Destination : Classic Casting Adventures – Sitka Alaska, US

Classic Casting Adventures provides fly fishing adventures in the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska. They offer fly out and boat access, fishing adventures that originate in Sitka, Alaska. Experience fly fishing in untouched fresh waters under the towering Sitka Spruce and Hemlock trees for salmon, trout, char and steelhead. Classic Casting’s founders bring with them the knowledge and experience of growing up fishing the rivers of Southeast Alaska. We know where and when to fish. We know the challenges presented by Southeast Alaska’s weather, climate, geography, and wildlife, and we know how to overcome these challenges in pursuit of a perfect day of fly fishing. Lodging and float planes are based out of Sitka Alaska. You’ll be picked up and taken by boat or float plane, to prime fishing rivers.

LODGING IN SITKA (Recommended by Tad)
Classic Casting Adventures does not operate its own lodge. We utilize other experienced companies to accommodate our guests.

With our multi day – all-inclusive packages we provide lodging at local Sitka Hotels and Bed and Breakfasts. See the following links for location specific information on the lodging options we utilize:

Westmark Sitka Hotel
330 Seward Street, Sitka, Alaska 99835-7523
Phone: (907) 747-6241 Fax: (907) 747-5486
http://www.westmarkhotels.com/sitka.php

Shee Atika Totem Square Inn
201 Katlian Street
Sitka, AK 99835
Toll-free: (866) 300-1353
www.totemsquareinn.com

VONNIE’S B&B AND GUIDE SERVICE
101 Shelikof
Sitka, AK 99835
Phone: (907) 747-6401
www.vonnies.net

SUPER 8 SITKA
404 Sawmill Creek Rd., Halibut Rd. & Sawmill Cr. Rd.,
Sitka, AK 99835-7446 US
Phone: 1-907-747-8804
www.super8.com/hotels/alaska/sitka/super-8-sitka/hotel-overview

Catered lunches by Larkspur Café, cold and hot refreshments are provided on full day and multi-day trips.

Breakfast and Dinner you’re on your own to explore the lovely town of Sitka.  Download/view the Sitka vacation guide below for list of things to do, places to stay and eat in Sitka:

http://www.sitka.org/includes/media/docs/SitkaVacationPlanner2013.pdf 

Southeast Alaska has healthy populations of fish to target with the fly. Classic Casting Adventures primarily targets fish in the fresh water and tidal areas.

SEASON / SPECIES

The action begins in late April when the wild steelheads enter the river systems from the Pacific Ocean. Steelhead fishing in Southeast Alaska is more about the quality not the quantity. The rivers are small and the numbers relatively low, however, virtually every river has a steelhead run and very few people fish for wild steelhead. This provides an opportunity to be the first person to cast a fly at some of these fish.

As spring moves into summer the Pacific Salmon enter the river systems. The Reds (or Sockeye) are the first salmon to enter the river systems in Late June. They are followed by the Pink (Humpy) and the Chum (Dog) runs in mid to late July. The Pink and Chum salmon runs are abundant in Southeast Alaska. The fish returns for these two species number in the millions. This provides for a great opportunity for both the novice and experienced individuals to catch multiple salmon on the fly.

The highlight of the salmon run is in late summer and early fall when the Coho (Silver) Salmon enter the rivers. The late summer weather can be unpredictable, however the salmon are not. These large wild salmon are fresh from the ocean and their abundant numbers give anglers the opportunity to land multiple fish per day. These large fish will test the endurance of any angler and their 8 weight rod.

Throughout the late spring and summer, cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, and dolly varden are abundant in the lakes and rivers in the Tongass. These fish don’t reach the trophy size of the rainbows in other regions of Alaska due to the smaller nature of the rivers and lakes in the Tongass. However, what they lack in size, they make up for in numbers. These species thrive throughout the Tongass region. A good day on the river will have anglers counting the number of caught and released fish in multiples of ten.

Their adventures promote 100% catch and release fishing to help ensure that the euphoric experience of catching wild salmon and trout on the fly in the Tongass is available for future generations.

