi are anxiously awaiting. Prior to this year, any guided trip with Justin and Kate in Alaska required guests to stay at other lodges and not receive the full Frigate experience. Now, with the opening of the new lodge in June, Rick and Kristi get to see the dreams of Justin and Kate come true. “We’ve been involved in the dream stages of the lodge,” Rick and Kristi said. “We’ve had a front row seat to that story and we’re really excited about what they’re going to do. They’ll bring in the extra details that make them special. The beds will be better, the food will be better and the overall experience is going to be better than other lodges in the area.”

Rick and Kristi think fondly about their experiences in Alaska, especially their times on American Creek. American Creek is located on the rim of Katmai National Park and has an extremely healthy population of fish willing to eat. The trophy rainbow trout swimming through these waters are what anglers dream about. “The Alaska experience with Frigate is a no-miss situation,” the Allen’s said. “Whether it’s Silvers taking poppers on topwater or rainbows eating mouse patterns, it’s memorable. We enjoy everything we do and absolutely cannot wait to experience the new lodge.”

Nushagak River:

June 21-23, 2D/2N, 2 Guests and June 27-29, 2D/2N, Up to 8 Guests

July for Sockeye, Chinook Salmon and Fly Out Trout Fishing

July 2-5, 3D/3N, 2 Guests July 12-15, 3D/3N, 4 Guests July 16-22, 6D/6N, 2 Guests

July 30-Aug 4, 5D/5N, 2 Guests

Early Fall Coho Fishing

August 20-26, 6D/6N, 2 Guests

Fish Rainbow Trout With Us in the Fall

Sept. 4-10, 6D/6N, 4 Spots Sept. 25-Oct 1, 6D/6N, 4 Guests

Late Season Fishing

Oct. 2-8, 6D/6N, 6 Guests Oct. 16-19, 3D/3N, 6 Guests