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