Ketchikan Alaska

I have got to tell you, the first time I was invited to Ketchikan, Alaska, I was not thrilled in the least bit. It just sounded like a boring place to take a family vacation but let me tell you, nothing could be further from the truth.

I have a wife, 3 daughters and 1 son and other than occasionally stream fishing, we were not what you would call a fishing family. That was before Ketchikan, Alaska took hold.

Our first trip to Ketchikan Alaska was love at first sight. We stayed at a lodge called Salmon Falls Resort. I supposed they call it Salmon Falls Resort because there is a beautiful waterfall right outside the lodge windows where thousands of salmon group at the base of the waterfall.

Eagles in Ketchikan Alaska are as plenty as some cities have flies. No kidding. I believe they have between 10 and 20 thousand eagles. When staying at the Salmon Falls Resort, we were able to watch eagles up close and personal as they fished and then ate their catch.

Many times we were less than 20 feet from the beautiful birds of prey. The scenery and wildlife is just spectacular. Words really cannot do this paradise justice.

Make no mistake about it... at Salmon Falls Resort, located in Ketchikan, Alaska, you will catch fish. And they offer the fisherman (or woman) many different ways to go about it.

Fully Guided Saltwater Fishing Charters

This is a guided package that includes fishing with a licensed skipper/guide in a spacious cabin cruiser which affords you the speed and range to access the prime fishing locations. Our first visit to Salmon Falls, this is exactly how we went and we all were hooked from the moment we met our skipper.

We really didn't have to do a thing as the captain set up pour rigs, got our lines in the water and took us to the very best spots. We were hooking fish, sometimes 3-4 at a time. Boy was it exciting. The adrenaline was pumping and even my girls were having the time of their life.

Salmon Falls Resort even processed to our liking dockside our catch of the day. Our packages were labeled, vacuum packed, sealed in special wetlock boxes to accompany us home as luggage.

Cool, huh?

I guess one of the biggest attractions for Ketchikan Alaska is the fact that the shear volume and size of the fish, is beyond belief. With the most significant fish being the Pacific Salmon.

You see, every year, about summer and fall, 5 different spicies of salmon return to spawn in the areas rivers and streams which dump into the Pacific ocean. Halibut, Sablefish, Pacific Perch and Rockfish are also plentiful. There is also Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Grayling and Steelhead Trout as well as Dolly Varden.

Until you experience it, it is so hard to explain. Since that first vacation at Salmon Falls Resort, we strayed to a number of other lodges. About a half dozen in all, but we always came back to Salmon Falls Resort.

And now, we live in Ketchikan. I told you we fell in love with the place, and you and your family will too.

Anyhow, there are 5 species of salmon you are likely to catch when at Salmon Falls Resort. There are the Chinook Salmon, which averages 15-50 pounds, Silver (Coho) Salmon, which averages 12-15 pounds, Pink (Humpback) Salmon, which averages 4-5 pounds, Sockeye (Red) Salmon which averages 5-7 pounds and Chum Salmon which averages 12 pounds.

Rockfish (Average 4-6 pounds) has more than 30 species in the Ketchikan, Alaska coastal waters. They are often referred to as Sea Bass and all species are delicious to eat.

The Pacific Halibut, which averages 25-100 pounds, can reach over 300 pounds.

Self Guided Saltwater Adventure

This is exactly what it sounds like and is for the independant person. I have got to tell you though, personally, at least until I got familiar with the area, I'd go with the Guide. It just makes sense. Especially if you bring your family or spouse along. The Captain/Skipper really does cater to your every need and more importantly, they know all of the hottest fishing spots.

I will tell you a secret though. If you go into the lounge a few hours before dinner, and like 30 minutes after all of the boat captains return to the docks, you will be privy to some extremely valuable information that you can put to use the next day. Where the hottest spots were that day. You see, the captains share their fish stories from their day and the longer they stay at the bar, the easier it is to get their very best fishing holes out of them.

