Alaska Fishing trip planning

[Sackett2]

Was planning to do this with my brother and dad, but that's all changed. Now I have mom's approval and am thinking about asking Dad's neighbor to a fishing trip in Alaska with us.
We are looking to make this simple and reasonable in cost, so knowing you all I figured this bunch would have some ideas.
We need a cabin with a lake and/or stream near it. Someplace close enough to be able to rent a rig and buy food, but not so far as to need 3 hops with a float plane to get there. Hopefully, the lake would have some larger, hungry trout in it.
We're not a bunch of destructive yahoos looking for a camping/drunk binge, just 3 people like to fish and want to "experience" the Alaskan fishing once in our lives, before this opportunity is gone.
I know the forest service has cabins, but don't know the locations.
Not really interested in the big "lodge" events, just a quiet lake and stream with fish.
So if any of you know of some rent-able cabins; friends, family or commercial that would suit us, it would be appreciated.

 

[Bird]

Steve, if you really want to catch fish, I'd recommend you contact one of the guide services. My parents moved to Anchorage in 1965, one brother got transferred to Elmendorf AFB that same Fall, got out of the Air Force 2 years later and stayed in Anchorage for 25 years. The other brother got out of the Air Force in 1969 and went to Anchorage and stayed 20 years. I went up there in 1972, 1984?, 1990, and 1991. Between '72 and '90 the population of the Anchorage area doubled. Compared to down south, the fishing might be good, but generally any place that you can drive to has been heavily fished, so if you do any good fishing, it'll take a lot of luck. When I went up there, my brothers had airplanes and boats and friends with airplanes and boats, but if you don't know anyone up there, get ready to spend a lot of money and maybe be disappointed in the fishing.

And now the disclaimer. Things change very quickly, so my information and knowledge are dated. So you can take it for what it's worth, knowing that it may all be different now.

 

[cowboy357]

Do You Have any Particular Area in Mind Steve ? I,ve Never Been There myself , Allthough My Wife Has Been On Several Working Cruises All around Alaska & Might Have Some Info on The Places They offer to the People From the Cruise Ships When They stop at Various Ports .

But My Brother Lives in a Little Old Town Called Skagway , He,s Not really a Fisherman But Knows a Lot of People in Skagway . Might Be able to steer You in The Right Direction. If You Know what Area Your Interested in I Can Ask . Sounds Like a Great Trip. . Bob

 

[Sackett2]

no area in particular. it's all a open plan at this time. Have a sister in law, who's ex (haven't met him yet) lives up there- She says he knows people in Ketchikan; (I thought he lived in Anchorage) have a message his way also.
Met on person who used the forest service cabins, had a great trip but would like some more input before we iron down some firm plans.
Scagway looks great location wise; understand anytime someone puts a Alaska city name out I have to Google it; my limit in Alaska was 4 hours on the flightline in Anchorage refueling a KC-135; looking at the mountains wondering "Who the **** did I piss off to get stationed in Minot ND!"

 

[AKwelder]

just a couple words of advice,

- talk out what you want to catch, I see you mention trout, there is also Pike and salmon and salt water.

- I see the connection to the USAF in your post, call Elmendorf and Eielson and ask around, and if memory serves there is a WRM post in seward

- Look up the regulations and fees online, you may not want to get a king salmon for the price.

- The economy has hit hard and guides want your buisness, try the call, having someone get you out fishing and handling the BS is worth a few dollars, also its a vacation, why work at it


good luck and have fun

 

[Bird]

And don't forget to buy a case of Deep Woods Off to take along.

 

[WVBill]

Steve -

Look into Kodiak Island. We took a flight (overwater navigation training) up there to the Coast Guard Air station when I was in the Navy 30 years ago.

We went salmon fishing on the American River - a GREAT experience. I have a picture of me somewhere with a salmon on a gaff pole over my shoulder tail hanging down to my knees!
As I recall there were six or eight of us and everyone caught their limit (if there was a limit). We were only there a couple of nights.
Be sure to have a moose burger at the local diner.

I just checked their website and the Coast Guard base has guest quarters - ISC Kodiak - MWR Division You, being retired military, may be able to arrange to stay there with family members.

Good luck - have fun!

