WHY
BOOK WITH US?
Here are some reasons clients book with us, in their own words...
September 2012
Hi Curly and Betty,
You have been so thoughtful and have taken such good care my dearest. I am
grateful and hopeful that I can thank you both personally for the memories
you made for Bill, your friendship and warmth.
Love,
Melinda (wife of Dr. "Grizzly" Bennett) |
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October 2012
Curly, Betty, Joe, Chris, Mitch and Scott
What a great experience thanks to all of you! Everything I expected and more; Joe was the best from patience in the field to the down right excellent coleman camp stove cuisine. The lodge is amazing; Betty / Chris the food is Unbelievable! Curly, Scott and Mitch thanks for the great flying experience. Stoney River Lodge is an all around class act and one helluva way to experience Alaska. Thanks for the wonderful hospitality, excellent conversation and one fantastic Hunt!
Curly thanks again for that chair!
Big Chuck
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August 2012
Hi Curly,
Sheep hunt or no sheep hunt, either way, we do plan on making it back to SRL. Whether it be this year or a few years down the road, Lyns and I will be out. Lyns definitely wants an opportunity at a trophy moose. And judging by the monster I saw standing in the timber as I flew back to the lodge with Scott….you have some real bruisers in your nick-of-the-woods!
Cole |
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Sept.2012
Hello Curly,
Just wanted to thank you and everyone for an awesome hunt! I had a great time and the experience was more than I imagined. I could not be happier with my caribou & the service from everyone involved. Hopefully I can make it back in the future as I have unfinished business, I know there is a ram with my name on it. I hope Doc gets his Grizzly!
Please tell everyone hello for me and thanks again!
Ernie |
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July 2012
Good morning Curly and Betty,
looked at our pictures last night from our stay with you, what a dream trip it was!! Can't wait to come back, you guys run a great resort, being self employed, I know how hard it is to find good employees, esp. in small towns like the ones you and I live in but you obviously have good people picking skills, please tell Dillon, Mike , Joe, Mr.Chris and Ms. Chris and Dave, we said hello.
Thanks,
Gregg, Teresa, and Austin Rickabaugh |
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October 2012
Curly,
I’ve been back here for about a month and I’ve re-lived the hunt again and again, It Was Great.
You run a First Class Operation, pretty much everything about it was “Top-Shelf”.
If you ever need a reference don’t hesitate to have someone call me.
Mike Peterson took some photos and video of my hunt can I get a copy of those?. He did a good job for me, I’d recommend him.
Thanks, Tom H.. |
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Sept.2012
I had a good trip home and I'm still so happy about my trip to Alaska.
Helle Horst Madsen
Denmark |
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August 2012
Thanks Curly....yes, all is well with us.....both of us are exremely busy but otherwise great! Here's a few pics from our time with ya'll......now that we have had time to settle back into "normal" life, we are READY TO COME BACK! Ya'll have a Glorious winter as "bush rats" and stay warm!
Thank You and God Bless!
Mark Brandon |
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Sept.2012
Curly/Betty;
Thanks again for providing me a great hunt, experience and hospitality while at Stoney River Lodge; I had a great time and look forward to coming back for a sheep hunt either next year or the following!! You have some great people working for you out there; Bryce was awesome to hunt and spend time with,
Chris and Dylan are great hard working and fun young guys; Chris did a great job in the kitchen and Mitch and Mark were great in the pilot seats. Even though I didn’t get a caribou we hunted as hard as possible and almost pulled the rabbit out of the hat to connect, I don’t think we could have tried any harder but that is hunting…
I hope everyone has a safe and successful remainder of the hunting season. Cal says hello and thanks you for the hat, I will try to drag him up when I go sheep hunting for a few days of fishing.
Take care,
Mark Lercel |
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August 2012
Dear Curly and Betty: Just wanted to send a note of thanks for a very enjoyable hunt. It was a real adventure for us both and we hope to return in the near future for both fishing and hunting.
