Alaska fishing trip Can bring Your vacation dream to life
August 9, 2009 by Bob Hobson
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Many anglers dream of an Alaska fishing trip. To make sure your Alaska fishing trip is perfect, follows these helpful guidelines.
The best way for visitors to fish successfully in Alaska is to hire a fishing guide. While it might seem safe and accessible, Alaska is also one of the last great wildernesses left on earth. Having a local guide who knows the area and has connections to great fishing and local services in the event of an emergency is having the best of both worlds.
Start by choosing which species you’ll fish for. Many anglers like the sport of fishing for one of Alaska’s many varieties of salmon, such as Silver Salmon, Red Salmon or the great King Salmon, which can run as high as 50 pounds or more. Others like the fight in freshwater species such as Northern Pike and Rainbow Trout, among others. Don’t overlook a saltwater fishing trip for Alaska Halibut, either. The Halibut in Alaska’s coastal waters are some of the largest found anywhere.
Once you decide on which species you’d like to try for, you’ll have a better idea to which region of the state your Alaska fishing trip can go. The Great Land has five distinct geographical areas: Arctic, Interior, Southcentral, Southeast, and Southwest. Some fishing guides group the Arctic/Interior/Southwest regions into one. Here’s some idea about what you’ll find in each region:
Southeast Alaska. If you’re looking for rushing streams, glaciers and fjords, this is your spot. Seasons are tempered by the Pacific Ocean, with cool, moist summers and snowy winters. Fish here for salmon, halibut and trout.
Southcentral Alaska. This region is home to some of Alaska’s most renowned fishing sites, such as the Kenai Rivers. From Bristol Bay to Copper River, this region offers salmon and halibut along the coasts and pike, trout and grayling on freshwater streams.
Interior/Arctic/Western Alaska. The Western and Arctic areas of this large region have few trees, while the Interior is a vast forest, except for the alpine and sub-alpine arrest. Anglers find salmon making long-distance runs up the Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers. Freshwater species are dominated by grayling, with schools of trout, char, burbot and pike mixed in.
With species and region selected, choose a guide carefully for your fishing trip in Alaska.
1. Get references from at least two of the guide’s previous clients. If you find they weren’t completely happy with the guide’s performance, move on to another prospect.
2. Get a schedule for the trip and especially check the travel time. A lengthy travel time will cut back significantly on fishing time.
3. Guides’ prices vary significantly, and usually for a reason. In this instance, the low bid is probably not your best choice.
4. Ask the guide about their length of experience in Alaska, since fish runs there go in seven-year cycles. The longer, the better.
5. Get an itemized list of what you’re getting for your money, including things like fishing tackle, rain gear, bottled water, etc.
6. Ask about any special concerns before you leave for the water. It’s too late once the boat’s at sea or the plane’s in the air.
The final piece of advice is to book an Alaska fishing trip as early as possible. The fishing season is short and guides’ datebooks fill up fast!
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