> See More Pictures! Click to Enlarge Chart

Freshwater fishing in Alaska is phenomenal by any standard. The diversity of ecosystems found throughout Alaska produce more biomass to the ocean in the form of anadromous salmon, steelhead, and trout, than anywhere else on the planet. And even to this day it's possible to stand in rivers teeming with more salmon and trout than you can imagine.

Some areas of Alaska today are certainly crowded with tourists and locals alike casting elbow to elbow. It even has a name: "combat fishing" and for Anchorage residents, combat fishing can even take place within the city limits. Here in Southeast Alaska, however, freshwater fishing opportunities are vastly different. Excellent wilderness fishing experiences can be pursued here without having to share your fishing space with others. In most of the freshwater streams we fish, you won't even see fishermen outside your group, because this takes place in pristine wilderness settings.

While you will revel in the fabulous saltwater fishing southeast Alaska is known for, your Classic Alaska Charters trip can also provide "combat fishing free" pristine wilderness freshwater fishing opportunities as well. From Prince of Wales and Revilla Islands to all corners of the Misty Fiords National Monument Wilderness Area, you'll explore creeks, streams, and rivers that haven't had humans standing on their banks for years (other than CAC groups, of course)!

All summer long you can experience freshwater spin or fly fishing for cutthroat and Dolly Varden trout, while April and May are best times for steelhead up to 20 lbs. Starting in July, the kings, pink and chum salmon start moving in along the outer coast and awesome stream fishing can be had for chrome bright and feisty pioneer fish.....with the exception of king salmon. King salmon fishing in freshwaters of Southeast Alaska is not allowed!

As the summer progresses the sockeyes (red salmon) and cohos return to their natal streams as well. Pink salmon arrive in huge numbers -- by the millions and ranging in size from 4-10 lbs. Right with them are the monster chum, or keta, salmon, and while not in the millions, they certainly are plentiful enough for everyone to have a try to hang onto one! The keta salmon are 2-3 times the size of the pinks -- in the 12-25 pound class -- and are a lot of work trying to get them close enough to the bank to land, especially on a fly rod.

Although sockeye salmon are available in the area, we generally target the acrobatic coho salmon instead because they're larger, and readily smash a lure or fly. Cohos arrive later in the season - around August - and can be found through October. Because they usually tip the scales from 10-20 pounds and are incredibly delicious table fare, the coho is a most sought after species in both salt and fresh waters.

With Captain Rob as your charter guide, you can expect to catch your limit of pink salmon in July and August, along with good opportunities for huge keta salmon too. Later in the season you could pick up more coho, also known as silver salmon, until late August and even into September and October when limits can be expected. Classic Alaska Charters offers a unique venue of exploration that incorporates both salt- and freshwater fishing adventures in a single trip.

Nobody else in the Ketchikan area does the combination salt/fresh fishing as well as we do! nobody! Make sure the guide you're with (if you don't book with us) has the required US Forest Service Special Use Permits for operating shore excursions and freshwater activities. If they don't have the proper permits, you would be enabling unauthorized use of national resources that could compromise future use in wilderness.

We think you'll be delighted with the cornucopia of fishing opportunities that southeast Alaska is famous for; opportunities that we are uniquely well suited to guide you to. If this sounds exciting to you, please call or email today, and let's start talking about a trip!