Prince of Wales Island Fishing - Coffman Cove Charters

08/01/11

Welcome to Coffman Cove!

Coffman Cove is a small town on the northeast side of Prince of Wales Island. It is located on the world-famous Alaskan Inside Passage between Ketchikan and Sitka. World Atlas provides a nice map of Alaska and its place in the world. Of course, you won't see Coffman Cove on the maps there, but it is northwest of and very close to Ketchikan.

Website for the city of Coffman Cove.

For more information about Prince of Wales Island, you can visit one or more of the following websites:

	Map of Prince of Wales Island
	Prince of Wales Island Chamber of Commerce
	Alaska Department of Fish and Game
	Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia with an article about POW.
	Tongass National Forest

"Just one more cast!"

Getting to Coffman Cove

There’s more than one way to reach Coffman Cove, Alaska on Prince of Wales (POW) Island. I will outline some of them here and include some phone numbers and websites that might be useful to you. You are encouraged to check out the Coffman Cove website for complete up-to-date information. If you have any further questions, email me with your inquiry and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Ketchikan is the largest city in the vicinity. Many people fly into and out of Ketchikan from airports near their homes. But be sure to check the Inter-Island Ferry Service schedule for service from Ketchikan to Hollis. You can book your flight through Alaska Airlines. The website address is http://www.alaskaair.com/ or you can reach them by phone at 1-800-ALASKAAIR / 1-800-252-7522.

If you prefer a more leisurely mode of travel or you want to bring your own car, truck, camper, and/or boat*, try the Alaska Marine Highway System ferry from Bellingham, Washington or Prince Rupert, BC in the south or from points north to Wrangell or Ketchikan. Call 1-800-642-0066 or visit the AMHS website for schedules, information, or reservations. You may bring your car or truck on the ferry, but you need to make reservations in advance. From Ketchikan, you'll have to take the Inter-Island Ferry to Hollis on Prince of Wales Island. The Inter-Island Ferry Authority can be reached by phone at 1-866-308-4848. Traveling through Canada on land, air, or sea requires a visit with the customs agencies and will necessitate a passport in 2009. The Canada Border Services Agency website offers useful information for visitors to or through Canada. With the new regulations in place, reading the United States Customs and Border Protection website can also be helpful.

* The road to Coffman Cove is now paved, but be aware that you may encounter some construction on the road into Coffman Cove. You may drive over a few rough patches on your way into town, so drive with care.

Ed and Judy Adamson of Coffman Cove provide transportation to and from the ferry terminal in Hollis, as well as to float and wheeled plane hubs in Craig, Klawock, and Thorne Bay for visitors to Coffman Cove. You can contact them by phone 907-329-2208 to check for their availability and price. They also have rental vehicles.

To reach Prince of Wales Island from Ketchikan, there are several options.

	Take the 3 hour Inter-Island Ferry ride from Ketchikan to Hollis. Hollis is about a 2 hour car ride from Coffman Cove, so be sure to make travel arrangements if you plan to ride the ferry from Ketchikan. For schedule information and reservations visit their website or phone toll-free at 1-866-308-4848.
	Take a float plane to Coffman Cove (if available), Thorne Bay, or Craig. There are wheeled flights in & out of Klawock. Airline names and numbers are listed below. Be sure to ask about the cost of returning with fish boxes and restrictions on overall luggage weight.
	Flying or ferrying, you can rent a car in Ketchikan. For information on services available in Ketchikan, contact the Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce 907-225-3184. On Prince of Wales Island contact Ed and Judy Adamson of Coffman Cove at 907-329-2208, Wilderness Car Rental in Craig at 1-800-949-2205, or Prince of Wales Jeep Rentals at 1-907-401-0997. Other car rental agencies on Prince of Wales Island are listed on the Chamber of Commerce website. Be aware that there is construction taking place on the road into Coffman Cove, so you may be going over some stretches of gravel road. Be prepared for delays, limited access, or detours.

Airlines I’m aware of that fly between Ketchikan and Prince of Wales Island are listed below. Please visit their websites or contact them by phone to get more information or to make reservations.

	Taquan Air 1-800-770-8800 Contact Taquan Air for service to Prince of Wales Island.
	Promech Air 1-800-860-3845, (907) 225-3845 Promech Air provides several scheduled flights daily between Ketchikan and Thorne Bay or Craig/Klawock.
	Pacific Airways Toll-free 1-877-360-3500 or Alaska local 907-225-3500 Pacific Airways flies daily to Craig and Thorne Bay on Prince of Wales Island.
	Misty Fjords Air 1-877-228-4656 Misty Fjords Air is supplying charter floatplane service directly to Coffman Cove. Call them for more information.
	Island Air Express 1-888-387-8989 Island Air Express provides daily flights between Ketchikan and Klawock. Call or visit their website to make your reservations today.

