Alaska is well known for its incredible fly fishing, but it's also a great place to go for a fly fishing vacation in a rustic lodge setting. You can find all kinds of lodges in the rustic country of Alaska that can make your fly fishing vacation a real adventure. This article will outline a few of these great destinations.

The Alaska Rainbow Lodge is located in Bristol Bay Area.It claims to have the finest, most centrally located accommodations in Alaska. A short flight from Anchorage will put you in the middle of prime fly fishing territory. You can fish for rainbow trout and salmon and stay in a gorgeous lodge with all the amenities. They offer float planes to their guests that will take them to some of the most remote fishing areas where you will find quality fishing in any season.

Wilderness Place Lodge offers some excellent fly fishing accommodations along with some terrific amenities. They have personal guides that will lead you to the best place to fly fish for salmon or trout and boast riverside cabins. With each guide there will only be 2-3 people so the fishing experience becomes highly personalised. They have 1:1 customer/guest ratio to insure excellent service during your stay there. They also offer classes to their guests on topics like fly tying and effective casting.

The Lake Marie Lodge is another option for your fly fishing vacation. They offer fly fishing and spin fishing in remote areas of Alaska for Salmon and Rainbow Trout. They specialize in rainbow trout and salmon fly fishing as well as sight fishing and surface fishing. Their experts offer fly fishers the opportunity to catch huge salmon and they fish all sorts of rivers and streams that are accessible to them only. They average about 14 guests at a time which allows them to provide the utmost in service.

The Alagnak River is known for its excellent fly fishing, and if you're looking for a quality lodge located on the river, you may want to look at the Katmai Lodge. They have single, double, or private cabins that adjoin a common area where you can gather to share "fish stories" after a day of angling. They also offer Orvis sanctioned fishing expeditions that are led by some of the most experienced guides in the area.

When you are considering an Alaskan fly fishing vacation, you will want to find a lodge that can comfortably accommodate those in your party. The choices are many but you do not want to plan or book your Fly Fishing holiday before reading the book which i have written about Fly Fishing. Most of these Alaskan lodges are committed to making your fly fishing trip the best you've ever had.

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Those of you who have been lucky enough to have the opportunity to go cruising already know what a wonderful experience a cruise can be. Indeed, it's more than likely that you probably rate every vacation you take now against the standard set by your cruise.

Even if you've never been on a cruise the chances are that you've thought of taking one. Unfortunately, deciding to go on a cruise is the easy part. After that you will have a number of important decisions to make to ensure that you pick the perfect cruise for you. So what is my perfect cruise?

The most important decision you will face after you decide to go on a cruise is where you want to go. When people think of cruises they usually think of the big cruise ships in the Caribbean. Just imagine all that deep blue water and the sun shining down while you sit on the deck and enjoy cocktails. Ahhhh nice, and while that can be a lot of fun, you should keep in mind that you can go on cruises to almost any part of the world. Take a cruise through the Panama Canal, around the Indian Ocean, or follow the western coast of Africa into the Mediterranean.

Keep in mind that you are not just picking which part of the ocean you'd like to see. Almost all cruises will allow you to make side trips inland when the ship stops at a port of call. This can be either on your own or as part of an organized tour group. If you have always wanted to visit Australia try combining a trip to Australia with a cruise around the Pacific Ocean.

You should also make sure that you can find a cruise that will give you the experience you want. Obviously, a small cruise ship touring around the coast of Alaska will result in a very different experience from a large cruise ship meandering leisurely around the Mediterranean. While there are major differences in the cruising experience, this is not just about picking the right kind of climate for your trip. If you are looking for all night parties and poolside drinks, go on the Mediterranean cruise. If you want a more relaxed trip, curled up under blankets and whale watching, go on the Alaskan cruise.

You should also remember that certain cruise lines focus on different types of customers. There are cruise ships that will cater to those who want to spend all night drinking and dancing, there are cruise ships that focus on retirees and there are cruise ships that cater to a variety of tastes. Families should look for family-friendly cruises. These family-friendly cruises will have children's activities and places for teenagers to hang out. The Disney Cruise line specializes in family style cruising.

