Travel to Alaska – The most common itinerary includes a flight that arrives at Anchorage International Airport. I’m no Anchorage fan, but flights into Anchorage are easy, there’s a variety of rental car options available there, and the 2.5-3 hour drive between Anchorage and the central Kenai Peninsula is an absolutely gorgeous introduction to the state!

 

Car Rental – You’ll need a vehicle for your time in southcentral Alaska, not only to get from Anchorage to the Kenai, but also to meet your guide for each fishing trip, to access grocery stores & restaurants, and to be able to properly explore the surrounding sights at your leisure. All the major rental car companies operate out of the Anchorage Airport, there are many vehicles available from Turo, and there are a few private car rental companies to consider as well. Remember to rent a vehicle that fits your party, your luggage, and leaves some room for fish boxes at the end of your trip!

 

Meals/Food – Almost all of the lodges in the central Kenai Peninsula do not include food/meals in their packages, ours included. There are a few reasons for this: First of all, it allows us to make your trip much more affordable. Second, there are many restaurants and grocery stores in the area so finding good food is easy & convenient. Third, our cabins have kitchens so you’re able to choose whether you want to cook for yourselves, go out to eat, or a mix of both. Finally, handling your own meals keeps your schedule free to eat when, what, and where you want rather than being stuck to the menu and timing of a lodge schedule. Overall, our guests express very much that they appreciate the many benefits of DIY when it comes to handling their own meals.

 

Fishing Licenses – You’ll need to purchase a fishing license for each day that you’ll be fishing, whether you’re fishing with a guide or on your own. Fishing licenses can be purchased online very easily on the ADF&G website. Purchase a standard fishing license without any special stamps unless you’re instructed to purchase a king salmon stamp, which can be added later if needed.

 

Fish Processing – There are several fish processing businesses in the area, and we process some of the fish for our lodging guests as well. The price for vacuum packing and freezing is typically around $2+ per pound, which includes storage of your fish until you’re ready to depart. We also sell insulated fish boxes so that you can either ship your fillets, or bring them with you on your trip back home. Fillets should stay frozen for up to 48 hours in these insulated travel boxes, so unless you have an unusual itinerary, you should have plenty of time to get them home and in your freezer. Flying with your fish as extra luggage is typically a much cheaper option than shipping, but we can help you with whichever option you decide to go with.

 

Clothing – Alaska weather is unpredictable. This means you’ll need layers and waterproof gear on each trip, although you never know how much of it you’ll wind up utilizing. I tell everyone to wear warm socks, waterproof footwear, a base layer, a jacket, and rain gear. If you have the right gear you’ll be ready whether the temps are in the 70’s or the 40’s, and whether it’s sunny or not.

 

Waders – Waders are needed on some of our guided fishing trips, primarily any river trips that include sockeye fishing. We do provide hip boots and sometimes low budget chest waders, but if you have your own breathable chest waders, that’s always a great plan. These waders keep you warm & dry, allow you to get in & out of the boat with ease, and it’s always nice having your own gear that you know fits you well. There are some good low-budget options out there, so let us know if you need recommendations.

 

Gratuity – Our guides do depend on gratuity as part of their compensation, but you should also expect good service before offering up your tip money, so please use your own digression. Unfortunately there’s no “normal” amount to tip fishing guides, but if you plan on around $50/person per trip, you’re generally in the right neighborhood. You can choose to increase or decrease that amount based on your budget and the performance of your guide of course.

 

Travel Insurance – We can provide a full refund if you cancel outside of 90 days prior to your scheduled date, but we understand that unexpected things can happen in life, and so we highly recommend purchasing travel insurance… just in case. Keep in mind, we are a small business and so a relatively short-notice cancellation can be a significant burden for both parties. Travel insurance avoids an awkward situation for both of us as losses are covered by the insurance company, and it’s surprisingly affordable. Shop travel insurance here – ROAM RIGHT