Top Alaska Fishing Experiences

[wind gypsy]

Roksliders I need some help and I figured with all the Alaskan outdoorsman on this site it would be a good place to start.

My dad introduced me to the outdoors as early as he possibly could and has been my best fishing buddy ever since. As far back as I can remember he has talked about how much he'd love to go to Alaska fishing. He retired from the Laborers union a couple years ago and I worry about him not experiencing life as much as he should these days. He's got time and enough money but never steps out of his comfort zone to try new things unless me or his buddies make it happen and drag him along. I know he'll never go to Alaska on his own, so I'm thinking I better plan a trip and surprise him with it this Christmas.

I have done next to no research at this point (Hunting season isn't over!) and am looking for anything from direction to help me figure out what I really want to full blown guides/location/season recommendations. If I were to paint with a broad brush - I'd love to get into salmon, halibut, and rockfish and experience it with minimal other people over a period of 7-9 days. I intend to fund as much of this as my Dad will let me and am fine spending money if needed for the right opportunities.

I'm not aware how sensitive things are in relation to sharing locations/timing for this type of thing online. I'd be happy with a PM with direction on where I can figure things out for myself if that is easier to share.

 

[kodiakfly]

Well, for salmon, that can be a lot of places. But for halibut and rockfish, you're looking at SE or South Central AK. First, pick how much of it you want to do on your own. Then decide what "minimal" people is, along with what kind of experience and fisherman you and your Dad are. What I mean is, some people don't mind fishing with 15 other people in a 50 yd span, but others consider that combat fishing.

Likewise, fly fishing vs gear, species of salmon, wanting to fill a cooler or to fish for the enjoyment, time of year (weather), guided vs DIY.

And I'll say, some species are more of a guarantee than others. Everyone wants a 75 lb king or 100 lbs of reds until they find out that the Kenai is closed or that reds can be a pain in the butt and most guys floss them.

Halibut can be feast or famine, but rockfish are pretty much a guarantee and they are my favorite table fare and favorite on a fly for AK saltwater. Just please do me a favor, and don't take the rockfish for granted; most guys do, and that will be their end. They are awesome eating, awesome fishing, but they are a finite resource just like any "fancy" fish like salmon or even steelhead. Treat them with respect and don't rape the ocean of 3-4 lb fish just to fill your cooler. P Cod are good eating and are no longer a trash fish here.

Halibut, try hard enough and you can catch them on a fly, solo-

 

[kodiakfly]

colonel00, this one's for you...I love big rockfish on fly. Everyone looks at rockfish like bluegill. But to get big ones consistently and on command on fly, you need to get them dialed in. I love rockfish!

 

[colonel00]

Very nice! We are usually catching the smaller ones like the quillback I think(?) but they are still fun and a great way for us to blow through some leftover herring. One of these days I'll definitely have to give it a shot.

To the OP, kodiakfly has some great info and questions. I'm happy to help as well as someone from the lower 48 that gets up there once or twice a year. Target August for fishing is what I'd suggest. There are a ton of places to go. The biggest thing I tell people who ask similar questions about Alaska is to list off things like kodiakfly asks. There are so many options, it's all about what fits you.

A couple other things to think about are accommodations, length of trip and budget. For instance, we usually do it on the cheap and stay in tents but we're still kinda young(ish) and can deal with it. If your father isn't up for that, this will affect the trip planning. As far as the length of the trip, I'd plan a week at least if you can. The beauty of such a big state is, if you have the time, you can drive a couple hundred miles and get to better fishing/weather/scenery, etc. Obviously budget will play a huge part too.

Since we're showing photos, from this year...

 

[Daniel_M]

PR-49's and Flossin Sockeye go together like Peanut Butter & Jealous! One of my favorite late July trips is to float the middle kenai for reds.

Can't go wrong with an overnight charter out of Prince William Sound, then play the road system between the Kenai and Copper River for Sockeye. 3rd week of July is typically hot at one of those locations, but the salmon runs can't be depended upon timing wise..I've struck out befor eon the annual trip.

 

[JPD350]

I have fished 3 times at a place by Juneau called Doc Warners and will be going back for the fourth time in August 2017, on average people bring home 100-130 lbs of vacuumed packed Halibut and Salmon fillets. This place gives you your own boat and you do your own thing and fish as much as you want for 5 days, you do see other boats on the water but it has never bothered me and I am the type of person that absolutely doesn't want to be in a crowd of people fishing for the same spot, it's big water and there are plenty of places to do you own thing.
The accommodations aren't 5 star lodging but it is a very well run outfit, meals are pretty good and the people are there to make sure you have a successful trip.


Doc Warners | Alaskan Adventure

[/IMG]

 

[BroodBuster]

Check out Island View Resort and Charters out of Sitka. Great lodge, crew and fishing. Mid June to mid July for kings.