How much will my ideal cruise cost?

The level of service you will receive is the biggest factor in your final price. If you are on a tight budget, avoid the high end luxury cruise. Instead go with a premium or even mainstream cruise. The location and size of your cabin will also make a difference. If you are really tight for cash, take a small cabin on the inside of the ship. While your food and cabin may not be as grand as fellow passengers on the exclusive decks, you will at least still be able to afford the airfare home. And you will have the same experiences as the higher paying passengers.

If you can afford it feel free to treat yourself with a luxury cruise and enjoy all the amenities that come along with staying at a fancy hotel. Except this hotel goes to many different and exotic places!!

What do I need to do before I leave on my cruise?

While cruises are often all-inclusive, there are a number of things you should confirm before leaving home. First make sure that the cruise ship is aware of any special dietary or smoking restrictions. If your cruise ship will be coming into port, inquire if you need to book any shore excursions in advance. And most importantly, ensure that you have a way to get to the starting point and back again when the cruise is over. Some cruises do not end at the same port that they departed from. Ending a wonderful cruise by being stranded at the ships last port of call is not the best way to enjoy your holiday! Spending a few days in the last port of call before returning home will top off the perfect end to the perfect vacation. Happy cruising!!!

by Steve Dolan

by Rick Chapo

Think of Alaska and you picture cold winters, stunning summers and salmon angling. Okay, you probably think of other things as well, but Alaska angling is all about salmon.

Salmon Trips in Alaska

When you think of salmon, the first place you think of is Alaska. This northernmost state is nearly synonymous with salmon, both the catching of the fish and the smoking/eating of it. When you want to have some really spectacular fish, you'll order the Alaskan salmon - and when you want to have a really spectacular angling trip, you can go to Alaska to fish for salmon. Alaska angling salmon trips are a great way to explore this most unusual of the US states.

Salmon is the name of several species of fish, all coming from the same family: Salmonidae (curiously, some of the other species in this family are named trout). Salmon are unique in that they are born in freshwater, but migrate to salt water later in life; only to return to the freshwater to spawn (reproduce). This type of water migration is known as being anadromous. Salmon levels in the oceans are slowly dwindling due to massive amounts of angling, however in the Pacific Ocean off of Alaska and British Columbia, these fish are still quite populous. Salmon is one of the healthiest of fish to eat, with high levels of protein as well as omega-3 fatty acids which are good for lowering your cholesterol. Of course, another benefit to eating salmon is its taste - and this fish is served in many different preparations, from smoked to fresh to cured in brine.

Alaska angling salmon is still very legal and pretty much unrestricted for the sport fisherman, as the salmon population here is not in danger. The Kenai River, a river located on the Kenai Peninsula, is a perfect tourist and recreational area in which to fish for king salmon. Many different angling guide companies offer trips to their own favorite or reserved areas, so you are not stuck battling many other people for the perfect salmon angling spot. Silver and sockeye salmon are also available in this angling area, and angling packages including such amenities as guided boat trips, cabins, meals and even fish packaging and shipping are available to fishermen looking for a vacation here.

Alaska is the perfect place to find abundant salmon to satisfy your angling desires, as well as a great place for your next relaxing angling trip. Plan to spend a week or two here, enjoying the great outdoors and the angling fun and the action of your dreams.

Guided Silver Salmon Information

Silver Salmon (Coho): Average 8 to 14 lbs. with trophies up to 20 lbs. There are two runs of Silver Salmon in the Kenai River. The first run peaks in mid August. The second run peaks in mid September. August fishing provides anglers with the last of the season's summer weather. September is cooler, but hardy anglers will enjoy the benefit of Alaska's magnificent autumn beauty and the greater chances of boating a trophy Silver.
Bag limit: two fish per day.
Fishing Techniques: Silvers are usually fished from an anchored boat, using bait and plugs or casting spoons and spinners into the shallows along the river bank. Silvers are aggressive hitters and fighters, cherished by fishermen for their aerial acrobatics, as well as for the tackle-busting runs. They provide Kenai anglers with some of the rivers most thrilling sport fishing.

