Corpusfishing.com

[flyindrdre]

Going to Alaska in June for our honeymoon and I am lucky enough to have a future wife that like to fish too. From what I read from the previous threads there are lots of folks with Alaska fishing experience here. Like to do 2 days of fishing (at least) on a 5-7 days intenerary.

Now the unfortunate thing is that we are doing this trip on a tight budget. About $3000 for the whole trip.

1. I am looking for a lodging that is on the river or river access and allows bank fishing.

2. Referal to a charter for Salmon and Halibut fishing.

3. Cost effective way to get all that fish home. What I see on e-net was almost $200 for 25lbs. What do you do when you catch 100lbs halibut? Go broke?

Thank you in advance and I am sure we'll have plenty fish to share when we get back.
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I get lucky every now and then

[hogheaven]

Depending on air line. I usually fly back with a Ice chest full of my frozen fish/meat. We'll be up this year as well. Stay any where on the Kenia Pen.
I like Soldotna/ Sterling area. Plenty of rivers, and practically in the middle between Homer and Seward and Anchorage.

You'll Like it. Most are reputable up there. My suggestion is to use a Small boat charter if your going offshore. Cost a tad more but way more fun. You should be able to find a capt, that can put you on a boat with 4 others.
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James 4:14

[snakecan2]

will try to get some specific info from a buddy of mine that use to live up there.. will try to get him to log in and send you some info.
congrats on upcoming wedding and for finding another half that likes to have fun out doors.. problem comes when she wants to go when it is only the boys.. but it is all good..
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Fish and Hunt Baby.... so tight lines and clear scopes.

[fishseeker]

Personally I spent two summers working in Alaska on the Kenai Peninsula as a camp employee the first year and as a captain the second year at the Russian River Ferry.

It all depends on where you are flying into. If you are flying into Anchorage there are some rivers that are close by that don't require any money to fish them (except a fishing license), but will have lots of people. Expect lots of people on any of the rivers that you fish and prepare for combat fishing (hat, sunglasses, long sleeve shirts, there are lots of flying hooks and weights). Unless you decide to do a halibut/silver charter which I think you can do out of Homer and Seward. I recommend Capt. Matt with Saltwater Safari’s out of Seward the guy can put people on big Halibut.

I can give you names of places to go on the Kenai Peninsula and if you would like to salmon fish yourself I can kind of get you set up, so you know what to expect. It's not like regular fishing, but more like snagging the fish while they are in the rivers. In the ocean they are still feeding, but once they enter the rivers they stop feeding.

One other note depending on what time in June you head up there check on the parts of the river that you fish because certain sections open up or close, so be careful to follow the local fishing regulations. If you are going up there in the early part of June I know the Kenai River up just start to be opening and the smaller run of sockeye (1-5 million fish) will be heading towards the Russian River. Also if you’re ever fishing by yourself and there are a lot of people fishing downstream or upstream of you with no one around you’re probably fishing in a closed section of the river.

As for bringing the fish back. For 2 days of fishing you might be able to get 50lbs of salmon and halibut to bring back. If you can still take two bags per person on the flight up there I would suggest either taking clothes you don’t mind throwing away or one bag. Then on the flight back flash freeze all your fish, get a 50lb insulated fish box (sold in local stores), separately wrap all your fillets in newspaper and take them as one of your check on bags. I have brought back over 200 lbs of halibut and salmon this way and haven’t had a problem it. Even when I got laid over an extra day in Vegas (don’t go through that airport if you have a choice.) it was still frozen when I made it back to San Antonio.

Need any more information let me know I really enjoyed getting into some huge rainbow trout, sockeye and halibut while I was up there and can even suggest some great hiking trails to go on, on the peninsula.

[The Trash Heap]

http://www.aosalaska.com/
http://www.alaskahollyhouse.com/
http://www.upperkenairiverinn.com/

C.H. and I have been booking with Chick Kisbaugh of Alaska Outdoor Services in Soldotna for more than 20 years, and coincidentally are booked with him again this June for a week of salmon fishing on the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers, and for halibut fishing out of Ninilchik. He can arrange the rooms at several locations as a part of the package. A couple of these places to stay are on the banks of the Kenai. The Holly House, a B&B, is one of those where I've hooked sockeys from their dock. Did the same at another place with separate cabins, The Orca Lodge.

C.H. wants to bring back two 50-lb boxes of halibut on the plane and mail his clothes home. I can't mail my CPAP, unfortunately.

C.H. has a cousin with another B&B way upstream on the Kenai at Cooper Landing. It's a short drift or drive down from there to the Russian River ferry. This June we'll first spend a few days with the Givens', then go do our thing with Chick for the salmon and halibut, and come back to stay at Cooper Landing again a few more days before flying back. The plan is to bring along a king salmon to barbeque with our friends just before we leave.
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The Trash Heap Has Spoken!
NNYYAAAHH!!!

[flyindrdre]

Thank you for everyone's suggestion's keep them coming.

What I found from my research is that everyone that goes up to Alaska fish all their days there. I like to do some hiking and drive to other city. I think we are going to end up in Kenai or Soldotna. Kind a interesting that they do not split the packages. Its always fish to the max. I like to do 2 or 3 day fishing from the 7 day we are there and other days to relax and enjoy. I have to take it easy and not burn out the future wife on fishing for future PINS trips.

I am also not taking my equipment there to save rooms for bringing fish back home. Looks like Continental through Houston is the way to go at $745 per person.

Thanks again for all the info ya'll. Keep it coming.
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I get lucky every now and then

[fishseeker]

One thing you can do for your fishing gear is have it mailed to the general mailbox of the city that you are staying at. That is what I did when I stayed at Cooper's Landing. You might want to check how long they will hold something at the postoffice, but I mailed all of my fishing poles and tackle up there for a small price. As for salmon fishing all you need is to spool your reel with 30lb mono (braid is hard to get a bird nest out of and you pull alot of hooks), some assorted weights (split shots were my favorite biggest they had) and several hooks with yarn or hair on them for sockeye. Unless you are fishing in the ocean the river will be too early for silvers.

[Great White North]

We've had success charter wise with Riddles Fishing Lodge between Soldotna and Kenai. www.alaskafishingkenai.com

The most all encompassing FYI site is www.alaskaoutdoorjournal.com

and they also have a great angler report site, second probably only this one at

http://www.alaskaoutdoorjournal.com/Reports/Fishreport/anglerreport.html

You can check out the archive for the time you'll be there and have a pretty good idea of what's going on where.

Texas is big, Alaska if huge. Realize that traveling cross state will burn up much of your time. Fun though! Stay longer if possible.

-Eric