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Hints To Make Your Alaska Float Fishing Outing Memorable
Posted in Fishing Vacations on the Nov 21, 2008
When you’re planning an Alaska float fishing trip, the focus should be on the planning. Alaska sees over a million tourists every year and that means popular lodges book up fast, charters get reserved and you could get stuck without a seat.
To learn more about how to make your float fishing trip a success, keep reading for advice on what to pack, when to go and where to look for the best fishing.
Packing List for an Alaskan Float Fishing Trip
Ideally, you want to pack clothes that will layer easily - keeping you prepared for hot sun, rainy days and cold nights. Choose a fabric like performance wool or a high-tech fabric that will wick away sweat, dry quickly if it gets wet and keep you warm at night.
Instead of packing every piece of oversized and heavy fishing gear that you own, call ahead to your lodge or tour company and see what types of equipment will be included in your package. You may still want to pack your favorite lures or gear, but most companies actually provide flies, lures, floats and other fishing supplies.
Finally, invest in high-quality rain gear. While Gore-Tex may seem like the best choice, it is actually only waterproof for about four to six hours. So, though PVC rain gear can be hot, clammy and uncomfortable, it will keep you dryer for a longer period of time on rainy days.
When to Go
The best time to go on an Alaska float fishing in Alaska is from June to September. The weather is great, the salmon are spawning, the trout are plentiful and the fishing is amazing. Unfortunately, this is also peak tourism season. That means you need to plan ahead, reserve early and book in advance.
Great Locales for Fishing
The best fishing spots in Alaska are
* The Kenai River, a water known for its huge salmon
* The Copper River Delta, a river delta teeming with salmon and trout
* Bristol Bay, an angler’s paradise and home to hundreds of remote lodges, and
* Kodiak Island, an island oasis that’s remote, isolated and crammed with fish
Remember, when you’re planning an float fishing vacation, always book the best fishing locations, reserve your place early, go during the season and pack smart. If you’re trying to book a charter or lodge, get a recommendation or referral from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Sport Fish Division. You can find them online at sf.adfg.state.ak.us.
Fish Groupings For Ideal Fly Fishing Off Alaskan Waterways
Posted in Fishing Vacations on the Nov 16, 2008
If you’re thinking of fishing in Alaska, you should recognize the fish species in the area, understand their preferred flies and know what to expect. So, read on for a general overview of the fish species during your next fishing vacation in Alaska.
Pacific Salmon
There are four major species of Pacific salmon in Alaska: Chinook salmon (also known as king salmon), pink salmon, silver salmon and sockeye salmon or reds. They’re a great game fish, but usually less popular with cold water fly fishers than, say, trout or Arctic char.
It’s important to note that while Pacific salmon won’t eat after returning to fresh waters, they will still strike subsurface and surface flies. However, fly fishers need to be ready to take in what are a large and aggressive fish species. The king salmon in Alaska can weigh close to or over one hundred pounds.
Steelhead Trout
The steelhead trout is a unique rainbow trout that can swim in the open sea or large lake environment, but does spawn in connecting rivers. After their spawning, they’ll return to a large lake or ocean.
Because the steelhead is rare, fast and hard to catch, it’s a prized fish and a respected catch. On average, the steelhead will weigh between 4 and 12 pounds, but can go much larger in size in the Alaskan waters. To catch the steelhead, fly fishers need to be patient and persevere.
The Grayling (Trout Family)
The graying is a unique fish, easily identifiable by its high and broad dorsal fin and almost neon blue color on its body and fins. For fly fishing, Alaska graylings are both prized and easy to catch. The fish aren’t very discriminating and tend to go for almost any fly.
That said, Alaska graylings do have a few preferences. They tend to like active, moving insects, smaller insects and also dry flies. The fish will also feed on minnows and crustaceans, though traditional light flies seem to be the most effective.
An Alaskan grayling will typically grow to about 4 pounds, but they’re a tasty catch and well suited to the dinner table.
Alaskan Arctic Char
The Arctic char is a member of the trout family that prefers clean, clear and cold lakes or streams to survive. They are strong, active and aggressive, but also a fantastic catch. They predominantly feed on insects, minnows, aquatic worms, fish eggs and crustaceans. Most fly fishers agree that the Arctic char is generally more gullible than its trout cousins. For fly fishing, Alaska arctic char are plentiful and easy on any fishing trip.
The Best Vacation Package
Posted in Fishing Vacations on the Nov 15, 2008
Those with poor planning skills, or a severe shortage of time, often find that a travel vacation is something that works out very well for them. These are often very easy to find, a bit cheaper than putting everything together separately, and make travel much easier. Those with families often love these because there are a lot of family-orientated packages geared towards the whole family. Finding these is easy, but deciding on the right one is a little harder.
Most of the time, a good vacation package spells everything out up front for the person buying the trip. That means you will know exactly what you are getting, and how much it is going to cost you. Families should be careful with all-inclusive packages that do not spell things out. Some find that this means that their travel vacation package includes a few meals, but they are on their own for others. It might not cover most taxes either. This is important to find out.
A travel vacation package does not have to be for families though. There are many out there for couples, and some that are just for honeymoons. Before you take one of these, think about what you are getting for the money. My husband and I took one of these for our honeymoon, and chose one due to the price. This was a mistake. Our honeymoon was a nightmare because of it. You will always find a great travel vacation package, but look into it before you commit your money and your time.
There are always extra expenses attached to any travel vacation package, but some deals are better than others. As long as you understand the cost of your travel vacation, plus taxes, and what expenses might still be added once you arrive, you aren’t going to be caught unaware and under prepared.
There is nothing saying that you can’t ask questions before you accept a travel vacation package. If you don’t have the time to do this, you might want to hire a travel agent to find the best deal for you and to fill you in on the details. You can tell them what you need and what you hope to spend, and they will find the best deal they can. It is also a great idea to check up on any location by looking online for reviews from other travelers. Had I done this, I could have avoided a rather rotten honeymoon.