DIY Alaska Salmon for the non fisherman

[2rocky]

My Bonus son is stationed at JBER in Anchorage and will get leave in Late June/Early July. If I were to go visit him and wanted to catch as much Salmon to bring home in a long weekend what would be the most cost efficient way of dong that? I don't own any fishing gear suitable for big fish, and I don't have any boat handling skills. I doubt big party boats are an option given COVID. Not particularly interested in combat fishing on the Kenai. Where do I start figuring it out?

 

[Dave N]

I think you best bet would be to wait for Bambistew to reply. He's pretty much the resident expert, living there and all. You could always take me with you! I have my own cabin. Just sayin'...

 

[mdeerjunkie]

@Bambistew

 

[Bambistew]

That's a pretty tall order... catch the most fish, cheapest way, no crowds and on a weekend... you and everyone else. haha There are no places off the road or within striking distance of Anchorage that won't have people, unless you have a plane, or a boat. Late June/early July isn't great timing for salmon. You really only have two options off the road within reasonable distance of Anchorage...the Russian or Klutina. Late July and August is prime time, with fish everywhere in all rivers.

Combat fishing will be about 25% of normal this year if I had to guess. Fish between 10pm-4am and you won't see many people, and the fishing is usually better anyway. The spots we fish, are mobbed during the day, but dead at "night." You barely need a headlamp between 1-2am. The Klutina should be decent at that time as well, but its hit or miss for me and access sucks, the river is super swift, and good fishing spots are packed. I've loaded a cooler one morning only to not have a bump for the next 2 days. Slugs of fish come/go. Early morning is best, the water is super silty compared to the Kenia/Russian where you can see the fish.

Salt fishing for salmon that time is decent, but is not a sure bet. I think there will be plenty of charters available. They are just limited on how many people they can run. A halibut/salmon charter will run $300-350+/- and is probably by far your best bet for a sure thing fish. Your best bang for your buck is buying fish. $800 (with tip) for 2 guys to go on a charter would net you maybe 40-50lbs of fish on a combo halibut/salmon charter. You can buy it for $8/lb or less...

I know where I'll be that time of the year... and again about 2 weeks later. Hopefully fishing will be like it was last year.

 

[sneakypete]

Army or Air Force ? My son was stationed there airborne!

 

[BearFoot]

If you could pull it off, not the most cost efficient, but most excellent fishing in Late June/Early July.
Bristol Bay area, fly in to King Salmon. One hour from Anchorage
Lake Iliamna, fly in, one hour from Anchorage
Kodiak, fly in.

 

[44hunter45]

Go to Alaska Sausage & Seafood in Anchorage and buy it

 

[Salmonchaser]

Another vote for Bristol Bay. Kings and Sockeye at that time as well as Rainbows, Arctic Char and Grayling.
I haven’t fished the Kenai in more than 20years but fished it every year since 1961 up to that point. We sure had fun, just don’t worry about people.
If it were me I’d buy a halibut/king charter for a day, then fill the gas tank on the car, take the light tackle and drive, just see as much as you can, fish for Grayling, Dollies, Pike along the way.
Either way enjoy your trip with your son and thank him for me.

 

[2rocky]

Army or Air Force ? My son was stationed there airborne!

1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment straight out of Basic training.

 

[2rocky]

Thanks Folks. According to him while on leave, he can't leave the state so that means we go to him. Sunday was my Gf's first Mother's day with out kids so she was hunting flights for sure...
I like the Charter idea. I've done a Halibut charter 13 years ago on a 6 pack boat out of Seward. I'd do it again. Fly in to King Salmon Iliamna or Kodiak sounds like a cool adventure. That reminds me, I have a buddy who was in the Coast Guard in Kodiak in his younger life...Gonna pump him for info on the Kodiak angle. (if 30 year old info still holds true)

 

[2rocky]

I think you best bet would be to wait for Bambistew to reply. He's pretty much the resident expert, living there and all. You could always take me with you! I have my own cabin. Just sayin'...

I do declare....I'm not in the habit of of going off to remote cabins with strangers....wait did I hear something about black bear?

 

[Dave N]

I do declare....I'm not in the habit of of going off to remote cabins with strangers....wait did I hear something about black bear?

Well, I had MEANT it as I had my own place to stay! Sheesh!

 

[Salmonchaser]

The last 20 years I’ve been guiding out in Bristol Bay, really doesn’t get much better then what we have out there, tough to do on your own however. Assuming we have a season out there, might be a great year to give it a try. I know a number of outfits don’t have much going on when you’re up. Might be worth a phone call or two.

 

[Gellar]

If all you want to do is catch as many salmon as possible go to the Russian River/Kenai confluence. It’s a 2 hour drive from anchorage but the drive alone is worth it. You will not be away from other fisherman and there will be bears. If the salmon are in you Can catch your limit Of reds. Special regs do apply mainly the Russian River flies you have to use. Go to a Sportshop here in the lower 48 get a 7 or 8 foot ugly stick. When you get to Alaska go to any store like Fred Meyer or Walmart and buy a pair of hip boots. They used to be like $20 and they are some of the best you will find for that price. If It’s a pink salmon year, they usually run every other year on streams, go to Hope.

 

[Bambistew]

Going to the Bristol area would be a sure way to get a bunch of fish, but the $/lb isn't what I would consider cost effective. You'd be into a day trip $1500pp pretty easy once you pencil in getting there and back with fish. its a dream destination for fishing though, but... may be an issue if you have a 14-day quarantine in place.

Contact Fishing Bug Charters they have hook ups for both fishing the Klutina and in Valdez in the salt. Lodging in Copper Center... you could fish Valdez and then stay with them and fish the Klutina on the way home. That would be a pretty fun long weekend trip, and you'd get to see one of, if not the prettiest section of Alaska via road.

 

[ZBB]

If all you want to do is catch as many salmon as possible go to the Russian River/Kenai confluence. It’s a 2 hour drive from anchorage but the drive alone is worth it. You will not be away from other fisherman and there will be bears. If the salmon are in you Can catch your limit Of reds. Special regs do apply mainly the Russian River flies you have to use. Go to a Sportshop here in the lower 48 get a 7 or 8 foot ugly stick. When you get to Alaska go to any store like Fred Meyer or Walmart and buy a pair of hip boots. They used to be like $20 and they are some of the best you will find for that price. If It’s a pink salmon year, they usually run every other year on streams, go to Hope.

Myself and some other guys went up to train some guys at JBER, and this is exactly what we did. I didn’t land any fish because I suck, and a couple were behind the gills but man, it was so much fun.

 

[Salmonchaser]

When I’m done guiding and start fun fishing I’ll probably go to Valdez

 

[Gellar]

When I’m done guiding and start fun fishing I’ll probably go to Valdez

I wish I could have spent more time in Valdez when I was in Alaska.

 

[sneakypete]

1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment straight out of Basic training.

Airborne! My son was 1/40 Cavalry scout! He loved it up there! Thanks to your son’s service to this great country!