| Many anglers dream of an Alaska fishing trip. To | | | | the freshwater species, along with trout, char, pike |
| make sure your Alaska fishing trip is perfect, follows | | | | and burbot. |
| these helpful guidelines. If you want to ensure the | | | | Once you've chosen your species and region, these |
| greatest Alaska fishing trip ever, hire a local fishing | | | | tips can help you select a fishing guide. |
| guide. A guide can take you to the best spots, as | | | | 1. Get references from at least two of the guide's |
| well as knowing local fishing regulations, available | | | | previous clients. If you find they weren't completely |
| services and sights. | | | | happy with the guide's performance, move on to |
| The first step to planning a trip is to choose a | | | | another prospect. |
| species for fishing. Many anglers go for Alaska's great | | | | 2. Get a timeline for the trip, including boat travel time |
| salmon, but fishing for some of the incredibly big | | | | and fishing time. Half a day's trip is quickly expended |
| halibut is another saltwater thrill. Freshwater | | | | if a long boat ride cuts into valuable fishing time. |
| fishermen will enjoy hooking into Northern Pike, | | | | 3. Guide rates vary widely, so compare prices |
| Rainbow Trout, Steelhead, Grayling and many others | | | | carefully. The low bidder is not the best in this case. |
| in rivers and streams. | | | | 4. Find out how long the guide has been working in |
| Choosing your species will determine which Alaska | | | | Alaska. The state's fish runs tend to go in seven-year |
| region you'll visit. The state has five geographical | | | | cycles, so the more experience the guide has, the |
| areas: Southeast, Southcentral, Western, Arctic and | | | | better your trip will be. |
| Interior. Sometimes the western regions are grouped | | | | 5. Get a full picture of what you're getting for your |
| together. Here's what each is like: | | | | money. Ask the guide to list everything, including |
| Southeast Alaska streams etc. | | | | things like tackle, rain gear, food and water, etc. |
| Southcentral Alaska boasts some of the state's most | | | | 6. Ask about any special concerns before you leave |
| well-known fishing spots, such as the Kenai River | | | | for the water. It's too late once the boat's at sea or |
| where the salmon roam. You can drop lines here also | | | | the plane's in the air. |
| for halibut off the coasts and for Pike, Trout and | | | | Above all, start planning and scheduling your Alaska |
| Grayling in the streams. | | | | fishing trip as soon as possible. Because of the short |
| Interior/Arctic/Western Alaska. The westernmost | | | | fishing season, some experience anglers book their |
| parts of this region feature treeless plains, while the | | | | outings as much as a year in advance so they don't |
| Interior is covered in forests. Salmon make long runs | | | | miss out on their favorite guides! |
| up the Kuskokwim and Yukon rivers. Grayling tops | | | | |