I am planning a suprise trip for my dad%26#39;s 60 birthday. There are a total of 5 of us going, Dad and four sons. We fly into alaska on Jun 5th and leave Jun 11. We would like to go to Kenai as I have heard that the salmon fishing is best there. None of us have really any experience fishing. We have gotten one quote for lodging at the alaska lodging and adventures in Soldotna. Our itinaray includes sight seeing sat sun and then deep sea halibut fishing on monday and then salmon fishing on tues and wed. I was hoping to get some other recommendations or ideas about what we could do. Are we going to right part of alaska to fish? Our budget is around 4000 for lodging and fishing. I am not sure if we will have time to go up denali as we really want to focus more on fishing.
fishing trip for 5 daysWell, if it were me, I wouuld certainly stay for a longer period of time - it is a long flight/long way to come for just 5 days. You would need at least 2-3 extra days for Denali, which would be great for a wider picture of Alaska as well as more opportunities for wildlife viewing.
I am not good on dates for when salmon arrive - we usually go early/mid July, but I think there are earlier runs. Where are you doing your deep sea fishing, as Soldotna doesn%26#39;t have that - are you going out of Homer, Seward or somewhere else?? Just curious.
If I had time, I would go to Seward - go a boat tour in Kenai Fjords to see the wildlife/glaciers. Perhaps check out the Sealife center. Maybe go to Homer - beautiful seaside town - just depends what you want to see and do.
Hopefully, some other people better with fishing will reply - good luck! :)
fishing trip for 5 daysHere are the fish run chart links from the Alaska DNR:
Here is a link to the ';run chart'; for freshwater fishing in the Kenai area which shouldto help you out: 鈥tate.ak.us/StateWide/runtim/runtim.cfm鈥?/p>
Saltwater fishing info (halibut!) is also accessible on that web site: 鈥tate.ak.us/StateWide/runtim/runtim.cfm鈥?.
Here%26#39;s a more consolidatd single chart:
http://www.fishguides-alaska.com/chart.html
As one who doesn%26#39;t fish, but who has read quite a bit on these posts the last month or so, you need to know that people get very wet fishing in Alaska. Now, maybe tours and charters make arrangements with gear to keep you dry, but that is certainly worth looking into. Wet and cold. Hmmm.
But, as I said, I know NOTHING about fishing in Alaska.
I do know about being 60, and I am planning a 2 week trip that includes all sorts of activites. If your dad is not a fisherman, maybe you should look into fishing the first day out, and then decide if you should continue fishing or enjoy some of the tours etc. Just a thought.
Hi bkh8, your fishing trip sounds great for your dad. For salmon fishing, for the time of the year you%26#39;ll be there, Kenai should be the best part of Alaska to be. However, there is a peak run of sockeye on the Russian river in the Kenai area that runs just after you depart. Are you able to push back your trip a little? If not, you may still do okay. Here%26#39;s a link to a salmon run chart which shows the peak periods and fish count for sockey on the Russian and Kenai rivers. alaskaoutdoorjournal.com/Sonar/kpcharts.html
Per this chart, the peak on the Russian river was on June 23rd in 2008, and average is June 17. I was there during a peak season run on June 15, 2001 and caught my limit of 6.
To speak to someone and get better information on where%26#39;s the best fishing for the dates you in Alaska, I recommend contacting Gwin%26#39;s Lodge. They were very helpful for me, and also offer lodging. The restaurant at Gwin%26#39;s is also a must. I suggest you call them at 907-595-1266 to personally speak to someone who can help offer the information you need. Even if you don%26#39;t use their services, they will be a good resource for your fishing information. You can also email them at gwins@arctic.net You can check out their website at http://www.gwinslodge.com/EXCURSIONS.html where they list a lot of fishing excursions as well. One you might want to look into is a fly in to Wolverine Creek which offers great sockeye fishing, if in season during your stay, as well as bear viewing. It%26#39;s described as a fishing/bear viewing combo. Again, this is a great option for a day, but only if the fish are in season during your stay, and Gwins can answer that question.
For fishing, I recommend you hire a guide. I hired a guide from Kenai Cache, which is located next to Gwin%26#39;s lodge. Both Kenai Cache and Gwin%26#39;s Lodge are located in Cooper Landing. Kenai Cache website is www.kenaicache.com you can call them at 907-350-6226. Email is kenaicache@cs.com They will be another good source of information for your research and you can compare the information given by both Kenai and Gwin%26#39;s.
Sorry I can%26#39;t be more specific myself, but at least I can guide you who to call.
