Getting Here
Most folks visit Juneau by means of a cruise ship, and are limited to one day here in town. If you're among this group I'd strongly recommend booking a guided trip through the cruise company if it's in your budget. Despite our relatively small road system, most of the good fishing in the area is a fair distance from downtown so flying out is by far the most efficient way to go right to the fish and get down to business. You'll see some great scenery in the process. If you're planning on making Juneau your primary destination, or even just staying a few days before moving on, your options expand exponentially.
Surrounded by the massive Juneau Icefield to the north and water to the south,
there are two ways to get to Juneau; by air or by sea. Unless you're
travelling in a private boat or plane, Alaska Airlines or the Alaska
Marine Highway System will be your means of travel. See our links
page for more info on booking your trip. Flight time from Seattle is
about 3 hours, and slightly less than that from Anchorage. The ferry
is a great way to see the Inside Passage, making short stops in some
of the towns along the way, and it takes about 3 days. Rental cars are
available at the Juneau airport and a few other locations in town if
you don't bring your own.
Accommodations
Places to stay in the area range from free camping areas to 4 star
hotels downtown, and everything in between. Bed and breakfasts are numerous,
and may have kayaks or bikes to use. Camping areas are numerous, and
range from RV-parks to hike-in cabins and unofficial tent sites. Most
of the surrounding area is part of the Tongass National Forest, and
camping restrictions are surprisingly few. There are several U.S. Forest
Service information offices in the area to help you figure out what
is allowed and what fees there might be. Email
the shop and I can get a better idea of where your interests lie.
Come prepared for wet weather at all times of year though...this is
a rain forest after all.
Recommendations
With so many options available it's difficult to recommend one choice
of lodging, travel, or fishing. The ideal is some combination of all
the above. If you can afford a fly-out trip at the beginning of your
stay, it's a great way to learn the techniques and patterns for the time
of year, as well as the behavior and lies of the species you're after.
Pick your guide's brain for some ideas around town, or advice for the
rest of your fishing while you're here. After that, get in the car and
explore. With 60 miles of road crossing numerous streams and following
saltwater shorelines, the possibilities are limitless. If camping is
your choice, you might be able to pitch a tent right on the water. If
not you can come back home to a dry bed and a hot meal each night. Almost
all of our fish are anadromous, so plan on doing some poking around
before you find the fish. There's no better way to experience the area
though, as you are sure to see some wildlife and spectacular scenery
along the way. When you do find the fish they're usually plentiful,
as long as you're here during some kind of run. See The
Fishing section for more info on run timing, or email
the shop.
Considerations and Safety
This section could more aptly be called "Tides and Bears," as these will be your primary concerns
while fishing here. The average tide change at this latitude is 15 feet. Please think about
this....15 vertical feet of water coming in over a 6 hour period. If you're not accustomed to
fishing in areas with such signifigant changes let me give you some hints on being safe. Carry a
tide book with you at all times! These are available for free at local gas stations, and I try
to keep them in stock here at the shop. Be aware of the total tidal difference for the period
you will be out. A 14 foot tide moves in a lot quicker when coming from a -3 foot level than
it does when coming from a +3 foot level. Also, a 15 foot tide is average, and each tide is
different. At certain times of the year, the total water difference gets as great as 24 feet.
Exercise caution when fishing in the estuary near stream mouths. Undulations closer to shore
may fill in behind you if you get carried away fishing, and an incoming tide pushing against
an outflowing stream changes things quickly.
While tides can be predicted, bears can not. The mainland around Juneau
is primarily inhabited by black bears, with the occasional brown bear
(coastal grizzly) seen in more remote areas. The USFS has a great amount
of info on travelling and camping safely in bear country. I strongly
recommend reading this and getting a clear understanding of the essential
practices. Anyone travelling to nearby Admiralty or Chichagof Island
should be especially cautious, as these areas have the highest density
of brown bears in North America and they primarily congregate on the
salmon streams. Don't let all this scare you away from visiting these
amazing places though. Seeing a brown bear up close in the wild is a
thrill of a lifetime, and as long as you know how to behave you will
stay safe. Just don't go bush whacking without knowing what you're doing.
To purchase any of our products online, or for
more
information on the entire state of Alaska,
please visit
our new site: Alaska Flyfishing Goods.
Juneau Flyfishing Goods
Brad Elfers, Proprietor
175 South Franklin Street Juneau, Alaska 99801
Phone: (907) 586-3754
Fax: (907) 586-3734
E-mail: flyfishing@alaska.com
|
