FAQs

Getting To Yakutat

Yakutat is the smallest community in the world to have daily jet service. There is an Alaska Airlines jet out of Seattle in the morning, departing about 8:00, then a jet out of Anchorage, departing about 4:00 p.m. These are flights 61 and 66 respectively. There are really no other quick ways of getting to and from Yakutat, unless you can fly yourself. From Seattle and Anchorage as your hub, you will almost always be able to find a more direct flight to major airports throughout the United States.

Travelers need to give consideration to baggage limitations with the airlines these days. If you will be fishing with us, it could quite likely be the case that you end up with more than one box of fish. If you can, we suggest you travel as light as possible in order to minimize the cost of getting all your gear and catch home.

Why Yakutat

With a business based in Yakutat, it is reasonable to think you would see me spout about how great it is here. However, it may very well be great in other destinations throughout the state. So, let’s give some reasons why we think you should visit here as opposed to some other location.

First and foremost, it’s the isolation of the place. Yakutat is basically landlocked. That means there is much less development due to super high costs related to transportation and logistics. Less development is sort of what we are all looking for in an outdoor experience.

Next, Yakutat has some really great fishing. Getting to where the fish are is relatively easy once you have landed in Yakutat, and if sport fishing is what you are coming here for, you can spend more time doing it here, easier, than in most other settings. The boat ride out to the mouth of Yakutat Bay, where most of the saltwater fishing takes place, can be as little as 15 minutes, at most one hour. The drive out to the river is about 20 minutes. The local river, the Situk, is one that can be easily navigated and has all the major salmon runs during the year.

These are the main things to consider if you are in search of a great fishing trip. But if you are not coming to fish, consider the amazing Hubbard glacier, the long unspoiled beaches, the bear, moose, and duck hunting. Consider the Wrangell-St. Elias Mountain range. Consider the kayaking and bird watching opportunities. So many people get off of cruise ships in places like Juneau and Ketchikan, and then get on a plane to go explore other parts of the state, most often in search of a more remote and old-world Alaskan experience. So many of those same people fly right over Yakutat… we suggest you stop by and check us out!

Fishing in Yakutat

Yakutat is a fishing community. Many of those who call it home, as well commercial fishermen from outside of the area, fish in the rivers and the sea surrounding Yakutat. The geography of the area plays a large role in the strong fish runs of the area.

Located in the northernmost part of southeast Alaska, Yakutat Bay opens up to the Gulf of Alaska, and where the two meet there is a terminal moraine left from the glaciers from eons past. This moraine, basically a rocky/reef line stretching across the mouth of Yakutat Bay, serves as a great habitat for a large and diverse cross-section of sea life. The significance of being perched on the edge of the Gulf of Alaska is that this moraine as well the inner bay, is influenced by the “Japanese Current,” a deep-water current rich in nutrients, that flows right up and into the Yakutat area. When this current rides up to the shallower waters along the glacial moraine and then finds sunlight at the surface, photosynthesis happens, life happens. With the waters being rich in zoa and phytoplankton fed from those nutrients, the larger sea creatures are fed, as well, fish like herring, rockfish, lingcod, halibut, and salmon, have a healthy place to congregate, hang out, and feed. Yakutat has been recognized by scientists as one of the most prolific areas in the world.

In short, Yakutat is constantly replenished by clean nutrient-rich waters, has a protective habitat for fish to find food and shelter, and is in a location along the coast which is in the migratory paths of many different species of fish. With these factors in mind, fishermen, both sport and commercial, have a better chance of having great catches when fishing Yakutat.

Vehicle Rental

Renting a van, truck, or SUV is just about a must when doing the Yakutat adventure. The town and the surrounding features are just far apart enough that a vehicle becomes a must as part of your trip. There are a few choices for this service. If the lodge you’re staying at does not have this service, there are a few rental agencies available in town, and they can be found online.

