Alaska provides some of the best fishing opportunities in the world, and there’s simply nothing like dragging a beautiful king salmon from a pristine river in the Alaskan wilderness. However, it is essential to remember that fishing isn’t just a sport for adults – it is a great experience for kids too. While most of our guests are experienced anglers, who’ve been fishing for many years, youngsters can certainly enjoy fishing during their North Woods Lodge visit, too. However, you must be sure to prepare for your Alaska fishing adventure. This isn’t hard to do, but you’ll need to embrace the tips and tricks detailed below.
Heed Your Guide’s Advice
Every group that visits North Woods Lodge will be greeted by their very own guide, to help you enjoy your stay and catch as many fish as possible. Our guides are all experienced, and their advice can be invaluable, so be sure to follow their instructions carefully. Encourage your child to follow suit and ask plenty of questions – our guides love to help youngsters learn to fish!
Dress Your Child For The Weather
To ensure your child can focus and remain engaged in fishing, you’ll need to make sure they stay comfortable. A critical detail is dressing appropriately for the weather. Even though most of our guests visit during the relatively mild summer, you can still run into cold temperatures during the morning or evening. However, you’ll also need to be ready to deal with high temperatures during the middle of the day. Always dress in layers to acclimate to the changing temperatures accordingly.
Target Species That Are Easy To Catch
King salmon and sockeye often elicit most of the attention from visiting anglers, but most youngsters are excited about all of the local species. You may want to shift your sights from these charismatic species to a more abundant quarry; such as rainbow trout. Trout are often relatively easy to catch, and they put up quite a fight for their size. Once your child has tasted a little bit of success, they can start trying for a few of the more celebrated species.
Maintain A Positive Attitude And Keep Things Light
Fishing is supposed to be fun, so make sure you treat it as such. Don’t become discouraged if you don’t have a lot of luck right off the bat. Our guides are quite skilled, and they’ll help you pattern and catch the fish. It takes a bit of time some days. Make sure you encourage your child and celebrate even the smallest victories. Especially rejoice as they learn how to cast, operate the reel or fly fish. If the day isn’t going especially well, pass your rod to your youngster when you hook a fish. This will give them a chance to get in on the action and feel accomplished at the end of the day.
Don’t forget to familiarize yourself with Alaska’s fishing regulations and to obtain a license before hitting the water. (Note that children 16 years of age or older require their license as well). The state of Alaska takes fish and wildlife laws very seriously. Failing to follow all relevant laws and regulations will often result in very steep fines. However, if you obtain everything you need and stay on the right side of the law, you’ll have smooth sailing. You’ll also help set a good example for your children. If you would like to learn a few more ways to ensure your kids enjoy their first Alaska fishing vacation, cruise on over to Outdoor Empire where you can read their comprehensive review of the subject. You’ll learn more ways to ensure their gear suits their size, and how to identify the best locations and targets.