Hi everyone.....I'm new to this site....but have found it to be so very informative. My husband and I want to go to Alaska to do some King Salmon/Halibut fishing. We have never done anything like this before, and I just wondered if any of you that frequent this site have any info on it. If you could recommend any charters or lodging ideas that would be awesome!! We want to go to Ketchikan for our first time to get the "feel" of it, then I would like to venture out to the more ideal fishing spots. So, if anyone has any info, on anything regarding fishing in Ketchikan, I would be really appreciative.

TanyaJC,

I spent 5 years charter fishing out of K-town from 90 to 94, I worked at Salmon Falls Resort http://salmonfallsresort.com/ which was probably the nicest resort in the area.
Another 1 worth checking out is Beacon Hill Lodge
http://www.beaconhilllodge.com/ the owner, Ron Moyer is a good friend of mine and 1 of the best salmon fisherman I know, I would highly recommend him.
Either of these places will get you into some very good fishing, where ever you decide to go, the best fishing (IMHO) was the last week of June thru mid July for kings (1 per person/day) or late Aug thru mid Sept for silvers (6 per person/day)

If you want to go from good fishing to great fishing, take a 40 minute floatplane trip out to the westcoast of Prince of Wales Is./Craig area, thats where I currently spend my summers and the fishing is considerably better out there though your now fishing ocean waters instead of inside, protected waters.
Good luck, and be careful, there are a couple places that are, well, I'll just say, they aren't the ultimate Alaskan experience.

AkKings ~

Thanks so much for the information. I remember seeing Salmon Falls Resort while surfing around, and yes, it was the nicest place that I had seen. I don't recall seeing the Beacon Hill Resort. As you said, some places may not be the ultimate Alaskan experience, and that worries me. So, I really appreciate your trusty information. Most all of the charter websites look to be really rewarding, but you never know. I will look into those two resorts.....thanks again!

If you're looking for an independant guide, U.S.C.G. licensed and an excellent fisherman, float plane pilot, and all around great guy, try my friend Pat Simmons. He runs Sea-Run Charters in Ketchikan. Along with fishing he does many sight seeing trips (boat and plane) . Pat grew up in Thorne Bay/Ketchikan and has lived in Ketchikan all his life. Pat runs a 2330 Parker and knows his stuff.

Pat Simmons
fishnsea@att.net
Home 907.247.6918
Cell 907.723.1874

Agree with Akkings, go to Craig, AK. I highly recommend fishing with Rob Endsley at Pacific Northwest Sportsfishing. He is one of the hardest working guides around and is the best Salmon guides I've ever met. He will do what it takes to put you into fish. You will have an absolute blast!

Check out his site: http://www.pacific-northwest-sportfishing.com/

Kev

I agree on the rec. for Pat. He is going to be fishing a new 30 aluminum this coming season (or the one after that though).

And I want to buy his Parker!

Don't know how I could have forgot the guy that gave me my 1st shot at guiding http://alaskasportfishing.com/ another 1 you won't be disappointed with. Sonny Campbell has been running charters in Ketchikan for about 20 years and fished there for about 40, knows the area as well as anyone. You'll have a hard time finding anyone better in Ketchikan besides either Sonny Campbell or Ron Moyer.

I know of another good place in Craig. http://www.princeofwalessportfishing.com , He's been around a long time. I might be a little biased, since it's my opperation.
I always tell folks, even if they don't fish with me, just make sure they fish out of Craig and that they are on the west coast side of Prince of Wales Island. Which is a short floatplane ride from Ketchikan. The best saltwater fishing for Halibut and Salmon in the state of Alaska.
No Downriggers here!!!

Hi AKKings,
How are things going? Good I hope. Have you been out fishing much this fall. Lot's of Coho's this year, I just hope the steelhead will be the same.
I am going over to the snake river for about ten days this week for a little R&R Steelhead fishing. Rob and I were over there a couple of weeks ago and had a great time. The fishing was'nt to red hot but it was still good. One day it was about 75 degrees and it was great fishing in shorts and warm weather,instead of wind, rain and cold.

Hey Bob,

I've only fished a couple times since I got back from Ak. and that was back in Sept, been in the process of unpacking from our move to Lacey but almost done. Take delivery of my new driftboat Sat. so there is alot more fishing in my future.

Thanks to all of you for all of your helpful information. Craig, Alaska sounds and looks to be a great place to fish. This summer, my boss went on a fishing trip to the Prince Of Whales area. His cousin, I believe his name is Joe, is a guide out of there. I don't know what the name of his company is, but he is the one who got me excited to want to do some big fishing. My husband and I don't travel much, as far as having to get on a plane, etc... So, we thought that a simple trip to Ketchikan first would be good for us. Once we get the ropes of how it works and know where things are at, then I would like to eventually fish the better waters. The ones where you have to get off the main plane, get on another plane (or ferry), then get to your location. That all sounds scary to me since I get really flustered with airports and not knowing where to go (on a time schedule too!!). Probably sounds nuts, but I have only flown one time in my adult life, so Ketchikan sounds really simple to me at first here. I'm really excited about going, just have to get everything ironed out.