Who's going to Alaska Fishing this year

[44hunter45]

Long layover at SEATAC.

Our son got a non-passenger pass to come through security to hang out with us.

 

[Salmonchaser]

Dolly’s, Char, such an under rated fish and always so eager.

 

[44hunter45]

Dolly’s, Char, such an under rated fish and always so eager.

Love these fish

 

[Salmonchaser]

I had days guiding south of Becharof my clients would put on a small indicator or a piece of yarn and try to land big char with no hook. Love those fish.

 

[El Jason]

Looks like I need to buy a few of you a beer and pick your brain. Told my wife I want us to go fishing in Alaska for my 60th.

 

[Salmonchaser]

Looks like I need to buy a few of you a beer and pick your brain. Told my wife I want us to go fishing in Alaska for my 60th.

There are three avenues to fishing in Alaska:
1. Fly to Anchorage, you’ll catch more fish on the Columbia than you will around ANC. But, you can rent a car head south down the Kenai peninsula you’ll catch fish in the various rivers Reds and Silvers depending on timing, kings are pretty well shut down. You can also get on a charter go out and catch silvers, cod Halibut and the like. I havent bothered to keep track of king closures around the Kenai. You can also head towards Seward, get a charter, most likely you’ll catch fish. I would guess if you spent three days on a charter you would easily make your 50 pounds of frozen fillets for you and the wife, even if you can’t keep any kings.
You could also get a guide to float the upper Kenai or some of the other rivers and have a better than even chance of catching a releasing a 30-35 inch rainbow weighing 15 to 20 pounds. Biggest fish came later in the summer so kings and reds will be done, their spawning hence the rainbows but silvers (coho) are in at that time.
2 South east meat fishery. Sitka in my mind is the place to go but anywhere along the panhandle will produce plenty of fish. Catherine and I go to Sitka to fill coolers. You name it they are there silvers typically come a littler earlier down there. Me I would go around the first of august. Lots of good captains there. Most will let the boat go with 4 folks aboard. It aint cheap but nothing is.

3. By the time you rent a car, a place to stay, a couple of days guiding and a couple charter days on the salt you are going to be getting real close to funding a trip out to Bristol Bay. It is expensive but it is worth it if you like adventure and getting into places that literally may not have been fished yet this summer. Or you can go to Rivers like the American or Kulik where every one goes. Either way it is a kick ass good time. You can do some self guided raft trips, as noted above, or you can stay in a lodge. there is a hotel in king Salmon and a couple I think in Dillingham. I don’t think any one is currently renting power boats to fish the Naknek or the Nush, but I retired from guiding three years ago.
If you want to go out to Bristol Bay you want to get after it early. I was always fully booked from June 8 when the river opens to the end of Sept. Most the outfits out there are pretty well booked before the sport shows start. Only got a day off if someone died.
Three outfits I would look at. Phil Byrd operates south of Becharof. Very remote fantastic fishing and you’ll very rarely see anyone else.
Patricia Edel owns and operates Blue Fly Lodge in King Salmon. She is very very good fisherman and has close to if not 30 years guiding in the area.
Nancy and Heath Lyons, Own Bear Trail Lodge, Patty got her start working for them. They have top notch guides, boats, gear and food. They now own Branch River air and have really picked up their fly out fishing. Both Patty and Heath and Nancy have excellent fish processing if you’re killing fish.

Be aware of any operators out there that are new, or are offering accommodations and fishing that are way cheaper than anyone else. Think of it this way. You ask for four bids for a new roof on your house, three of them come in very close to each other and the fourth guy comes in 50% below the others. there is a reason, I’m just saying.
If I don’t go to Africa again next spring I’m going out to fish with Phil.

Also;
The Lodge at 58* north. Kate and Justin Crump. They bought our old place changed the name and went through it building a top drawer operation with the very best location on the river. We had a great working relationship before they bought us out, they would guide for us or we would help them out if we had a free day kind of thing. Absolutely fantastic people and two of the very best fisherman you could ever meet. I know a number of their guides and they are top shelf. They are on the expensive side but you will absolutely be getting service that price should bring.

 

[Carl 9.3x62]

Fishing was awesome. Weather was awesome. Guide was awesome. Alaska is awesome. Rock fish, ling cod, green ling, flounder, dogfish, and halibut.