Alaskan Fishing Guides Help?

[lumberjack031]

I planning a trip in 2018, which is a little ways off but with so many guides available I would just like to hear personal experiences with guides. There are so many available thought you guys would have first hand experience. I am not necessarily looking for the cheapest but that would be awesome if it was a successful trip. Thanks in advance for the info.
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[Tarponjim]

Um, Alaska is a pretty good sized place I hear. Care to narrow it down a little? Freshwater, or saltwater? Rivers, lakes, creeks? Fly fishing, gear fishing, bait fishing? Which species of salmon are you after, if any? Rainbows? Char? Halibut?

Alaska is huge with vast fishing opportunites of all kinds and shapes. You have to narrow it down, as it would take decades to even sample it all just a tiny bit.
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[lumberjack031]

Typical halibut and salmon gear or bait fishing. I honestly don't know enough whether fresh or saltwater is better. More or less would like to hear from those that have been, rough cost est, and where they were fishing.
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[UintaIce]

Go to the International Sportsman's Expo, March 16 - 19. Many guides and outfitters will be there.
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[Tarponjim]

[quote UintaIce]Go to the International Sportsman's Expo, March 16 - 19. Many guides and outfitters will be there.[/quote]

THIS!

Look at all the options, prices, pictures, references, and have face to face discussions. Do more than just grab brochures. Book it early (meaning pay for it) to get prime seasons.
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[Bmarsh]

[quote lumberjack031]Typical halibut and salmon gear or bait fishing. I honestly don't know enough whether fresh or saltwater is better. More or less would like to hear from those that have been, rough cost est, and where they were fishing.[/quote]

So lots depends like has been said of what you want out of it? Do you want to just catch and release or bring some home to eat? Any of specific species you're more interested in?

So here's my two pennies. I got invited as a gift by family memember to go to waters edge lodge which is in elfin cove Alaska . Elfin cove is across the bay from glacier bay preserve 80 ish miles west out of Juneau . The cost runs $3000ish, check it may've gone up a little, but it is a self guided lodge. What the 3k included was 6 nights stay, 5 days of fishing, licenses, float plane flight from Juneau to elfin cove and back, boats and tackle, fish processing, clothes washed every day, gourmet quality meals. Want it didn't include is a guide.

We fished in the middle of august which was the peak of the silvers in there area and even though we are fly guys and had never caught anything on a down rigger before we caught over 200 lbs worth of silver fillets. We also fished for halibut which we brought home 100 ish lbs of. Biggest we yanked in was 124 lbs all on our own. The other fun deal was hammering the black bass which after eating it I wish we would've brought home more of. We saw whales, sea lions, and incredible scenery.

If you want to some one to hold your hand with everything a guide is the way to go but if you are a reasonably skilled angler that can take some radio coaching from the lodge owner and other guests I would suggest a self guided trip.
A few question you need to ask yourself:
1. Guided or self guided?
2. Salt of freshwater ( if it's fresh I would do a guide personally)
3. What species? I would personally go for silvers, kings, eyes,or artic char. This will dictate what time of the year you want to go since different
salmon run at different times.

I'll put a couple pics up once I'm on a computer. Just be prepared to be amazed at the whole experience. I got bit pretty hard with the AK big and can't wait to get back.
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[Koko21]

I've also heard this is an amazing experience at the Waters Edge in Elfin Cove. I have a trip booked there this summer and have heard from many people who have gone it is an amazing experience. I'll have to leave a report when I get back as it will be my first time there.

I distantly know the lodge owners and they are really nice people
I know they take great care of their guests. As mentioned it's self guided, so you get to do everything yourselves - seems amazing to me.
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[Bmarsh]

[quote Koko21]I've also heard this is an amazing experience at the Waters Edge in Elfin Cove. I have a trip booked there this summer and have heard from many people who have gone it is an amazing experience. I'll have to leave a report when I get back as it will be my first time there.

I distantly know the lodge owners and they are really nice people
I know they take great care of their guests. As mentioned it's self guided, so you get to do everything yourselves - seems amazing to me.[/quote]

If it's your first time and no one with you has been before feel free to PM me, there's a few pointers I could share. The lodge owners are my sister in laws brother and dad plus my niece will be on her 2nd summer there as part of the lodge staff.
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[pookiebar]

If you're into Doong some fishing on your own Doc Warners also runs a top notch self guided experience. Things to keep in mind, if you're guided there is a slot limit for halibut in much of Alaska. If self guided you can keep any size halibut you catch. That said the guides know where to go catch them faster and can reach areas that a self guided open boat usually won't go. Waters edge and Doc Warner are about the same price.

If you're looking for a top notch experience for you and the wife there is none better than Alaskas Boardwalk Lodge. They have 4-5 star type lodging and 5 star dining. There is also possible salt water and fresh water fishing there. Prince of Wales Island is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been and lived.

There is also Silver King Lodge in Ketchikan that has both guided and self guided options. As I understand it you can break the days up. So you could go with a guide for a couple days and figure things out then go on your own.

Lots of options. All are good! Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.
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[fishgiver]

I had a great experience at Kains in Sitka. Fully guided, only four fishermen to a boat. Accommodations were outstanding also caught Silvers, Kings, Halibut, and rock fish. PM me if you have any questions, I have done both self and fully guided.
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[captainjac15]

I work for a lodge in southwest AK. Its called Valhalla lodge. Pretty awesome place, we usually have 6 people or less per week so you get all the attention, and the lodge pretty much to yourself. One guide for two guests. We don't do salt though. Its mostly flyout fishing in float planes for kings, sockeye and coho, and also excellent fishing for lakers, rainbows and grayling right at the lodge in the local lakes and rivers via jet boat. If you have some questions about timing and species I could give you some tips on when to go... wherever you end up going. The guys that said go to the Expo are spot on as well. You will get to talk to representatives from many different lodges in many different parts of AK.
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[muddyrudder]

If you are looking for a real Alaska adventure, look up the Dave Duncan and Son's float trip on the Chosen River. It is an awesome trip. They also have base camps on the same river. A must if in the budget.

www.alaskaflyfishingcamps.com
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