I grew up hearing Dad talk about his adventures on Alaska fishing trips. He’d talk of flying in on a seaplane just below the clouds, and lush, majestic island mountains soaring from the sea. He’d rave of dark waters filled with fish, and how he’d catch his limit while orca breached nearby, and bald eagles filled the air.
I remember staring in wonder at the photos he’d bring back, and leaning in closer asking him to tell me another story about this enchanted land and the man who made these Alaska fishing adventures magical: Larry McQuarrie, better known as “Captain Mac.” Obliging, he’d fill my head with tales of giant Alaskan salmon and halibut caught on fishing trips of the past.
Years passed and the circumstances of life changed. Dad didn’t travel up to Alaska for twenty years. He spent his time and money instead on planning roller hockey travel tournaments for his sons’ teams, and running his business. I started to forget about Alaska fishing excursions and all the stories he used to tell me as a kid. Then, one day, my phone rang and he asked me if I and my wife would like to go with him to Sportsman’s Cove Lodge on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska, to meet that old friend of his, Captain Mac.
That summer, we would go on the absolute best vacation of my life. Not only does Sportsman’s Cove Lodge run one of the best Alaska fishing charters out there, they run one of the best resorts in Alaska too. Never before or since have I been treated to a customer experience so flawlessly executed, by a staff as hard-working, knowledgeable, and dedicated. Within fifteen seconds of arrival, I knew I was going to be treated like a king.
Why You Should Choose Sportsman’s Cove for Your Alaskan Fishing Adventure
There are a number of different Alaska fishing lodges who offer a fishing charter service. My father has been to several, and all have their advantages. Some are positioned in the most remote, pristine waters. Others are so bare-boned that it really feels like a true Alaska fishing adventure just to get there and survive for a week. Sportsman’s Cove Lodge’s big advantage — and this is key — is that it is the most exceptionally family-friendly Alaskan fishing lodge of the bunch.
I can think of few places on earth that would be better to bring the wife and kids along for your fishing charter. There are several important amenities available at Sportsman’s Cove that are going to go over well with your family.
Top-Notch Customer Service
First, staff has impeccable manners and customer service. Even the phrase, “No problem” is forbidden, as Captain Mac wants nothing of this double dose of negativity. The whole crew has obviously put a ton of time into thinking of every detail.
Great Amenities for the Middle of Nowhere
I’d almost be inclined to go so far as to say Sportsman’s Cove lodge is a true Alaska luxury fishing lodge. This is saying a lot for an organization that’s in the middle of nowhere. They go to great pains to hire the finest chefs who serve up exquisite meals, they have comfortable accommodations with breathtaking views, and they even have a hot tub.
Now, let’s not mince words about it: this is an Alaskan fishing lodge, not a spa. You’re there to fish primarily. It’s run by anglers, for anglers, and no one is going to break out their cummerbund. I’m not sure what exactly all the “Grey Poupon folk” out there would think of my labeling it an Alaskan luxury fishing lodge. All I know is for the normal folk of the world, this is the place that you can take a guest who isn’t a fanatical angler, and he/she will still have a good time and feel comfortable. Dad has gone to several other Alaskan fishing lodges over the years and while they too sound like a blast, it’s pretty clear from his stories that Sportsman’s Cove is the one to bring your family to.
The Best Alaskan Fishing Charter Boats, Bar None
Secondly, the charter boats are custom-made with an enclosed, heated cabin. This is important if it starts to rain (as it does from time to time), or if someone just needs to take a break and warm up. Additionally, the boats are cleaned nightly and are spotless in time for the next charter.
Alaskan Fishing Charters are Cruises That Aren’t Boring
Finally, there’s great scenery. I hear of so many people spending just as much money to go on a cruise to Alaska as they would to go to this world class Alaskan fishing resort. Look, nothing against the place, but Ketchikan is one of the stops on most of these cruises. The people are friendly and all, but you’re not there to look at the town – you’re there to look at the natural beauty. That can be done just as well or better from an Alaskan fishing charter as a cruise ship!
Arrival in Ketchikan to Start Your Alaska Fishing Excursion
You’ll arrive at Ketchikan International Airport by whatever airline brought you. It’s about the smallest international airport you’ll ever see. You’ll then need to transfer to a seaplane to reach the lodge. Depending on timing, you may have an opportunity to explore the town a bit.
