Conference wahoo::fishing

    P.S. Almost forgot...Anchorage is the departure point for fly-in.

    I have not fished or hunted there however I have fished the Ungava
    bay area of northern Quebuc and I will rate the fishing as outstanding!
    Salom on the 12lb average, lakers 15-20 lbs, artic char, 5-6 lb
    brookies,etc. I want up ther to hunt only but seeingthe fish within
    the lakes and rivers, I couldn't resist. A week trip to that area
    for fishing would cost around 2K for a week and you could get cheaper
    if you looked around. I plan to go again possibly within the next
    year or 2.
    

    I'm not yet familiar with the fly-in fishing here in Alaska.  When
    I get my pilots license I will become quite familiar since I will
    then be flying in my own customers.  One of the ultimate fly-in
    spots is Lake Iliamna.  The lake is  huge and you can catch just
    about anything there.  The only organizations I am even vaguely
    familiar with is Rusts Fly-in service and Ketchum Air Service. 
    I don't know the areas they cover.  Just about all fly-in trips
    are quite expensive up here. 
    
    No matter where you go, I know you'll enjoy it.  We were fishing
    on the Deshka River this weekend, catch & release, and I lost count
    after the first dozen or so.  The king salmon were ranging from
    5 lbs to 45 lbs.  These are the small ones we catch.
    
    Good luck and if I come across any info I will forward for you.
    

    Since you mention the Deshka, is it road accessible? If not, how
    do you get there? Are there transport services that will drop you
    at a spot on the river and then pick you up several days later,
    or is it only productive to fish from a boat?

    I've accumulated enough "Frequent Flyer" mileage to think about
    a trip for my wife and I to Anchorage this summer.  Need a little
    help with a couple of questions.
    
    I'm a devout catch & release flyfisherman.  My wife's a devout shopper
    and sightseer.  Is it possible to take daytrips by rental car from
    an Anchorage "camp" (interpret = hotel/motel) for flyfishing
    opportunities on trout/salmon?  I know that I would miss out on
    better fishing via "fly-ins", but can't rationalize even trying
    to convince my wife that she would enjoy it.  I'm thinking of the
    August timeframe.  What's the scoop on fishing during that time?
    
    Pee Ess:  I'm primarily interested in wade fishing, not boating.
    
    Thanks,
    
    The "Missouri Midge"... who's off to Idaho (the Henry's Fork) and
    Montana (the Big Horn) in just a couple of weeks.
    

    August is coho (silver) salmon time on the Kenai Peninsula which
    is a two-three hour drive from Anchorage. Fairly well developed
    area, lots of hotels, with many streams easily accessible from the
    road. The Kenai River has the biggest run, but can really only be
    fished effectively by boat. There are other wadeable streams, but I'll have
    to check and see if your timing is right (it's critical with salmon
    runs). There are some great rainbow fisheries on both the Russian
    and Swanson Rivers, but again I'll have to check timing (think they
    are better in Sept-Oct.). 
    
    There is a cheap way of getting pretty accurate info on where to
    go and when. For 90 bucks, an outfit called Sportfishing Alaska
    (based in Anchorage) will tell you up-to-date info on 
    what's hitting and where to go.
    I used them, went to the areas they recommended, and did real well.
    They are a lot cheaper than a guide and good for someone who wants
    to do their own thing. The guy who runs it is Russ Redick (a longtime
    fish and game warden, now retired) and he seems to bend over backward
    to make sure that where you go is productive. He even wrote me
    for a post-mortem after my trip ( I don't know many outfitters who
    would take the time). You can get his number from dir. assistance.
    
    There's also several helpful books. If I have time, I'll try to
    find the specifics and post them here.
    
    
    
    

    Thanks, I appreciate the information.  Would you happen to have
    the Sportfishing Alaska mail address, or phone #?  I believe I'll
    get in touch with them and use you as a reference if you have no
    objection.
    
    -Neal
    

    I'll have to dig out the address/phone, but I'll get it for you.
    What they do is send you a questionnaire and you tell them your
    itinerary and interests. Then Russ calls you (collect) to get more
    detailed info on your preferences. Then he puts together a complete
    fishing plan for your trip. He'll also arrange for outfitters, rentals,
    fly-in, etc., but this costs more ( however, he can probably weed
    out the questionable lodges from the good ones).
    
    No problem using me as a reference.
    
    Good books on Alaska fishing techniques and hotspots:
    
    "How to Catch Alaska's Trophy Sportfish", Christopher Batin...
    Published by: Alaska Angler Publications
                  PO Box 8-3550
                  Fairbanks, AK 99708
    This book is the best of the bunch for fly and spin techniques fr
    all species.
    
