Alaska

[kjackson]

This probably isn't going to be on your agenda, but for an excellent taste of coastal Alaska, I would recommend Kodiak Island.  I've fished out of Sitka a couple of times and been to the Soldotna-Seward area four or five times. I've been on a cruise once with family as well.  For the greatest variety of scenery and wildlife, Kodiak is it...granted, I've only been there once, but it beats the rest of tourist Alaska IMO.  Not that I'm running down any part of the state, mind you, but...

We stayed at a lodge in Port Lyons that has since closed. There is (or was) at least one other lodge in the area.  We saw bears, foxes, herds or whatever you call a gathering of sea otters, foxes on the beach, bears on the beach and humpback whales feeding on krill.  We fished near the whales, BTW and caught the stuffing out of cod.  We fished the inside as the outside was rough (Alaskan rough water is not something you want to experience!), and we caught a much wider variety of fish than I've run into in other spots: Pacific cod, black rockfish, lingcod, halibut, coho, feeder chinook, and some fish I've never seen before, including one with blue eyes and the rock greenling in my avatar.  I also did a flyout to Kodiak from Soldotna to fish for chinook in an estuary and have bear stories from there. 

However, if you're stuck in the Soldotna area, I would do a float on the upper Kenai for rainbows and skip bumper boats in the lower river or the Kasilof.  The rainbows grow really big and make you think you've hooked a jetski when they run...

[Ham]

On January 28, 2017 at 8:28 PM, TrophyFishR said:

Any ideas or stories about family vacations in alaska? I want my 5 year old son to see something that he will remember for a lifetime. We only get so much time on this earth.

You getting mauled by a bear comes to mind. 

[Flysmallie]

5 minutes ago, Ham said:

You getting mauled by a bear comes to mind. 

I've been wanting to catch a little baby bear to turn into my new floating buddy. 

[Guest]

I'm sure you could find plenty of bear cubs at the Dickson street theater. 

[Ham]

On January 28, 2017 at 10:31 PM, TrophyFishR said:

I'm shooting for August next year. Mainly because I hate August in Arkansas

Lol, you don't want to experience August in Louisiana then

[Guest]

I'm starting to rethink this trip for something in the lower 48. I could take 2 vacations instead of 1 next year. Alaska is out of my budget, but there are plenty of places up north or out west that are on my bucket list. 

[Guest]

4 hours ago, Ham said:

Lol, you don't want to experience August in Louisiana then

I actually lived in NW LA one summer, it's about the same as south Arkansas. Not too my liking.

but I fished a lot that summer & caught bass consistently. Natchitoches has a couple ponds scattered around with big bass. I didn't fish the river though. All I had was a scamp back then. 

[Deadstream]

5 year old son limits you I think.      Alaska when he is older, and can pay your way !    The Grand Canyon ,Mackinaw Island in Michigan,etc might be a better idea.  Heck,  White Rock Mountian in ARK. is great.    Have fun, he will love anything you do together!