An Alaska Fishing Trip Will Bring Your Vacation Dream To Life

Many anglers dream of an Alaska fishing trip. To make sure your Alaska fishing trip is perfect, follows these helpful guidelines.

Experienced anglers know that hiring a guide is the way to a successful Alaska fishing trip. A local guide knows the best fishing sites and what local services are available.

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.

Certain species are best fished for in one of Alaska’s five regions: Arctic, Western, Interior, Southcentral and Southeast. Many guides combine the westernmost areas together into one region. Here are some of their characteristics:

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 westernmost parts of this region feature treeless plains, while the Interior is covered in forests. Salmon make long runs up the Kuskokwim and Yukon rivers. Grayling tops the freshwater species, along with trout, char, pike and burbot.

Once you’ve chosen your species and region, these tips can help you select a fishing guide.

1. Contact at least two references for the guide and ask about their experiences.

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 differ considerably. Often there’s a reason that one guide’s prices are much lower than others, and that reason could be the difference between having a terrific fishing trip and blowing your money on an incompetent guide.

4. Find out how long the guide has been working in Alaska. The state’s fish runs tend to go in seven-year cycles, so the more experience the guide has, the better your trip will be.

5. Get a complete itemized listing of what’s included in the guide’s price. Check for specifics such as rain gear, fishing tacle, water, food, and so on.

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.

Finally, schedule your Alaska fishing trip as soon as possible. The state’s fishing season doesn’t last long and fishing guides’ schedules book up fast.

To get more detailed informtaion and resources for a great Alaska fishing trip be sure to visit: http://www.lureofalaska.com/