Getting a Head Start on Alaskan Fishing Trip Planning

Advanced planning is important for many of the most important trips or vacations we have in mind, and a fishing trip to the beautiful state of Alaska is no exception. From booking travel to ensuring accommodations are available, getting a head start on your planning for these sorts of trips is valuable, especially if you know you're looking to book at a location that's very popular.

At Pybus Point Lodge, we're here to assist clients with every part of our all-inclusive lodging and accommodation setup, which includes everything from our chartered planes to pick you up to a gourmet food menu, daily maid service and much more. We'll also provide recommendations for advanced planning -- our lodge is very popular and often books out well in advance, so it pays to get on this as early as possible once you've determined your ideal dates for an Alaskan fishing trip. When planning your trip in advance, here are some general themes you should be looking at.

Know Peak Seasons

As we noted above, demand for trips to our lodge can be very high -- and this often ebbs and flows based in large part on the season. Knowing when the peak seasons are for fishing in Alaska is essential to ensuring you can book a trip at your preferred time, and will also help you better understand what sort of conditions you can expect.

Generally speaking, the peak fishing times in Alaska fall between late May and early September. That said, we always recommend giving us a call to discuss the specifics of your trip, as there can be some regional differences in what's biting and when.

Book Your Trip Early

As we just mentioned, booking your trip early is essential if you're looking to lock in a spot at our lodge. Not only does this guarantee you'll have a place to stay, but it also allows you to plan your trip around the best fishing conditions.

In terms of how early you should start planning, we generally recommend at least six months in advance for a summer trip and nine months for a fall/winter excursion. This may seem like a lot of time, but remember that many of the arrangements needed for an Alaskan fishing trip -- such as securing air travel and acquiring the proper fishing licenses -- can take some time to put together.

Prepare for the Weather

Another important factor to take into account when planning an Alaskan fishing trip is the weather. The conditions in this part of the world can vary greatly depending on the time of year, so it's important to have a general idea of what to expect.

In the summer, temperatures can reach into the 80s and 90s, while in the winter they can drop below 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Rain is also common year-round, so be sure to pack accordingly.

Fishing Gear

One vital note, especially for beginners: Do not feel as though you need to pack every single conceivable fishing item as part of your luggage. This is because we provide a full range of fishing tackle and other gear for our guests at the lodge. In fact, many of our veteran anglers prefer to travel light and simply rely on our gear while they're here.

Now, that said, we absolutely will not stop any experienced angler from bringing some of their own gear, so feel free to pack as much or as little as you like. Just be sure to check with us in advance to see what we already have on hand.

Plan Excursions

As you get closer to the date of your actual trip, you can get more detailed in terms of the activities you plan on undertaking while in Alaska. Besides fishing, some of our guests enjoy hiking, kayaking and wildlife viewing -- and we offer programs specifically tailored for each of these activities.

For instance, our humpback whale watching tours are incredibly popular, as is our bear viewing trip. We also have a variety of hikes for all levels of hikers, and a number of kayaks for rent if you want to explore some of the more remote areas of the Alaskan backcountry.

The bottom line is that there's plenty to do in this amazing corner of the world -- but once again, looking into these things well in advance is key to making sure you can fit everything in.

Make Plans for Non-Fishers

If you're bringing the entire family with you on your trip, and you know certain members of your party are not interested in fishing, don't worry! We have a variety of activities available that will keep everyone entertained.

In addition to the aforementioned excursions, we also have a heated pool and hot tub, a fitness center, a movie theater and several board games and other indoor activities. Plus, there's always the option of just relaxing at the lodge and taking in the incredible views of the surrounding landscape.

Have Rainy Day Alternatives

While you'll certainly do your best to check the weather and plan accordingly, it's always a good idea to have some rainy day alternatives in mind. This is especially important if you're traveling with children, as they'll likely become antsy if they have to spend too much time indoors.

Some ideas include visiting one of the local museums or art galleries, going for a walk or hike in the rain, or simply finding a coffee shop or bookstore and spending a few hours people-watching.

As you can see, there's a lot to think about when planning an Alaskan fishing trip. But if you start early and do your homework, you're sure to have an amazing time in one of the most beautiful locations on earth. For assistance with any part of this process, or for more information about our lodge or programs, contact the team at Pybus Point Lodge today.