| Alaska: Fishing in God's Country |
| By Rob Graham |
Published
06/19/2007
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Top Stories , Travel
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Unrated
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Travel Review: Gustavus, Juneau and Glacier National Park
 | The Glacier National Park is not accessible by vehicle and probably not available to most boats. There are essentially two options. The first is to book yourself a cruise on a very big boat and float in. Most people see Glacier National Monument in this fashion, but there is another alternative. The second option is to fly by Alaska Air into Gustavus, Alaska and take a National Park Bus to a small lodge located on the southeast side of the park, near the entry of Glacier Bay.
Of course, you will want to book reservations well ahead of time at the lodge. You can book your visit at the Glacier Bay Lodge directly (http://www.visitglacierbay.com). It is a owned by the National Park system, but is run very professionally by a combination of private vendors. The Lodge is actually set within the park and is very accommodating to those who want the ultimate experience of being dropped off by boat in Glacier Bay to Kayak or Hike over several nights. Given the fact that this is nature at its most beautiful and its most dangerous, you will want to be very experienced in these types of ventures and in great shape before you sign up for such a venture.
Out of Glacier Bay Lodge, you can purchase a tour ticket to enter onto a double decker boat to cruise up Glacier Bay on a day trip to see the wildlife from a safe distance as well as the Glaciers past and present. The record for the number of Grizzlies seen from the boat tour is fourteen. It is not uncommon to see a half dozen during the boat tour, along with a dozen other animals that make their way to the shoreline. You are virtually guaranteed a vision of untouched wildlife in a splendid variety.
The glaciers themselves are impressive and majestic. Some of the ice on active glaciers is so dense that it actually appears blue to the human eye. Ice that has broken off the glaciers creates small icebergs in and around the waters. The number of icebergs in the water will determine how close the boat will get to the glaciers themselves. The boat pilots are sufficiently experienced, however, to get so close that you will be chilled by the ice and will want to take a jacket if you plan to view the glaciers from the outdoor observation deck.
Within the lodge, there is a good restaurant and rooms for an overnight visit. Some may choose to stay a week in one of the local fishing lodges in Gustavus. The fishing lodges and the Glacier Bay Lodge enjoy a healthy relationship and the exchange between the two will not be difficult. One of the best fishing lodges in Gustavus is the Angler's Inn which features very comfortable rooms, a dining lodge for lodge guests and superior fishing boats for an outstanding experience in Alaska fishing. July and August are the best months to fish in these waters as most fish are plentiful in the inlets at that time. Halibut (up to 150 pound catches are not uncommon), King Salmon, Cod and Coho (Silvers) are all present in late summer. You can book your experience through Angler's Inn directly by Internet (http://www.alaskasportfish.net). The friendly folks at Angler's Inn can help you with your entire trip, including a visit to Glacier Bay Lodge and flight recommendations. Be prepared to haul home 100 lbs. of fish (usually two boxes) on your way home. You will learn quickly that a man with fillets of salmon from Alaska has many friends.
On your way home, if you have a chance to stay overnight in Juneau, Alaska, take the opportunity. Most hotels have freezers for the fish and the town has taxi tours that are friendly and affordable. You will spend about $3,000 per person for a week long vacation that includes most of the experiences mentioned above, but it will create a lifetime of memories and several photo albums of keepsakes.
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