How DIY is Alaska?

[Devan S.]

I am beginning the process of planning for Alaska most likely year after next. Historically our western native trips involve camping/sleeping/boondocking in the car just as we go vs. a set plan. We loosely plan but generally hotels and the like are just not where we want/need them to be(and I assume its worse in Alaska). 

My question to those that have gone and done is this method reasonable for Alaska? Tips/tricks/concerns?

Target would be Grayling, Rainbows, Dollies, Artic Char, and Lake Trout. The last 2 being "nice to catch" vs. must catch due to logistical challenges. 

Probably a drive between Fairbanks and Anchorage and back as I think I want to explore and fish the Chena river. 

Is there something that is a DO NOT MISS? This will be my first time in Alaska but not likely my last. 

[Al Agnew]

The drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks is well worth it.  But it's not easy to get a lot of good fishing doing it yourself.  You'll pass a few really nice small streams that should have grayling and dolly varden, but the rivers that might have rainbows (and salmon) are mostly just too big and brawling to get much fishing done from the bank anyplace you can reach from the highway.  And there aren't many places to fish that you CAN reach from the highway.  Alaska is mainly for the angler who can afford to do fly-in trips and guided rafting trips.  There are a few businesses that will rent you a raft and even shuttle you for a float, but I know people who have had some really bad experiences doing that, including flipping rafts on rivers where they weren't warned about the difficulty, and run-ins with bears.

The drive from Anchorage down the Kenai Peninsula will put you on a few good streams.  The Russian River gets pounded, but has a lot of nice rainbows.

[Devan S.]

Thanks @Al Agnew this was my concern when I watch videos it seems as if the whole use an outfitter is 95% of the game. 

Because I want to see and do as much as possibly shacking up in a single location seems boring-Daily flights out seem prohibitively expensive for a week long trip. Maybe someday but not now. 

Is there places that would just do say short notice day guide trips vs. full blown packages on some of the big name rivers?

[Al Agnew]

We have stayed at lodges on the Kenai Peninsula that had guides who took us out on several local rivers.  We also stayed one time for three days at a cabin on Lake Creek.  But I have to admit, those experiences were mixed.  The cabin was...VERY rustic, as in filthy, though the fishing was pretty good and Lake Creek was somewhat wadeable.  The one lodge we stayed at was pretty expensive, and as my parents' neighbor used to say, "ritzy-titzy", not really our cup of tea; and their guides were a mixed bag.  But we fished for king salmon on one river that I forget the name, and for sockeye salmon on the upper Kenai (also catching a bunch of dolly varden).  Do your research and check out all the possibilities.

[Quillback]

You might want to look at Vancouver Island.  You can drive there, 2,000+ miles from here, and you will need to take a ferry to get to the island.  Native trout in the streams are all catch and release, so should provide for some good fishing.  If you are willing to bushwhack you can get on some pretty remote stuff.  

I' have fished the saltwater out of Barclay Sound and on the drive there, passed over several streams that looked pretty good.

You can search "Vancouver Island trout fishing" for some info.

[Gavin]

You could fly to Anchorage and do some DIY stuff around Cooper Landing or Soldatna. You WILL want to do some fly outs and a halibut charter. You can book those on a daily basis through lots of outfitters.

[nomolites]

17 hours ago, Gavin said:

You could fly to Anchorage and do some DIY stuff around Cooper Landing or Soldatna. You WILL want to do some fly outs and a halibut charter. You can book those on a daily basis through lots of outfitters.

I would agree…have done this and had a blast.  There are VRBO houses along the coast that allow easy access to the inlet as well as the Kenia and Kasilov for salmon.  I recommend drifting the Kasilov, it is a much better experience than the Kenai ⭕️.

Mike