Your Trip

Your Itinerary:
Seattle is the jumping off point for people coming to Sitka from the lower 48 and Alaska Airlines is the only carrier. We recommend flying non-stop if possible. One stop flights via Ketchikan or Juneau are the second choice. Pick the flights that work for your timing. Regardless of when you arrive, a smiling face with an Angling Unlimited sign will greet you as you walk into the terminal.

At the airport we'll help you claim checked baggage, then drive you to our suites and help you settle in. We'll also fill out your fishing licenses, provide you with the daily schedule, lay out the itinerary for you trip (again, you’ll already have gotten this when you book), and generally orient you to our suites and Sitka. Groups of four will get a car for their exclusive use. Groups of less than four will share a car with other groups of less than four.

Depending on our schedule with the next groups coming in, you will either spend your last night at our suites or in one of a few very good local hotels. This will all be made clear at the time you book – no surprises. The four hotels we use are: The Westmark www.westmarkhotels.com, Totem Square www.totemsquareinn.com, The Blueberry www.ablueberryinn.com, and the Fly In Fish Inn www.flyinfishinn.com

On the day you leave, your fish will be boxed and ready for shipping on the airlines. We'll pick you up a couple hours before flight time, take you to the airport and help you check in for your flight home.

Fishing Days:
The typical fishing day begins with a wake-up call just after 4 AM. Breakfast fixings will be in your suite. At 4:55 a.m., you’ll board our van and take a short ride to our boats. Please be punctual because your fellow anglers will be eager to get on the water. When you arrive at the dock, just before 5 a.m., the boats will be warmed up and ready to depart. Your snacks, beverages, and lunches will be aboard. We depart at 5 a.m. sharp for the 30 to 90 minute trip to the best fishing grounds.

We fish a full day, returning to the dock around between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. In the afternoon we’ll immediately go to work on vacuum sealing and freezing your catch. You can return to your lodging immediately or stay to watch the fishing processing. For dinner, you select from a variety of restaurants in town or you can cook your own catch-of-the-day using your fully equipped kitchen and barbecue grill on the deck.

Our office in the building with the water view suites. You can go there with any questions, concerns, needs, interest in rebooking, or to buy an assortment of Angling Unlimited clothes and accessories. Or, you can just stop by to visit and let us know how your trip is going.

What to Bring:
Bring ample clothes for dressing in layers (gloves are optional). We provide raingear and boots. We strongly suggest that you pack your clothes in carry bags so you can use your checked baggage allowance for your boxed fish on your return flight. Alaska Airlines allows you two pieces of checked baggage free of charge. You will be charged a $50 excess fee for each additional bag with no guarantee that extra baggage will go out on your flight. You are allowed one carry-on bag plus one personal item, such as a purse, briefcase or laptop computer. For more information go to: http://www.alaskaair.com/www2/help/faqs/AdviceAdvisories.asp

The town of Sitka passed a new fish box tax for 2007. We will be required to tax each box of processed fish $10 regardless of weight. We tried to fight this tax, but it was passed by initiative and now is the law.

We furnish you with the finest quality tackle, specifically designed for our style of fishing. We have left-handed reels and Canadian-style single-action reels, too. Still, if you have a favorite rod or reel, feel free to bring it along. Also, if you have some light tackle or fly tackle you’d like to try, we’re happy to see it. It’s your trip.

Don’t forget your camera, video camera, sunscreen, a hat and good sunglasses. Despite Southeast Alaska's reputation for rain, the sun can be quite powerful. Our boats have private toilet facilities and heated cabins with plenty of room for everyone to sit comfortably while underway. The cabins provide a dry and a secure place to store extra clothes, cameras, and video equipment.

Sea Sickness: Nothing can ruin your time on the water more than a case of mal de mar, also known as seasickness. Unless you are 100% certain, like beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you aren’t the slightest bit prone, we suggest you visit your family doctor and get medication. Our experience is that over the counter seasickness medications are of marginal value. Prescription medications, particularly scopolamine work well.

You can get scopolamine in two forms: Transderm (the patch) or Scopace (pills). The patch has been around a long time and works well. We’re getting some very good feedback on Scopace, too. The most effective seasickness cure in our experience remains a two pill combination: 25 mg promethazine and 25 mg ephedrine. Unfortunately, ephedrine abuse and the use of the drug in manufacturing methamphetamine have made it virtually unavailable in most pharmacies.

Regulations 2007:
Note: Regulations can change from year to year. They can also be amended on short notice by emergency order. Angling Unlimited will work hard to keep you up to date on all known regulations at the time you book. We cannot assume responsibility for changes in regulations that occur after you book. Current regulations are posted with Alaska Department of Fish and Game, be sure to check both the regulation book and any Emergency Orders: http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/reghome.cfm

We emphasize the fun, sport, and challenge of fishing in our salt water wilderness. Nothing in the regulations alters the experience, but they can alter how much fish you can kill and bring home. Here are the current regulations...

King Salmon: For non-residents of Alaska the annual limit is four, the daily limit is two per day in May and one per day in June, July, August, and September. http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/eonr/Devpdf/2007/R1/EO_1-KS-R-02-07fnl.pdf

Halibut: The daily limit is two. New beginning in June 2007, one of the halibut must be less than 32 inches long. The second fish can be any size.

Coho, Pink, and Chum salmon: Limit is 6 per day (of each species) with no annual limit.

Lingcod: There are two open seasons: May 16 through June 15 and August 16 thru November 30 with a 30 inch minimum size and a 35 inch maximum size. Daily limit is one and annual limit is also one. http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/eonr/Devpdf/2007/R1/FinalEO_1_LC_R_01_07.pdf

Non-Pelagic rockfish: For non-residents of Alaska the limit for non-pelagic rockfish is two per day and only one can be a yellow-eye. Possession limit is two daily bags – four non-pelagic rockfish only two can be yellow-eye. http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/eonr/Devpdf/2007/R1/FinalEO_1_RF_R_01_07.pdf

Pelagic rockfish: 5 per fish day and 10 in possession

Site designed and maintained by JMA Design