An Alaska Fishing Trip Brings Vacation Dreams To Life
It's the dream of many an angler: the thrill of an Alaska fishing trip. Whether it's once in a lifetime or a regular occurrence, nothing beats its adventure for devoted fishermen.
If you want to ensure the greatest Alaska fishing trip ever, hire a local fishing guide. A guide can take you to the best spots, as well as knowing local fishing regulations, available services and sights.
The first step to planning a trip is to choose a species for fishing. Many anglers go for Alaska's great salmon, but fishing for some of the incredibly big halibut is another saltwater thrill. Freshwater fishermen will enjoy hooking into Northern Pike, Rainbow Trout, Steelhead, Grayling and many others in rivers and streams.
Choosing your species will determine which Alaska region you'll visit. The state has five geographical areas: Southeast, Southcentral, Western, Arctic and Interior. Sometimes the western regions are grouped together. Here's what each is like:
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 boasts some of the state's most well-known fishing spots, such as the Kenai River where the salmon roam. You can drop lines here also for halibut off the coasts and for Pike, Trout and Grayling in the streams.
The Arctic, Western Alaska and Interior regions differ greatly from the southern areas. The Arctic and Western areas are treeless plains, while forests blanket the Interior. The Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers are known for their salmon, while Grayling tops the freshwater species that include Pike, Char, Trout and Burbot.
After choosing your species and region, use these guidelines for selecting a guide for your Alaska fishing trip.
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 timeline for the trip, including boat travel time and fishing time. Half a day's trip is quickly expended if a long boat ride cuts into valuable 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. Find out the guide's length of experience with fishing in Alaska, where the fishing runs in cycles of about seven years. The more your guide's experience, the more likely you are to catch The Big One.
5. Get a full picture of what you're getting for your money. Ask the guide to list everything, including things like tackle, rain gear, food and water, etc.
6. Ask all your questions before you set out. It's too late to inquire about bait once you're on the water.
Above all, start planning and scheduling your Alaska fishing trip as soon as possible. Because of the short fishing season, some experience anglers book their outings as much as a year in advance so they don't miss out on their favorite guides!
If you want to ensure the greatest Alaska fishing trip ever, hire a local fishing guide. A guide can take you to the best spots, as well as knowing local fishing regulations, available services and sights.
The first step to planning a trip is to choose a species for fishing. Many anglers go for Alaska's great salmon, but fishing for some of the incredibly big halibut is another saltwater thrill. Freshwater fishermen will enjoy hooking into Northern Pike, Rainbow Trout, Steelhead, Grayling and many others in rivers and streams.
Choosing your species will determine which Alaska region you'll visit. The state has five geographical areas: Southeast, Southcentral, Western, Arctic and Interior. Sometimes the western regions are grouped together. Here's what each is like:
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 boasts some of the state's most well-known fishing spots, such as the Kenai River where the salmon roam. You can drop lines here also for halibut off the coasts and for Pike, Trout and Grayling in the streams.
The Arctic, Western Alaska and Interior regions differ greatly from the southern areas. The Arctic and Western areas are treeless plains, while forests blanket the Interior. The Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers are known for their salmon, while Grayling tops the freshwater species that include Pike, Char, Trout and Burbot.
After choosing your species and region, use these guidelines for selecting a guide for your Alaska fishing trip.
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 timeline for the trip, including boat travel time and fishing time. Half a day's trip is quickly expended if a long boat ride cuts into valuable 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. Find out the guide's length of experience with fishing in Alaska, where the fishing runs in cycles of about seven years. The more your guide's experience, the more likely you are to catch The Big One.
5. Get a full picture of what you're getting for your money. Ask the guide to list everything, including things like tackle, rain gear, food and water, etc.
6. Ask all your questions before you set out. It's too late to inquire about bait once you're on the water.
Above all, start planning and scheduling your Alaska fishing trip as soon as possible. Because of the short fishing season, some experience anglers book their outings as much as a year in advance so they don't miss out on their favorite guides!
