Alaska or Bust

[Advmoto18]

Having fly fished from Finland to AK and down to Chile, I learned a long time ago best to go with local flyer tiers if at all possible and certainly local knowledge if you're tying.

In the 90s, I was flying all over Europe and South America. I never had a lot of time at any one place, so I generally relied on sourcing flies locally; and what a difference it made. Even met the King of Sweden once as I was landing/releasing salmon from the island park on the Lilla Vartan. First trip to Sweden with flies I tied from a book, got skunked. Called a fly fishing shop in Stockholm and had flies delivered to the hotel. Next trip, got into the backing quite a few times.

To maximize your enjoyment with limited time to fly fish...talk to the locals at each stop you intend to fly fish and offer to buy their flies. Check out some of the fly fishing forums and make virtual contacts so you have a contact upon arrival. Doing this worked in my favor more times than not.

Can't wait to read about your planning and actual trip!

 

[buckland]

I was a teacher for 30 years. I taught in Paraguay (American Embassy) 1979-81, Kobe Japan (International School 82-84, American School in London 91-92, Amherst MA (25) the rest... I have fly fished in ...well a heck of a lot of countries...alway with the backpack and a very slim budget... lots of fun... some great fish always an adventure.
I think you are right I will bring a basic fly assortment and buy local ones ...it is wise. No tying but for fun. Being from the east our trout and salmon are small in comparison to the west. I just want to be sure to have some line/leader/tippet in the vest when the need arrives.
Isn't life great that I am thinking thoughts of fishing and traveling to see mountains and water... it is indeed a trip of a lifetime.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Rob as a fly fisher also I did a little in the Kenai. I carry 3 rods,3/4w LLBean,5w Winston and a 4w custom bamboo. Mostly use the bamboo,but I fish for small fish. I carry pack-able waders and a float tube. Haven't used the tube in a while but it's in the truck if needed.
There are sooo many places to fish mostly salmon but a lot of the fishing is combat style. I like trout but did get into some salmon at one of our campgrounds,Quartz Creek NF CG. Campground is right on the river and when we were there the fish were in. Not huge fish 10/15 # but they are almost to the end of the journey so they just attack the fly.
But as the females lay the eggs the trout are around to feast on them.
That's the Cooper Landing area,very popular for salmon/trout. Some lakes with campgrounds and fish.

When you are in the Homer area you will cross the Anchor River,very small stream with 5 small camps along the river,from the
main road to the Cooks Inlet. Nice spots especially the last one. Didn't fish there but saw a few fishers,and fish.

There are sports stores like Bass pro/Cabala's type,very helpful staff. I don't know if you can get a license in Whittier,but there are fly shops along the way not far out of Whittier,before you get to places to fish or you hit some on the return trip back up to Anchorage.
I got a 3 day license there but you might want a week or 2 week one. I think the 2 week was $80 that's the least money for the time.
But again plan how long and where you will fish no need to get more time than you need.Save some $ for the YukonBC license,
Last I bought one they were reasonable.

Go on line to the Alaskan/Yukon/BC dept of fish and you will find out more info than you will need.

When you get to Denali and I hope you save a few days for that area, the fishing is free,but there isn't much to fish in.
Most of the rivers you will be near are glacier fed so the water is too milky for fish. There is one stream that you will have fun and luck fishing.The Savage River near the campground of the same name has a small side stream that is clear and has Arctic Grayling.
Fun little fish to catch.

I am sure I have gotten long winded but that's how I roll.
Enjoy remember use my tel# I would be more than happy to chat about Alaska.
Have a wonderful holiday.
Frank

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Rob my Truckfridge is the 45l cooler 2way. It kept a 40* temp all the trip.
I keep the safety switch on high so the battery doesn't get drained below 12v.
Worked well into the 5th night. By the time we got to Whittier it had shut off but temp was still around 40*

Also there is a ice machine on board you can use. Helps for maybe keeping things cool in the cabin.
Frank

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Arctic Grayling from the Savage River ,Denali.
Frank

 

[Advmoto18]

I was a teacher for 30 years. I taught in Paraguay (American Embassy) 1979-81, Kobe Japan (International School 82-84, American School in London 91-92, Amherst MA (25) the rest... I have fly fished in ...well a heck of a lot of countries...alway with the backpack and a very slim budget... lots of fun... some great fish always an adventure.
I think you are right I will bring a basic fly assortment and buy local ones ...it is wise. No tying but for fun. Being from the east our trout and salmon are small in comparison to the west. I just want to be sure to have some line/leader/tippet in the vest when the need arrives.
Isn't life great that I am thinking thoughts of fishing and traveling to see mountains and water... it is indeed a trip of a lifetime.