Ketchikan is filled with natural beauty, but is definitely a frontier town. Unfortunately, we went during the tail end of the recession and found that many of the shops were shuttered. Those that were open were run by friendly and helpful staff and had no shortage of Alaskan souvenirs. If you’re after collectibles you might want to stock up now as there may not be time when you return from the lodge (also, it’s much easier to browse without carrying a box of frozen fish with you).
All in all, Ketchikan is a quaint little town that leaves a good impression of Alaska as the great frontier. It’s worth timing your flights so that you have a few hours to explore before you take your float plane to the lodge. Just remember that if you have young kids in tow, depending on how the economy is going, there may not be an enormous amount of stuff to do.
Layover In Seattle
If you’re traveling very far, I would recommend that you plan to spend a night in Seattle. There is nothing worse than starting your vacation tired, and getting to Alaska from most places can be an ordeal. Go ahead and spend an extra PTO day to ensure that you’re well rested when it is time to reel in all those giant Alaska salmon and halibut – you’ll thank me later!
Float Plane to the Lodge
One of the more interesting things about this whole experience is how you need to load up on a tiny little float plane to reach the lodge. As soon as you step into this you will know that you’re on a true Alaskan fishing adventure.
I’m not crazy about heights or flying, so you might think a rickety prop plane would be terrifying. Strangely, I found it less stressful than jumbo jets. It’s a much more personal experience where you’re right there with the pilot (one of you will even sit next to him) and you’re able to look around and enjoy the scenery. The planes don’t go very high up in the air, either, and you have the peace of mind of knowing that it’s basically a flying boat, and you’re mostly flying over water. You also get to keep repeating to yourself, “I need to do this to get to my Alaska fishing trip!” over and over again as much as necessary to keep your spirits up!
The trip itself doesn’t take very long – maybe 20 minutes or so. You’ll wish it was longer, as you’re treated to a birds-eye view of Alaska’s true beauty. If you’re lucky you might see a whale while you’re up there. At the very least you’re going to catch a glimpse of some great scenery as there are dozens of islands littering the sea.
Landing on the water is an interesting experience in and of itself. It’s much smoother than you might think and not as scary as it sounds. Once you slow down a bit, your plane converts to a de facto boat, which, given you’re on a fishing blog, you should be able to handle.
Arrival at Your Alaskan Fishing Resort
Do you remember how I told you that within fifteen seconds of arrival, I knew I’d be treated like a king? Let me explain why.
The float plane pulls up to the dock where the entire staff is waiting, waving, and smiling. OK, that’s pretty cool and not something you see at every hotel, but the really impressive part was the instant I stepped off the plane, they greeted me by name. “Hi John! Welcome to Sportsman’s Cove!”
I have no idea how they did it. Three or four floatplanes landed at once, and there were six of us on it. I can only assume that they had some sort of arrangement with the airline and figured it out by the flight number, but however they did, it was an awesome touch and set the stage for a great week.
Having stewards ready to take our luggage right at the dock meant that all we had to worry about was marveling at the lodge, dreaming of our and getting ready to kick off our Alaskan fishing adventure.
The Friendliest, Best-Trained, Most Diligent Staff that Ever Existed
Sportsman’s Cove Lodge has exceptional standards for their staff. As mentioned earlier, they take customer service so seriously that even the phrase, “no problem” is forbidden. Their staff bends over backwards to make your fishing trip to Alaska the best vacation of your life.
Let’s face it. Hospitality can be a grueling business. We’ve all been to that hotel that has the snarky concierge or maid. Not so in Sportsman’s Cove – they have more smiles per capita than Disney World.
This is all the more amazing when you consider what stress the staff must be under to keep things running smoothly. They work long hours, far from their family and friends for the entire summer. They’re held to very high standards that are impeccably met day by day. They work in a high-stress environment where everything is accomplished in a flurry. They do this day in, day out. While I’d hope most guests are polite, I’m sure some aren’t. While I’d imagine most guests are fairly self-sufficient, I’m sure they have their divas. That the staff is able to seamlessly deliver such a high standard of care is a testament to their work ethic, upbringing, and training.