Another really cool thing about staying at the Salmon Falls Resort is it is what folks refer to as Inclusive. You see, in addition to your room, breakfast and dinner are provided in their dinning room over looking the beautiful cascading Salmon Falls waterfall, Behm Canal and Clover Passage. The food is incredible and Salmon Falls Resort serves only the finest beef, and Alaskan seafood there is. I'm talking 5 star here.

Adventures

And there are so many other things to do at the Salmon Falls Resort and in Ketchikan Alaska. You can take a seaplane to Misty Fjords National Monument, which reminds me of the Grand Canyon if it were in a rain forest. There are excursions to the World's largest collection of totem poles.

In fact, totem poles can be seen throughout all of Ketchikan Alaska. You can explore Ketchikan Alaska's waterfront buildings, shops and a postcard perfect boardwalk. Colorful retail stores dot the river banks and were once used as brothels.

You can fly along the coastal waterway of Tongass National Forest to Anan Creek. Anan Creek is reknowned in the World as a bear observatory. Both brown and black bears can be observed as they frolic and search for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Take the Salmon Falls Resort jet boat tour and get up close and personal with Ketchikan Alaska's wonderful nature and wild life.

I'm telling you, time and time again, I have spoken to tourist and cruise ship pros that have seen and done it all, and they too, fall in love with all that Ketchikan Alaska has to offer. If you have ever watched the TV show "deadliest Catch" you will be familiar with Captain Dave and his crew. Take the Bering Sea crab Fisherman's Tour. Trust me, it may not sound like your cup of tea, but the reviews from the people I have spoken too, plus my own experience, it is incredible.

The Captain and his crew do a wonderful job of re-creating life at sea as a crab fisherman experiencing all of their close calls in an unforgiving Bering Sea. While on the tour, you may see humpback whales (we saw 3 one trip and they were putting on a show for us) sea lions, bald eagles (remember, there are between 10 and 20 thousand here) and yes, crabs. You will even get to hold them and take photos with them and the crew. It is such a blast. Again, you would have though my kids were at Disneyland they loved it so much.

Another fun thing to do in Ketchikan Alaska is the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show. It is so entertaining watching just how talented these men are with axes, saws and chain saws. You will experience up close and personal some incredible death-defying feats. Speed climb, axe throwing, chopping, sawing, log rolling, all while you are a few feet away.

And talk about the show must go on. Rain or shine, because you are in a heated, cushioned grandstand. This is listed as one of the top 10 things to do in Alaska by the Travel Channel. It is loacated in downtown Ketchikan, so you can make a day of downtown with all the beautiful and unique Indian and Alaskan arts, crafts, jewelry, clothing, boots, hats, etc., etc. There are even music CDs which go well with your Alaskan adventure.

Which reminds me. During the Misty Fjords seaplane ride, I don't believe any music goes better than Enya. It WILL bring tears to your eyes. I recommend Promech Air located on Tongass with all the other seaplane companies. You can negotiate price. Especially if they are not over booked and if you have a larger group.

Next is the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary. It is ranked the #1 nature tour in the World. You can find it online by simply searching for Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary. Lots of wildlife to see and enjoy here for sure.

Then there is Deer Mountain Tribal Hatchery and Eagle Center located at 1158 Salmon Rd, Ketchikan, Alaska 99901. They also have a nature center and historic village to explore.

Totem Bight State Park is incredible with large totem poles in their natural surroundings. I have heard people complain about the Totem Heritage Center, but everyone loves Totem Bight State Park. It is very peaceful and of course unique.

Southeast Sea Kayaks, located at 1621 Tongass Ave., Auite 101 B, Westflight Building, Ketchikan, Alaska 99901 is an amazing place to rent sea kayaks with Orcas Cove offering peace, serenity and wildlife like no other location or wilderness setting in the World. They are known for their personal attention to each and every Kayaker. It is also recommended for first time Kayakers as well as seasoned pros. Between the beautiful scenery, helpful, kind instructors and the fact that they will outfit you with super waterproof rain gear, means fun no matter the weather!

Now, I will continue to update my article here on Ketchikan, Alaska and whether you are just passing through or decide to stay for a spell, do enjoy yourself.

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