What to pack for your trip

First and foremost… Pack light. As the airlines make baggage policies fairly restrictive to bring too much, coupled with the fact that it is very possible you will be bringing back home well over 50 pounds of amazing seafood, we have found that the less you can bring the more you can easily take home. Also, we have found that once you visit Yakutat, you usually want to come back. With that in mind, consider using your cardboard-waxed fish boxes for future years. They are lightweight yet meet the requirements to ship perishables. Conventional coolers are a bit too heavy and bulky; restricting the amount of fish you are able to pack per checked item to meet the strict 50-pound weight limit. You do have the option to ship your fish or luggage via Alaska Air as airfreight, but that often amounts to multiple trips to the airport to pick up your freight and is usually more costly if traveling to the lower 48 or internationally.

Some things you do want to consider:

• Lightweight waders and wading shoes (Not just for the river fishing, but are great out on your ocean fishing trips as well). Please, no cleated wader shoes on the charter boat.
• Polarized sunglasses are great for looking into the water and seeing the FISH.
• Seasick remedy of choice. If you think you are susceptible to this issue, take precautions. Otherwise, it could be that 5 of your closest friends will be a bit unhappy at you for not doing so.
• Groceries, if you are cooking for yourself. However, there are a couple of grocery stores in town.
• Fishing tackle. Not needed if you are going on a charter, but if you are fishing in the rivers, or renting one of our ocean skiffs, give this some thought. Rods and reels, fishing vest, hip boots or neoprene waders, good quality rain gear, gloves, insect repellent, polarized glasses, waterproof bag, hook sharpener, needle-nose pliers or hemostat, leader clippers, knife, appropriate assortment swivels, weights, hooks, new line, extra spools, and reel oil or WD-40 are some items that you quite likely will need and want.

Dining in Yakutat

There are a few dining options in Yakutat (although limited), but there are a couple of well-stocked grocery stores if you would like to prepare meals yourself. When making lodging arrangements, be sure to ask about the facilities available. There is also a caterer in town who may be able to provide meals as well, however advanced arrangements are recommended.

Your catch

One of the great benefits that Yakutat has to offer in a fishing trip is that one often is able to take fish back home. Throughout much of the season, our guests are able to take an average of about 40-50 pounds of fish home from their trip, and often more. Taking good care of that catch, and being prepared back home will make the whole experience more successful. Our suggestion is that you plan on having us filet, vacuum pack, and freeze your catch, and that you use the wax/lined fish boxes we have available (coolers are a less desirable way to ship home because the cooler itself takes up a significant amount of your checked baggage weight). Before going to the airport prior to your journey, make sure you have freezer space available. Also, be sure to save those fish boxes for your next trip. You will most likely want to come back again real soon.

It may also be the case that you will want to purchase some of the local seafood directly from the commercial fishers. If that is the case, again, taking care of that bounty should be done in order to maintain long-term freshness and your investment. Give us a call and we will help however we can. Fish cutting, packaging, freezing, and shipping are part of what we do.

Shipping your catch home

In most cases, travelers from Yakutat take their seafood back home as checked baggage; however, we are seeing a trend towards using Alaska Air-Air Freight. This is due to multiple reasons. In some cases, travelers are either spending the night somewhere before getting home, are traveling further on their vacation, or are just worried about getting unexpectedly stuck somewhere and in hindsight, don’t want to have to deal with the fish boxes under those circumstances. Additionally, depending on where you are traveling to, the restrictions on the number and cost of extra checked items can be more than the costs of using the air freight option. However, to utilize this option you need to work with a “Known Shipper,” one who has been checked out by the airlines/TSA and is credentialed to be a shipper on the airline. We offer this service. Ask about this if needed.