GUIDE – TAD KISAKA

“I’ve been fishing since snoopy poles towered over me. I have fished all over the country and even tested waters abroad. I was introduced to fly fishing while attending the University of Idaho. It was on Idaho waters that I became addicted to catching fish on the fly. While at Idaho, I studied overseas in Australia and after my schooling was completed I traveled around Australia with a backpack and fly rod in tow. The most amazing thing about Australia was I never knew what was going to be tugging on the end of my rod. On my way back to the States from the land Down Under, I stopped off in New Zealand and fished for steelhead on the Tongariro River. After receiving my degree in fishery resources I traveled around the Northwest for three months hitting some legendary rivers and lakes. I then landed a biologist position in Vancouver, Washington and learned to fish the Columbia River for spring Chinook salmon, shad, and sturgeon. Fishing has guided me to some incredible places and has fostered some life long friendships. Although, I have fished across the country, primarily in the Northwest, the waters around Sitka exceed the beauty and fishing value of the other places I have traveled to. I currently live year round in Sitka, and love it. I have been fishing the waters around Sitka since 1999 and I am familiar with all the different runs of salmon and the timing of trout and char species. Please come and visit me. We’ll do some fishing and I’ll show you this magical place that I call home.”

Fishing Package Rates (per person, double occupancy):

Classic Casting Adventures offers both Boat Access and Float Plane Fly Fishing packages. Below are sample packages with pricing. For custom packages please contact us for pricing.

Half Day Boat Access Fly Fishing                                                             $225
Full Day Boat Access Fly Fishing                                                              $350
Full Day Float Plane Access Fly Fishing                                                  $750
3 day boat access/4 nights lodging                                                      $1,695
2 days flyout and 1 day boat access/4 nights lodging                      $2,595
3 days flyout/4 nights lodging                                                              $2,995
2 days flyout and 2 days boat access/5 nights lodging                    $3,095
(Lodging prices based on the Westmark Hotel)

Fishing License:
Purchase License online prior to your trip or purchase in Sitka Alaska Department of Fish and Game www.adfg.alaska.gov/store/

Remember Fishermen’s Spot Travel services are always FREE to you!  You never pay more than what you would pay if you booked directly with the lodge.

What’s Included:

• Catered lunches on full day and multi-day trips
• Hot and Cold refreshments (non-alcoholic)
• Gear usage including rod, reel, waders boots and flies
• Transportation to and from the airport/hotel

What’s Not Included:

• Air transportation to Sitka
• Alaska State Fishing License and Tags
• Alcoholic Beverages
• Breakfasts and Dinners
• Fish Processing, if any
• Gratuities for guides and staff

Arriving in Sitka can be as majestic as exploring the city. Nestled between snow-capped mountains, a shimmering, island-filled bay and lush green forests that climb the rugged shores, is Sitka, Alaska.

Getting here is easy on Alaska Airlines, and the view from the sky is amazing. Multiple daily flights provide a variety of options, and it’s just a short plane ride from Anchorage or Seattle.

For a more scenic trip, hop aboard the Alaska Marine Highway a ferry system that treks up the beautiful northern Pacific Coast. Vehicles can be transported on board and private cabins are available. The more adventurous and budget-minded can choose to sleep in the viewing areas or on deck under the solarium.

Sitka’s picturesque, mountain-lined shores are part of Alaska’s Inside Passage and a popular stop for both independent boaters and cruise ships. Cruisers seeking a personal, small ship experience will find it on Alaskan Dream Cruises, Fantasy Cruises, InnerSea Discoveries, Parker Guide Service or The Boat Company. Visitors who prefer a more traditional large ship experience can book through Holland America.

Arrival

Ted will transport you to and from the airport, hotel and seaplane airports. If you arrive during the day and he is out guiding, he’ll arrange a shuttle to transport you to your hotel.

Download/view the Sitka vacation guide below for list of Non-Angling Activities in Sitka:

http://www.sitka.org/includes/media/docs/SitkaVacationPlanner2013.pdf