Frequently Asked Questions
Where Should we stay?
There are plenty of hotels throughout the valley – we recommend choosing one central to the activities that you might be interested in while we’re not fishing. There’s plenty to do in/near Anchorage if you like the city. Otherwise the Palmer/Wasilla area is a great central location if you’d like to do some more hiking, glacier tours, or see Denali and towns like Talkeetna . An Airbnb is a great option as well!
Where and when should we meet?
We’ll touch base a few days before your trip to look at weather and plan which days we’ll spend on the water. On your first day of fishing, we’ll meet at the public boat launch dock in Whittier at 9:00 AM. Remember you’ll have to go through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel to get into Whittier. Traffic flows at the bottom of each hour into Whittier so plan on being at the tunnel by 8:15 AM for the 8:30 entrance.
What do we eat on the boat?
The Theodore Jean is equipped with a kitchenette that allows us to cook some great meals! Don’t worry about having to eat freeze dried or ramen noodles – Captain Nate and crew enjoy real food too and will prepare your meals while you worry about catching more fish.
How should I get my fish home?
Packing frozen into wetlock boxes to bring home as checked baggage is most common. There are a couple ways to do this. There is a fish processor in Whittier that can do as much as you like (fillet, vacuum pack, freeze, etc.). You can either have them ship your fish to your home, or have it ready to be picked up a day or two later in Whittier. If you don’t want to have to go back to Whittier to pick up, we can help you freeze and pack your fish in Wasilla as well, call us for details.
What are the best weeks for Salmon?
This depends on which salmon you’re after. We can catch King Salmon all year long in Prince William Sound. The “feeder kings” we catch usually average between 10 and 30 pounds. Although there are also good runs of Pink, Sockeye, and Chums, the other species we target more heavily are Silvers, or Coho. They usually show up in early July and can be caught all the way through October. Since we catch them in saltwater before they start running, we usually start finding them in late June.
What are the best weeks for Halibut?
Halibut starts getting good right away in May, and continues through October. They start to move out to deeper water by late October and through November. No matter which week you choose, you will have great opportunity for Halibut.
What gear should we bring?
Pack light! The essentials really are a set of rain gear, sleeping bag, pillow, and a pair of deck shoes. Xtra Tuff deck boots (just higher than the ankles) are the best footgear, but any waterproof shoe would be fine. Other than that, a change of clothes, toiletries, and any personal medications are about all you’ll need. “Nice to haves” might include some bug dope, a pair of glacier gloves, and a small dry bag to pack your things in.
Is there cell service where we’re going?
Believe it or not, yes! In most fishing areas, we’ll have cell service. Usually we lose it only in the deep bays where we anchor for the night.
Can I charge my electronics?
Yes, the house batteries will charge your electronics or battery packs during the day.
Is there a toilet on the boat?
Yes! There is a flushable head in a private room.