Bringing the family

It used to be the case that the dads and the granddads were the ones going on fishing trips to Yakutat. And while the family back home certainly enjoyed the great seafood brought back, we are seeing more and more entire families joining us for their Alaska adventure. Here’s the thing… Yakutat is a spectacular place. Gorgeous scenery, as well, entrenched in history, and its natural, wild, and untamed side are what keep guests coming back — and staying in love with this place. It can be a bit rugged and challenging at times. If you have your eye on fishing the river, the days can be long, and that can be a challenge for the kids. When going on a charter, understand that the children, mostly those under 15, seem to be more susceptible to seasickness, so pre-planning is advised. When it comes to the ladies, if she is one who needs to go to a show and visit a shopping mall, we suggest she goes on her own vacation. But if she loves the outdoors, and has an appreciation for nature the slightly raw and untamed, by all means, come along! And gentlemen, if you are fortunate enough to have your lady on the trip, prepare to be outfished. Women are more vigilant about listening to their guide, and studies have shown that this can actually make a difference in your catch.

When not fishing

On most trips, our guests are primarily focused on fishing: Arrival day, get set up; next day, a full-day charter; day three, perhaps a river day; day four, another day on the ocean; and so on. In the evenings, if the gang is not on the river, they are either eating or sleeping. You say, “What else is there”?

The beach. There are lots of old roads along the coast, leftovers from WW2, which wind through some really beautiful forests and along the coastline. One of the most mind-blowing things this writer can think about is how so many fishermen, lovers of the great outdoors, spend so much time and money to get to Yakutat to do some world-class fishing, and then don’t book a trip up to the glacier, in the evening, on their first day in town, or on the day of their departure if leaving on the late afternoon jet. The Hubbard Glacier is one of this world’s most incredible natural beauties, and so few people have seen it. Ask us about booking a charter to the glacier — you will not regret it!

What to bring when you’re on the ocean

Although the boats are geared up with almost all the fishing gear you are going to need (unless you hook the bottom with one of my favorite lures), here is a list of items you might find helpful on your trip out on the water:

• A good start is to bring a smile
• A camera
• Waterproof footwear
• Waders or some other form of raingear. (You probably will want to check a weather forecast to see if we might get some rain.)
• Layered clothing, temperatures can vary throughout the day
• Lunch and snackables
• Beverages of choice (water, soft drinks, etc.)
• Sunglasses
• Waterproof gloves if it might be cold out
• And last but not least, a fun, adventurous attitude!

Seasickness

The study results are in and have been tallied… SEASICKNESS HAPPENS. The study concludes that approximately one out of five persons will be seasick, and this can happen even on the calmest of days. Most of our guests have a pretty good idea if they are susceptible to this dreadful malady. If you are not certain, we suggest that you take at least some minimal precautions.

Here are a few suggestions:

• A good night’s sleep the night before, as fatigue seems to contribute greatly
• Minimize the use of alcohol
• The night before, consider an over-the-counter remedy (like Bonine or Dramamine). Take another as soon as possible in the morning.
• Have a sensible breakfast. Good ole oatmeal is a terrific option. Also, minimize acidy foods like oranges and coffee if you think you may have stomach issues while out on the water.
• Try to stay comfortable, dress appropriately, if you need some air then go out on deck.
• Bring an apple. It may sound weird but an apple seems to be a better fix than a seasick tablet after the fishing day has started
• If it becomes apparent that you might get sick…. OVER THE SIDE PLEASE! If possible, you may consider taking a nap. Again, fatigue seems to be a big contributor to seasickness.
• Enough said on this topic

Lodging

All of our lodges have full amenities including well-equipped kitchens, towels, bedding, and laundry facilities.
Our lodging lineup consists of these options:

1. The Sly Fox Inn: A fully furnished, 2-story home with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms – able to sleep 10, with one to a bed and include one queen-sized, 5 twins, and 2 twin bunk beds. The large dining table seats 10 and the full deck off the living room includes a propane grill and outdoor seating.
2. The Fox Den: An upstairs apartment-like place with a single bedroom with 2 sets of bunk beds (twin over full), a full bathroom, kitchen, and dining/seating space. An additional bedroom is available downstairs with a full bed, bunk bed, and a half bath.
3. The Log House Apartment: an upstairs living space with 2 full bedrooms and 1 ½ bathrooms. Also includes an additional low-ceiling bedroom for 1 person. Altogether sleeps 6 with 1 to a bed, however, two of the beds are queen-sized, so can accommodate up to 8.
4. The Man Camp: A bunk house-style place for the budget-minded. This place has 8 bunk beds, 2 baths with separate shower and lavatory areas, a kitchen, dining table, and a small outdoor covered deck.
   Please contact us for more information about our various lodging facilities and to help determine which place would best fit your needs.

