Decisions Decision!!!! HELP

yarndog2003 · 12-21-2003, 08:29 PM

OK this a big question. If I were to book a trip to Alaska and stay four nights and fish three days, plus pay airfare it would coast between $1200-$1500. "OR" I could take ten guided trips here in Oregon from the list of guides on Ifish. I want to catch some big salmon this year and Oregon has a got a good amount of large fish. What would you do????

iwanttofish · 12-21-2003, 08:44 PM

I am not sure how to write is like the guy on laugh in says it but here goes. :tongue: Veeeeerrrrrrryy ineresting question. That is a tough one. One guy I know goes up there at the busy season and then tries to get bumped on his flight so that he gets a free ticket for next time.

No Wishin Just Fishin · 12-21-2003, 08:47 PM

Depends on where in Alaska but 10 trips here sounds better than Kenai

Silver Hilton · 12-21-2003, 08:53 PM

If you get to the right place, at the right time, in Alaska, you can catch 10-15 kings a day, or 20-30 silvers a day, easy. These days are common in Alaska, rare down here. In your 10 guide days down here, you will most likely never have that kind of day. What's that worth?

However, it's nice just to get on the water, and there is great fishing down here, and 10 guide days down here is pretty nice. Is 10 days better than four days?

When I was young, the numbers were much more important to me. Now, the time and experience is more important. That decision just depends on where your head is at.

salmurai · 12-21-2003, 08:56 PM

Do BOTH!!!! Ok, if I had to choose just one. Ten trips in Oregon. Too many "what ifs" in Alaska. Three days fishing isn't enough time to ensure the kind of success you're hoping for. Just my $.02 worth. May not be worth that much......

ZaQ · 12-21-2003, 08:59 PM

I vote for 9 trips here in Oregon.

MasterCaster · 12-21-2003, 09:05 PM

I have never been with a guide or been to Alaska but if I had that choice I would stay here and LEARN!! If you go out with a few guides a few times each you will learn more than you would in many years of fishing on your own. Thats learning about fishing the rivers you can fish over and over again when you want.

JMHO but I would definately say stay here and take those guided trips on the rivers you like to fish or want to learn.

Jon :smile: :grin: :smile:

rob allen · 12-21-2003, 09:22 PM

I would say stay in Oregon and Washington maybe do 7 guided trips and use the extra money for gas for exploring new areas..

Airborne · 12-21-2003, 11:11 PM

for sure do the Oregon/Washington trips...
1. It supports our local community and fishing guides.
2. You will be able to go back to those locations after learning them from the guide.
3. You will probably meet some pretty nice local people while fishing and continue the frendship and ensure even better trips in the future.

best wishes on your choices....

Finn-icky · 12-22-2003, 04:25 AM

What does it cost to go to school these days? Several days with a local guide learning whats in our back yard is worth a bunch. Alaska is awesome, but are you wanting to learn as you go, or just pay to catch fish in a spot you maybe can't visit often. For me, I'd stay here and learn from some of the best guides available. HOWEVER, it's your money, do what makes you happiest.

Quasimodo the fish killer · 12-22-2003, 05:35 AM

I have always wanted to go to alaska just because it is alaska. But!

you can have incredible days on the rivers here in oregon if you time it right. I have had several 10 to 15 fish days fishing steelhead around the state and several 10 plus days fishing chinook. I have been blessed though to have one of the top guides in the state as my best friend, and the ability to drop everything when I get a call saying my customers canceled lets fish

there are plenty of fish around if you are on the river on the right day. a good qulity guide will tell you when his peak time is for the run of fish you are after. try and book your days at the peak of the season.

if it were me I would hire the guides and fish here

BUGLEMAN · 12-22-2003, 05:09 PM

There is several ways to look at this but a few I think of are 1) The Pacific NW is now in a wet cycle and the fish runs are better than they have been in a while so catching fish with a good guide shouldn't be a problem. Go to Alaska when the runs decline here. 2) Alaska is beautiful. Everyone should take a trip up there. 3-4 days isn't long enough. Go for at least a week - 10 days and leave some unguided days open for clamming and self guided trips or time to fish with your favorite guided trip again, or take a fly out to the "hot spot" Anyway if you are healthy and can wait, fish here while the getting is good in Oregon or if your health is declining better not miss the chance to go to Alaska while you are spry and can still handle the implications of fishing from 6am to midnight. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

yarndog2003 · 12-22-2003, 05:10 PM

I am getting closer to a decision........... [img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img]

