Stay Safe on Your Alaskan Fishing Trip

Planning out an Alaskan fishing trip is an exciting endeavor, but it can also leave first time travelers feeling a bit nervous about safety. Alaskan fishing trips can be dangerous if participants fail to take proper safety measures, but as long as you and your companions follow a few simple guidelines, you should have nothing to worry about. Here are a few pointers to keep in mind to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable adventure.

• Plan your trip well. An Alaskan fishing trip isn’t really something you can just “wing,” especially if you’ve never done one before. You’ll want to do your research and plan out exactly when and where things will happen so as to avoid confusion and possibly dangerous uncharted territory. If you aren’t the planning type, a service like Phantom Tri-River Charters can help plan your trip for you.
• Purify your water. Here in Alaska, our beautiful, perfectly clear water can entice some visitors so much that they drink it straight from the source. But no matter how pristine the water may look, there could always be diseases or unwanted bacteria in it, so be sure to always be drinking filtered or purified water on your fishing trip.
• Don’t be a daredevil. Knowing one’s own limitations is one of the most important traits a traveler on an Alaskan fishing trip can have. Never try hiking a glacier or mudflat without consulting a local expert first, and consider taking guided tours of particularly rugged terrain instead of going it alone.
• Wear proper clothing. This should be a no-brainer, but it’s always important to note that having multiple layers of warm, durable and waterproof clothing is a must when touring Alaska. If you’re traveling through a guided service, ask them what specific clothing and brands you should use, or consult someone at your local camping and wilderness store.
• Learn how to recognize and treat hypothermia. If you follow these other guidelines, hopefully it will never come to this, but it’s still a good idea to learn the signs and treatments for hypothermia. Someone from your group should also have a standard first aid kit with them at all times.
• Learn how to act around wildlife. There’s a good chance you might end up spotting other animals besides fish, so it’s crucial to be aware of how you should behave around them. Do some research into signs of alarm and how to ensure the animals don’t perceive you as a threat.
• Be respectful of Alaska natives. Remember that although Alaska may not be your home, it is home to many people, and you should treat it the way you would a friend’s home. Don’t be too rowdy, don’t litter and try to stick to your path to minimize disruption.

Alaskan fishing trips are almost always a positive, life-affirming experience. To make sure your trip goes well for you and your friends, remember that you can never be too prepared. We at Phantom Tri-River Charters wish you a happy fishing trip!