riverboat discovery smoked salmon

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Make 2024 your year

Your three-hour tour will take you into the heart of Alaska and introduce you to a family who has made the rivers of Alaska their way of life for five generations.

Chena Village Living Museum

Be immersed in frontier living first hand with a guided walking tour of an Athabascan village. You’ll see an Athabascan  village with cabins made of spruce logs, a cache used for storing supplies, a primitive spruce bark hut and fur pelts. Our guides will explain how the wolf, fox, martin and beaver were used to provide food and protection in the harsh Arctic climate. They will also share how the Athabascans skillfully survived for over 10,000 years and how they adapted to village life and Western culture in the past century.

At the end of your guided tour, you will have time to explore the village on your own, interact with our guides and visit dogs from Susan Butcher’s Trail Breaker Kennel.

Bush Pilot Demonstration

See an Alaskan bush pilot takeoff and land right next to the boat! ( 1 ) ‍ Our pilot will share his stories of village life and explain the vital role planes play in remote Alaska.

Trail Breaker Kennel

Visit the home and kennel of the late four-time Iditarod champion Susan Butcher as we pass Trail Breaker Kennel along the Chena River. Learn first hand about kennel life and the challenges that go into making a champion dogsled team. Dave and Tekla Monson, Susan’s husband and daughter, share stories of life on the trails as puppies play in anticipation of joining the team. Keep your cameras ready; you will not want to miss the dog mushing demonstration!

Steamboat Landing

Trading posts in the early days of Western contact were popular with people in Alaskan Villages, and that tradition continues with the Discovery Trading Post (on-board Discovery III) and Steamboat Landing (onshore). Both stores offer gifts and products that are unique to Alaska and the Native culture. To this day, we strive to follow Captain Jim’s commitment to give visitors “the best value at the best price” by offering Fairbanks’ largest selection of Alaskan souvenirs and gifts.

Discovery Dining Hall

If you are hungry, be sure to check out our Discovery Dining Hall.  With seatings at 11:45 AM and 1 PM you can enjoy a full family-style meal and eat to your fill.  The Discovery Dining Hall offers our hearty miner's beef stew, rustic roasted vegetables, a kale apple pecan salad, sourdough rolls and, for dessert, a German chocolate brownie.  For beverages we offer iced tea, water, coffee and hot tea. Beer and wine are available for purchase as well.

Captain's Corner Grab & Go Lunch

For something quick, stop by the Captain's Corner located inside Steamboat Landing. We have fresh made sandwiches, wraps and salads ready each day. Enjoy your lunch on our beautiful outdoor deck as you soak in the sun and enjoy views of the Chena River.

Beer, wine and snacks are also available for sale aboard Discovery III.

A family business

The Binkley family’s steamboating tradition goes back over 100 years and five generations. In 1898, when Charles M. Binkley hiked over the Chilkoot Pass with other stampeders, he was not so much in search of gold as he was the chance to build and operate boats on the Yukon and its tributaries. He became a respected pilot and boat builder in the North. His son, Captain Jim Binkley, Sr., followed in his father’s footsteps and piloted freight vessels on the Yukon and Tanana Rivers in the 1940's.

As transportation systems changed in the north, railroads and airplanes began to carry much of the freight. In 1950, noting the coming changes in the freighting business, Captain Jim and his wife, Mary, began a river excursion business focusing on sharing their love of Alaska and its culture with visitors. Over the coming years, Captain Jim and Mary B’s business grew from the Godspeed, a 25 passenger vessel, to the Discovery III, a 900 passenger vessel. Today, Captain Jim’s grandchildren run the company and Mary B is still active in the business.

In addition to growing their sternwheel business, the Binkley’s have added a gold mining attraction: Gold Dredge 8. The family has developed a tour in the heart of the gold fields where the first gold strikes attracted miners from the Klondike. They have incorporated large scale industrial mining and the smaller 'Mom and Pop' side of mining into an all-encompassing tour that also features the Trans Alaska Pipeline and a replica of the Tanana Valley Railroad.