Birdnest · 12-22-2003, 05:42 PM

I think most here would agree that a trip to Alaska is on the "to do" list, but I have to agree with the 10 local guided trips. Knowledge is a tasty lure. :tongue:

Also, I would suggest to pick guides that specialize in your type of fishing. If the tick tick tick of a perfect drift gets you out of bed at O'dark thirty, find the best darn river guide who is willing to share his knowledge and have a blast. If your idea of a good time is trying not to puke in your lap as you thread a cut plug herring, well you get the idea.

Remember: Give a man a fish he's full for a day...but teach a man to fish and he's never home on the weekend and the inside of his truck smells like bait.

Joe

cosmo · 12-22-2003, 06:23 PM

Wow...good question!
3 Days Olympic Peninsula in March
2 Days Columbia Springers in April (if you can't do it on your own)
3 Days Astoria-last week of August
2 Days on the Rogue-September

Or Siletz, Nestucca, Wilson in March?
Cowlitz mid-September?
Deschutes September steelhead?
Tidewater chinook?

Better you with this dilemma but me. To make it harder, I guided out of Iliamna for a summer in 1994. Alaska is worth every penny it takes to get there. Everyone should see it once at least.

globalfisher · 12-22-2003, 06:53 PM

I also vote for here in Oregon. With 9 guided trips, most likely you will get into a fish every time, some being pretty big sizes. Alaska has alot of fish and they are around the same size. Some rivers are holding very big ones. I vote 9 trips here.

rebell · 12-22-2003, 07:43 PM

I say go to Alaska!

I have spent a few summers up there and can say it will be the most awesome experience you will ever have. Give Travis Moncreif a call and spend a few day's on the Nush, you can't even imagine how good the fishing is. You can take what you will learn up there and apply it to your salmon fishing down here.

If your after some big fish like you stated, the choice is clear. Good luck!!

weekend warrior · 12-22-2003, 07:57 PM

I don't know, I'm drooling just thinking about having the opportunity to get on the river 10 times with a quality guide. It would be awesome to fish the coast with bobbers with Amerman, drift the wilson with Dave Johnson, learn how to side drift with Travis Moncreif. The list goes on and on.
One of these days I'm going to go but the problem is is trying to time the longest day if the year with good fishing. Got to get my moneys worth, right.

Good luck
Later Geoff

First Light Bite · 12-23-2003, 09:10 AM

My vote is for Alaska. I took my (once) in a lifetime trip up there in 1978. Got hooked and have not missed going up there at least once a year since (went twice a year about 6 times now). There is no place on earth like it, and what they say is correct once you go you never really make it all the way back home, your just getting ready for the next time. If this is a one time deal don't pass on the opportunity to see the most beautiful place on earth.
If you are wanting to learn how to catch more, and larger fish around here, use any of the guides on this board as all are great teachers. Fishing the Kenai with all the large fish is awsome and should be done at least once but it is not the real Alaska experience too many people. As Bugleman stated 3-4 days just isn't long enough 7-10 days is much better if your going to go to Alaska. Good luck on your decision.

[ 12-23-2003, 11:21 AM: Message edited by: First Light Bite ]

CARTMAN · 12-23-2003, 09:21 AM

Head north to alaska head north the rush is on.
I have family up in alaska and can't wait to fish up there. I hear all the stories from up there and can't wait to hook a big king or some nice halibut. The choice is yours but if I had the money I know where I am headed. Besides you can fish almost anytime at home. How often will you get up to alaska. Good luck with your choice. Either Way tight lines.

Cartman

Mojo · 12-23-2003, 09:55 AM

OR...you could do a self guided trip, based on knowledge that Ramstrong and I have posted here, to B.C. and have Alaska like days, for under $500. Leaves you with plenty for a guided trip or three.

I have fished Alaska several times. It rocks! Get out on the peninsula near Katmai, on a fly in trip, and you will be amazed. Bristol Bay rivers are teeming with fish, and the region is beautyful. Yes you have to go sometime. Does it have to be this year? No.