From where will you go Halibut fishing? Will you be departing out of Homer? Homer is a great location for halibut fishing. If you do go to Homer, and need lodging, I recommend The Ocean House Inn http://www.homeroceanhouse.com/index.html I%26#39;ve stayed there 3 times and highly recommend. Also, if you contact Larry at The Ocean House Inn, he can recommend to you a captain and boat. After all, it%26#39;s always good to know a local who know%26#39;s where to go. Larry%26#39;s email is lorenzo@xyz.net, why not simply inquire about availabiliy and rates and who he recommends for halibut fishing.
I don%26#39;t know how you%26#39;re planning your trip, but booking your own lodging and fishing guides/excursions is easy to do.
If you%26#39;re interested in other Kenai activities, be sure to take a Kenai Fjords National Park day or evening cruise for whale and glacier viewing out of Seward. Also, Exit glacier is located in Seward and you can walk up to the glacier there. Also, in Seward there%26#39;s the SeaLife center too. In Homer, if you%26#39;re up for kayaking, I recommend a day kayak trip with Seaside Adventure seasideadventure.com/page/page/1662045.htm I am sure your dad and the rest of you might enjoy. Also, you may not have time, but if you%26#39;re up for a bear tour, I recommend Bald Mountain air out of Homer. www.baldmountainair.com
I do realize your stay is not long, but you%26#39;d be surprised with how much can be accomplished during the time your there.
For example, here%26#39;s what I did on my last trip
Day 1 Arrive Anchorage in evening, dinner in town and check out a few bars.
Day 2 Drive to Seward, visit SeaLife Center, Exit Glacier, and Kenai Fjords National Park tour, then drive to Cooper Landing for dinner at Gwins, and then continue to Homer for evening. Yes, this was a long day and we were exhausted.
Day 3 Kayaking with Seaside Adventure, very easy to do, wonderful scenic adventure.
Day 4 Bear tour with Bald Mountain Air
Day 5 Drive past Cooper Landing for white water rafting on Six Mile Creek. Drive to Talkeetna for evening scenic flight to Mt.McKinley. Unfortunately, weather cancelled the flight trip. Evening and dinner in Talkeetna.
Day 6 Salmon fishing in Talkeetna, I did catch a King Salmon, and in afternoon, to Anchorage to flight back home.
Looks like your stay is a little longer than ours, so based on what we did, you too can accomplish a lot based on your interest.
Regarding fishing in Talkeetna, I am not sure the King Salmon will be there during your stay, but the King could be running. I recommend you give Todd Kingery a call, he was my guide, call him at 907-841-3963. Or call Kelsey Kaso at 907-223-3116 who is also a guied for fishing out of Talkeetna. Or, maybe Chad Velentine at 907-733-1505. These are all guides out of Talkeetna, and I am not sure if the King Salmon is running there during your states of stay as I believe the King run in mid to late June nad into the 1st week of July, but these guides should be able to let you know what%26#39;s up with what%26#39;s running.
Where ever you go fishing, I recommend you hire a guide, it%26#39;s the best way to help with fishing, especially if your experience is limited. Any guide will fully help you.
Feel free to send me a private message if you need further assistance.
Fishing out of Homer or close by Ninilchik is good in June. I preferred Mike Mann%26#39;s Arctic Addiction charter.He has a fast boat and knows where the Halibut can be caught. In the Soldotna and Kenai area at that time will be King Salmon fishing, but it will be a bit slow. The charter we use there is Alex Douthit Salmon Busters. He is amazing how he finds fish, just remember do not count on everyone getting a fish on the boat, the odds are against you that time of year, but your guide will know.
I hope you are planning on driving from Anchorage to Kenai-Soldotna area which is referred to as the Kenai Peninsula, you can take a detour and see Seward and than when you are in the Kenai-Soldotna area you should do the drive to Homer. Always have a camera ready, as wildlife are likely to be along the road. Anything from Moose to bears.If you have a small pair of binoculars bring them, than you can spot the Sheep and goat on the mountains.
If you do go to Cooper Landing, where the Gwin%26#39;s Lodge and the Russian River,than be sure to watch for Eagles. I personally would not stay in Cooper Landing as you are only a hour out of Soldotna from there and better lodging and more places to see.
In Kenai there is a Russian Orthodox church, a old Cannery turned into a Restaurant and lodge built on the Kenai River and next the Inlet. You will be able to see some of the Commercial Fleet getting ready for the season. Any other questions let me know.
Wow, thanks for your response. i have called a few of the places you have recommended. The boat is leaving out of homer. I dont think we will have time to go up north at all. I think that we will probably try some kayaking. After talking to some of the guides i am unsure if we will want to do any river fishing as it will be kind of sparse. Maybe we will do it for a day.
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