Float plane info please (renting, houseboat, to buy)

[loves2read]

My husband is going with group of guys from his office to Prince Rupper Sound area later in June for salmon fishing. Just a 3 night trip--long weekend


Not flying commercial--but renting Gulfstream so they can all travel together...will fly into Prince Ruppert area and then they take a float plane to the resort--a floating house boat...
His boss is paying for this--reward for successful project they completed.
My husband would never have chosen to do this on his own--more golfer than fisherman and flying 2 hours is about his limit normally...

The info for the resort says to bring only 25 lbs of luggage--
he thinks that mainly refers to people who are flying commercial with weight limits and want to bring at least part of the salmon they are expected to catch back with them
but I think part of that suggestion is based on traveling on float plane to resort...

how big a bag can/should he carry for the sea plane part of trip
that will be short hop probably but don't imagine they will all come on same float plane
not much room for luggage I imagine in any size

He needs to get a new bag because all our bags are roller bags--even the small ones are older and clunky/heavy--
So he is thinking unstructured, duffel type of bag...something with shoulder strap...and would like something waterproof or pretty water resistant...
but he is not interested in backpack---

any real life knowledge about what size bag or type would work the best?

We can always use a good quality carry on type bag so it wouldn't go to waste necessarily but some of the bags out there are pretty expensive...
so would like to make the optimum choice---right bag at right price...

any suggestions appreciated
especially if you have done float plane travel personally...

[AKStafford]

Weight will be a big concern on the float plane, so he will need to limit himself. A duffle bag will be his best option.

[loves2read]

Yes--we realized that--but wondered if there were dimension standards--
I found one float plane operator in Seattle with luggage info that had weight of 24 lbs and dimensions of 24x16x10
which is actually larger than a carry-on bag with US commercial airlines--
of course you can have larger checked bags with the float plane--
and all baggage counts to your total--no "free" carryons like a small camera bag or water bottle--it all counts toward the 24

or you pay if there is space available or have it stored until you come back for return trip I guess...

the info from the resort (not anything from his company who is sponsoring the trip) only mentioned they "might" want to cut their baggage back to 25 lbs--making it seem like an option
but can't imagine the boss is going to want to pay significant overweight charges for people who overpack...

[stiffnecked]

First, your husband is going to Canada, not Alaska. Prince Ruppert is in British Columbia. Most float plane operators are pretty strict about the baggage limit due to the smaller size of the planes. I'd suggest he cut back on what he's bringing and not push that limit.

[Frostnip]

It's not like paying extra will make it safe for the plane to go overweight. Stick to the limit suggested. It's a fishing weekend at a resort, it's not like he needs to bring much stuff. I'd suggest a backpack or a gym duffel.

Like stiff said, he's going to Canada. If he doesn't have a valid passport he needs to get on that ASAP.

[WyoNewk]

A duffel/zipper bag or two would be best. He should check with the resort/outfitter for what fishing gear he needs to bring. 25 pounds isn't much if he's expected to bring waders and tackle for salmon fishing, but if all the fishing will be from a houseboat with tackle provided, he won't need much -- warm shirts, rain gear, etc. Whatever is required, stick to the 25 pounds. This is a fishing trip -- changing clothing daily isn't required. He who smells the most like a fish wins.

Float planes come in all sizes. The last one I was on carried 15-20 passengers, IIRC. Ever hear of the The Spruce Goose?

[akck]

I'd just bring a medium sized duffel, big enough to fit clothes for four days. Say, something about this size:

Eddie Bauer Expedition Medium Duffel Bag | Eddie Bauer

Figure he'll wear the same clothes most of the time, but have something just for evenings, sitting around the lodge. Figure 2 pairs of pants for fishing (one can be drying) and one for the lodge. Likewise on the shirts or tees. Maybe 2 sweaters/sweatshirts for warmth (again one for drying), and a water resistant coat. Double up on the socks so he can change if needed (extra underwear too, but not double). For shoes, figure something for fishing and something comfortable (can be the same).

Figure the resort will provide all fishing gear and rain gear (check on boots though). If your husband was a fisherman, he could bring special lures, but he really should depend on the guide for what is catching. The float plane will likely be anywhere from a 4 seater to an 8 seater and weight can be critical, so they shouldn't lie too much about their weight. My guess is the weight limit is because the plane will be carrying supplies to the resort too. On the trip back, it will be down in weight so it should be able to carry any fish caught.

[loves2read]

Sorry if my posting a question about Canada on the Alaska forum raised anyone's hackles...
I just thought there is lot of float plane activity in Alaska as well

the resort does provide all fishing gear--I guess is someone is avid enough to have done this before he might have his own equipment like rod to bring but my husband doesn't

just lot of variety regarding size/weight of bags and you want to buy something that is going to be good quality and fairly waterproof...
thanks for the link--that Bauer bag is about the size he is looking for--deep enough that he can pack w/o have to stuff the seams...

he is supposed to get info about trip today so maybe they will have something specific regarding luggage/weight besides just 25 lbs...

anyone have particular kind of bug repellant to recommend--
and will that be as big a problem if they are on water fishing from boats vs being land based?

[akck]

It's okay to ask your questions here as Southeast Alaska has similar fly-in fishing resorts. Bugs can be a problem on the water, but not as bad as on land. Rain will keep most away, but for dry days, most any repellent will work. Just get the ones that have a higher concentration of the main ingredient. Have him bring sunglasses in case it's sunny while fishing. The glare can be blinding off the water. I'd also suggest earplugs or some other form of hearing protection. Some of the float planes can be loud.

[loves2read]

thanks for the ear plug suggestion--
think the flight is only 15 min or so--not that long but bad noise can really give you a headache