 

[danarnold]

We flew into anchorage Alaska this past August and headed down the Kenai Peninsula in hopes of catching a lot of salmon, we stayed at a place called crooked Creek guides(Great website with bait and switch tactics, don't stay there) that was near the Kasilof river , The river was higher than normal and the fishing was less than good, and they overcharged us from their original quote,
we also went halibut fishing down at anchor point which consisted of 8 fisherman on a 27 foot boat, we went about an hour and to cook inlet and caught our quota and came back, good eating but wasn't much fun.

 

[Dromsky]

A couple years ago, we took a week fishing trip, spent 2 days near Seward and went offshore for halibut and salmon with Crackerjack sportfishing, 3 days on the Kenai @ Tower Rock lodge for salmon and flyouts, 2 days in Anchorage flying Rusts Flying service to Riversong lodge fishing salmon.
I highly recommend all these outfits, they were the best I came up with after lots of research. Alaska is a popular place in summer and you need to make reservations as far out as possible or the good outfits wil be booked and you get whats left. Its a great time, have fun with your dad.

 

[wind gypsy]

Thanks for the awesome feedback so far guys!

To address some of Kodiakfly's clarifying questions:
-I've never seen my dad with a fly rod and I'm dog$hit with one - Salmon or offshore on a fly would be an ugly thing for us.
-15 people in a 50 yard span is something I'd prioritize avoiding
-Not overly picky on species of Salmon
-Enjoyment comes before filling a cooler but definitely want to bring home something
-We don't have gear for DIY - so will need guide to an extent. if there are less actively guided opportunities where the gear and location type deal is provided and guides are less hands on that might be a good option
-Point taken on Rockfish - I have begged, bartered, and cherished rockfish from friends who have taken trips and we would certainly appreciate them as such. My fishing passion is Musky fishing and 100% C&R so I understand the conservation mindset

 

[WyoHnt300]

Gone Fishin' Lodge, in Soldotna is who my brother-in-law and I used for my father-in-law's 60th birthday present. We had one trip to Seward for rockfish, halibut, and silver salmon in the open water, we did a float plane trip for silver salmon on the N side of Cook Inlet, we did a halibut only trip to the Cook Inlet (pulled in a 185lber), reds on the Kenai on two different occassions, and we could fish for reds right out the back door of the lodge. It was a great trip and the five of us that went each brought home 100+lbs of fish a piece. It wasn't the cheapest option and it was far from the top of the line, but we were a pretty no-frills group. Plus Sodotna has some great eateries to boot.

 

[JPD350]

If you ever want to talk about Doc Warners just let me know, you are describing it to a tee, you don't need a guide!

 

[COlineman78]

My dad went on a trip about 10 years ago don't remember where but they caught all the salmon, halibut and lingcod they could handle. I'd assume it was out of Anchorage. They lived on the boat for the week, so don't know if that's the experience you are looking for but they liked it. Came back with several hundred pounds of fish each. One of the coolest things he told me about the trip was the captain saying "alright boys we need to go get some ice". Well being the naive lower 48er he thinks they are running to the docks to stock up on ice, but next thing he knows they're in a floating ice field and he hands them an axe and gaffe and tells them to get to work. Lingcod is actually a good eating white meat fish, but smells super fishy when cooking. It's also the 2nd ugliest fish short of a burbot I've ever seen.

I have never been to Alaska myself, but been to Canada twice for trophy pike.

 

[kodiakfly]

My dad went on a trip about 10 years ago don't remember where but they caught all the salmon, halibut and lingcod they could handle. I'd assume it was out of Anchorage. They lived on the boat for the week, so don't know if that's the experience you are looking for but they liked it. Came back with several hundred pounds of fish each. One of the coolest things he told me about the trip was the captain saying "alright boys we need to go get some ice". Well being the naive lower 48er he thinks they are running to the docks to stock up on ice, but next thing he knows they're in a floating ice field and he hands them an axe and gaffe and tells them to get to work. Lingcod is actually a good eating white meat fish, but smells super fishy when cooking. It's also the 2nd ugliest fish short of a burbot I've ever seen.

I have never been to Alaska myself, but been to Canada twice for trophy pike.

Sounds like Valdez/SE AK.

 

[colonel00]

Sorry, I think a lingcod is much gnarlier than a burbot, just less slimey

 

[kodiakfly]

Thanks for the awesome feedback so far guys!