Alaska King Salmon Information




World Record King Salmon (Kenai River)
world record king salmon from kenai river



The Alaska King Salmon is the largest species of Pacific Salmon. The present Alaska state sport fishing record is 97.25 lbs taken on the Kenai River. In fact, of the top 10 king salmon record holders 9 of these fish were taken in the Kenai River. King salmon spend from 2-5 years in the ocean so their size in a run varies a lot, the State of Alaska average for this salmon is about 20lbs., however Kenai king salmon are typically in the 50 lb range. No other salmon draws as much attention as the King Salmon which is the official State of Alaska fish. Hooking and landing a big king salmon is the dream of most of the fisherman who come to the Kenai Peninsula and from early May to August many fisherman, from beginners to professional sport fisherman, try to fulfill that dream with a fish that has legendary power and grace When the Kenai Peninsula kings begin their return to their spawning streams they will generally follow the Kenai Peninsula coastline until they get to their waterway and head up the stream or river of their hatch until they reach their original spawning beds. It is during this annual migration that the sport fishing for the king salmon in both the saltwater (from Anchor Point to mouth of the Kenai River) and freshwater (Anchor River, Deep Creek, Ninilchick River, Kasilof River, Crooked Creek and the Kenai River) is excellent.

How to catch an Alaska king salmon



For the fisherman on an Alaska fishing vacation the best way to catch the Alaska king salmon is to obtain the services of a professional Alaska fishing guide who works for an established Alaska fishing lodge. These fishing guides will be sure to be licensed professionals and lodge owners will not sacrifice their reputations with unqualified guides. State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game statistics show in recent years that the unguided angler will spend nearly 40 hours fishing before he will even hook an Alaska king salmon. Guided Alaska fishing vacationers will often only spend a few hours before they hook their king salmon and land one. Since the Alaska fishing vacation may be of short duration, success of the fishing trip may depend on the fishing guide. Not only will the guide have the knowledge and experience to achieve success, the right equipment and tackle and fishing hot spots will be known. At Alaska Fishing Vacations we recommend that you purchase at least a minimal vacation package before you try to go it alone. With the nearly 24 hours of daylight in the season then you will have plenty of time to fish the banks on your fishing vacation. In the Kenai saltwater, most fishing for king salmon is done by trolling cut herring or herring attractors. Trolling weights, divers, diving lures are directly related to the run of the 30 foot tides in Cook Inlet, speed of the troll and the depth at which the salmon or their feed are spotted. Downriggers set at various depths increase the chances of success. T-spoons, Kwikfish, flashers , are all used by experienced guides. On the Kenai River and the Kasilof River guided anglers in drift and power boats enjoy success by back trolling a Jet-planer with Kwikfish, Flatfish, Magnum Wiggle Worts, Tadpollys, Spin-n-Glos, and salmon egg clusters. Back bouncing with an appropriate lead weight instead of a jet planer is also extremely effective for guided anglers. It must be said that the Alaska fishing guides knowledge of boat handling and the water is of utmost importance. Bank fisherman on the Kasilof, Anchor River, Deep Creek, and Ninilchick river as well as the Kenai are successful using a weight and casting a Kenai Special with a single hook or casting and bouncing large spoons such as the Pixie Spoon off the bottom rocks is a successful tactic as is casting #6 Vibrax upstream and reeling in as the lure bounces off the rocks. Fly fishermen using attractor flies like the coho or Alaskabou have had their share of hook ups. Bank fisherman beware, no matter what Kenai water you are fishing, be prepared to run when you hook that king salmon!


via www.1alaskaadventure.com

King or Chinook salmon are Alaska's largest salmon, and run from saltwater to Little Susitna River's freshwater holes through mid July. Fishtale River Guides runs king fishing charters on Little Susitna and Deshka Rivers from May through July 13, the season's final day. Little Su chinook average 30 pounds, with fat 40 - pound fish common, and exceptional fish topping 50 and 60 pounds. The State and World sportfishing record biggest chinook, caught on Kenai River, weighed 97 pounds 4 ounces! Catching the Big Chinook on beautiful little rivers, like Little Su or the Deshka, challenges even the best fishermen, and defines Alaska fishing.