Completely agree!

I had never fly fished until my wife's uncle turned me onto Rainbows and Browns on very small western NC trout streams in the early 80s. He'd have me wear camouflage t shirts and roll cast specially tied Royal Wulffs to hook up sketchy trout. If you had 10' of fly line out beyond the leader, that was A LOT of line out. The mountain laurel was very unforgiving of flies cast overhand; I have more lost flies in mountain laurel than elsewhere.

I then flew out of Miami where I became extremely addicted bonefish, snook and permit. What a horrible fever that has never abated!

I met Chico Fernandez at a small fly fishing shop in North Miami in the late 80s. He agreed to take me into Government Cut and fly fish for 30# tarpon. The fever became life threatening!

Since retirement...I've gone cold turkey on saltwater fly fishing and now pursue trout almost exclusively.

We have begun planning our 2018 trip to AK. Heading north on the AK Maritime Hwy and then who knows where.

 

[buckland]

Nice Graying Frank! They are a very old fish! Here in the wilds of the North Maine Woods there are a couple very remote lakes... one hikes in for miles ...lots of black flies and noseeums... to a lake ( the name of which I will pass along) that is 90 feet deep of water that is so clear you could watch a penny drop for what would seem like 5 minutes. There, when the ice age glaciers receded, were sea salmon and Arctic Char trapped, landlocked for 1000's of years... They are there by the thousands. I carried a heavy canoe up there once and arrived at 4:30 in the morning. The mist was just rising before sunrise.... Floating out I felt like i was flying above them .... schools of char. Here they are known as the "Blue Back Trout". It was one of those fishing days that stand out for a lifetime. Here is a shot of that hidden gem.

 

[buckland]

same place an hour later... paddling in a pastel painting

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Thanks Rob.You can see how clear the water is in the 2nd photo.
Fun spot.
Frank

 

[buckland]

Rear door glass replacement ply or lexan measurement is 12 5/8" x 21 5/8". Thought as long as I had removed the frame I'd pass it along for others. I'm using 1/4" birch ply. You will also need a small tube of silicone to get a seal to the door.


Sent from my iPhone using Wander The West

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Rob I notice your camper is carrying a canoe. Do you plan to take it to Alaska?
We took ours on the 2011 trip there and had plans to use it on some lakes along the Cassiar but due to
a landslide road closure we ended up just taking it for a long and expensive ride.
Frank

 

[buckland]

That's too funny! I did a trip to and around Nova Scotia a while back with my canoe... it never left the top! I laugh about that now and then.
I had thought about it a bit but then I realized I'd have to deal with it more often than not. There is the added plus that my Old Town Penobscot canoe is now in Alaska with my nephew in Homer!.... I hope to grab that while there.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

That will be nice as you might get to use it somewhere in that area.Will you bring it home?
I think that in the over 50K miles we have driven the camper around in 7 years about more than half that was with the canoe on top and only used it a couple times.

Don't mind hauling it around here in California,but once you leave our state there are to many restrictions/inspections.
I believe in the invasive inspections but if you are just traveling through a state that you aren't going to use it it can be a PITA.
They are fun though.
I have a Old Town Stillwater 12.5' fiberglass and it's nice to use on lakes to fish from.
Frank

 

[buckland]

Okay heres a big request for those who have gone before: which way to turn and why.........I am reading up on what each of the routes below has to offer... we are not into shopping or tourist traps per se (unless it's really cheesy for the tacky factor). We want to get off the road by a river and enjoy scenic views, perhaps a turnoff side trip, animal viewing, fly fishing, hikes (with bear spray/horn). So with that in mind... There are three junctions where we will need to make a decision. (I believe we have the major outline for travel around Alaska). Remembering we are headed to Jasper then on to Montana ....