Types of lodging

In Yakutat, there are no Holiday Inns or hotel chains. Every lodge, B&B, guest house etc., is unique and in most cases operated or perhaps overseen by the owners or a very small team. From listening closely to our guests, we have come to the conclusion that what works for each group depends on the amenities and type of experience they want to create for themselves during their stay. Perhaps it’s the quaintness of a smaller operation with more personal service, or perhaps it is the larger facilities with more standard resources (like meal service). Whichever you chose, be sure to understand the services offered by your lodging facility so that it aligns with your needs. As you check into what is available, consider these issues; dining, vehicles, drift boats if you are going down the river, airport pickup and drop-off, ease of getting in touch and making reservations, etc. Most all the lodging operations in Yakutat have websites. One can easily find them just by going online. Airbnb or VRBO is a good place to start.

We do offer multiple lodging options ourselves, so please check out that tab on our website and if you want more information, do not hesitate to call for more details.

Storage available

Ask about it and we will see what we can do for you. You may find that leaving some of your gear for next year is of great value to you, and we understand this and want to be as helpful as possible. Something that you should keep in mind is that covered and dry storage space in Yakutat is sparse. The weather in the area is so dynamic that sometimes even gear that is inside or undercover may be affected by moisture and other elements. So if you do choose to leave some of your stuff, do so with that understanding, and pack away your gear accordingly. Call for a quote.

Smoked salmon

A great many of our guests inquire about smoked salmon. We suggest that you give us a call either before your trip or while you are in town to see what is available. If we know in advance we should be able to make arrangements for your requests.

Buying seafood in Yakutat

There are a couple of venues available in Yakutat for one to purchase seafood. One can work directly with a commercial fisher, or you can go to the seafood processing plant. If you have further questions or need other help give us a call.

Hunting Yakutat

Big game hunting does take place in the area. Moose, bear, and waterfowl are the most sought-after species. There are hunting guides in the area. Just make sure you understand all our local regulations and have your permits taken care of before you set off on your adventure.

Paying for your trip/booking a trip

Our normal way of doing things is that you give us a call and make a reservation; we send you a reservation form reflecting those dates and our policies. You will then have about 30 days to get us a 50% deposit, which can be paid with a check, or credit card. The balance can be paid at the end of your stay, as there are most often vacuum packing, fish boxes, gratuities, shipping charges, etc., to be factored in. Please note: there is an additional fee added when using a credit card.

Coolers

Many people have found that the use of the waxed fish boxes ends up being of greater benefit for shipping your fish home than coolers. The coolers are bulky and heavy, up to 20 pounds in some cases. The boxes we have available are about 4 pounds each. With the average retail costs of halibut fillets being from $20-$24/lb., it is easy to see that you don’t want to waste your checked baggage weight on anything other than fish. If you need additional insulation we do offer insulated liners to go inside the boxes. These add about another day to travel time, depending on the weather and if there is a cold storage location at the airports you are traveling through.

Borrowing/renting gear

Rental gear is not generally available. As far as borrowing, just remember, if you find a kind soul who is gracious with their gear, understand that they quite likely use that gear to make their living, so be sure to return it in the condition, or better, than when you first received it. Living in Yakutat has its challenges, and one of those is getting the gear needed and keeping it in good repair. The time that most residents have to earn their yearly income and do the necessary maintenance is very limited due to the seasonal weather.

Gear available in town

In most cases, you will want to bring what you need to get the job done while in Yakutat. We do have a Tru-Value hardware store in town that is fairly well stocked and does what it can to meet the needs of those who come to visit. Do keep in mind however that there is not as much or as great a variety of items in Yakutat as you will in the lower 48, so be prepared as best as possible.