If I could offer two more compliments:
- It’s been years since I’ve been there, and I still am raving about their customer service;
- For the rest of my life, if I ever see a resume that has “Sportsman’s Cove Lodge” on it, that’ll be the candidate to beat.
They are that good.
Orientation
Shortly after everyone arrives and gets settled into their rooms, there is an orientation at your first dinner. This includes going around the room and doing introductions, which might be a little annoying for those of you trying to forget what Zoom calls are like, but does at least attempt to get everyone friendly and socializing.
You’ll be seated at your table with your captain and will make plans for the next day as you break the ice and get to know each other. They’re all friendly and extremely knowledgeable charter captains with years of experience between them. If you have someone in your group who isn’t the strongest angler, let the captain know and they’ll be happy to give a quick warm up/demonstration down at the dock of how to fish the different techniques you’ll be using.
You’ll also be handed a piece of paper that asks what niceties you’d like for your trip the next day. Have a favorite soda or beer? If it’s at the lodge, it’ll be on the boat waiting for you the next day. Any special requests, like a left-handed reel? Let them know and they’ll do their best to accommodate you (just remember, it’s not like they can send someone to Cabela’s that night, so if you have anything truly out there, make sure you organize that with them well in advance of your trip).
After a hearty dinner and orientation, it’s time to hit the sack as the fleet leaves early the next morning!
Fisherman’s Breakfast
They don’t send you off for your Alaska fishing trip with an empty stomach. There is a full fisherman’s breakfast each morning that will fill you up. Coffee, eggs and bacon are standard fare while there’s also plenty of fruit. Once you finish, there’s a table full of cold cuts for you to make your own lunch for the day.
Your charter captain will again be there with you for breakfast, and you’ll put together the details for the day’s Alaskan fishing adventure. You might take a vote to decide if you’re going for bottom fishing for halibut and lingcod or if you’d prefer to fish for salmon. The weather will have some say in all of this, of course.
Once breakfast is over, it’s down to the docks where you’ll gear up and load up and get ready for your adventure. The boats will be in tip-top shape, clean as the day they were bought, and it’ll seem like you were the first person to ever board them.
Alaska Guided Fishing Trips
Let’s face it, great as the customer service and amenities are, the main reason you’re at Sportsman’s Cove is for a memorable Alaska fishing excursion. You’ll be in luck as the lodge boasts some of Alaska’s best fishing guides, and they all work together. While the fleet of several ships goes out together, they will break apart slightly in search of fish. If one ship hits pay dirt they’ll often radio the other charter boats in to make sure every crew has an enjoyable experience.
Your fishing guides will take you in search of two main Alaskan fish species: salmon and halibut. That’s not to say there aren’t plenty of cod, lingcod, and rock bass too, but at least the times I went out, we focused on these two major species. Of these, I preferred fishing for salmon as I found mooching to be much more fun than jigging the bottom, but Dad prefers the latter as it’s a bit easier on him (at least until the fish bite).
Some of the Best Salmon Fishing a Trip to Alaska Can Provide
Sportsman’s Cove Lodge is about an hour away from some of the best salmon fishing in Alaska. When the Coho are running, your fishing charter can have a salmon in the boat every few minutes. Your experienced Alaska fishing guides will have you catch salmon in two ways: mooching and trolling.
Most people are probably familiar with the concept of trolling for salmon. Basically, you take a lure or bait, or some other kind of salmon trolling rig, and drag it behind a moving boat until a fish hits. It’s a great way to pass the time while you relax in the heated cabin and have a coffee or beer. It’s not all that different than trolling for pickerel in shallow water, just the hits are bigger and the bait runs deeper.
Mooching fishing, on the other hand, might be a bit new to some. You basically take a mooching rod, which is long and strong, and reminds me a bit of a muskie rod, and you drop your mooching rig (usually some sort of cut plug herring or the like) down to a bit past where salmon are showing up on the flasher. Then you reel it up into and then past them a bit. Once you’re past, you can drop it into them again – just be prepared for a hit as many come on the drop!
