DIY in Alaska???

do you guys have any advice of where to fly to that we could just get a hotel room and be within descent driving distance to good fishing?..I think he would be stoked just catching salmon on a river but if we could do some halibut fishing too that would be great

If I were in your shoes heading to Southcentral Alaska, I'd fly into Anchorage and then transfer straight on to Homer, where I'd rent my car and a hotel room for a base.  It's an easy drive from there to some great fishing -- Anchor River, Kasilof River, Kenai River, Swanson River, and some surf casting spots around Katchemak Bay and Lower Cook Inlet. Plenty of halibut charters out of Homer and Ninilchik.  Depends on the run timing for when the various species of salmon are in the rivers.  It's about 2 hours driving between Homer and Kenai/Soldatna area -- everything's pretty spread out here. Everything on the road system is going to get lots of fishing pressure within half a mile of the road -- but if you're willing to hike in a little bit, you can leave the combat fishing behind.

I'd go to Homer rather than Kenai simply because Katchemak Bay is one of the most beautiful places there is, and Kenai is ... less so.

but anything that's on the road system is going to get serious pressure unless you're willing to walk more than half a mile.

That's what I wanna here !!!!!!.....thank you thank you thank you !!!...that's the perfect start to a great trip

Like I said ... identify what is most important to you.
Personally I would rather catch coho in small streams till my arms fall off.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Yeah, I hear you.  That's why I asked the question about silvers or kings.  It's a different experience.

-Allen

do you guys have any advice of where to fly to that we could just get a hotel room and be within descent driving distance to good fishing?..I think he would be stoked just catching salmon on a river but if we could do some halibut fishing too that would be great

If I were in your shoes heading to Southcentral Alaska, I'd fly into Anchorage and then transfer straight on to Homer, where I'd rent my car and a hotel room for a base.  It's an easy drive from there to some great fishing -- Anchor River, Kasilof River, Kenai River, Swanson River, and some surf casting spots around Katchemak Bay and Lower Cook Inlet. Plenty of halibut charters out of Homer and Ninilchik.  Depends on the run timing for when the various species of salmon are in the rivers.  It's about 2 hours driving between Homer and Kenai/Soldatna area -- everything's pretty spread out here. Everything on the road system is going to get lots of fishing pressure within half a mile of the road -- but if you're willing to hike in a little bit, you can leave the combat fishing behind.

I'd go to Homer rather than Kenai simply because Katchemak Bay is one of the most beautiful places there is, and Kenai is ... less so.

but anything that's on the road system is going to get serious pressure unless you're willing to walk more than half a mile.

   Have to agree with akfishergal....
The Homer area is beautiful,lots of fishing nearby,plenty of charters there,and lots of rivers not too far away to drive to.Give it some serious consideration.

do you guys have any advice of where to fly to that we could just get a hotel room and be within descent driving distance to good fishing?..I think he would be stoked just catching salmon on a river but if we could do some halibut fishing too that would be great

If I were in your shoes heading to Southcentral Alaska, I'd fly into Anchorage and then transfer straight on to Homer, where I'd rent my car and a hotel room for a base.  It's an easy drive from there to some great fishing -- Anchor River, Kasilof River, Kenai River, Swanson River, and some surf casting spots around Katchemak Bay and Lower Cook Inlet. Plenty of halibut charters out of Homer and Ninilchik.  Depends on the run timing for when the various species of salmon are in the rivers.  It's about 2 hours driving between Homer and Kenai/Soldatna area -- everything's pretty spread out here. Everything on the road system is going to get lots of fishing pressure within half a mile of the road -- but if you're willing to hike in a little bit, you can leave the combat fishing behind.

I'd go to Homer rather than Kenai simply because Katchemak Bay is one of the most beautiful places there is, and Kenai is ... less so.

but anything that's on the road system is going to get serious pressure unless you're willing to walk more than half a mile.