I want to compliment you on your overall operation. It was first class in everyway. I especially want you to know how much I enjoyed hunting with Bryce. He worked very hard and was professional in every way. If I return I ould like very much to have him as my guide.
Sincerely,
Tom Been
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The following questions are from a hunter considering
booking a hunt, asking Allen Prevatt, a hunter that
has booked with Stoney River Lodge in the past.
- How are
the accommodations at Stoney River Lodge?
Excellent (4 stars out of 5) Please understand that
you are in the wilderness, no roads to deliver materials,
everything is flown in. Log cabin rooms with bathroom,
hot & cold running water, heater, and roomy
main lodge for relaxing and meals. Very comfortable.
- Quality
of game?
Excellent! Caribou, Moose, Black Bear, Dall sheep,
Grizzly Bears, and Wolves. The latter are scarce
and harder to come by. I was fortunate to video
tape two wolves tracking and taking down a Caribou
two years ago on my Caribou hunt. We averaged sighting
3 Grizzly Bears a day on that hunt. The guide (Pete)
and I nick-named it "Valley of the Bears."
- Food?
quality and quantity? Excellent! You won't
be disappointed with the meals in camp. You should
start fasting now as you won't be able to push away
from the table the food is so good. Don't be surprised
if you gain a few pounds while in camp. In spike
camp, you will have "Mountain House" camp
meals. They are a lot better than military MRE's.
The variety of choices, lasagna, spaghetti, beef
stroganoff, turkey, chicken, etc., will fill you
up. Cookies and some dried fruit will fulfill your
sweet tooth craving. Obviously you don't have the
same meals in spike camp you are treated to in the
main lodge, none the less they are filling and welcome
at the end of a long day of hunting and packing
out your game.
- Guides:
knowledge and experience? Excellent!
Guides are experienced, knowledgeable about the
game, and put hunter safety first above all else.
Master guide Joe, has successfully guided hunters
on over 100 Grizzly Bear hunts. Stoney River Lodge
holds the #1, #2, #4, #5, #8, and I believe #9,
SCI Record Book Grizzly bears for Alaska. Wait to
you see the pictures in the main
lodge, you will be glad you choose Stoney River
Lodge as your outfitter.
- Equipment:
what kind of shape it was in? Excellent!
2 man Bomb Shelter Tent for spike camp was
dry, cozy and home while in the field. 2 burner
coleman stove, lantern, and coffee pot worked like
a charm. The guide runs everything, just sit back
and enjoy the experience. Be sure to take a video
and still camera to take
lots of pictures.
- Staff:
friendliness and helpfulness? Excellent!
Curly and his staff will make you feel at home and
go out of their way to please you. I have ice fished,
shot clay pigeons, run trap lines, baited wolves,
etc. while in camp. They won't let you sit still,
they always have something for you to do or experience.
You will cherish the experience and memories for
a life time when you leave camp. In fact, you will
start planning your return trip before you ever
leave camp. Once you have experienced their hospitality,
you will want to return over and over and bring
your friends and family with you. I know, I will
be on my 4th hunt with Stoney River Lodge this coming
Spring.
- Overall
experience ? Excellent! The Caribou, Bears,
Wolves, Wolverine, Moose, and Sheep I have seen
and video taped are all in my hunting album or on
the wall at home in my Trophy room. I still converse
with many of the staff and fellow hunters I made
friends with while in camp. If you only go to Alaska
one time, you will not regret booking a hunt with
Stoney River Lodge!
Good luck on your hunt.
Get in shape and be prepared to walk several miles
each day with a backpack. I keep one in camp at Stoney
River Lodge and I have one at home I walk with fully
loaded to get my shoulders use to carrying the weight.
Travel light, only take what you need and not a lot
of stuff you won't use. You will have a great time!
Allen Prevatt
7644 Ledgewood Dr.
Fenton, MI. 48150
810-714-3503
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Curly,
Great being with you, Betty and your team at Stoney River.
Top to bottom my hunt was an awesome experience, full of great memories and now some new friends. The comments I have are only positive, from cooks to guides, to accommodations, pilots, etc. Ill even compliment the weather man during our trip!
