Outdoor Safety information for Alaska
Hypothermia & Cold Water Survival
Essentials For Traveling In Bear Country
We certainly don't wish to discourage anyone from getting out and enjoying all the great Alaskan outdoors has to offer.
This section is here to give you information to make your outings safer and more fun.
Outdoor Equipment to Bring
to Alaska
Because many Alaskan operators are miles from the nearest store or shop, it is best to bring most of your own equipment
with you. If your schedule allows, you can complete your gear list in Anchorage, prices are competitive with most of the lower
48 stores. It is not mandatory to bring the entire list. Use good judgment and bring what is best for you and the trip you're
taking.
FISHING
Hip Boots/Waders:
Clothing: (Only bring Insulated). Hat, sweater, warm jacket, good socks, warm shirts, thermal underwear, fingerless
gloves, warm trousers, and good raingear including rain pants.. The atmosphere is informal at most places. Casual,
comfortable clothes will be worn around the lodge.
Luggage: Duffel bags or soft sided suitcases are recommended.
Fishing license: A State of Alaska fishing license is required and can be purchased in many convenient locations
Misc: Film, camera, insect repellent, a brand with high concentrations of DEET, personal items, and any medical
prescriptions.
Fishing Gear: Knife, clippers, lure box, rod tube, hook file, split shot, fishing vest, needle nosed pliers, and
polarized glasses.
Rods: Fly rods, a 4-5 weight for grayling and trout, 6-7 weight for red salmon, pike, and an 89 weight for silver
or chum salmon and large rainbow or steelhead. Equip the light rod with a floating line and use a full sinking line for the
heavier rods. Your heavy-duty reel should be filled with 20 pound backing. Bring a variety of leaders from 4 to 15 pound test.
For spin fishing, an ultralight rod filled with spools of 4 to 10 pound test. Your medium to stiff action rods should carry
20 pound test. Spools should hold a minimum of 200 yards of line.
Flies: Wet and dry flies include cahill, spuddler, mosquitoes, black gnat, polar shrimp, silver hilton, black marabou,
black and brown bivisibles, skyomish sunrise, florescent streamers, glo-bugs, and flesh flies. eggsucking leech
Lures: A good assortment of lures includes #O-#5 Mepps with fluorescent, silver, and gold blades; 1/4 to I ounce
Daredevils and Pixies in red, white, green, and fluorescent colors; #1 -#5 Roster Tails in red, flame, and black; #2-#5 Vibrax
in silver, green, and blue.
HUNTING:
Clothing: (Only bring Insulated). 2 Pair of wool trousers, 2 Wool or flannel shirts, 2 Pair of wool or thermal
long underwear, 6 Pair of lightweight underwear, 6 Pair of heavy wool socks, 6 Pair of light cotton socks, Hiking boots, ankle
fit hip boots, and camp shoes, Rain coat with hood and pants, Polyfil type vest or wool sweater Hunting cap with ear flaps,
and warm wool gloves or shooting mitts.
Personal Gear Binoculars - 7x35 or 8x3O, Spotting Scope, Rifle and two boxes of ammo, Toiletries, and Knife
Supplies:
Sleeping bag and pad, Flashlight, Sharpening Stone, Insect repellent, Boot Wax, Knap Saw, hunting license
with tags, and a sewing kit.
OTHER SUPPLIES NEEDED IF ON AN UNGUIDED HUNT: Stove, canteen, pepper, tent, rope, first aid kit, fuel, toilet paper,
paper towels, mess kit, plastic bags, and candles
ABOUT YOUR RIFLE:
You will do better with a medium weight rifle which you are familiar with, rather than a "cannon";
purchased for your Alaska hunt. You need a hard case for the airlines. Inside the case, bring a soft case as this will take
less space in small aircraft.