Challenge the Chinook -- Power Fishing at its Best!
After hooking a king you may battle half an hour catching your monster. If you hook a big fish from the bank, and it torpedoes downriver, be prepared for a wild ride. A large king can strip all the line from your reel in seconds, so we'll be jumping in the boat, chasing your salmon, and retrieving lots of line, before your trophy tires, and you can lead it to the net. This is power fishing at it's best. Accept the challenge and let Fishtale help you catch Alaska's largest salmon.

Little Susitna River, Alaska --
When hooked an ocean fresh silver or coho salmon does not merely fight, it explodes from Little Susitna River showering water in every direction, and jumping, cart wheeling, and tail-walking across the river's surface. Changing tactics your jumping and tumbling silver switches to lightening-quick bursts of underwater speed. As the silver gradually tires, and you lead the spirited fighter toward the net, watch out for last-effort fireworks. A suddenly ballistic sliver salmon on a short line can easily break free, unless you give line immediately. Past Fishtale guests have tried to wrestle exploding boat side coho into the net, rather than giving line and letting the fish make one more run. Results? Shattered fishing rods and cold water showers for everyone onboard.

ittle Susitna River is the best producer of sport caught silver salmon located this close to Wasilla and AnchorageAlaska. How can such a great wild salmon river, minutes from Anchorage and Wasilla, provide uncrowded fishing in a wilderness setting?

Little Susitna River's lower 33 miles flow through Susitna Flats State Game Refuge with only one road access, campground and boat launch. Upstream of the Refuge an additional 37 miles of river open to salmon fishing provides boat anglers additional room to spread out on good fishing holes. Fishermen using Fishtale River Guides have boated fish from more than 130 different holes along the river, and rarely fish holes with even one other angler.

Great Halibut Fishing? Sitka's got it!

Sitka is a popular halibut fishing port because it IS a good location for Alaska sport fishing trips. The scenery is great here and the history interesting, but if you're a fisherman, those are just a bonus -- you're looking for good fishing! Sitka has it.

Halibut make great eating, either fresh or frozen. We can arrange to have your catch frozen for shipment from Sitka to your home so you can enjoy them throughout the year.

These big fish come in all sizes -- the biggest halibut caught in Alaska waters was almost 500 pounds. These are strange-looking fish when they come up from the bottom. One side of the fish is almost white and the other tends to take on the coloration of the ocean bottom where they live. This gives them a protective coloration from both predators and prey.

Catching or Eating - Sitka Halibut Can't Be Beat

Given their size and weight, bringing in a big one can be exhausting -- and exciting at the same time. Catching the big ones is fun, but even the medium-sized fish are great fun and excellent eating. Their firm white flesh has a wonderful taste and provides a fitting end to your Sitka fishing adventure.

Dolly Vardon Char : Average 16 to 30 inches with trophies up to 15 lbs. Dolly Vardon Char can be caught throughout the season, with the later part of August and the whole month of September being the best months.

Bag limit: We enforce a policy of catch and release on all Dolly Vardon Char. Feel free to take as many photos as you can before we slip these beautiful hard fighting fish back into their home waters. .

Fishing Techniques: Char are fished from drift boats and from shore with fly rods and spinning rods - just like fishing for Rainbow trout. In fact, when trout fishing you never know when a Dolly Vardon will strike your fly. Dolly Vardon Char and Rainbow trout live in the same areas of the river and feed on the same foods. .

Regulations: Regulations require single hook, artificial lures. Flies, spinners, plugs all can be used to seduce Dolly Vardon Char into biting. Fly fishing and catering to fly fisher persons is our forte.