Can I do both the Riverboat Discovery and Gold Dredge 8 tours in one day?

Yes, our tours are designed so you can do both tours in one day. However, please note that these tours are not at the same location.

Are reservations required?

Although reservations are not required, they are highly recommended. We recommend making reservations as soon as you know the date you would like to go on our tours.

What time should I arrive for my tour?

We recommend arriving at the Riverboat Discovery at least 30 minutes prior to departure time. When you arrive at the Riverboat Discovery you will need to check in at our ticket counter to pick up your boarding passes.

We recommend arriving at Gold Dredge 8 at least 15 minutes prior to departure time. When you arrive at Gold Dredge 8 you will need to check in at our train station in the parking lot to pick up your boarding passes.

How do I get to your location?

The Riverboat Discovery is located a few miles from Fairbanks International Airport. Take Airport Way West towards the airport; take a right onto Dale Road; continue about 1/2 mile and take a right onto Discovery Drive; we are located at the end of Discovery Drive.

Gold Dredge 8 is located about 25 minutes outside of Fairbanks on the Old Steese Highway. Take the Steese Highway (Route 2) North; take a left onto Goldstream Road; take a left onto Old Steese Highway (the first cross-road); our entrance is the first driveway on the right.

How long should I allow to get to each location?

The Riverboat Discovery is roughly 7 miles from downtown Fairbanks. We recommend allowing 20 minutes to get from downtown Fairbanks to the Riverboat Discovery.

Gold Dredge 8 is roughly 10 miles from downtown Fairbanks. We recommend allowing 25 minutes to get from downtown Fairbanks to Gold Dredge 8.

What address do I enter in my GPS to get to your location?

Riverboat Discovery: 1975 Discovery Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99709

Gold Dredge 8: 1803 Old Steese Highway North, Fairbanks, AK 99712

I don’t have a car. What is the best way to get to the Riverboat Discovery and/or Gold Dredge 8?

We recommend renting a car while in Fairbanks so you can explore the beauty of our widespread community. Many local hotels offer shuttles to the Riverboat Discovery. We recommend checking with the front desk at your hotel for the best transportation option to the Riverboat Discovery. Many of our Riverboat Discovery guests arrive via taxi or shuttle. We do not recommend taking a taxi to our Gold Dredge 8 location. It is outside of town and a taxi would be quite expensive. We recommend either renting a car or checking into a shuttle service such as Go North (907-452-9999) or Airlink (907-452-3337).

What should I bring on my tour?

We recommend bringing a camera and a light jacket.

What should I wear on my tour?

We always suggest wearing layers. A portion of our tours at both locations are outdoors where you are exposed to the elements. Our boats at the Riverboat Discovery have heated/air-conditioned decks for your comfort. The train at Gold Dredge 8 is open air and has a roof.

Is the tour ever cancelled due to the weather?

In our 70+ year history, we have never cancelled a tour due to the weather. If it is sprinkling rain, we provide ponchos, seat cushions and umbrellas for our guests at both locations. If it is pouring rain at the Riverboat Discovery, we will bring the village tour onto the boat.

Will I see wildlife?

You will see reindeer as part of the tour at the Riverboat Discovery.

Will there be a Bush Pilot Demonstration Today?

We strive to have every part of the tour available each day, however several weather factors can ground the planes doing the demonstration. We may cancel the Bush Pilot Demonstration due to severe winds, fog, ice flows, or any other weather conditions that make it unsafe to fly on that day.

Is there anything available to eat on the tour?

