Self Guided Alaska Fishing Trips
Many fishermen require the assistance a knowledgeable guide can provide. Others either gain that confidence through repeat visits to the same area or just decide to go it alone. In either case, self-guided fishing trips are popular as well.
Successful fishing trips, such as salmon fishing in saltwater or Alaska flyfishing for grayling, can be all the more satisfying when armed with just your own knowledge and ability. But there is a certain amount of knowledge that can be gained from asking local experts or companies that set up fishermen for an unguided trip. When choosing a saltwater trip, be sure to familiarize yourself with the rented boat, in terms of operations and safety requirements. Developing an understanding of the cost details is important as well. Make sure to discuss the amount of time allowed on the water, any policies about filling the boat with gas and whether fish-cleaning services are included or not with the boat rental.
Many unguided freshwater fishing trips typically involve air transportation to and from remote locations, often different from each other. Make sure to have a clear understanding of pickup times and locations, what to do in case of emergencies, what supplies are provided or what you must bring yourself and proper procedures for handling your catch and other food in the wild. In both cases, an excellent understanding of the locations you will be fishing is your responsibility, so become familiar with the area's qualities.
UNGUIDED ALASKA FISHING TRIPS
Tikchik Adventures offers unguided flyfishing trips in the Wood Tikchik lake system and the drainages of the Kilbuck Mountains for rainbow trout, Arctic char, lake trout, Arctic grayling, Dolly Varden and salmon. A typical cost for a 100-mile river float is $1,025 and includes air travel to the starting point and air pickup from the ending point, along with topographic maps of the area.
Doc Warner's Alaska Fishing Adventures provides self-guided saltwater fishing options out from their base lodge about 30 miles west of Juneau on the shoreline of Excursion Inlet. This company provides 20-foot welded aluminum boats with a 140 horse power fourstroke outboard. Other boating and fishing necessities, such as a GPS chartplotter, downriggers, a fish finder, air ride seats and a marine VHF radio, salmon rods and reels, are all provided. They also keep “guest service boats” within short distances of their client boats to assist with any questions or concerns.