    "Fishing the Kenai Peninsula", Dan Sisson...
    Published by: Alaska Fieldbooks Co.
                  PO Box 101044
                  Anchorage, AK 99510
    
    Lots of maps and detail on Kenai area.
    
    "Fishing Alaskan Waters", Marilyn Carter...
    Published by: Aladdin Publishing
                  Box 364
                  Palmer, AK 99645
    
    More maps of places throughout the state.
    
    There's also some pretty useful literature available from Alaska
    Fish and Wildlife on peak runs, best spots, etc.
    
    I checked the literature and it looks like the silver salmon runs
    will peak on Kenai streams (except the Kenai River) in August. You
    may be able to catch the tail end of the first Kenai River run (20
    lbs plus fish, but hard to fish unless you use a guided boat).
    Unfortunately, last year's Kenai River runs were way down last year,
    although I didn't bother fishing it. There
    should be rainbows hanging in right behind the coho sucking up salmon
    eggs on the Russian and Swanson Rivers, but the real lunkers appear
    in Sept-Oct. The Kenai River has 'bows in the 25 lb range believe
    it or not. When I was fishing the Swanson last fall, I was averaging
    3-4 lb rainbows and 10 lb. coho. It's definitely the kind of fishing
    that can spoil
    you and not all that difficult!
    
    Even so, it's possible to get skunked, so I recommend you get as
    much info as possible before wetting a line. 
                                
    Will get the Sportfishing Alaska address.

    The address  and phone is:
    
    Russ and Donna Redick
    Sportfishing Alaska
    1401 Shore Drive
    Anchorage, AK 99515
    
    (907)344-8674
    
    Additional notes: There's also plenty of fishing north of Anchorage
    on the Parks Highway and the road east of Willow (you may be able
    to catch the tail end of the sockeye, chum, and pink salmon runs,
    but the best will probably be coho). Although the best
    requires fly-in, there are some roadside streams. There's also good
    lake fishing in the Matanuska area east and north of Anchorage.
    
                                       
    
    

    I have just got through fishing with "Charming Charlie's Charter"I
    had a great time you could not have ask for a better couple to go
    camping with just great people.I as far as the fishing my timing
    was off the Salamon were just going in the week I was leaving.When
    I go back I surely will charter Charming Charlies Charters because
    it was best time I have had in many of years.Just think what kind
    of time I could have had if I would have caught some fish.I have
    spent a lot of time in Alaska and have look around for fishing
    charter's and by far Charlies is the best price . One thing for
    sure Charlie's wife is more charming than charlie and better looking.

    Continuation of .9: 
    
    I don't know if you are interested in hiking into some off-road
    ponds, but there are some on the Kenai Penin. that have grayling.
    These guys really go for dry flies. A good place is Fuller Lakes
    (I caught one after the other), but the hike is straight up! Many
    of these ponds have dollies too. There are also streams on the west
    coast onf the penin. that have lunker sea-run dollies.
    
    As you can see, I could go on and on. Actually I'm just psyching
    myself up to go back next spring/summer, probably Kodiak Island.
    Believe me, it doesn't take too much persuading!
    
    Enjoy!
    

    The Deshka Landing is just over an hours drive north of Anchorage.
    It is then, by our boat, a 5 minute ride to the Deshka river.  You
    can go by boat or by plane.  There are areas where you can be dropped
    off and fish off the bank and do quite well.  The going rate for
    charters is $40.00 per person.  You can be dropped off & picked
    up at any time.  Full and Half-day charers are offered, too.  Depending
    on the $'s you want to spend, a drop-off with a raft rental could
    be the best way to go.  With Charming Charlie's Charters, they all
    but guarantee you will catch fish, even with a drop-off.  Fishing
    is as productive as the skilled fisherman.

	I have a trip to Anchorage planned for the first week of July
	this year.  Goal, catch big fish.  A good friend that has lived 
	up there for the last 5 years will be putting me up.  He works
	the big commercial boats most of the year, so he is not on land
	much.  He thinks that the best runs will be around that time
	frame.  Does anyone have any stats on the best times for the runs?
	What impact did the oil spill have in the waters and fish around
	the Kenai?  Any one have any stories from the '89 season?  Also
	want to do a day of halibit fishing.  Any tips on that?  I've
	read all the replies to this and the other notes on Alaska fishing
	and can hardly wait.  Also hot baits to use, spin-n-glows and pixies,
	any others?  I've got a big package of info coming to me on Alaska
	fishing.  Just looking for some first hand experience.  Thanks.

	Gordon