Have you ever gone to Alaska to fish for sport? For a serious fisherman or a person who loves fishing, it can be the best fishing trip ever. If a fisherman wants to go fishing in Alaska, he or she has two main options: do everything on their own (get the fishing gear, lures, find out when and where the fish are biting, etc.), or hire a charter service. If you do it yourself, you are mostly responsible for making sure you have a good time. When you hire a guide, you put your trip in the hands of someone else.
We're going to assume that if you do hire a guide, you'll get a good one. You'll do some research and find someone who can do what you want for a good price.
When deciding whether to do-it-yourself or hire a guide, you should think about how much time you have, how much you know about the area you're going to, how good you are at fishing, and how much gear you already have.
If you're going to Alaska's salmon-rich Kenai River for the first time, you'll need to spend a lot of time and money getting ready for the trip. If you've gone after salmon in other parts of the country or world and know what you'll need and how to find good fishing, it starts to make sense to take charge and go after it yourself.
But you don't have to choose between one or the other. On the Kenai River alone, there are over 400 registered guides who offer a wide range of services. Some charter services take care of everything, including lodging, gear, drinks and food while on the river, fishing lessons, and more. They are perfect for someone fishing for salmon for the first or only time. They're also a good choice if you don't know much about the sport but want to get better and learn what you need to know to eventually go out on your own.
If you've done this before, but not in Alaska, you might want to hire a guide who knows the best places to fish on the river. You'll be able to enjoy the experience and be with other anglers who are at your level if you know about lures, tackle, and techniques. Unless you don't like fishing with other people.
If you'd rather go out on the river with a small group or by yourself, you'll need to hire a more exclusive and likely more expensive guide. They might give you tools and other supplies, but they might not. You're basically paying to be the only one who has it.
Always ask what a provider means when they say they "provide equipment," "everything you need is included," or "all the gear you need to have a good time is right here." A lot of the time, tackle and other items are considered extras and will make your bill go up. There's nothing wrong with this; just make sure you know what's included and what costs extra.
Lastly, if you don't have a lot of time, you might be better off finding a good guide than doing everything yourself. Even more so if you've never been there before. A good guide is the key to being successful and having a great time, no matter what extras it includes or offers.
No matter what you decide to do, the most important thing is to make the best use of the time you have to catch salmon on the river of your choice. Don't waste your time at the place by doing things you could have done before you got there. In other words, make every moment count.
