I could really use help planning a trip... (Anchorage, Kenai: 2009, rent)

[cedew]

Hello folks, I could really use some advice. My grandpa is turning 80 next year, this is huge for our family. He is an epic person to us. He worked as a fisheries biologist for 30+ years, and has made countless contributions to Lake Tahoe, and his field. Two summers ago he climbed Mt. Tallac, which was pretty impressive for a 77 year old man. This will probably be his last big birthday where he's still in good enough shape to do something adventurous. He's starting to slow down, and I know he wont be able to enjoy doing something like I'm planning, when he's 90. Summer of '09, I'm going to fund a trip for the guys to Alaska. That will be my uncle, cousin, gramps, and myself. It's going to hurt financially, but I don't care, I love the guy.

The goal will be to see a few "must see" sights, or do a few "must do's", but really I want to fly in to a remote lake and do some fishing with the old man. The flying part isn't totally necessary, but would be so much fun. I plan on staying for at least a week. We will be leaving from Northern California by plane, not sure where to fly in to. I would like to know where is a good "base" is to stay at, that has fun stuff to do from. Money is a big concern, so I'm not looking for anything luxury, but must be decent. The least touristy the better. I realize I'm asking to do touristy things in a non touristy area, but I think it can be somewhat done.

I've got an '08 version of The Milepost coming, and will pick up the '09 in March if necessary. What I would like to know is where might be a good place to stay, and maybe the names of a few businesses who might offer some of the services of guided fun stuff. Any/all advice is much appreciated.

[warptman]

Alaska Flightseeing Tours & Alaska Day Tours from Anchorage, Alaska | Rust’s Flying Service

Nushagak River Adventure Lodge - Alaska Salmon Fishing

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[Barkingowl]

Saltwater or freshwater?

[InfectedMushroom]

Wow that is really great of you though. Enjoy the time you have together, hopefully a very long time! As far as going to AK, I'd check out the links posted, and also reading through some other posts about people vacationing.

I'd say Denali for sure though, and there is a lot of great marine life in SE that he might really enjoy.

[warptman]

Barkley, there is no salt water lakes in Alaska, sorry dude.

[Barkingowl]

Originally Posted by warptman

Barkley, there is no salt water lakes in Alaska, sorry dude.

Maybe I was thinking of Antarctica...

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by cedew

Hello folks, I could really use some advice. My grandpa is turning 80 next year, this is huge for our family. He is an epic person to us. He worked as a fisheries biologist for 30+ years, and has made countless contributions to Lake Tahoe, and his field. Two summers ago he climbed Mt. Tallac, which was pretty impressive for a 77 year old man. This will probably be his last big birthday where he's still in good enough shape to do something adventurous. He's starting to slow down, and I know he wont be able to enjoy doing something like I'm planning, when he's 90. Summer of '09, I'm going to fund a trip for the guys to Alaska. That will be my uncle, cousin, gramps, and myself. It's going to hurt financially, but I don't care, I love the guy.

The goal will be to see a few "must see" sights, or do a few "must do's", but really I want to fly in to a remote lake and do some fishing with the old man. The flying part isn't totally necessary, but would be so much fun. I plan on staying for at least a week. We will be leaving from Northern California by plane, not sure where to fly in to. I would like to know where is a good "base" is to stay at, that has fun stuff to do from. Money is a big concern, so I'm not looking for anything luxury, but must be decent. The least touristy the better. I realize I'm asking to do touristy things in a non touristy area, but I think it can be somewhat done.

I've got an '08 version of The Milepost coming, and will pick up the '09 in March if necessary. What I would like to know is where might be a good place to stay, and maybe the names of a few businesses who might offer some of the services of guided fun stuff. Any/all advice is much appreciated.

The best place to stay for the trip you are considering, is either in the Anchorage, Seward, Soldotna/Kenai, or Homer areas. There are Best Western motels in each of these towns and they are usually very good for their cheap price. Anchorage might work best, giving you a central location with more choices.

If you are looking for an isolated location, with no other people in sight, then there won't be any fish either. Summers in Alaska are short and intense. Everywhere there are salmon in the rivers, you will find people fishing. Even the Yetna River and Lake Creek confluence, 100+ miles from the nearest road, is packed with fisherman on both banks and in boats.

First, you should know the vast majority of fishing in Alaska is not in lakes, like it is in the lower-48. Yes, there are stocked lakes (no pan fish), and yes, they are fished. However, the overwhelming vast majority of Alaskans and tourists alike fish in the rivers or at sea.

You can fish in lakes, but don't expect the same kind of fish you find in lakes in the lower-48. Alaskan lakes are colder than lower-48 lakes, and the illegally stocked lakes with northern pike (a fish that is not native to Alaska) produce very small pike, a.k.a. "snake fish." The fish most people come to catch, of course, are the salmon, but there are also rainbow and lake trout, Dolly Varden (related to trout), and Arctic Grayling (a small bony white fish).

As far as touristy things, the rivers with the easiest access will be where the majority of the tourists hang out. The rivers that require a little hike to get too is where you will find Alaskans and those who do not like "Combat Fishing." The Russian River, for example, is packed with tourists and Alaskans in late-June when the Reds start returning.

Mid- to late-June or early July would be the best time of the year. The King salmon are already running, the Reds are hitting their peak, and the Silvers are just starting to return.

For trophy-sized salmon or Rainbow/Steelhead, there is only one river where they can be regularly found - The Kenai River. Kachemak Bay near Homer is probably the best spot in Alaska for Halibut. A full day halibut charter is a must. Seward, Whittier and the Prince William Sound area also have halibut, but not in such numbers as in and around Kachemak Bay.

I have used Rust's Flying Service (the first in Warptman's list of links) in the past for drop-offs and pick-ups, and I have been very pleased with their level of service and friendly manner. They also have a couple of private cabins on fly-in lakes they will rent out. They will also supply you with all your fishing gear, should you require it.

Be sure to obtain a 2009 Fishing Regulations Guide from the Alaska Department of Fish & Game. It changes every year, depending on the number of salmon returning. Some rivers that were legal to fish this year, may be off-limits next year, or vice versa. Alaskans tend to be very protective of our natural resources and will not hesitate to report an offender.

[cedew]

warptman - Thank you for those great links!

Glitch - I really appreciate you taking the time to respond with such detail. The Halibut charter sounds like a perfect addition to the trip. I'm thinking mid-June as well.

I apologize for such a repetitive post, and really appreciate your replies folks.

Stay warm!

-Mike

[mongazid]

Alaska Fishing - Alaska Outdoors Forums

Do yourself a huge favor and ask that question here. These guys are treasure chest of info.