fishing alaska question

[jekern1015]

I am headed for Soldotna on the 4th of July. Are there any items BFT'ers wish they would have brought with them but didn't.
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[fonduvfishin]

MORE CASH $$$. Are you going out on guided trips? If so they provide all tackle and bait. If you are fishing from the bank, certainly your own fishing gear and waders. Make sure you have rain gear and high content DEET, the mosquitos there are called the "state bird." For Halibut you may want a crane, and if you're planning on fishing the Kenai, you will need combat fatigues, boots, and armor and some canons (not downriggers) for your boat!
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If you get the opportunity, float the Kasiloff - much less pressure than the Kenai, very scenic, and relaxing. Good luck in your quest for a 70lb King, and 200lb "barndoor halibut."
PS: BBQue some fresh salmon - nothing is better, except when you have some cold ones to go with it.
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[Fishhound]

That's a BIG DITTO on fonduvfishin's comment on the bug juice ! Them skeeters are twin engine bugs that could fly off with a live-well full of your bodily fluids.
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[fish1on]

I lived in Alaska for ten years before moving to Utah. The only item I could think of that is a must have is a camera. OH, and me as you fishing partner! LOL

The skeeter problem is easily remedied by taking garlic tablets a few days before your trip and during your stay. You may not be the best smelling but it helps repel them monsters. They are not so bad on the rivers as they are in the tundra.

If you have never been there before I highly reccomend getting a guide and make sure you treak over to the Kenie river, it is absolutely beautiful. Tourquise color that will take your breath away!

Make sure you post up your experience/pics so folks like me can be jealous and homesick! I swore up and down that I would move back after my military obligations but it has never happened and probably never will.
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[jekern1015]

Thanks for the info. I will be fishing with Bo's fishing guide service. The one thing I won't forget will be my camera and now insect repellant with Deet.
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[Bigfishrule]

I will also be there from the 6th to the 14th. Will spend one day fishing for halibut, two on the Kenai and two one the Kasilof. Those days will be guided and I'm sure I'll spend some time the other days fishing on my own. We rented a cabin on the Kenai for A week.

I also lived in Alaska for 6 years and can't wait to get back up there, even if it is just for a week. Good luck on your trip.

John
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[RILEYFISH]

I would advise packing very light. IF you can take everything that you need for the trip in a large carry on, example take old clothing that you could even leave there when you come home. WE stayed at a place that we threw in a load of wash a few times that we were there while we were taking care of fish and making dinner. This allows you to have your two bags for check in at the airport on the way home as fish. Extra fifty dollars per bag at the check in. My last trip we tipped some young man 25.00 at the sky cap and he slipped an extra box of fish on for us.

Also most of the airlines will not count your pole carrier as any of your three peices of luggage. We took one bag last trip that had all of our knifes, lures, zip locks and everything in it for seven of us. we chipped in between all of us to get it back so that we could all bring back two boxes of fish.

The airlines have also changed the weight of your fish from 70lbs to 50lbs per box. They are sticklers with that weight to. If you are one pound over they will charge you. The scale that you use verses the one that they use can be off by 1-2 lbs. Be careful or it will cost you some extra Washingtons to get it on the plane.

this helps you out

Rileyfish
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[HCD]

besides the skeeters, I remember another biting bug the locals called "white sox" or something similar. If you looked at the bite under a magnifying glass you would actually see "removed flesh" as they devoured you.
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[fonduvfishin]

Excellent point about the cooler space. Inevitably, the amount of fish brought back will exceed the limits allowed by the airline. I had to ship fish home and it costs a few bucks, if you know what I mean!
[crazy]
Grilling and consuming some on the patio each evening will provide suberb meals and help with the overall catch numbers. Now that I think about it, I'm not sure "evening" occurs this time of the year. Seems like we were eatin, drinkin, and tellin stories at 2am and it was still light outside!
I'm envious!!
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[buler]

Make sure you have a pair of neopreme gloves. The salmon have a bacteria that is toxic and will give you a nasty infection if it gets in a cut etc. and you will get some cuts from teeth, fishing line or something. Just make sure you wear them when you fillet your fish. Also take a good pair of shatter proof glasses. you dont want to take a 1oz sinker to the eye that would ruin your trip. The hooks can and do come out of those reds and they come back at you pretty fast. Stay out of the health clinic as it is usually full of people getting hooks removed. Take lots of money for diet Rock Stars there is no time for sleep in Alaska in July.
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[pleasantmisery]

Looks like everything has practically been covered.

I have found a little sharpening stone on a lanyard to be one of the best weapons in my arsenal while fishing for salmon. After a few fights the hooks tend to dull up and a nice sharp hook is a must for those wonderful fish.
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