Keep in mind the south central Alaska is the most tourist dense part of Alaska. Driving from Anchorage to Homer feels like driving through Yellow Stone as you pass line after line of RVs pulled off the road to take a picture of every rabbit deer and moose next to the high way.
Put it also is the most convenient part of Alaska for getting on a halibut charter with 20 close friends to catch ping pong paddles. Definitely a softer Alaska experience. When I went I had a blast. Since then I have seen other parts of Alaska and wouldn't go back to the Peninsula. 

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

  funngunnin,

  Remember this will be his 1st trip to the "Great Land".He can have a great time in southcentral,even with thousands of friends.

  funngunnin,

  Remember this will be his 1st trip to the "Great Land".He can have a great time in southcentral,even with thousands of friends.

Yup!

-Allen

Personally I think Prince William Sound is more beautiful than Homer, but the fishing is much harder than else where. Homer is nice, can be a zoo on the spit, and getting there can suck, but once you're there you're there.

The sound, well, homer can't compare. Bit if its fishing you want, and on the cheap, south central is the place.

My AI and I can disappear out in the sound for days on end, but will I guarantee I will catch a ton of fish, no. But I will see things like this every time I turn around...

  funngunnin,

  Remember this will be his 1st trip to the "Great Land".He can have a great time in southcentral,even with thousands of friends.

Yup!

-Allen

I'd like to expand.  In my early days of Alaska fishing, I took a trip to southcentral.  Hired a guide for kings on the Kenai.  DIY for reds on the Kenai.  Hopped on a charter for Halibut out of Homer.  Did a fly out one day for silvers on a small stream across the Cook Inlet.  And did a lot of hiking the area streams looking to get off the beaten path and do some DIY fishing.  I was a grad student at the time, meaning things were mostly low budget.  It was one of the best trips I've had to Alaska and formed the foundation for many return trips.

-Allen

The joke here in Alaska is "We get tired of hearing how big everything in Texas is...We are going to cut Alaska in HALF and make Texas the THIRD largest state!"  Alaska is huge.  But its also tiny.  Huge by square miles and coastline.  Tiny by road accessible (synonymous with budget in many cases) square miles.

It's really a matter of what you want to do.  Be honest about your goals but realize Alaska is a huge state.  Fungunnin is right.  Southcentral is a ZOO during the summer.  But in July if you are not chasing Red salmon or Kings, it's not at all crowded.  But if you are on a budget and want to load up your freezer with halibut and salmon, there's a reason why you will see thousands of "friends" especially in Late July. 

If you want scenic remote, there a zillion places.  I'd think Southeast Alaska is GORGEOUS!  Check out the Misty Fjord trip!  WOW!  But that's fairly pricey but worth every penny...if you have it. 

You can do something in between.  Come to Southcentral, load your freezer for a few days and take a water taxi to Seldovia.  Rent a catacraft or raft and float the world famous Kenai.

August is a great month and the crowds are half of what they are at the end of July.  Catch and release and fly fishing for trout?  Sept and Oct. 

Set a budget.  Set possible dates.  Set a goal that's realistic or a balance.  One Huge fish?  Fish till your arms fall off and its ok if they are pinks.  Catch and release?  Food?  Once you set some expectations, you can plan from there.  Other wise the state is too diverse and too many things to do everyday of the year that you will never get around to deciding!

You do need to plan.  Fishing in Alaska at any given location is good only a month out of the year.  Peaks of the run can be as short as 2 weeks.  The trick is to hit the peaks of the run which fortunately vary quite a bit even in stream that are in close proximity to each other.

Let us know how we can help!!  You are going to love it no matter what!

   Now that was well said........listen closely.

Kardinal is right about the size and complete and utter lack of roads. That's why south central is a zoo (that coupled with the fact that a large portion of the state population lives in the general area. Want to hit southeast ak? Even if you live here it's not cheap because you either have to take the ferry, fly, or drive thru Canada to Haines.  That's right, to get to drive to part of your state you'd have to leave the country! Always find that hilarious!

