Ask the Pro's: Couples Fishing Trip to Cooper Landing

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Posted by Pro's on January 30, 2017 Ask the Pros (76)

We are in the process of planning a trip to Alaska for late July or August 2017. We are 2 couples and the ladies will not be fishing. It seems a waste to pay "Lodge" prices per person when the girls will not be fishing. So, we need a nice place for the girls to stay and have things to do while we go fish. Daily flyouts are fine if necessary. We would like at least 1 or 2 day(s) of Halibut fishing and a few days of Salmon and backcountry trout fishing, trout being higher priority than salmon. We want the closet you can get us to the "Alaska" experience. We are also fine staying in a remote location for a night or two with the ladies back in town.
Any help would be appreciated.
- Robert
I may be a bit partial to the Kenai Peninsula here, but given the multitude of species available to pursue, while offering a variety of entertainment/activities for your wives, my first thought is: "Cooper Landing is a perfect jump-off location to meet all of your needs."
Though it may require creativity and a bit of traveling to achieve the perfect trip, I personally feel that Cooper Landing provides an excellent "home-base" and is remote-enough to give the "Alaska feel" with modern amenities and activities a short drive in any direction. There are several bed & breakfasts and vacation rental homes far enough off the highway with great locations and Alaskan hospitality.
Cooper Landing has a lot to offer for those who aren't interested in fishing: beginner to advanced hikes, scenic rafting, whitewater rafting, kayaking, live music, a museum, gift shops, restaurants, wildlife viewing among other things without the frantic "touristy" pace and prices.
Cooper Landing is an hour from Seward, Hope, Sterling, and two hours from Homer. Halibut and Salmon fishing in the salt can be easily accessed from Cooper Landing with a short drive to Seward, Whittier, Ninilchik and Homer. Saltwater fishing trips can also provide some great sightseeing and wildlife-viewing opportunities (if the ladies want to join).
Another opportunity Cooper Landing offers is taking a drift boat fishing trip on the Kenai River. This is a great way to get into very high quality rainbow trout and potentially the 2nd run of Sockeye Salmon. Aside from the world-class fishing, the Kenai winds through the mountains of Cooper Landing, some of the most scenic views found on the entire Kenai Peninsula. The drifts are peaceful as no motors are allowed and offer plentiful wildlife viewing as well. These trips are perfect for beginner to advanced anglers and would be excellent for the wives to get in on the action to see what this fishing thing is all about. We also tie all the knots for you and untangle the lines so the boys can focus on the fish!
There are also several fly-out opportunities to experience trophy grayling and other species in the mountain lakes. Several small creeks are also accessible by float plane. Daily and overnight trips are available as well if you're looking to go out west for a day or two to experience more remote rainbow and salmon fishing.
Hopefully this helps narrow your search for the perfect trip with the right amount of "Alaska" and plenty of options for your wives, should they choose not to fish. Best of luck and we'll see you in Alaska this summer!

Dave Lisi - Owner/Guide for Cooper Landing Fishing Guide, LLC located in the small mountain town of Cooper Landing, Alaska where he is a year-round resident, guide, carpenter and trout bum. On any given day, you will most likely find Dave on the banks of the Kenai swinging for trout with his best friend and future wife, Jackie. Cooper Landing Fishing Guide, LLC was built in early 2017 with the goal of sharing the love and passion Dave and Jackie have for the Kenai Peninsula and the fish that live there.
Robert,
My recommendation, for a trip like they are looking for, would be Drifters Lodge in Cooper Landing, AK. Drifters has several different kinds of pakages for fishing, they are located right on the banks of the Upper Kenai, with spectacular views. The ladies could relax in Cooper Landing, do some day hikes, horse back riding tours at Quartz Creek and drive to Seward for a day or to Soldotna. Let me know if this is not what you are looking for and we can come up with some other options.

Mike Brown - Owner of Mossy's Fly Shop in Anchorage, Alaska
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