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
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