To reach Coffman Cove from Wrangell:

	Visit the Wrangell Chamber of Commerce website for current transportation services.
	Breakaway Adventures offers a Water Taxi service. 1-888-385-2488 or 907-874-2488. Service between Wrangell and Coffman Cove includes transportation to and from the airport. There is an additional fee for extra gear and fish boxes. Call or visit their website for more information.
	At this time, I don't know of anyone who provides scheduled flight service between Wrangell and Coffman Cove, but you may charter a plane through one of the airlines listed below:

	Sunrise Aviation, 1-800-874-2311 Service between Wrangell and Coffman Cove is on a charter basis. Call or visit their website for more information.
	Misty Fjords Air, 1-877-228-4656. Service between Wrangell and Coffman Cove is on a charter basis. Call or visit their website for more information.
	FYI- The Inter-Island Ferry Authority no longer provides service between Coffman Cove and Wrangell.

This is the Harpers' house in Coffman Cove.

Come here if you'd like to make walk-on reservations and you aren't able to catch Captain Lee at the dock. Just look up the road past the Coffman Cove Bunkhouse near the docks and find us at the end of the road.

Lodging in Coffman Cove

It's a good idea to plan ahead for a vacation in Coffman Cove. There is no motel in town that you can walk into and rent a room, but there are several excellent choices for lodging. Some offer prepared food, many do not. You can see what’s currently available on the Coffman Cove website, but here are the ones I’m familiar with as of this writing. You will need to contact them directly for prices and availability. Once you've made your arrangements to stay, contact Capt. Lee to reserve your spot on the boat.

Lodging with food included:

Coffman Cove Bunkhouse: Call Jerry Hedges at 907-329-2219. Affordable Alaskan experience.

Rock Haven: Dan & Ellen 907-329-2003. Located across the cove from downtown Coffman Cove. Beautiful view from a comfortable lodge.

The Fishing Bear Bed & Breakfast/Lodge: Offers a choice of kitchen facilities or meals provided. Phone 907-329-2924 for more information.

Wetherbee’s Lodge: Call Frank Wetherbee at 907-329-2266. Frank is also a guide, but said he would house people who are fishing with Lee if he has room available.

Cabins only:

Andersonville: Dale and Genny Sue at 907-329-2267

Coffman Cove Cabins: Call Gary Wilburn at 907-329-2251

Cove Connect Cottage: Call Julie Hull at 907-329-2295

King Fisher Rentals: Ken and Michelle Page at 907-329-2235

J&J Lodging: John Rodriguez at 907-329-2009. John is also a fishing guide.

Salmon Shores Cabin & Guest House: Phone Meredith at 503-788-3762

Campgrounds:

Oceanview RV, Campgrounds & Lodging: Phone 907-329-2226. The campground also provides the only public laundromat in town.

Other Amenities in Coffman Cove

In Coffman Cove there is a well-stocked library with Internet access & computers (hours vary), The Bait Box restaurant, Internet service, the Rain Country liquor store, The Dog House Tavern, a gas station (purchase fuel at the Rain Country liquor store), post office, a laundromat at the Oceanview Campground, and The Riggin' Shack; a small convenience store that sells wonderful gifts, fish boxes, fishing gear, food items, household wares, and health care products. They also rent movies. The coffee is always on and the conversation lively. It would be wise to bring your basic groceries with you if you plan to camp or stay in a cabin.

At this time, there is no cell phone service in Coffman Cove, so leave your phone behind (or simply turn it off) and enjoy the peace and quiet you so rarely encounter in the world today. Most cell phones work in Craig and Klawock and on a few spots around the island. You can also get some reception on the water, but it is spotty at best. There are public-use telephones available outside the library and the ferry terminal, but be sure to bring a pre-paid phone card with you for any long distance calls you'd like to make.

There is an ATM at the Rain Country liquor store. Some businesses in town take credit cards, but most do not, so come prepared with Travelers' Checks, your checkbook, and/or cash.

New in 2011: Ron and Becca Rusher opened The Dog House for business in the winter of 2010. Play pool, watch the game, share your fishing stories, and enjoy your favorite adult beverages next to the liquor store.