ANC Fishin'
 

Hey all you ANC based, I need some suggestions on where to do some fishing. I am heading up there next month and plan to go to either Homer or Seward. I want to to fish 2 days for Halibut and Kings (Salt Water). Any recs. on the best place to go out of those two cities, any suggested charter companies, places to stay while I am there and how to get there. Also does FDX guys get any disc. for any of these? Had to ask, I am a pilot therefor I am cheap. I appreciate all the help. Thanks

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

I've never been stationed up there, but managed to go up 4 summer's in a row (2000-2004) on military deployments, so here's my data dump:

We'd go to Seward either right before or during the Silver Salmon Derby. We'd stay at the Army Rec Center and make use of their fish house after each day to clean, vacuum pack, and flash freeze our catch. Every year we went with Ninilchik Charters, taking a boat that fished 6 (and requested Captain Woody) and we always slayed 'em. I heard a rumor that Woody has left and their cust service may not be as good now. We'd also go on a "combo" charter where we'd take gear for Salmon & Halibut..doesn't take too many Halibut too fill up the freezer back home.

If you're into shoulder to shoulder combat fishing, there is always Ship Creek right there in Anchorage. Pretty cheap if you've already got the gear, waders, etc.

Perhaps one of my favorite experiences was going North, towards Denali and stream fishing for Reds on the Little Susitna River. An outfit at Miller's Landing will run you up stream in a fast Jon Boat (which is worth the price alone).

Not that you care, but one year we brought home 1300 lbs of Silver Salmon and Halibut (that was two weekends worth of work by 12 guys). You shoulda seen pallet full of coolers loaded onto the KC-135. Good stuff!!

OK, that's all I know. I'm no expert, but I like to eat Salmon. Speaking of which, when in ANC be sure to eat/drink at Humpy's and also get an outside seat at the Millenium to eat while you watch all the floatplane's take off.

Fresh-water fishing is a little bit limited in May as compared to June through Sept. King Salmon are not really pushing into the local rivers and streams until late May. Salt-water fishing for Halibut and Salmon are probably best out of Ninilchick or Homer this time of year. Look for tide charts on the Halibut and go for dates around the new moon as the tidal swings are smaller allowing for better fishing windows.

Good luck,
Curby

Larry Croft is a good charter captain out of Homer. On my favorite trip with him we camped on his boat overnight. That way we got 2 days of fishing with only half of the boat driving, which meant more time for fishing. We caught 2 days of limits on halibut, plus rock fish, yellow eye and ling cod. All very tasty.

I'd echo what Curby said above. Get yourself a charter out of Homer or Ninilchik. I'm heading out myself on May 21st for a Halibut/King Salmon Combo. We're going with a dude out of Ninilchik, actually launching from a place called Deep Creek. Just Google for charters in the area and pick one. You'll end up catching fish no matter who you go with!

I don't know about any FedEx discounts on the charters, but you ought to be able to ship it home pretty cheap!:D I'd have no problem making your 2 day trip free if you could get me a meet and greet once they start back up!;)

Best of luck
Trouser

Trouser,

Your poor attempt at an egregious display of bribery towards a fellow aviator just for a meet and greet needs counsel.

There was no mention of mass quantities of alchohol to be consumed, belching, scratching, or singing on this fishing trip. Much less any mention of loose and lewd women. Certainly, there would be stories of yore about embellished piloting skillz, "I was there..." personal accounts of outstanding personal achievements, general jibes at the guys in management, and naturally, greatly exaggerated fishing tales from Northern Lights territories.

You started well my son, but to be in the 'bigs', you must include these bastions and institutions of professional pilotage in any crass attempt to curry favor and peddle influence.

Carry on.....

Magenta,

Please accept my humblest of apologies for my blatant display of sheer ignorance. I thought it would be safe to assume that everyone knows any fishing trip to Alaska would not be complete without the consumption of no less than a case of Alaskan Amber, a piece, and a trip to the local ballet company/shoe show. ABC should be picking up their summer talent soon!

Again, please excuse my stupidity...I'm new. Of course booze and loose women would all be a part of said bribery.

Respectfully,
Trouser