One of the great boons of fishing in Alaska is the spectacular and varied range of options available to the adventurous angler. From abundant cutthroat trout on Prince of Wales Island to giant Arctic char on the northwestern coast and trophy rainbows throughout the Southwest region, the scope of species is as diverse as the terrain. As just one example, there are not many places in the world like Yakutat, where an ambitious fisherman can land a Chinook, a halibut and wild steelhead in the same day.

As also is exemplified in this issue, the Alaska angler's plate overflows with possibility. Take for instance Pudge's feature on lake trout. In a state that hungers for salmon and halibut, lake trout fall well below the radar when it comes to targeted species. Just last July editor Troy Letherman and I had the pleasure to fish in the same location that Melissa and Pudge did at Grosvenor Lodge, and it was more fun and action than I ever envisioned. It seemed that every other cast resulted in strikes and most resulted in coming tight to a trout. Many more anglers would seek this experience if they new what was in store.

Perhaps you have considered fishing for pike, but have never taken the time to do so. G.B. Barnard's piece will get you started on choosing some effective baits. From personal experience, pike fishing can be an absolute howl. No matter how many northerns you have caught, the strike of an attacking water wolf will always startle and most often result in an increased heart rate. During my journey on the Yukon and its tributaries, we hooked and landed hundreds of fish. The strike is always sudden and never predictable, and the proximity to the boat can be directly correlated to the height off the deck that the angler jumps when the pike crashes through the surface. Like lake trout fishing, you'll often find that you have the water all to yourself.

As is discussed in the Editor's Creel this month, Alaska also hosts incredible cutthroat fishing opportunities. During a four-day window of petulant skies and obscene river conditions while fishing for steelhead on Prince of Wales, Troy and I found salvation in the plentiful and willing cutthroat in the streams and lakes around the island. Often overshadowed by its cousin the rainbow, the cutthroat is not a hot topic of conversation outside of southeast Alaska. For an angler looking for plenty of action on light gear, the cutthroat ranks near the top of the list, along with Dolly Varden and Arctic grayling. All three are perfect species to target when teaching someone to fish, especially children.

The point I am making here is that Alaska fishing is far more than just salmon and halibut. From the myriad of saltwater bottomfish to the lesser known and targeted freshwater burbot and sheefish, one needs not look far in order to find a new fishing experience. Here are some options to consider during this busiest of fishing periods:

1. Take a fly-out for the day to a lake in the Mat-Su Valley for pike or lake trout. Several Fish Alaska magazine advertisers provide this service and can outfit you with a guide and boat. With the options on the market for one-man boats, an angler can easily afford a model that breaks down for flight and provides you the ability to access low-pressure waters.
2. Float tube for rainbow trout, char and grayling in a southcentral Alaska lake. Once the salmon are in full return, most of the angling pressure in Southcentral turns to the streams and saltwater. One can fish a lake and have the possibility of doing some dry-fly fishing. For me, this experience is both relaxing and rejuvenating as the activity of being in the water and casting to rising fish eliminates stress.
3. Raft down a river like the Gulkana. While both accessible and well traveled, the Gulkana affords one the opportunity to catch many species of fish and to experience a wild and scenic river and the fun of camping and floating. The upper river from Paxson Lake to the canyon offers some of Southcentral's best grayling fishing with shots at trophy rainbow trout. By this time of the year, the sockeye are also running and when you reach the lower river, you'll get a shot at a king.
4. Head out into Prince William Sound. Fishing in Prince William Sound can be done from Whittier, Seward, Cordova, and Valdez. In addition to targeting halibut or salmon (kings, silver and pinks), savvy captains bring their anglers to places where lingcod and rockfish can be caught. It's always fun to drop a line and be uncertain what type of fish will come boat side. Upon occasion, a fisherman will be in the middle of fighting a fish when the rod bend redoubles. This can either be a lingcod with your rockfish in its mouth (i.e.: this month's cover) or a salmon shark. You have a chance of landing the lingcod.

During these days of endless sunlight and great fishing, be sure to enjoy whatever it is you are doing. Hopefully, you get out and experience a few options off the beaten path to better understand and appreciate Alaska's piscatorial diversity.

- Marcus Weiner

Publisher