Any recommendations on a guide?

quote:

Originally posted by Mike Mitchell:
Any recommendations on a guide?

Mike, my wife and I have gone to Boardwalk Lodge every year for the last five years and we will be there again in August.

Great outfit and you don't need anything except a couple of changes of clothes, they provide all the gear, all of it.

On Prince of Wales Island, float plane out of Ketchikan then all driving around to different rivers on the island. 30 to 50 fish a day. Just big fun!


And no illegals

Statewide the kings are in the toilet. Sure you may have a good fishing trip, but you may also be hit with emergency closures, reduced bag or method of take, et ,...I do not recommend pursuing Chinook salmon.

The reds continue to return in abundance, but fish size seems to be shrinking. Reds, (sockeye) don't take lures or flies in the traditional sense but do fight once hooked. Reds are a good fish, but in my opinion not on the same scale as kings or silvers.

Silver salmon are a fighting fish. They also are more in line with the calender for you. Coho salmon, (silvers,) have become less dependable as a run return but usually do show up in fish able numbers.

Years ago Dillingham and Bristol Bay was the go to for premier king and silver fishing. Both species were fish catching, not fishing and the fish size was more than respectable.

I'd recommend looking around Kodiak Island. I think you could find adequate charter boats for saltwater silvers and halibut if you like. I was in Kodiak two years ago for a couple weeks and was very impressed. I don't have any names to recommend but the fish are there and accommodations should be suitable.

I also think Sitka is very nice as are several of the other south east Alaska locations.

I do not recommend Anchorage or the Kenai Peninsula. Both are very urban environments and communities that come with all the typical urban rules, problems, limitations, prohibitions, etc.
Sure you can catch some fish, (maybe,) but would it be nice to see bears, moose or whales without the "Tourons" ruining the moment with an ill conceived Instagram moment, DLP or mauling?
Who comes to Alaska to be surrounded by crowds?

I'd recommend flying Alaska Arlines regardless your destination. AK air knows Alaska and outdoor sports. Guns, frozen fillets and all that other stuff is considered normal, not a threat.

Finally, you are late. I think most of the reputable and successful outfits are already booked solid. That doesn't mean there aren't cancelations or holes in the calender, but to be sure most outfits are already in camp and either in operation or preparing to be operating soon. I know of a King salmon already caught on a local Dillingham beach. The salmon re poised to be here. Maybe you could book a silver trip for August, maybe you'd like to catch some big rainbows in September.

Whatever you choose, I hope it works and you thoroughly enjoy it. Alaska can be amazing given the right circumstances.

Mike,
Hope you two made it up this summer. The Kenai was off the charts good for sockeye fishing this July. Almost 4 million fish crossed the fish counters. I have never seen red fishing this good since my first summer in Alaska (77).
Randy

Not Alaska, but also consider pinks on Vancouver Island -- Campbell and Oyster rivers. Fun fly-fishing off the cobble beaches. The simple handlebar pattern worked great for us. Can't recall if it is the even-numbered or odd-numbered years with the best runs.