My wife and I (she's as addicted to fishing as I am) are going to take a road trip from Seattle to Alaska this summer.

We love to flyfish trout in both lakes and streams and bankfish the rivers for salmon/steelhead.

I would love any advice, tips, pointers, suggestions from those of you who've done this on making the trip pleasant and "fishy".

We'll be driving a 4X truck and have a canoe and float tubes.

Feel free to PM me...I'm looking forward to hearing what you have to say :p

Thanks in advance,
Nick

Make sure you have 2 spare tires.

Jerry,
Does that include the one hanging over my belt?

Make it 3 then

Spend some time on the Upper Skeena system. Summer kings in July and there are a couple steelehead around.

What Sky-Guy said.

Pick-up a current copy of the Milepost (Drive Guide), it has a ton of info on lodging, gas, food, etc. I am not sure if the maps point out fishing locations or not, but I seem to remember seeing some fish between Prince George and Whitehorse.

Have fun driving on that long, long, road. You'll be on it for a week or more.

A few years back my wife and I rented a car in Skagwa (sp?) and drove to Fairbanks and then fished our way to Anchorage. We caught trout, grayling, chum, pinks, and silvers in this stretch, with most of the salmon came on the lower portion of this stretch. Needless to say, you can't go wrong in Alaska and just have fun.

FS

Oh yes. You are in for the treat of a lifetime!

After crossing the border you'll go through Hope en-route to Prince William. The Thompson and, Frasier Rivers are noted steelhead/salmon waters, though this is a bit early in that area. There are many good lakes on the way there, 100 mile house, and Lake Sheridan come to mind but the road is literally lined with waterways. When you get to Prince William you'll want to head West toward Prince Rupert. You'll wind up coming down onto the Skeena drainage system. Around Houston you'll come to the Maurice, which has a run of steelhead noted to rise to skating patterns. From roughly Houston some 30 or 40 miles West, the Bulkley will change to the Skeena and grow substantially in size. You will come to the town of Smithers, which is a launching point to some of the best fishing in the world. You can choose from the Sustut, Kispiox, Skeena and Babine, though the Babine is quit limited unless you have a boat.

Incidentally the Kispiox, as you may be aware, is noted for the largest fly caught steelhead of 42 lbs by Karl Mausser.

Leaving the area, heading North out of New Hazelton you will take Hwy 37. You will cross the Copper River and Lake Mezziadin to name a few. Upon entering the Yukon there will be so many streams and lakes you may never reach Alaska!!!

Note that the Skeena drainage system rivers are considered Classified Waters. Read up on the regulations but basically you can buy stamps to fish the Classified Rivers, and you don't have to date and apply the stamp until the day you actually decide to fish. A maximum of 8 consecutive days can be fished on these waters or something to that effect. While this may sound negative the system keeps the pressure on the rivers and the fish to a tolerable limit.

The advice of a couple extra tires is very real. You may not use them but better to have just in case because at times you will be 100 miles or more from someone that can fix the problem and the cost will be astronomical. Also include antifreeze, water and a couple days reserve rations of food.

This is a matter of personal preferance but I pack bear repellant (shotgun, packed 00 - 00 - slug) when I'm up there deep in the woods. Maybe not around the Kispiox or the Maurice but definately when I'm on the upper Sustut, north side of the Bulkley, and the rest of the trip North of New Hazelton.

It's been a few years since my excursions North but you can PM me if you have questions.

Here's a couple links to help you out:
Fishing regulations 2003-2004
Fishing reports & Links
Kispiox Story & Links

You didn't mention, are you headed up the Alcan hwy., or turning off at Prince George and heading towards Prince Rupert and S.E. Alaska, if your headed for S.E. I'll have some info for you.

Taking firearms into BC is a big no-no.

Jerry, last time we went you are correct for handguns, can't take them up. But we were able to take a shotgun which was considered a hunting gun.

I would call up there first but I believe that is still the case.

When I went up I took my shotgun in "rifle" mode. Once I reached the Skeena system I changed over to pistol grip mode.

I declared it at the border and they put a slug on it. Gave me a form and told me that I could take the slug off when I reached my destination. They gave me another slug to place on the shotgun for my return trip. No problems but that was also eight years ago. Not sure since 911 occured.

Besides the "Milepost," you MUST take "Highway Angler." by Gunnar Pederson. He'll tell you exactly when and where the fish are from any roadside accesssible point.

Any gun is a no-no this day in age without first getting a permit from the Canadian Gov't.

Make sure you have at least 350 miles range for your vehicle to ensure you'll have enough gas as some stops have very irregular hours.

Bring lots of $$$, figure about double the gas price in the sticks up north

Lots of outstanding float tube lakes in the area around 100 mile house. You will be early for any steelhead. I have a copy of BC Fishing directory and Atlas. It lists just about every spot of water that holds fish. Inside cover says its published annually by

Art Belhumeur
1640 Western Drive
Port Coquitlam B.C
VC3 2X3
(604) 942-5671

Has maps by region etc etc etc

Thanks so much for the tips guys,

My wife used to wonder why I'm always reading that website......now she understands how great the folks on this site really are.

Anybody know when the bulk of the steelie run happens up there?