We have complimentary coffee and fresh donuts at the Riverboat Discovery. If you are looking for something more than donuts, we have three options available at the Riverboat Discovery: Discovery Dining Hall, where we serve a hearty miner’s stew (vegetarian and gluten-free options available upon request); galleys on board the boats that have snack food (reindeer dogs, chili, chips, etc.); Captain’s Corner, where we offer lunch boxes (sandwiches, salad, chips and a soda). We also serve locally made ice cream on the boats and at Captain’s Corner in the gift shop. At Gold Dredge 8, we serve complimentary freshly baked cookies, coffee and hot chocolate.

Is there assigned seating on the boat or train?

No, seating is on a first come first served basis. Every seat on board is a great seat. We have TV monitors on every deck and train car that feature a live broadcast and provide supplementary informational footage.

Is there alcohol available for purchase?

Yes, at the Riverboat Discovery, we serve beer and wine on board our boats and in the Discovery Dining Hall.

Are there restrooms on the boat and train?

At the Riverboat Discovery, there are restrooms available on the boats, at our village and in our gift shop. At the Gold Dredge 8, there are restrooms available at our train station and in the gift shop.

How long is the tour and how often do tours run?

The tour at the Riverboat Discovery is three hours long. The Gold Dredge 8 tour is two hours long. Both of our tours run twice a day from mid-May to mid-September.

I purchased my ticket through an on-line agency. Do I need to check-in on-site?

Yes, you will need to check in at our ticket counter/train station to exchange your voucher for a boarding pass.

What is your refund policy?

We offer a full refund if you cancel your reservation up to 48 hours prior to your scheduled tour time. After 48 hours, we do not offer a refund but you can reschedule your tour for another time.

Are your tours wheelchair accessible?

Yes, our tours are wheelchair accessible . At the Riverboat Discovery, wheelchairs must board at the stern (back of the boat near the paddle wheel). When you arrive please notify an associate at the ticket counter or collection booth as we require wheelchairs to pre-board and be escorted by a trained Deckhand. Our Athabascan Village has gravel paths that allow easy access. If you need assistance at the Athabascan Village please notify a Deckhand. At Gold Dredge 8, we have certain train cars that are wheelchair accessible. When you arrive notify the associate that is assisting with boarding and they will direct you to the appropriate train car.

Are animals allowed on the boat or train?

Due to customer allergies, we only allow designated trained service animals.

Is the paddle wheel decorative?

No, the paddle wheel is used to power the boat.

Are the tours appropriate for young children?

Yes, we find that all ages enjoy our tours.

1975 Discovery Drive Fairbanks, AK 99709

1-866-479-6673

907-479-6673

[email protected]

Gold Dredge 8

Captain Jim's Salmon

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the Taste of Alaska

At your front door, superior quality & freshness.

Filleted, smoked, and hand-packed

Wild Caught Salmon

sustainably caught in Southeast Alaskan ocean waters

Healthy source of protein

Excellent source of Vitamin D, Vitamin B-12, and Immune-boosting Omega-3’s

Every summer, Captain Jim's sustainably catches thousands of sockeye salmon in the Southeast Alaskan ocean waters. After being filleted, our salmon is smoked with specially-seasoned alder wood and a customized smoke time to ensure a quality, savory taste in every slice. Then, the cans are hand-packaged, labeled, and boxed to be enjoyed all around the world.

Wild Caught & Sustainable

• Wild Alaska salmon is certified as “sustainable” by the Marine Stewardship Council
• Alaska fisheries support healthier oceans and do not harm the ecosystem
• Captain Jim’s Smoked Salmon is ocean caught Sockeye salmon from the mouth of the Stikine River near Wrangell, Alaska

Salmon Health Benefits

• Captain Jim’s Smoked Salmon is an excellent source of lean, healthy protein
• The American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least two times a week, due to it being low in saturated fat and good source of healthy fat
• It is nutrient rich with Calcium, Iron, Vitamin B-12, Vitamin D, Vitamin A and Vitamin E
• Sockeye salmon has the highest amount of Omega 3 oils of any fish
• Captain Jim’s salmon is never frozen from the moment it is caught to when it arrives at your door 
• Each salmon is hand-filleted, brined with a mixture of water, salt, and brown sugar, then cold smoked for 12-16 hours
• Our salmon is a shelf stable protein with no artificial preservatives and no nitrates 
• Each can is inspected for quality and only contains four simple ingredients: Ocean caught Sockeye Salmon, Alaska Alder wood smoke, salt, and brown sugar

JOIN NOW: Captain Jim's Salmon Club

3-can Gift Pack

Three, flavor-rich, 6-ounce cans of Captain Jim’s Smoked Salmon.

