| If Your dream has always been to take a fishing | | | | - twice as much tackle as you believe you'll need |
| trip to Alaska and the day dawns when it's finally | | | | - flies, weights, lures, a variety of fishing line |
| been realized you can rightfully allow the | | | | - a net and nylon cord |
| excitement to surge. Taking a fishing trip to | | | | - one water bottle or canteen |
| Alaska is like a dream come true for most | | | | - a fillet knife |
| anglers. | | | | - nail clippers |
| You've hired the services of a guide and he leads | | | | - needle nose pliers |
| you deep into the wilderness to a gurgling | | | | - waders and wading boots |
| mountain stream that runs off of a glacier. The | | | | - a flashlight (and extra batteries) |
| water is crystal clear and freezing cold. You set | | | | - maps and a compass (and UPS if venturing out |
| down your gear, bait your hook, cast and quietly | | | | to more remote places) |
| converse with the guide. Suddenly, something hits | | | | - a couple of tire patch kits |
| your bait hard. You set the hook and the fight is | | | | - first aid kit, flares and survival rations if you plan |
| on. You're glad that the guide is along. He coached | | | | to camp in wilderness areas |
| you in the type of line and weights to use. You | | | | Don't forget the appropriate clothing and don't |
| finally land your catch and the guide weighs it on | | | | compromise with cheap stuff- it can make the |
| the portable scales that he carries in his backpack. | | | | difference between an enjoyable fishing trip and a |
| You've landed the biggest fish of your life, a 35 | | | | nightmare. You will need to bring along a fishing |
| pound King salmon. | | | | vest, warm clothes, including socks, a jacket, a |
| There are hundreds of places to fish in Alaska. | | | | winter coat, fleece clothes, rain gear, sunglasses, |
| The southeast region of Alaska, also known as | | | | a fishing hat and gloves, hiking boots, bug |
| the panhandle, has a wide range of places in which | | | | repellent, a couple of lighters and matches, |
| to fish, depending on the species you are | | | | sunscreen, a floatation device, a backpack, |
| targeting. There are hundreds of mountain | | | | Tylenol, any personal medications you will need, a |
| streams that run off of glaciers. There are deep | | | | cell or satellite phone,pepper spray for bear |
| fjords in abundance. Winters are not as cold here | | | | protection, a fishing license (don't forget your |
| as in other parts of Alaska, because this area is | | | | fishing lisence), a small amount of cash, traveler's |
| warmed by the ocean. Summers are cool and | | | | checks, a credit card, anti bacterial hand cleaner, a |
| very moist and this is the time when halibut | | | | camera and lots of film, or a digital camera. Most |
| move into the waters near the shore. Salmon | | | | of the bigger towns offer facilities for you to |
| migrate to this region by the hundreds to spawn | | | | download your digital images onto CD or even to |
| and there are a variety of trout species to be | | | | print from your memory cards. |
| fished. | | | | The question is often asked by more |
| The fishing is great in the western and Arctic | | | | inexperienced fisherman to Alaska as to what bait |
| regions of Alaska, as well as in the interior. These | | | | to use. Live bait for Alaskan fishing includes |
| are the areas where the Yukon and Kuskokwim | | | | nightcrawlers, crustaceans, prawns, live bait |
| Rivers drain. Here you will catch burbot, char, | | | | systems, cut bait, shrimp, oysters, live fish |
| graylings, pike, trout, sheefish and more, for fish | | | | species, crayfish, lugworms, razor fish and herring. |
| are in great abundance. | | | | Frozen baits consist of mackerel, herring, squid, |
| A popular Alaskan fishing destination is the area | | | | sardines and octopus. Artificial bait includes lures, |
| known as the Lower Cook Inlet. Here you will | | | | wet and dry flies, spinners, streamers, spoons and |
| catch Dolly Varden, salmon species, and trout in | | | | Mepps. Egg sacs work great for attracting fish |
| the rivers and streams. Halibut and salmon can be | | | | species. The best rule of thumb is to use the |
| fished off the coast. If you enjoy digging for | | | | natural bait that the targeted fish species prey |
| clams, dig the area's beaches for a good feed. | | | | upon. Also keep in mind that you need to match |
| King salmon, also known as Chinook, are common | | | | bait to the hook size and equipment that you are |
| in Alaska, and they often weigh up to 50 pounds. | | | | using. |
| Giant halibut are also found in Alaska's waters, as | | | | The best advice you can get for Alaskan fishing, |
| are northern pike, graylings, Pollock, shiner perch, | | | | is from one of the many experienced local |
| sole, rockfish, sturgeon, steelhead, shad, herring, | | | | anglers. If you don't know, or can't find such an |
| lake chub, Alaskan blackfish, smelt, trout, Arctic | | | | angler, seek out an experienced Alaskan fishing |
| char, Arctic cod, walleye, Arctic flounder, crabs | | | | guide. These can be found easily online and the |
| and shrimp. | | | | resources on this site will serve as a handy guide. |
| South Central Alaska is the area of Alaska that | | | | Beware of hiring a guide that you have never |
| has the highest population and there are great | | | | met. Make sure you get reliable references |
| fishing opportunities available. From Bristol Bay to | | | | especially if you have to pay in advance and |
| the Copper River, there are watersheds and | | | | especially if you are planning on using your guide |
| coastal waters that have an abundance of fish. | | | | for an extensive period of time. Email the guide |
| Anglers can fish the coastal waters for halibut and | | | | service and ask how long they've been in |
| ocean fish species. Watersheds are abundant in | | | | business, if they are licensed, if they carry |
| species as burbot, Dolly Varden, grayling, pike, | | | | insurance and if they are members of the Better |
| trout and whitefish. It is essential to pack the right | | | | Business Bureau, or something equivalent. Ask |
| fishing gear fro your fishing trip to Alaska. You will | | | | them for the names and phone numbers of |
| need a variety of fishing gear and you need to | | | | references. |
| make sure you include (at least) the following: | | | | The value of a good guide is priceless. If you hire |
| - freshwater fishing rods | | | | a good guide, the price you pay for these |
| - saltwater fishing rods | | | | services will be well rewarded. You will land a |
| - bait casting rod | | | | beauty and have the memories forever. |