As far as return trip, maybe 2012 in august, let's continue our conversation on that. I hope Ike, Ronnie and Todd make the trip back out next fall and I think you will get them plus louis hall.
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John Green |
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Hi Betty,
I had a great time up there last spring. You and Curly run a top notch, first class operation. I would feel comfortable referring ANYONE to you guys.
Thanks Betty, |
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Curly and Betty,
I will never be able to say enough about the time I spent at SRL. I didn't say more than I did while there because I was afraid of making a complete fool of myself by babbling on and on about what great people of you are. But in essesence, that's the truth.
I have hunted/fished all of the Rocky Mountain states, twice now in Alaska, and made 16 trips into 7 of the Canadian provinces, and I can say without reservation that Stoney River Lodge is one of the best all-round operations I have ever had the pleasure of enjoying. The core of the operation is obviously team work and coordination between everyone involved in SRL. From the cook to the Outfitter himself, it was very easy to see that everyone wanted all of the hunters to be not only successful in their individual hunts, but to enjoy themselves and have a good time. It is very rare to see that many people so interested, concerned, and compatible.
The accomodations were absolutely first class for such a remote resort and were well above my expectations. And the hospitality you, personally, and your staff all extended to all of us hunters was more than flattering. I felt like I was at a 5 star resort instead of a hunting lodge with simple courtesies like a refreshing drink in the evening or hot cup of coffee in the morning being delivered to my door! How exceptionally nice!
But on to current business-
I am just starting to accept the reality of how well my hunt went and trying to climb down from "Cloud 9".
I will definitely be keeping in touch and talking with you more about my plans and those of my friends.
Thank you again and again, and please write more and often!
Michael from Arkansa |
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Curly,
Everything here is fine. First time I ever left where something didn't crash and burn. Looks like I finally have the right people.
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed your company and the hunt. You have an exceptional operation. I understand the logistics and am very impressed. Were I 25 years old, I'd be trying to buy it from you. You have the lifestyle I've always dreamed of.
Bryce was great. He is not only a fine dedicated hunter but had enough "coach" in him to push me to get the bear with my rifle. I can't thank you enough for pairing him with me.
We were very busy last week as they wanted us to re-budget the remaining work on this project ($6mil). I'll get with Mike Stokes this week and figure out when he can come next spring. I will send someone else with him, just not sure if Kevin can come back or not due to military duties.
Say hey to Betty and everyone for me. If your daughter needs anything down here all you have to do is call and I'll take care of it for you. She is only about an hour away.
Jim |
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Curly and Betty,
Thanks so much for a great relaxing week!! It was great seeing you all again.
Your daughter is a darling and you can be very proud of her. Gosh your chef was great - he is a keeper. Your guides were outstanding and you bush pilots were tremendous as always!!!!!!!!!!!! Those big Kings were a great experience for Margy. She had a great time and certainly caught allot of fish. I got some good pictures during the trip, but still disappointed somewhat, that I could of gotten more variety - next time!
I have Kevin's pictures and I have selected 300 + pictures/video's to use for our slide show. I am currently working on it and should finish this week. It looks like around 30 minutes and will cover our week at the lodge. Would you like several copies??
I have passed out a few more fishing and hunting video's. One of these days, it will start paying rewards.
I noticed while I was at the lodge there is something you don't have and can use. Soon as I find what I am looking for, I will send you a couple.
It is still hot here. July broke the record since 1860 (when record keeping started) for the hottest month on record. The next seven day forecast is also for 103 to 104 degrees. No significant rain in sight and everything continues to go around us North and East. I will send several pictures of the lake as it is behind the house later this week.
You all take it easy and many thanks again,
Burt & Margy |
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Curly and Betty,
I’m over due in sending you a note of thanks for the wonderful trip in July. Like my hunting trip last Fall, fishing far exceeded any expectations. The variety and quality of experience is extraordinary. High points include several personal firsts….Countless salmon and pike on flies, (3) varieties of salmon in one day, sipping grayling and char in fall colors. And my favorite story…. 40 lbs of king salmon on a 5wgt for 2 hrs….something I won’t soon forget. Great company. Fantastic experience. Thank you.
