The Best of Alaska Fishing Ask the Pros Q & A

Kenai Peninsula Fishing & Nature

Question: We are 2 kin (fly) fishermen from Belgium. We are organising a self-guided fishing trip to Alaska during the first 2 weeks of September 2020. It will be our 4th time visiting Alaska. We plan to spend a good amount of time on the Kenai Peninsula (Cooper Landing). This time we would like to undertake some lake fishing. On smaller lakes we could access from the road system via a walking trail or via a canoe trail. If possible we would like to rent a cabin to camp overnight. We hope to enjoy some productive trout/grayling fishing while spotting a moose and listening to the enigmatic sound of a loon…

• Which areas and specific lakes would be most suitable to bring us close this ideal picture?
• Where/how to rent a cabin+boat on a lake accessible by foot (up to 2/3 hours walk from a road)?
• Who would you advise for canoe/cabin rental?
• Any other areas (between Anchorage and Talkeetna) we should consider for lake fishing?

Thank you so much for responding and providing some guidance. We love Alaska, even more the friendly Alaskan people.

Bucket-List Alaska Fishing Trip

Question: Planning a bucket list fishing trip to Alaska this summer in either July or August. I know I won't be able to fly fish for every species of salmon due to run times. So if you had to pick what is your favorite type of salmon to fly fish for? And what are your other favorite species to target on the fly?

Self-Guided Trips (DIY Fishing)

Question: I'm blown away by the shear number of opportunities for great fly fishing in Alaska. I'm in desperate need of a reset, so I booked some plane tickets and a camper van for Aug 29th - Sep 12th out of Anchorage. After reading through the Highway Angler and the Roadside Angler's Guide, it seems my best bets for a semi-DIY trip on the road system are either the Kenai Peninsula or the Alaska Parks Highway. I'll fish every day for 2 weeks, and hire a local guide for 1-2 days each week. There's so much good fishing in both directions from Anchorage, I had to ask the pros. If, as professionals, you had 2 weeks to yourself to fish either area, would you head north or south? (And what rivers/ creek would you target?) Nobody wants to spread the word about their favorite honey hole, and I appreciate any/all advice!

I'm seeking solitude but I understand that Labor Day weekend will make it hard during the first few days. I'd love to catch some salmon, but rainbows, dollies, and grayling fit the bill just as well if it means being in a beautiful location with some solitude. Thank you for time and advice!

Hiking & Fishing Adventure

Question: We will be in Alaska August 2-6th with a house on the Kenai River by Cooper Landing. August 3rd we have an 8 hour salmon guide, and then on the 4th and 5th we were looking to do a combination of hiking and fishing.

We found a few trails such as Quartz Creek, Ptarmigan Creek and Resurrection pass. We were wondering if you have heard of those trails or know of any hiking where we can get away from the crowds but still fish for great Dollys and Trout?

On the 6th we are driving back to Anchorage and are looking to hit some spots on the way. Our flight isn't until 1130pm so we have some time. Any suggestions on places or hikes in between Cooper Landing and Anchorage?

Unguided Fly-Fishing Adventure

Question: A group of us (2-3) from Lyon, France are planning to make a trip of fly fishing in Alaska for 10 or 12 Days of fishing in June 2020. We plan to fish mostly without a guide. We may get a guide for the first few days but the majority would be unguided.

We are looking for a location to base our trip out of. It should have affordable accommodations and access to a variety of drive/hike in fly fishing that would not require a boat.

Do you have any suggestions on where in Alaska to stay and what waters we should look into fishing near where we'll be staying? Also if you have any specific suggestions for a hotel/motel to stay please let us know. We are planning to book flights soon.

Alaska Fishing & Wildlife RV Adventure

Question: Hi my wife (Doesn't fish but loves wildlife) and I will be in Alaska from July 8th.- July 23rd. most of which is already booked from the 8th-19th. We do have a RV rented on the last leg of our trip from July 19th.- July 23rd. So would like to know if there are any good trout or salmon fly fishing creeks, streams, accessible by RV which maybe we could spend the day or two fishing and photographing wildlife?

We will be picking up the RV in Anchorage on the 19th, and really had no plans as of now so anywhere within a reasonable drive for Anchorage for our trip.