This is on our way back.... at the Tok junction:

1) From Tok on the Alaskan Highway
to Haines Junction...
over to White Horse
to Watson Lake
To Cassiar Highway to Prince George

or

2) From Tok on the Taylor Highway
to Dawson City
South to Klondike Highway to Carmacks
then on the Campbell Highway to Watson Lake
picking up the Cassiar Highway to Prince George

or

3) From Tok on the Taylor Highway
to Dawson City
South to Klondike Highway to Carmacks
Stay on Klondike Highway to White Horse
then on Alaskan Highway to Watson Lake
At this Watson Lake junction there is the choice of either staying on the Cassiar Highway to Prince George, or staying on the Alaskan Highway (97) through to Dawson creek to Prince George.

I am reading up on things to do and see but always value highly the opinions of boots on the ground.... or as it were... tires on tarmac.
We aren't in a tear... we want to "stop and smell the roses". (Oh and good food/breweries/pubs)!

 

[DavidGraves]

Hi Buckland

I am stepping into this conversation a bit late but, having made the East-West coast run many many times over the years I am reminded that after about Wisconsin, spending a night in the Interstate rest areas is quite common and acceptable practice....sometimes a chance to meet fellow travelers along the same route etc.

Another real plus for us is to seek out small town municipal campgrounds.....most of the older (oldest?) US highway routes parallel the Interstates in the west.

Along the way most smaller towns (not cities) still have dedicated little parks for tin can tourists often dating from the 20's.

The camps are often in the middle of town and usually have little more than fresh water and shade....makes a nice quiet alternative to the trucks stops which form the principal modern day equivalent for travelers.

Merry Christmas

DavidGraves

BTW I have owned and ridden 30-40 BMWs myself over the years.

 

[Advmoto18]

Great point about overnighting in Rest Areas David!

Also, using the ALLSTAYS Camp & RV App, we found $10/night campgrounds (really just pull through slots, not a campground per se) just off major highways in ND, SD, WY, MT and ID. all of them had 30A electric and water hookup. They were nothing to write home about, but waaaay better than boondocking at WallyMart!

 

[buckland]

I'd be interested in route numbers and/or towns off Interstate 90 ...anything for Wisconsin to Montana.... that have places to 'town camp' municipal camps... I'll be on the long haul.

BTW I still have my R50 1956 that I found in a collapsed shed in 1976... it was trashed. But I have been riding it since, also a 1991 R100.

Oh and Frank... the casino is staying there in Kenai...

 

[park]

Sounds like you're going to have a great trip. I've been up a few times by motorcycle and camper. I browsed through the postings and may have missed it but I'd highly recommend going into McCarthy and Haines Alaska. I've got some postings on my blogsite http://nowheretobetour.blogspot.com/2015/10/mccarthy-valdez-alaska.html regarding the area. My big recommendation is to slow down, going and coming. So much to see, not only in Alaska, but in British Colombia and the Yukon as well. Have fun up there.

 

[DavidGraves]

I'd be interested in route numbers and/or towns off Interstate 90 ...anything for Wisconsin to Montana.... that have places to 'town camp' municipal camps... I'll be on the long haul.

Interstates I80 and 90/94 run alongside old US 30 and US 20....except for the larger cities, both of these US "highways" are great and often just as direct as the Interstates.

We typically run hard on the Interstate in the morning and then relax to the US highway for the afternoon looking for something interesting to see or do and then camp....when I was doing this a lot I crossed to Virginia (towing a 24' trailer) in 5 days....3006 miles door to door.



BTW I still have my R50 1956 that I found in a collapsed shed in 1976... it was trashed. But I have been riding it since, also a 1991 R100.

My first BMW was during college....open driveshaft R54/3 with straight forks..later many /2 model and the gamut of R5/6/7 and sidecars.

I worked at a couple of dealers in the east and then went more or less cold turkey.

Still have a barn bound '77 R100/7 and a 1931 R 5

But we digress.

Travel safe and soak in the culture and history as you cross the US.

There isn't much left.

Merry Christmas

DG

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Rob I vote for route two.
Frank