Alaska Trip First Timer

[bassh8er]

My dad surprised me with a trip to Alaska! Literally, we’re leaving Tuesday morning.

 

I know nothing about what we’re doing and I don’t know if he does either. We’re going with his friends and have 4 days of guide trips for halibut and I think salmon and are on our own for the other 2 days. We’re staying near Soldotna and are fishing out of Homer for halibut and then in the Kenai for salmon.

Again don’t know much about the area or what we’re doing so any help or experience would be appreciated.

[Fishingmickey]

Hi bassh8er,

     I've been to Alaska several times. All of those times have been spent in the area your going to.

I hope all four days of guided trips are not just for Halibut. One good day will get you enough Halibut for a year.

   You really need a boat to fish the Kenai right. There are very few places to fish from shore. I have caught fish from the Kasilof river at what I believe is called the peoples hole. This is the time of year when the Silvers are starting to run. You can catch Silver's on egg's.  If your bringing your own tackle and planning on fishing for salmon. It should be fairly heavy, like 20# test. Bank fishing can be pretty crowded and you need to control your fish. 

  A drift boat trip on the Kasilof should be a lot of fun. you might even get into a late season King. You'll catch a lot of Bo's (Rainbows) and some are decent.

Good luck and take some pictures!

Fishingmickey

[TnRiver46]

I fished salmon and halibut out of homer in 2007. We trolled near the mouth of anchor river with frozen herring in the morning, like 3 o’clock in the morning, then went off shore and jigged vertically with a 16 oz jig head and massive curly tail grub for halibut. Halibut fight hard no matter what they tell you, I was nearly pulled over board by small ones . All the snow capped peaks you can see from the boat were active volcanos, pretty cool 
 

[bulldog1935]

August is Silver runs. 

Also blackflies - DEET and a cigar helps. 

This was a fly-out from Soldotna to Crescent Lake in Lake Clark National Forest. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adding a note about silvers.  They're the only salmon that actively feed in the river.  Fishing for them is a lot like redfish - you fish the side sloughs, and sight-cast to wakes and jumping bait. 

[king fisher]

     Where you are going is on the road system, so don't expect solitude.  The good fishing spots accessible by car are usually crowded.  The fishing for silver salmon and halibut should be good.  Silver salmon are aggressive, and will hit a variety of spinners and spoons.  Pink is by far the best color, with Chartreuse coming in second.  If the Salmon have seen their share of lures, than cured salmon eggs will be your best bet to catch them.  Bring good rain gear insect repellant and your camera.  While in Homer, stop at the Salty Dog for a burger and beer.

[bulldog1935]

Food (and brew) is pretty good in Alaska, because that's how Alaskans entertain themselves 9 mo/yr. 

The Don't-Miss in summer is fresh blackberry pie. 

[fishhugger]

i no nothing about alaska.... but here's my two cents.

i used to frequent bars. i was in a bar, and this guy had a sister in alaska. he said i should go up there. but, he said, don't take a picture....in a bar.... in alaska........ lol! (actually, i wouldn't. better to be safe than sorry.... )

there's a video on youtube, a recent one, i believe... alex fong - can we mention names here? he went up there, a gal he's with hooked onto a 100# plus halibut... is that a barn door? or a whole barn... i think they must let them go if they're over 100#????? anyway, she did. oh, and then they burned out an electric reel...

have a great trip!1!!!!

 

[bulldog1935]

I had work in Alaska every summer for a dozen years beginning in 2001.  Life analysis on land-based gas turbines, which make all Alaska electric power, drive pipeline compressors, also drive the North Slope. where they're pushed really hard.  Our Alaska business ended with the BP Gulf of Mexico oil spill, when liability insurance requirements far exceeded what a small firm can afford to buy. 

First thing when you arrive, your client asks what your plans are when the work is done.  If you don't have any, he gets PO'd - I bought you a ticket up here, and you're not going to take advantage of it...

I pretty much fished every week of summer - paid my dues on the North Slope in winter, too. 

I had a guide buddy for life - long story, but a Kenai float with me elevated his status from fill-in to staff at Gwinn's Lodge, and he moved on to his own guide business. 

I could guide Kenai creeks and the Russian, and did when a buddy flew up to meet me. 

 

OK, now I remember why I posted - one trip flying out of Anchorage, was at the airport randomly with other friends from Texas, and the world record halibut had just been boated - 600 lbs.  There was a photo in the paper of the fish draped over a pickup truck bed - hanging over every side.  I could post a dozen pages of photos, some on electronic camera, some are png's shot on 25 ASA Fujichrome (the one below is electronic). 

 

You leave part of yourself there, and you take part of Alaska with you.