For the big"40" this year the wife has given me carte blanc to go anywhere during the summer break (June 16 - August 26) to fish. What would you do, where would you go if given the same opportunity. I will be by myself and can rent vehicles or whatever. Salmon steelie amn at heart.

~steelymann~

ps I have a 10 day window

Alaska -- if you have 10 days and enough $$, go for a super-combo river salmon, ocean salmon, ocean bottomfish. Maybe 4 days on the Kenai and 4 days out of Sitka.

It may be a bit late to book this year... but if money is no object, Bristol Bay right around the 4th of July would be pretty awesome! 5 days on the Nushagak for kings, then 5 days on the Alagnak for everything else! (mint bright chum, kings, sockeye, rainbows...)

How about four or five days up in the straits, then take the ferry for the balance of the trip to Vancouver Island in the Ucluelet or Tofino area.
I know you said you prefer salmon & steelies. Here is another thought. How about a few days in Cabo. June and July are prime time. If you've never caught any saltwater fish like tuna, dorados, jacks, roosterfish etc, you'd be in for a real great time.
Have a great time.
Brian

go fish with bob for a few days

I'd do a five dayer doing to Nush push if it's not to late to book.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

P.S. Off to Cabo in less then 12 hour's,gotta love it.

StrikeZone,
It's Cinco De Mayo and you're off to Cabo in less then 12 hours. Life doesn't get much better then that.
Please post a fishing report when you get back. That will keep me going until our annual October trip.
Brian

Alaska with Bob and Robbo, first in the Soldotna area for the Kasilof craziness with BB, then fly down and go wild with Robbo as a combo trip.....you only turn 40 once man! You'll have more for your freezer than you can handle! After that jet to Cabo......tangle with a marlin then sit in the front row at the Giggling Marlin, get dragged out to be part of the "entertainment" and have your wife take tequila shots while hanging upside down.....all good girls love that sh*t!!!!!!!! than go dance your ass off at El Squid Roe. I'm going to Cabo and Alaska myself this summer...... have a great time dude!

Don't waste any time on the Kenai, unless its during the sockeye push. Spend a day or two fishing sockeye, maybe ONE day fishing for kings, probably a tuesday with a good guide and spend the rest of your time fishing somehwere where you're sure to catch lots of fish (the kenai isn't a guarantee)

If $$ is no object, try one of the Alaska fly-out lodges. Most are limited to a very small number of clients per week. You practically have a plane at your beck and call and you can go practically anywhere you want for a really unique and off the traveled path experience each day you are there - weather permitting. For example, take a look at http://www.alaskarainbowlodge.com. It is probably too late to book this year, but you may be able to plan exactly what you want to do for next year.

If your bones crave something more along the lines of tropical breezes, warm sunsets, cold rum drinks and fine cigars, look into a bonefishing trip. I did this for my 50th. We went to Abaco Island and stayed and fished with Rickmon's Bonefish lodge. We had a spectacular time! If you go, the first thing you should do upon your arrival at the airport is get a Conchburger and a Kalik (or two or three) at the little joint out in back of the airport.

I'm with Mingo on this one. Great minds must think alike.

I turn 40 in August as well, Steelymann. And I'm spending June July and August impersonating the middle age white collar white trash male doing domestic remodel chores on a house I'm endentured to till I die. Fun stuff.

Mingo: I like the different color top on the Mrs., but it's still lacking something. If I could only put my finger on it I think we'd have a winner.

Sol,
It'll take you longer than June, July and August.
Wish I could help but I'll be busy fishin the wonderfull waters of the north.

You have GOT to be kidding about having the wife's PERMISSION....right ?

Yeah but; I would take Mingo's flies!

Alaska for salmon and halibut!!
Or Hawaii for Marlin and tuna!!

Wife wants to go to HI, so that is where I get to go this year.

Good luck with your choice.

Steve

I feel pretty qualified to answer this as I have been virtually all over Alaska and B.C. many times over.

If money were no issue I would head to Mission lodge and time my trip for the silver run. At that time you can find excellent fishing for silvers, rainbows, grayling and char.

Another top choice would be a week at Langara Island's West Coast Fishing Club/ Top notch faculties and your choice of guided or unguided fishing for salmon and halibut. Timing depends on what you want to catch.

Another excellent choice is the Alagnak River. My favorite time is Aug 10th to 120. Awesome Coho fishing, whit some on the dry fly. Tons of pinks and chum and throw in a side trip upriver for rainbow and grayling.

Runners Up Include:

Seward for lings, silvers and halibut.

Westwind Tugboat Adventures for a luxury lodge that follows the fish

The Charlotte princess at Hippa Island

Nushagak River Chinook

Aw heck, there are just too many awesome places. A big issue is your goals. Do you want to be guided or unguided? Do you have an issue with seasickness? What species is your absolute favorite?

Hey.... wasn't she just wearing blue the other day? Must be taking fashion cues from SOL on her choice of wardrobe color. What are the chances of a wardrobe malfunction?

:D Dr Fish, she would not take fashion advice from anyone on this board except Dave Vedder....since Dave insisted I'd catch more whoppers using pink, (and he was right) this top is an ode to big D............