To address some of Kodiakfly's clarifying questions:
-I've never seen my dad with a fly rod and I'm dog$hit with one - Salmon or offshore on a fly would be an ugly thing for us.
-15 people in a 50 yard span is something I'd prioritize avoiding
-Not overly picky on species of Salmon
-Enjoyment comes before filling a cooler but definitely want to bring home something
-We don't have gear for DIY - so will need guide to an extent. if there are less actively guided opportunities where the gear and location type deal is provided and guides are less hands on that might be a good option
-Point taken on Rockfish - I have begged, bartered, and cherished rockfish from friends who have taken trips and we would certainly appreciate them as such. My fishing passion is Musky fishing and 100% C&R so I understand the conservation mindset

Muskies! Now we're talking! They're tied with silvers as my favorite fish species, and the only species that I also fish on conventional gear. I love night fishing, burning blades and throwing pounders. But I still prefer them on fly. PB on fly is 52".

As to your questions-
-Don't sweat the fly thing. A lot of people see Alaska fishing on TV and it's often fly...reality is 90% of Alaskans and visitors don't fly fish and Pixees, Vibrax and roe rule the day. If you're here to catch fish, no need to go River Runs Through It.
-15 people in a short span is fairly normal for salmon fishing, especially on Kenai and even now here on Kodiak, sadly. But if you're not afraid of a walk, or you don't mind fishing for the "lowly" pink or chum salmon you can find some runs, holes and beaches free of people. That's how I prefer to fish.
-Enjoyment before the cooler...be honest with yourself about that. My Dad says that every time he comes up, but then he stresses when his cooler isn't full two days before he leaves. There's nothing wrong with leaving here with dozens of pounds of fish and because it's such an assumed part of an Alaskan trip, some guys want to just fish for fun, but fun involves filling a cooler. My point is, if you really want to just catch fish, then target pinks, chum and grayling. They are as much fun and action that you can physically handle. Pinks are literally the kind of thing where you just get tired of catching fish and go home for a beer. They can always have a low year or be finicky, but they are the fish catchers fish. And while you can eat them just fine...there's some considerations like they turn pretty fast and you can half an "over ripe" cooler full of fish pretty easily and they aren't the picture of salmon meat that most people think of. I guess my point is...while I respect the fish and love catching them, I don't bother with eating them. If you want to keep fish to eat...red, kings and silvers are all extraordinary tablefare. But they also draw the largest crowds. And a note on flossing...decide ahead of time if you want to do that or not. Some people, it's their bread and butter for getting fish to hand. But for my fishing tastes, if I came all the way to AK and my guide had me flossing...I'd be disappointed. But that's me. It's like jump shooting ducks or sitting in a tree stand for elk. It's not illegal and I can't call it unethical, but it's not a lot of people's style. Decide on how you want to do it and let your guide know and plan accordingly. And as far as guides...you could really hire a guide for a day and then have it figured out after that and go on your own. As far as DIY gear, that's easy. You can go full-on Simms or Orvis head to toe, or buy hip boots for $50 and a rod for $40 at WalMart or Fred Meyer and you're fishing. Point here is, don't hire a guide just because you don't have your own gear. Gear is in every store and is however fancy or simple or expensive or affordable you want it to be. Shoot me a PM if you'd like specifics.

For muskies...my 52 on fly. Guiding for muskies is part of my retirement plan in a few years...

 

[dirtytough]

I worked for a guy in AK one year. He did 6 day float trips for kings. Fly into a lake, float the river about every other day for 5-6 hours, then fly out at the end. While floating guys would catch rainbows and grayling. Once we camped they would fish for salmon. Lots of kings and pinks. With a few silvers. If I remember right one guy that was hardcore caught over 100 kings in the week he was there. A lot of the older guys got tired fighting kings so they fished for the smaller pinks. The food is made with Dutch ovens and was really good. If your interested let me know I will send you the info.

Regards, Branden

 

[BroodBuster]

I don't even get started on the salmon, halibut, and other bottom fish until after I'm out of lings. Easily my favorite eating fish.

DirtyTough just described my bucket trip. I love rivers. Hate crowds. And love the idea of not knowing what you'll find around the next bend.

 

[wind gypsy]

Great feedback, I had to Google what flossing is, interesting concept..

52" musky on a fly is a hell of an accomplishment. I've only hit that mark once with standard equipment.

Lots of great info guys, I'm going to try to get some PMs out here soon but trying to get work wrapped up and out to MT for rifle season.

Thanks again!

 

[WRO]

I don't know where your from, but if you don't have much sea experience think about whether or not you will get seasick, that will make a trip rougher.

My buddy owns togiak river lodge, and some of the best salmon fishermen in the PNW I know have been there and not one has given it a bad review. Epic silver/King/trout/sockeye/chum fishing, nice lodge, good food, and it will be relaxing. I guided up there for 2 years (not togiak) and spent 12 summers on the Kenai peninsula, great fishing, nice scenery, total shit show with people june through early august. If you wanted to do DIY on the peninsula, I'd do late august, early september, great trout and silver fishing, no crowds, you can still go to homer and get halibut (i'd do an overnighter as the local waters don't have much for big fish).