 

[circlelake]

Went twice and rented a motor home each time. They pick you up at the airport in Anchorage then I drove to Sams and filled it with food. You can camp almost anywhere but there are plenty of campgrounds. I was my own guide and fished the Kenai by Sodotna and the Russian rivers for Reds. There are different times for Red runs but I went around July 20. Also drove down to Valdez. One of the most beautiful drives I have ever been on. (I've covered most of the west US) Did a boat excursion there and had whales breaching right along side of the boat. Valdez although small has so much history.
If your plan on doing this I'll tell you exactly where I fished down by Sodotna for reds and in Valdez for Humpys or Pinks. The locals go after Reds and Kings.
Skeets weren't any worse than here in MN. I remember one place we camped was really bad. Seemed like I didn't really have problems fishing or hiking along the rivers doing the day. I would purchase the big cans of pepper spray at Sam's and a bring a big pistol if you plan on doing a lot of hiking. I only carried spray.
You'll have a great trip no matter what your decision is.

 

[Sackett2]

Went twice and rented a motor home each time. They pick you up at the airport in Anchorage then I drove to Sams and filled it with food. You can camp almost anywhere but there are plenty of campgrounds. I was my own guide and fished the Kenai by Sodotna and the Russian rivers for Reds. There are different times for Red runs but I went around July 20. Also drove down to Valdez. One of the most beautiful drives I have ever been on. (I've covered most of the west US) Did a boat excursion there and had whales breaching right along side of the boat. Valdez although small has so much history.
If your plan on doing this I'll tell you exactly where I fished down by Sodotna for reds and in Valdez for Humpys or Pinks. The locals go after Reds and Kings.
Skeets weren't any worse than here in MN. I remember one place we camped was really bad. Seemed like I didn't really have problems fishing or hiking along the rivers doing the day. I would purchase the big cans of pepper spray at Sam's and a bring a big pistol if you plan on doing a lot of hiking. I only carried spray.
You'll have a great trip no matter what your decision is.

THAT is a great idea! Motorhome... hmmm, lots of possibilities.... this requires some more investigation. For us several lakes and streams in a area to explore would be perfect..

Also had another brainstorm, the auto dealership I work for bought a store in anchorage, and my ex manager is working there. that means a good rate on a rental car....

Options, options.

 

[EddieWalker]

I've been on hunting trips to Alaska three times. While there, I've also been fishing. I'm not big on fishing, it's something I'll do if there's time for it and it's available, but not something that I'll go out of my way for. From what I understand, there are three basic types of fishing in Alaska to think about. Deep sea fishing, salmon fishing in the rivers when they are running and lake/pond fishing. Each are in different areas and have different requirements.

I've done the salmon fishing and caught silver salmon. It was after the peak of the season and my buddy and I were waiting for the winds to die down before we could fly out to hunt caribou. We just looked in the yellow pages and hired a guide for half a day to drift us down the river. He knew of spots that we'd catch fish, and we had a good time.

For the deep sea fishing, you'll have to do some research on what you want to fish and what's available when you want to go. Then it's a matter of what you can afford and how big of a boat. Since you mentioned lakes and cabins, this probably doesn't interest you. It's not my thing either.

On my hunting trips, I've found that you fly into Anchorage and then either fly from there to where you will be dropped off, or you fly to another location and then get into your float plane. I've changed planes quite a few times on some hunts, and then just flown right to camp on others. While there are cabins all over the place, I don't know anything about them. I've always camped in tents.

There are two types of outfitters for this. Those who drop you off and leave you for how long you want to be there, and those who stay with you and take care of you. Cook your meals, show you were to fish and just hang out with you. I've been dropped off and I've had a guide. When hunting, the state law requires guides for some animals and for others, you can go on your own.

If you want to be dropped off, you can save money by bringing your own gear or you can spend a bit more and rent theirs. I like to rent theirs since it's almost always brand new. The better guides buy new every year since it never lasts very long. It's also a big pain and very expensive to travel with allot of gear. There are also float trips that you get dropped off at one point on the river and they pick you up downstream at a predetermined date. I want to do this for a moose hunt one day, but haven't done so just yet.

When I go, I like to start out by talking to the outfitters at the hunting shows. I don't know if they have been through your area all ready or not, but if one is coming up, I'd go to it for sure. Another good source would be the fishing shops. Just walk in and ask if they know of any good outfitters who you can go fishing with in Alaska. I would guess that most of the guys who own a fishing store type business have been there already and are probably good friends with at least one outfitter up there who can take care of you. It might be a lodge type thing, but it's a good place to start your search.

When you decide to go and book your trip, let us know and we'll be able to give you tips on how to make the trip a little easier. No point in rambling on about what it's like there until we know where you are going, what time of the year it will be and what you are going to be doing there.

Good luck, once you've been there, it will stay with you and you will always want to return.

Eddie