Helping Children Maximize Their Alaskan Fishing Experience

For many considering an Alaskan fishing vacation in the near future, this will be a whole-family event. Bringing the kids along is a great way to connect with them and also introduce them not only to the sport of fishing, but also to the incredible environment and sights available to them in a beautiful place like Alaska.

At Pybus Point Lodge, we're proud to offer numerous fishing vacation packages, including everything from salmon and halibut fishing to various other all-inclusive programs. We're also happy to assist any parents with child-friendly themes, from necessary equipment up through basic fishing training and several other areas. What are some general tips we offer to clients on making the Alaskan fishing experience a great one for their kids? Here are several.

DRESS FOR THE WEATHER

Even if you're visiting our state during the summer months, beware that Alaska can still get pretty chilly. While it's always best to come prepared, you really want the kids to be comfortable in what they are wearing when out on the water or when exploring Alaska in general.

Bring along several layers of clothing, including long sleeve shirts and pants, fleece jackets/pullovers for colder days, lots of socks (to prevent blisters), and waterproof footwear. In addition, bring along a pair of waders if you are planning on doing any fishing from the shore of one of our beautiful streams, since they'll help keep the chill off.

PLEASE DON'T FORGET THE SUNSCREEN

Even if it's cloudy or raining, Alaska has plenty of sun and can be very hot during summer days. Make sure you have sunscreen readily available at all times to prevent discomfort for your kids. And if any of your kids have trouble remembering to apply sunscreen to themselves, consider bringing along a hat with a built-in neck flap – that'll help prevent them from forgetting! You can also provide reminders to your kids as it gets close to time for them to re-apply sunscreen, as well.

BRING A VARIETY OF SNACKS AND DRINKS

It's always good to have water bottles or another way of carrying drinks available at all times, but having snacks that are high in protein and low in sugar will help keep the kids going longer. We recommend trail mix, dried fruit, and nuts; fresh fruit is also a great snack for kids.

We're familiar with the lost energy that time on the water can cause, and we suggest buying any drinks or snacks before you head out to avoid your child getting too hungry (or thirsty) while you're waiting in line to check in when you arrive at the lodge.

In addition, snacks with an easily opened wrapper are a good idea since you don't want any trash littering our beautiful coastline or waterways. We strongly recommend picking up trash from around the boat if your child happens to find anything on the water's edge before you leave for your trip back at Pybus Point Lodge.

CONSIDER SHORE FISHING

For younger children or those who are completely new to fishing, you might consider a shore fishing experience first before they get on any boats or watercraft. Shore fishing makes it much easier for you to be with your children at all times and is a great way for them to begin their fishing journeys from the familiar waters of a freshwater river, stream, or lake. You'll be able to show them basic tips and be much more patient with them as they get started.

Feel free to ask our staff about the best places for shore fishing near our area and we'll point you in the right direction of some great fishing experiences!

TARGET CHILD-APPROPRIATE FISH SPECIES AND SIZES

While adults are often in pursuit of that 75-pound trophy fish, handling this sort of weight isn't something a smaller child can typically handle. We recommend targeting fish species that are considered "average" in size, such as silver salmon (coho), rainbow trout, dolly varden, and kings. We're happy to recommend the ideal areas where you can find these near our lodge. If you're on a fishing trip where larger species will often be found, stay close to shore or have a partner watching the kids as you reel in those big fish!

PARTICIPATION IN CLEANING AND PROCESSING

While teaching your child about casting and reeling in a fish is the first step in this process, you should also involve them in cleaning and processing any fish you catch that you plan to bring home with you. This helps instill a sense of pride and accomplishment in the hunt as well as the finished product, which is a wonderful way to create lasting memories.

And if you do end up catching one that's too big for your child to handle on their own, bringing them along will allow them to see you in action – whether it's cutting open a salmon or filleting a steelhead, just remember to be patient and loving!

SAFETY FIRST

As with any family activity, safety should be the number one priority when you're out fishing in Alaska. Make sure your children are always wearing their flotation device (PFD) while they're on the water and consider bringing along additional devices such as lifejackets, a coast guard-approved lifeboat, or other flotation devices.

In addition to water safety, we also recommend keeping a good eye on your child at all times – including while they're fishing! In addition to wearing their PFDs and staying close by, you should be using the buddy system so that no one is ever by themselves. And if your child is taking part in the cutting process or other parts of processing caught fish, be very careful to supervise them while using knives or other sharp objects.

For more on how to make an Alaskan fishing experience ideal for your children, or to learn about any of our fishing or wildlife packages, speak to the staff at Pybus Point Lodge today.

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