I would like to go fishing in Alaska. Both river fishing and ocean fishing.Somebody please tell me where to start. I am old but still somewhat mobile. I can get around but I sure ain't much on a lot of hiking. Where do I start looking?

Homer Alaska

we spent a day in Sitka while on a cruise
mobility isn't an issue
Google "sitka fishing guides" then ask for references and contact them
i'd also look in Ketchikan as well

^^^we were there in May when the salmon don't get much over 20 lbs, BUT if ya go a few months later, the 50 pounders are more common.

Google classic casting in Sitka. Tad is an awesome guide for saltwater and fly fishing rivers. He’s also my son inlaw.

Contact Drasselt on this forum.

Fist class operation. All you need is your license and your lunch. He provides everything else

Kodiak is where im going next summer

We can't wait we are heading up this summer, got 14 days off hope its enough.

I fished like this on the Kenai River one time ...a 4 hour float , in what I called a banana boat LOL! . It was THE most beautiful River I've ever seen and the fishing was great . I used a medium spinning rod & reel.

You didn't say how you'd be getting around in Alaska. Renting a car? Flying?

Would you want to go to the SE coast (Sitka, Ketchikan, Juneau), south-central (Anchorage, Kenai), or the Interior?

What species do you want to fish for? Timing the runs is very important in AK.

Anywhere you go off the road system, like the Kenai River or Homer, is likely to be crowded. Real crowded. Still, the Kenai IS a beautiful river, and you might enjoy a guided float trip. Depending on the time of year, you could focus on rainbow trout, red salmon, or king salmon.

Also on the Kenai Peninsula you can find good saltwater fishing for halibut and rock fish out of Homer and Seward. I've had good experiences with Saltwater Safaris out of Seward.

If your budget is bigger, you could fly from Anchorage to Dillingham to one of the king salmon fishing camps on the lower river. Not nearly as crowded as the Kenai.

Jim

King salmon are scarce in south east Ak. Should do well on the coho

I'd suggest you look at a destination in southeast Alaska on the outer coast. Maybe Craig or Sitka. Imo there is a lot of other things to see and do there than just fish. Plus the opportunity for a mixed bag, salmon, halibut, lingcod, etc.. Generally speaking I think the more tourist-mill types of operations access out of Anchorage won't give you as good of experience that you will find in Southeast.

Fly from Anchorage over to King Salmon, Ak. on Mark Air.

Great Fishing for all 5 species of Pacific Salmon plus great
rainbow trout, some dolly varden, and the odd grayling.

You can find hotels to stay at and can rent boats to fish on
the Naknek River at King Salmon.

Maybe fly out for a day to the Brooks River In Katmai National Park.

Go see the "Valley of 10,000 Smokes" and/or fish The Brooks River &
watch a large collection of Brown Bear while fishing for sockeye (reds).

Lots of fishing guides available in King Salmon if you don't want to DIY.

w

Kodiak Island.

Mark Air went bankrupt back around '96. I know because I bought a'95 Elan from one of the pilots leaving the State to find another job.

If you’re going to Seward or just want a great salt charter in general check out Profish-n-sea, he’s the best. I’d strongly advise dishing out of Seward over homer or Ninilchik due to tides, views, and access to salmon in the salt. Been with Steve many times and no one else we’ve gone with has come close. Never fished out of Kodiak or king salmon, western AK or southeast so take that into account.

How about Halibut fishing.Not interested in Salmon.Been there done that.I have read that a lot of charters take chicken halibut(20 to 25) lbs.I would prefer something bigger maybe 50 to 75 range.Where would be a good port for something like that?

Yakutat for Halibut, they're bigger and you can keep more for the freezer.

Anyone ever hook into a halibut off Deep Creek when the tide is running? Good luck getting it off the bottom.