Steve Hindley, AIA
ALSC Architects
203 North Washington, Suite 400
Spokane, WA 99201-0234
509.838.8568 509.458.3710 – fax |
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Dear Curly and Betty,
I want to sincerely thank you for making my recent stay at your lodge and subsequent bear hunt a memory that willl last a lifetime. It couldn't have been any better; great food, comfortable lodging, super fishing, and best of all, making many new friends.
Mitch Haines is one great bush pilot. My guide, Bryce Johnson is a total professional and absolutely dedicated to provide your clients every opportunity for success in the field.
My article on the hunt will be appearing in our Safari Journal in our big Jan/Feb Convention Issue. Again, thanks for everything.
Best,
Jack Mitchell
Special Projects Editor
Safari Club International |
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"It's hard to imagine two better weeks than the ones I spent at Stoney River Lodge. It wasn't just getting fine black and grizzly bears, or spending a couple od days catching salmon and pike. The lodge itself is astonishing, especially so far back in the wilderness, the food and hospitality great, and all the guides and pilots real pros. Betty and Curly run a top-notch place!"
John Barsness has published seven books and hundreds of magazine articles in every major hunting, shooting and fishing magazine in America. He's presently a staff writer for American Rifleman, Guns and Sports Afield magazines, and writes regularly for several others. With his wife, Eileen Clarke, he's also the co-author of the on-line magazine Rifle Loony News, avauilable through their website www.riflesandrecipes.com. ~ John Barsness |
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Guys,
Thanks again for treating me like part of the family and for helping me get great article material. You didn’t have to do anything beyond the Trijicon hunt but you did and I appreciate that. I’ll do everything I can to promote your business.
Please feel free to use my name and number as a reference. I think offering a name of a hunter who didn’t kill something but was completely satisfied with the hunt would be a great way to promote your business and lend credibility to a reference list.
Take care and I look forward to seeing all the SRL gang again.
David Hart |
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Hi Curly and Betty,
What is it about SRL that makes me pine after only a few days of being home? I can't decide if it's the feeling of being a home-away-from-home, or the beauty of the endless tundra and wild game, or the gourmet food ( Moose Wellington! ), or the great staff. But like I told you during the soiree, H.R. knew a million people, but he was very selective about who he liked and was willing to trust, and you were right there at the top of his list. You always make us feel welcome and that's why we'll always come back, C&B.
Marc
Marc Somers
Vice President
Mid-State Bolt & Screw
Burton, MI |
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Just want to say" Thank - you" again Curly & Betty for a great trip etc. You people run a 1st class act.
You can use my name etc. for a reference if you would like. It was short notice but I'm into that.
Would do it again at the drop of a hat. Your people really enjoy what they are doing as
they do a class act for you. They had Great Mentors with you two. Again Thanks.
Keep in touch.
Until Again - Dale.
P.S. Thanks for putting my pics on your site. Your have a
great web site. Curly, I really enjoyed the walk and talk with you and the dogs that last morning.
Dale Gregory
Provost, Alberta, Canada |
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Dear Curly and
Betty,
I want to take this opportunity to thank you
for the wonderful experience I had during my
Dall sheep hunt with Stoney River Lodge. This
sheep hunt is something that I have long dreamed
of doing. I believe that I got a full mountain
sheep hunt experience. It was hard; the mountains
tested me perhaps getting close to my limits.
The tent camp was, thankfully, comfortable even
on the days that got rained and fogged out.
I enjoyed the views of the Alaska Range Mountains
surrounding camp. My guide, Bryce Johnson did
an outstanding job. He worked very hard to get
me a full curl sheep. I’m pleased to say
that Bryce became more than a guide –
a hunting companion. He also knew how to camp
cook. The sheep meat was wonderful, but his
camp coffee needs work. The day that we got
the sheep was the toughest of my half century
of hunting. Also one of the most satisfying.
