For a person who’s finally decided to see one of the last unspoiled wilderness regions in the United States, and maybe partake in all the wondrous fishing activities up there, hiring an Alaska fishing guide will be a necessary action to take. For some really fantastic fishing, almost every angler believes the Kenai River and the Kenai Peninsula area is the best, and there are many guides who work that region.
What, then, are the things to keep in mind in looking for someone to guide a person or a whole fishing party around a state like Alaska and Kenai or any other part of the state? Well, keep in mind that just about anybody who wants to can hang out a sign and proclaim himself a guide. There are no state licensing requirements to do so, although all the best guides adhere to certain practices and principles, and will possess certain credentials.
While it might be assumed that anybody involved in the guide business in Alaska would have certain types of insurance as a minimum, some do not. Again, the guide business has many people who do it as a sideline, in between working as a fisherman on a salmon boat and the like, so check. And, because of how far away a fishing spot may be from medical assistance, it’s a good idea that the guide have first aid and CPR training, and a decent first aid kit.
Since guides themselves aren’t going to be doing the fishing, they’re not required to have any of the several kinds of licenses to fish somebody might need, depending on the type of fishing being done. But all the good guides take the time to stay licensed, and it could be a good indicator of the guide’s seriousness about his profession.
Some guides specialize in certain areas or regions of the state and also the type of fishing to be done. Many do not, though, so decide what sort of guide makes you the most comfortable. Also, check on how long the guide’s been in the profession and his region of specialty. Finding a good Alaska fishing guide does take a little bit of research, but it will pay big dividends in the end.