Safety Tips When Running Into Bears in the Wild
Do you know how to stay safe if you run into bears in the wild in Alaska? Most people are frightened when accidentally encountering a bear, but bear encounters rarely turn aggressive. If you follow these tips, you’ll come away from your experience safely—and perhaps with a greater respect for the wonders of nature: Avoid whenever possible: Bears usually try to avoid humans as much as possible, so make sure to give bears their space. Don’t approach them in the wild, even to take a photo (no matter how cute they are). Stay calm and stick with your group: The best way to avoid bear encounters in the first place is to stick with your group and make plenty of noise as you walk through the bear habitat. This helps ensure that they’re not surprised by your appearance and won’t…
How to Stay Safe During a Flash Flood
If you’ve never witnessed a flash flood, chances are, you’ll be unprepared for the fast, powerful flooding. They can happen anywhere—even densely-populated urban environments—and cause property damage, injury and sometimes even death. Before you head out on a salmon charter fishing trip in Alaska, you should brush up on your flash flood safety tips. What is a flash flood? A flash flood can occur anywhere, usually due to heavy rainfall from severe storms. However, they can also start after mudslides, dam breakage and storm surges. They may appear with absolutely no warning, making it impossible to prepare yourself or your property in time. You should also know the difference between flood watches and flood warnings. If you hear of a flash flood watch, that simply means there is an increased likelihood of flash floods occurring—stay tuned to the news and…
Wildlife Laws to Know About in Alaska
An Alaskan fishing trip can be a life-changing experience. It’s simultaneously restful and exciting, serene and challenging. And when you’re casting your line into the stunning waters of Alaska, you get to fish surrounded by some of the most jaw-droppingly beautiful environments in the world. To be sure, whether you’re surrounded by friends or family (or both), whether it’s your first time or your hundredth, a fishing trip in Alaska isn’t to be missed. When you plan your once-in-a-lifetime trip, though, you will want to make sure your visit isn’t marred by a run-in with the law. To keep the pristine wilderness of Alaska overflowing with nature’s bounty, the state asks anglers to follow some specific guidelines. Here are some pertinent Alaskan wildlife laws to know before you set out. You want a sport fishing license There are four classifications…
What Makes the Best Bear Propellant?
If you’re going to be spending any time in the Alaskan backwoods, it’s important to come well-armed with bear spray. This spray is used to deter a bear while it’s charging. You’ll find bears all over the Alaskan woods, and while they’re normally docile if left alone, it can be surprisingly easy to startle one, at which point they can become protective and aggressive. It is therefore important to understand the kind of bear propellant you should get and how to use it. Here’s an overview of what you should know about the best bear spray propellants in Alaska. Selecting your bear spray The ideal bear spray will feature a strong and sturdy nozzle, an atomized propellant and a high-quality can. If any one of these elements is missing, the quality of the spray will be significantly reduced. Avoid purchasing…
Tips for Cooking Fresh Fish Over a Campfire
After catching and cleaning your wild-caught fish, the next step is to cook it. But cooking fish outside at a campsite is a little different from cooking fish at home in your kitchen. Never fear—here are some tips for cooking fresh fish over a campfire in Alaska. The basics of cooking fish in the wild Before diving into the different ways to cook fish while on a camping trip, let’s take a look at a few general quick tips for cooking fish in the great outdoors: Even if you don’t like to eat fish skin, keep it on while cooking. The skin helps preserve the fish’s natural oils and is what keeps the fish meat from flaking apart. Cooked fish skin is also easier to peel off. Let the fire burn for at least 30 minutes. This ensures the coals…
Social Distancing in the Great Outdoors Is Easy!
Not too long ago, you might have been making a list of items to bring camping in Alaska—but that was probably before the coronavirus outbreak. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, government and health officials have enforced stay-at-home orders, with the exception of leaving to get essentials like groceries, curbside food pickup, home improvement supplies and medical care. Some establishments are considered essential businesses, which allows them to provide goods or services while following social distancing guidelines. Sadly, fishing charters are not on this list. However, although you can’t head out on a guided fishing or camping adventure at the moment, not all individual outdoor activities are banned, just modified to comply with state and federal guidelines on social distancing. Here’s how to enjoy the great outdoors when social distancing during COVID-19: Follow official social distancing guidelines: Social or physical…
Here Are Essential Items You Really Need to Stock Up On
With COVID-19 spreading across the globe, it’s time for people to hunker down and quarantine themselves at home. News outlets are reporting on shoppers hoarding toilet paper and paper towels for the quarantine. Trust us, that’s not necessary! People need to think ahead and spend their money on things they’ll actually need when they’re stuck inside. The list below is items that are essential for quarantine in Alaska: Dry goods: Beans, rice, pasta, cereal and nuts will last in the pantry for months (if not years) without going bad. Get a few boxes of each and store them in the pantry for future use. Fresh food: As long as your fridge still works, you might as well pick up some fresh meat and produce when you’re at the store. Try to pick out fruits and vegetables that will last for…
How to Prep for a Fishing Trip
There’s nothing quite like a fishing trip to Alaska. If you come prepared, a beautiful, relaxing fishing trip can be a life-changing experience. Every year, countless people flock to Alaska to try their luck fishing out halibut, rockfish, salmon and cod, among others. More than 2 million fish come out of Alaska’s waters every year, and they come in all shapes and sizes and every color in the rainbow—and you can get your hands on one (or several). Kick things off by learning what to bring on a fishing trip in Alaska. Sunblock When you’re going to be spending the day on the water, the first thing you should do is consider your personal health and comfort. After all, no one wants to spend the day after their incredible Alaskan expedition nursing a nasty sunburn. Polarized sunglasses While you’re taking…
What Kinds of Freshwater Fish Are Found in Alaska’s Rivers?
A fishing trip in Alaska is something that fishers wait for their entire lives, and for good reason—the stunning natural beauty is matched only by the diversity of the fish that call the state’s rivers and streams their own. If you’ve ever wondered what potential fish in Alaska rivers are there for the taking on an Alaska fishing trip, here’s a smattering of the offerings. Whitefish If you come to Alaska with the aim of eating whatever you catch—and more power to you!—then you can’t do much better than one of the species of whitefish in Alaska. There are seven types of whitefish in all shapes and sizes. The one thing they have in common is that their taste is uniformly beloved. Even better for fishers, six of the seven known species of whitefish occupy the state’s rivers and streams….
When Does Fishing Season Start in Alaska?
Alaska’s natural wonders offer breathtaking views, incredible wildlife, miles of unspoiled wilderness and, of course, some of the finest fishing opportunities North America has to offer. Many of our customers ask us when the best time is to fish in Alaska, and we’re happy to say the answer is “year-round.” While we offer salmon fishing trips from May through November, general fishing excursions are available all year long. If you’re planning a fishing trip for a specific type of fish, you’ll want to plan around their peak season. However, if you’re coming for the experience rather than targeting a certain kind of fishing, you can safely book a trip whenever is best for you. We always recommend visiting in the summer, when the weather is especially pleasant and the fishing is great. Peak season for certain summer varieties Alaska’s freshwater…