posted 07-23-2004 12:40 AM ET (US)        

Todd Lynch

posted 07-23-2004 11:17 AM ET (US)            

Swing by Juneau if you can (600 miles from Anchorage), silver salmon should be in. I haven't seen too many members from up north. I have a 1990 Revenge 22 WT (Cetacea 44).

If you have a chance for some traveling, stop by Whittier (via the tunnel in Portage approx 60 miles from Anchorage via the Seward Highway). Whittier is Anchorage's gateway to Prince William Sound - get a glacier tour out of there to look into College Fjord (lots of glaciers). Or head down the Seward Highway to Seward (125 miles and on the Gulf of Alaska) or Homer (240 miles from Anchorage on Cook Inlet & Kachemak Bay). Both are easy drives, but have traffic on the weekends (though not like I-95 in Connecticut), lookout for idiots passing in no passing zones - head-ons happen too often (also, get yourself a copy of "The Milepost", the mile by mile narrative of all the major roads). Charter boats are available at all locations for saltwater fishing.

All areas are incredible: Seward & Whittier are surrounded by 6,000' mountains and from Homer you can see Augustine Volcano 60 miles away.

Or head north to Denali & Fairbanks.

Enjoy your trip.

posted 07-23-2004 11:20 PM ET (US)            

I spent 13 years in Anchorage and 4 years at Burkeshore Marina at Big Lake.

If you have the time it's about an hours drive up to Big Lake, the largest recreational lake in Alaska and well worth a visit to see how Alaskans play on a summer day.

When I was at Burkeshore we sold Bayliner, SunRunner and Boston Whaler and held an in water boat show on June 21st. I can faintly remember coming back to the marina on water skis behind a Bayliner 28 Contessa around midnight afrer a dinner at Island Lodge after we closed the show.

Dinner at Big Lake Lodge, hosted and cooked by Helmie is awsome. The pool tables in the bar are close to level. Don't complain to Roland,Helmies husband, about anything. When I left they were at the age that they may no longer be there.

It's been about 14 years since I have been up there and a major wildfire has burned through the area since. I understand that Big Lake Lodge was saved, Burkeshore Marina seems to be open and I am sure that life goes on at the lake.

I spent 17 years living in Alaska and have made several trips back. I have seen so much but there is so much I haven't seen.

posted 07-24-2004 12:45 AM ET (US)            

Thanks for the suggestions. I just bought the Lonely Planet guide to Alaska and I am piecing together my trip. I am basically just showing up with my backpack and taking it from there. I have a friend who will be in Anchorage on business that week so I will have a hotel room in Anchorage for when I am there. From your two posts I have started to put together a list:

1) Big Lake - is it worth spending a night up there, or is that a good day trip?
2) Whittier (Glacial Tour)
3) Seward and or Homer - any recommended fishing charters? Also - will I need a fishing liscense to go out on a charter?
4) Denali would be fantastic - have either of you taken the Alaska Railroad, Anchorage to Denali Park, it sounds great. If you went to Denali from Anchorage, how many days would you leave for that trip? One up, two there, and one back?

600 Miles to Juneau might be bit too long a drive... might have to save that for my next trip!

Thanks for all of yout suggestions!

posted 07-24-2004 11:20 AM ET (US)            

Big Lake is an easy day trip.

It's a great trip into Whittier, you drive your car onto a flatbed rail car and have an enjoyable ride. There may be a road by now.

There is Portage glacier not far south of Anchorage on the Seward Hwy, it's a drive to glacier and quite spectactular. Nothing like the ones in Prince William Sound though.

If I were to go fishing it would be out of Homer.

Denali, take the train and enjoy the view. I would make it a 2 day trip.

Juneau is a great town but the only way to get there is by plane or boat. The way to see SE Alaska is on the Alaska State ferry system. Catch the ferry in Bellingham WA and enjoy the scenery with stops in Ketchikan, Sitka, Petersburg and Juneau.

posted 07-24-2004 11:48 AM ET (US)            

Dick is right on.

I've always wanted to take the train ride, but haven't.

You do need an out of state fishing license. Check out Alaska Dept of Fish & Game website (license & permits at the top of the page) - you can get them for different periods of time over the internet and they mail them to you. A 3-day license or maybe 7 day isn't that expensive.

Portage Glacier has retreated and you can't see it from the visitor center any more. Whittier tours - do a search on Whittier Alaska. Stan Stevens tours are excellent.

Can't recommend any charter fishing boats, once agin, search on the town of Seward or Homer.

Can't drive to Juneau. If you were to drive, its about 800 miles from Anchorage to Haines (via Yukon Territory and Britich Columbia) then a 2.5-5.5 hour ferry ride on the Alaska Marine Highway (We have a new 235 cat that takes 35 vehicles and 250 passengers).

Have a great trip to the "Last Frontier".

Jim

posted 07-25-2004 12:15 AM ET (US)            

Just got back from Seward, Alaska. Flew into Anchorage and rented a car for the 3 hour trip to Seward. A friend is retired military so we stayed at the military resort there. Went fishing for two days. Got limits of halibut (2 per day) and silver salmon (3 per day) both days. The halibut were ranging in the 20-30 lb range but there was a 165 lb and 116 lb caught during those two days. The silvers were just showing up and ran 10-14 lbs. An unexpected bonus. The second day we even went bottom fishing for lingcod and picked up a few that were 25-40 lbs. The charter boats were reserved for military personnel and their guest so I can't recommend a charter but you can find a variety of them online. Enjoy your trip!

posted 08-16-2004 10:54 AM ET (US)            

How was the trip?