If you want to fly out somewhere, it all depends on your definition of cheap. Personally, since dad sold his plane, I've not flown anywhere.  Two coworkers flew about straight out across the inlet from kenai on a bear hunt (non guided) and if I remember right just the flight cost them each around 800-1000 bucks round trip.  Could they have shopped around and maybe found a better deal, perhaps. 

I think once you pick a target species, that helps figuring where to go. One of the reasons the populous heads to the kenai peninsula is simply because they darn near have it all. 

Of course you can fish with 50 of your closest friends, but I've found if you're willing to walk just half a mile further, you can have a spot to your self.  People tend to all congregate like this little 50 yards of river is the only place to catch fish, but there are fish everywhere, you might just work harder. A buddy and I often pick rather ugly sections of water just to be alone on the Russian river and we always catch fish, with out the mass of people with us.

Milepost. If you rent a car and are driving around buy a Milepost. 

  funngunnin,

  Remember this will be his 1st trip to the "Great Land".He can have a great time in southcentral,even with thousands of friends.

Yup!

-Allen

I'd like to expand.  In my early days of Alaska fishing, I took a trip to southcentral.  Hired a guide for kings on the Kenai.  DIY for reds on the Kenai.  Hopped on a charter for Halibut out of Homer.  Did a fly out one day for silvers on a small stream across the Cook Inlet.  And did a lot of hiking the area streams looking to get off the beaten path and do some DIY fishing.  I was a grad student at the time, meaning things were mostly low budget.  It was one of the best trips I've had to Alaska and formed the foundation for many return trips.

-Allen

Wow thank you all for your input, and yes this will be my first time in the "great land " but I'm no stranger to catching ALOT of fish....but really I can't express how much I appreciate all your input...thank you !!!!

   E-48,
  If you haven't checked out Alaska Outdoor Forum here is a link for you. There are many people asking questions similiar to your own.There is also a lot more BS on this forum than NWKA but they do have a lot of forthrite,honest people willing to help a guy out.

The link http://forums.outdoorsdirectory.com/forum.php

  Check the fishing section and see if you can find some knowledge ...

According to several of you......I guess I live right in the middle of "The Zoo".  And yes, it can get pretty crowded in late July, but if you do some research and are willing to get off the cattle trails....you can find some really good fishing without having to smell the diet off the guy next to you.

Ill tell you what I tell the rest of my visitors.  Fly to anchorage, then either rent a car or fly to Kenai and rent a car.  Starting off in Kenai kinda puts you right in the middle of the action during the summer.  You can catch kings, reds, pinks, silvers, dolly's, rainbow, and halibut....just to name a few.  All of that depends on run timing and location. 

Now, what to do once you get here.
-fish the Kenai for kings, reds, and rainbows.  At least 2-3 days worth
- go to homer and fish for buts.  Skip deep creek, because the views are much nicer in kachemak bay....oh and don't forget the aroma of hippies around town.  2-3 days depending on your goals
- go to Seward.  There, you can go on some cool tours of glaciers, and oh wait...more fishing.  Halibuts, lings, rockfish, and silvers.  And if you drive from Kenai to Seward,you will officially have been o one of the top 10 scenic drives in the US. Another day or 2
- still want more.... Bring some hiking boots and check out some lakes near Cooper Landing.  Rainbows, grayling, bears, and burning calves could be in your future.

Those are my opinions on what to do and where to go.

Now for the budget.

If you want to stretch you dollar as far as possible, here are some things to think about.
-buy a really cheap car off craigslist or alaskaslist
-bring camping gear and avoid hotels
-go on the 2 limit charters for halibut
-buy good fishing gear prior to getting here.  Leave your tackle at home and buy it locally, but buy your higher priced items where you live.

If you want to spend a little more money...look up guides and hotels online, but don't forget to check out a few issues of Fish Alaska magazine.  Sure it has good articles, but that sucker is loaded with info for the traveling angler.

Oh...don't forget to contact some of us that live here.  At least for me, I might be persuaded to help out on an adventure.

Happy fishing.....And remember, you can sleep when you go home.  Fish till you pass out, nap and repeat.