24-can Case

Twenty-four, flavor-rich, 6-ounce cans. These cans are packed in eight separate gift packs. Free domestic shipping.

Gift Pack Subscription

$40.49 per payment.

Join the Salmon Club and save! Get a 10% discount off our signature gift pack. It includes three, flavor-rich, 6.5-ounce cans of Captain Jim’s Smoked Salmon.

Subscription is available at monthly, quarterly and semiannual frequencies.

Case Subscription

$323.99 per payment.

Join the Salmon Club and save! Get a 10% discount off a case of Captain Jim’s Smoked Salmon. It includes 24, flavor-rich, 6.5-ounce cans.

‍ Wild Caught & Sustainable

• Wild Alaska salmon is certified as “sustainable” by the Marine Stewardship Council, proving that Alaska fisheries support healthier oceans and do not harm the ecosystem.  Captain Jim’s Smoked Salmon is ocean caught Sockeye salmon from the Stikine River near Wrangell, Alaska.  This river is rugged, steep and fast moving which produces strong, tough salmon that have higher quality meat and oils.
• Captain Jim’s Smoked Salmon is a good source of lean, healthy protein. Our salmon is nutrient rich with Calcium, Iron, Vitamin B-12, Vitamin D, Vitamin A and Vitamin E. The American Heart Association recommends fish at least two times a week, due to its low in saturated fat and good source of healthy fat. Sockeye salmon has the highest amount of Omega 3 oils of any fish.

Fresh, Never Frozen

• Starting when the salmon is pulled on board the fishing boat, Captain Jim’s salmon are kept refrigerated NEVER frozen. Each salmon is hand-filleted then brined with a mixture of water, salt, and brown sugar. Next they are cut into small portions and cold smoked for 12-16 hours. The salmon is then hand packed into the 6.5 oz cans and each can is inspected for quality.

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Home / Work of the Church / News / OCA News /

270th Anniversary of the discovery of Russian America marked in Moscow

MOSCOW, RUSSIA [St. Catherine Representation Church]

On Friday, July 15, 2011, by invitation of the Moscow Historical Enlightenment Society “Russian America,” Archimandrite Zacchaeus, Representative of the Orthodox Church in America to the Moscow Patriarchate, participated in events held in honor of the 270th Anniversary of the discovery of Russian America (Alaska) by Navigator-Explorers V.I. Bering and A.I. Chirikov. The events began with the celebration of a memorial panikhida at Holy Trinity Church near Moscow’s Sukharov Square, designated as a “Sea Church.”  By invitation of a cleric of the church, Priest Aleksandr Kholmogorov, Father Zacchaeus led the panikhida, with visiting Archpriest Vladimir Berzonsky from Holy Trinity Church in Parma, Ohio, and Priest Aleksandr concelebrating.  After the service, Father Zacchaeus preached on the importance of the discovery of Alaska, especially in relation to the Russian Orthodox Missionary work there that led to the spread of Orthodox Christianity throughout America.  Following Father Zacchaeus’ words, the President of the “Russian America” Society offered greetings to all gathered. Following the panikhida, the clergy and those praying with them visited the Memorial Monument, erected in honor of the 300th Anniversary of the Russian Navy, at which prayers were offered for the departed and flowers were placed in their memory. A photo gallery appears at http://www.st-catherine.ru/marking-the-270th-anniversary-of-the-discovery-of-russian-america-alaska .