Have decided to come up for a month, now. I'll be there in 3 weeks. Last time I was up I traveled by car from Seward to Talkeetna. Man, that was 1500 miles of brush. Now I want to see some open ground. I hear there are places it's open enough the outfitters use horses. Where are these places? I plan to fly somewhere above the arctic circle to see the tundra country and fish. I would like to rent a cabin or spike camp with a good wall tent on a river full of fish, and no one else around. I'm also willing to camp as I'm bringing my own gear. Will the salmon be running then? Whew! long post. Thanks for your input.

Sounds like you need to narrow down what you want to do. If you want great salmon fishing, don't expect to be alone. There are definately salmon in the rivers, but you need to figure out what river and what species you want to fish, then see if your timing jives with the fish timing.

There are very few horse outfitters. Most outfitting is done via small plane. Pick a spot, pick a transporter and tell them to fly you out and drop you off, (and when to pick you up)

Too bad you only drove to Talkeetna, if you'd driven a bit further on up to the Denali Highway and across to the Alcan, you would have seen some serious open country.

Thanks for the response. I want to start somewhere around the Brooks Range. I would like to hook up with someone who can fly me in to an isolated cabin or spike camp where I can be alone and fish for a week or so. Doesn't matter if this is for salmon, just good fishing in the river. From there I am thinking flying back to Fairbanks or where ever my transporter is based from, rent a car and check out the area you have described. To finish the trip I want to go somewhere coastal, thinking Valdez or Cordova, to see that. Any suggestions on an operator that can get me to the Brooks, or further north if there is some great place you know of?

ANWR has a website that contains a list of approved transporters operating inside the refuge.

In past years I used a now defunct transporter that was named on the approved list to fly into the refuge and sheep hunt. I'd recommend looking up the list and see who has openings in their schedule to take you into the Brooks Range for a fishing trip.

There is an outfitter up that way that has horses and can take you back into the Brooks. You can also call Wright Air in Fairbanks to see what they can offer you. Here's a link to the horse outfitter. http://www.chandalarranchalaska.com/

Cobrad:
I think you're gonna run into scheduling problems if you wanna fly into the Brooks in 3 weeks. The sheep season starts on the 10th of Aug. and all of the charter outfits will be very busy. There are a limited number of charter outfits flying into ANWR - lottsa Fed. BS. on permits, etc. IF you can contact them I think you should try Coyote Air who operates out of Coldfoot. I have 2 phone #'s, (907-490-5995) and (907-479-5995). The former # is listed as being in North Pole (15 mi. from Fairbanks) and the other is listed as being in Coldfoot. My understanding is that he spends the summers in Coldfoot.
I've never flown with him but have only heard of good things about them. You can drive to Coldfoot & it's one of the few places on the Haul Rd. with gas & facilities. You better be darn certain of the condition of your vehicle before you leave Fbks. and I'd take at least 2 spare tires - 3 are better. BTW, he also has a web site - www.flycoyote.com

In short, I'd guess that you'll have a hard time finding somebody to fly you in since it's so close to sheep season (my partner & I are going in on the 4th, btw). As a side note, usually, the silver run is going strong in Valdez by Aug. 15. You can rent boats and/or go on a charter. eat dinner at the restaurant at the Best Western and avoid like the plague "Mike's" on the waterfront.

Hope this is some help. Later, Bear in Fairbanks

What about driving the haul road and backpacking in? Any suggestions of lakes or rivers within 5-10 miles of the road where I might find good char fishing?

Most transporters into ANWR are pretty much booked up by Jan...definately by Apr. Dirk (coyote air prob by Nov to Dec). Your best bet will prob be with Wright Air - once you figure out where you want to go. I think your ambitions need a longer ramp up time to plan for and to arrange for the appropriate logistics so they can materialize as you seem to envision them. I might suggest something like 8 to 12 months. Good luck.

Plenty of rivers and lakes to fish off the haul road. But, I'm pretty sure all the auto rental companies have a policy that prevents their vehicles from being used on the haul road.

No need to hike 5-10 miles in, unless you want to. Tundra might not look like rugged terrain, but those hummocks can be brutal on your ankles.