Mooching Rig
So what is a mooching rig exactly? Well, it’s basically a cut plug herring attached to two hooks that dangle 4-6′ away from a large lead sinker via a swivel. The idea is to have the herring spin in a tight circle when retrieved so that all its scales can flash and call the fish in. The faster the retrieve, the tighter the circle. If the cut plug herring isn’t spinning, something’s gone wrong and you need to address it. Luckily for you, at Sportsman’s Cove Lodge, the captain and deckhand are Johnny on the spot and notice there’s an issue long before you do.
What Type of Alaska Salmon Will You Catch on Your Charter?
We caught four species of salmon while fishing in Alaska:
- Coho were the most common, and put up a pretty good fight. You’ll find that most of your fish box is filled with this species.
- Pink salmon are delicious, but they have such soft mouths that it can be difficult to land them.
- Chum salmon are also called dog salmon – according to the crew, this is a good one to smoke as they aren’t as tasty as the rest.
- King salmon live up to their name. This salmon is one of the hardest fighting, most acrobatic and spectacular fish you can catch in Alaska. When you have one of these on the line, you’ll know it as they’ll make long jumps and runs and generally put on a show.
Intense Alaska Halibut Fishing Trip
We went to Sportsmans’ Cove when salmon were biting and concentrated on those, so we didn’t spend as much time fishing for halibut. As a result, I never saw any of the true monsters that the lodge has on their website, but I know they’re out there! All the same, we caught limits of eating size halibut. While I suppose there’s something to be said for catch and release fishing, you probably didn’t travel all the way to this remote corner of the globe without wanting to fill your cooler.
Regardless, a 40lb halibut puts up one heck of a fight. It would be the fish of a lifetime for your kids and not exactly boring for you, either. While it’s not the true monster that you may have heard of, it’s nothing to sneeze at, and you never know – much larger ones could be lurking. You just might have to be prepared to throw them back if they’re outside the slot limit!
Fishing for halibut is more of a “deep sea” Alaska fishing excursion. We would find halibut in much deeper water than the salmon, in general and fishing for them was different. You drop a bait all the way to the bottom and start pounding on it like you’re knocking on a door. Eventually, a fish swims by and you have quite the fight on your hands. It was like reeling in a ticked off magic carpet, so make sure you load up on that Fisherman’s breakfast and have your energy.
A Feast for Ages
Sportsman’s Cove’s deckhands and shore help take care of all the fish cleaning for you. All you’ll need to do is let them know if you want any of your salmon smoked for a slight charge. The rest will be cut up and placed in boxes. You you can either check them with you through the airport, or ship them to your house. Considering we normally would drive two hours to Boston to catch a flight, we usually paid for the shipping, but to each their own.
We’ve been cooking these fish for years, compliments of Dad’s many trips to Alaska. There are no finer tasting halibut and salmon than line-caught, wild Alaskan fish filets. You would certainly do yourself a disservice if you went all the way there and didn’t at least bring back one box.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alaskan Fishing Adventures
Below are some common questions people may have about their next fishing trip to Alaska. If you have a question that isn’t answered, feel free to email me or post a comment and I’ll make sure that I get back to you.
What Should You Bring to Your Alaska Fishing Trip?
While I can’t speak for other outfits, if you go to Sportsman’s Cove, you don’t need to bring a whole lot. Basically, you just need to bring yourself and the clothes you would normally wear. Sportsman’s cove provides all the raingear you would need as well as boots (you should consider bringing some shoe inserts).
You will want a camera, and any creature comforts from home. Bear in mind that most of these fishing resorts are in remote parts of Alaska, and it’s not exactly like there’s a drug store down the street. While they may have some basic toiletries available, this isn’t guaranteed and the selection won’t be great to begin with. if you absolutely can’t live without something, bring it yourself.
One final suggestion: bring one of those sleeper blindfolds. Depending on what month you go, the sun might never set.
What Should You Wear for an Alaskan Fishing Adventure?
This might strike some as obvious, but Alaska is pretty darned cold even in June or August (the two times we went). I’m looking back through all our pictures and I’ve yet to see one where we aren’t bundled up. Here’s one of my wife in a hoodie with some crazy fur hat. Perhaps it gets warm for a week or so in July, but you should plan on wearing spring clothes. The sort of stuff you’d wear during your spring or fall cleanup out in the yard is usually pretty good.