During the hunt I saw a trophy moose and several
grizzly bears (before the Sept. 1st season)
and the black bear that wanted to move in kept
things interesting and exciting.
I must comment that the fishing for grayling
and silver salmon with a fly rod was an outstanding
bonus. I hope to get to do that again.
While flying in the super cubs to camp and back
gave me a chance to view the wild landscape
of Alaska up close. I loved the flight into
the wild adventure of my sheep hunt. I must
also comment that the evening sing along back
at the Lodge with pilot Mitch was a treat. He
is a multi talented pilot.
You may think you are in the business of selling
hunting and fishing trips. For me it is the
memories of the place (the sheep mountains,
vistas from the crest), the challenge, the people,
and the wildlife that goes upon the shelf that
is my life.
Much thanks to you and your staff.
Ned Caveney
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Stoney
River Lodge
Here are a couple
of “hero” shots from a successful
moose hunt this fall with Stoney River Outfitters,
Alaska. The dates of my hunt were 9/13-24.
Our group of (4) moose hunters took (3)….70”,
67” & 60”. The group that
preceded us took (2) for 4….65”
& 55”.
Curly
and Betty Warren run an incredible operation.
Base “camp” is their very comfortable
lodge and cabins. Meals were wonderful,
prepared by a full time on site chef. Spike
camps were well served from the lodge with
food and supplies as needed. Guides for
the most part have been with the operation
for several years up to 20+, and know their
business and the hunt sites very well.
I personally
hunted moose (4) days and a grizzly (4)
days out of two different camps. Fabulous
scenery and lots of game.
We used a combination of spot and stalk
and calling. A grizzly proved to be elusive
and I came home with a tag in my pocket
but that was my choice as I had ample opportunities
on Black bears and (1) grizzly. Everything
about this hunt exceeded my expectations.
I’ll
go back.
Steve Hindley,
AIA
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| Victor
Roth comments on hunt with Stoney River Lodge
Curly,
I would like to thank you and Betty again
for the great time and wonderful experience
this fall. For one to take two North American
trophy animals is just beyond expectations.
If one of the measures of a successful hunt
is just in the taking of game then you far
exceeded the goal. I have always enjoyed
the scenery around Alaska and there is no
better view than from the back seat of a
super cub. Fortunate for me this time, I
was able to spend some time at the lodge
and enjoy the more relaxing part of Stoney
River Lodge. Accommodations and meals were
absolutely pot of the line. Appreciate your
extra effort for the day of fishing and
the grouse hunting. Because of being at
the lodge for a time, I now have a better
appreciation for your efforts in coordinating
the operations of moving people and materials.
Best regards, look forward to hearing from
you,
Victor
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September,
Dear Curly,
I wanted to make what I thought would be my first and
only trip to Alaska a great one and I found that person
that would make it happen. When I was looking for an
Outfitter, little did I know, when I found you I had
found what I was looking for. I just didn’t really
know it “How Lucky I Really Was”!!
My first trip was past my very long dreams, a big Black
Bear and a huge Moose. Things that a boy from Indiana
had seen and dreamed about from stories in “Outdoor
Life” all those years ago.
It was so much more than just the hunt. It was a truely
“Alaskan Adventure”, I couldn’t have
been treated better anywhere, than by you and your crew.
The other hunters were treated just as well. But things
like that don’t just happen. It takes someone
like you.
My second trip was as great as my first taking a big
Caribou and a great Grizzly. The Grizzly I think was
an animal I would never have hunted, I wouldn’t
have if it wasn’t for you.
I know you treat all your clients very good, going beyond
what others do. That’s just you. So I just want
to say “Thanks for Dreams Come True”. Thanks
for the memories I’ll have forever, and being
a Friend.
The very best to you and your family,
Mike Underwood
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Stoney
River Lodge
Ph 907 526-5211
Book your hunt today!
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