Anchorage

[stang67]

I am the new owner of 2 plane tickets to Anchorage in August. For those that have been, what can we see, where can we go, from a home base in Anchorage? We can spend a night or two away from Anchorage but wanted to stay there since we're redeeming Marriott points. For now, I am thinking of day trips to Kenai Fjords NP (Seward), Whittier and PW Sound, Denali NP.

[arduckslayer]

I've only spent the night there on the way in and out of Adak, but I recommend going and eating at Humpy's. It's downtown on 6th Avenue. Beer battered Halibut is awesome.

[mshunter77]

You definetly need to visit DNP and seward is a cool little town about 3 hour drive south. Also not far from seward just south of coopers landing is the russian river ferry. That is where the combat fishing takes place, it is worth checking out if the salmon run happens to be on strong at that point.

[mshunter77]

Oh yeah make sure you have a good camera and good binos.

[miket]

Don't miss Denali. It is toured only by their buses and if you want the full tour be prepared for an all day outing. The best thing to do is to drive up the day before and purchase your tickets for the next day. Each bus leaves at specific times and you can get off anytime you want and catch the next one coming by if it isn't full. The wife and I went in 09 and loved it. We saw moose, grizz, caribou, Dall sheep and eagles. Watch for tons of Mountain Goats just out of Anchorage all the way to Seward. From Seward you might want to take one of the day cruises to see the glaciers and whales. We went in Sept. and they were not sure if our cruise would happen because of rough seas. It was up to the captain as to whether he would leave the bay or not. He chose to go all the way and I wished he hadn't. Had 6-8ft seas and I was green the whole time. The wife got a good laugh about it because it didn't bother her at all. We stopped at a spot on the Russian River in hopes of seeing grizzly bears. We walked down a walkway to the river and saw people fishing. We started walking downstream and shortly met a fast walking fisherman heading our way. When he got to us he said there was an aggressive bear on down. I asked what he meant and he showed me his broken fishing rod. He was landing a fish an a bear charged out of the brush from behind and took the fish. I said that was a little too close for comfort and he said yes and opened up his vest and showed me his 44mag. He was just going back to his truck to get another rod. Needles to say we decided it was time to get back to the truck and made a lot of noise along the way in doing so.

[redduck]

Spent a year up there. There is so much to see. And never enough time to see it all. Try to see Jonas Bros fur dealers museum if its still open. Sticker prices will blow you away. I was there in 1971 & 72. Price of a single beer was $1.25. A 6 pack here was 0.99 cents. I think it's 4th ave you may need to stay off. Its mostly bars and ladies of the evening. Good luck and enjoy its a trip of a life time. Mosquitoes may be rough but can't remember just when they hit.

[jdaves]

Without a doubt, salmon fishing on the Kenai River. If there's a heaven on earth, that's where it is.

[gator]

can't believe no one's mentioned the bush company yet.

-gator

[stang67]

bush company

Details?

Without a doubt, salmon fishing on the Kenai River. If there's a heaven on earth, that's where it is.

I'd like to do some sort of river fishing while I was there. Wouldn't care much for the saltwater, halibut fishing.

[gator]

i just read about it once.....seemed to be a popular place.

gator

[gator]

oh, and if you're at work - DON'T GOOGLE IT.

just sayin', gator

[mshunter77]

Without a doubt, salmon fishing on the Kenai River. If there's a heaven on earth, that's where it is.

Spent a summer up there working on the russian river ferry, where the Russian River and Kenai join together, absolutely amazing fishing.

[TODO]

My wife taught school in Naknek, Alaska last year, i went and visited seven times between august and july. We went all over Alaska. To me Anchorage in itself is just like any other city with some mountains in the background. I would suggest you budget some cash to take a couple of overnight trips out of Anchorage. I would rent a car and go up the Seward highway, see seward, whittier, take the fjord cruise, and then go to the Kenai peninsula for a couple of days. There are lots of rivers in the kenai along with some cool towns. Might think about checking out talketna when your around Denali. You should also think about going to Katmai National Park and go to Brooks Falls. You can catch a floatplane out of Ancorage to Brooks Falls and camp there for a night. Brooks is where 99% percent of the pictures of grizzly's fishing are taken at. Its awesome. Beautiful country out there for sure.

[stang67]

My wife taught school in Naknek, Alaska last year, i went and visited seven times between august and july. We went all over Alaska. To me Anchorage in itself is just like any other city with some mountains in the background. I would suggest you budget some cash to take a couple of overnight trips out of Anchorage. I would rent a car and go up the Seward highway, see seward, whittier, take the fjord cruise, and then go to the Kenai peninsula for a couple of days. There are lots of rivers in the kenai along with some cool towns. Might think about checking out talketna when your around Denali. You should also think about going to Katmai National Park and go to Brooks Falls. You can catch a floatplane out of Ancorage to Brooks Falls and camp there for a night. Brooks is where 99% percent of the pictures of grizzly's fishing are taken at. Its awesome. Beautiful country out there for sure.

Thanks. Anchorage looks pretty well-centered for lots of the activities your mentioned, to me. I doubt we stay in town during the day much at all, and plan to have a rental car most of the time.

ETA: airfare from Anchorage to Brooks are >$600 for a one-day roundtrip package. Might have to miss Brooks Falls.

[stang67]

Spent a summer up there working on the russian river ferry, where the Russian River and Kenai join together, absolutely amazing fishing.

Hey bud, what are the fishing opportunities like for a hand that just, maybe, wanted to salmon fish for half a day? Is there a place I can rent stuff? Are such excursions always guided? Supply gear and bait? Do they take you out in groups? How does that work? Or can you even catch salmon in August?