If you visit Sportsman’s Cove, they have all the raingear you need. That isn’t guaranteed at the other Alaskan fishing lodges you might try. You’ll want to scour their website and ensure you aren’t unpleasantly surprised.
With all that being said, remember that you need to take a float plane to reach most of the Alaskan fishing resorts. These planes have limited payload capacity, so don’t go bringing oodles of luggage with you.
Should You Tip Your Alaska Fishing Guide or Deckhand?
Yes. A 15 to 20% gratuity would be very nice of you. Frankly, I’ve yet to meet any person on this earth who busted their butt more than our deckhand Cody did all those years ago. That man was up before all of us and worked through our dinner. He was easily pulling 14 hour days if not more to make our trip memorable, all while smiling. He earned every penny of this tip!
How Much Does a Fishing Trip to Alaska Cost?
You’ll want to reach out to Sportsman’s Cove or other Alaskan fishing charters directly for information on pricing. They have different packages available depending on the number of days you want to fish and what lodging you’d like to book. What I can tell you is from looking at your average cruise pamphlets, the price is comparable. Again, if you’re going to Alaska, it’s to see the wildlife more than the cities. It makes little sense to book a cruise for that to stare at Orca from 50 feet in the air. They swim right next to the charter boats, along with seals, whales, and other critters.
Taking Kids Fishing at Sportsman’s Cove
Given this website caters to helping families take their kids fishing, I’d be remis if I didn’t provide some information about how to take your children on an Alaskan fishing adventure. I reached out to Sportsman’s Cove’s general manager, Patty Seaman, or “Miss Patty” as she is affectionately known at the lodge. She was kind enough to answer several questions about fishing with children in Alaska.
What is the minimum age you recommend for visiting children?
We have found that 11 years old seems to be the age that most kids have some kind of attention span to allow them to be on boats where they don’t impact other guests.
What would be the ideal ratio for parents to children (could 2 parents bring up to 4 kids to fill out the 6 spots on a boat, or would you recommend a 1:1 ratio?)
We have two gentlemen that each bring their 3 boys and they began when the first ones were as young as 10. I think it is all in how the kids are raised and if they are respectful of the parent and their surroundings.
Is there a particular time of year that you think younger kids would do better with?
Perhaps this could be due to weather, types of fish, etc. I think the earlier trips would be better. Granted, there may be fewer fish but then the deckhand would have more time to spend individually with the young person. When it is crazy busy the kids may not get the same attention.
Is there anything parents should do to prep their kids for the trip? I know your staff does a great job of making sure everyone knows how to mooch right off the dock the night before, but what would be helpful for people to arrive knowing?
To be respectful of the other guests, not to run on the dock. If they are younger and unaccompanied the kids need to understand that they will be asked to wear a life jacket on the dock, not just on the boat. To understand that the captain and the deckhand are to be listened to, and follow their instructions, while on the boat. That we don’t have the best internet.
Is there a particular cabin at the lodge that you think would be best for parents to rent?
No, the Cottage might be the best place but it is always booked over a year in advance. As long as the parent is able to navigate the stairs, any place is good. That being said, the kids should not be allowed to climb on the railings in the Eagles Nest for fear of falling.
Anything else that you think would be important for parents to know?
Just that the parent will be the very best judge if their kids are actually interested and well behaved enough to spend the money on them for the trip. It’s a big $$ investment for a very young person to be here and be allowed to waste their time on an electronic device instead of enjoying the outdoors.
Conclusions
Sportsman’s Cove Lodge is always going to have a special place in my heart. We went there twice before my children were born, and chances are I’ll be there again, this time with them. While there are plenty of good Alaskan fishing lodges out there, Sportsman’s Cove is the Alaskan fishing lodge to go to with your family. It’s accessible for everyone from kids to grandparents and fun for all. The staff is singularly committed to leaving you with only the best impression. The natural beauty is unparalleled, and the fishing guide service is among the best Alaska has to offer.
In short, if you book your first Alaska fishing trip at Sportsman’s Cove lodge, I’m sure it won’t be your last.
Thanks for reading. If there’s anything else you’d like to know about my experiences at this fabulous Alaskan fishing resort and lodge, please feel free to reach out.
Have a great day for fishing,
John Paxton
