Stream Fishing

Our Stream Fishing Trips

Whether you are experienced or not, Doug Ogilvy can give you a good day on one of the many rivers in the area. Doug has sport fished from the time he was old enough to hold a pole, and he's always happy to give lessons on fly casting, or spin casting equipment. If you don’t like to fish (but your partner does), be sure to bring your binoculars and camera — the wilderness areas we go to are stunningly beautiful, and we often see bears, eagles, and other wildlife.

Six clients is the maximum on any Whisper Marine stream fishing trip. Most days we won't see any other visitors on the river — other than bears and eagles. If we do encounter another group, we can quickly move to a different part of the river. “Combat fishing” is not in the works!

Novice or experienced — we'll make the day work for you. We often hike considerable distances, but we have great flexibility in our ability to choose from several streams, which can reduce hiking distances. We have a repeat client who is a paraplegic, and we have been able to get him upstream for fly fishing. He has had a great time!

Fishing Opportunities

The fishing opportunities will change in our streams as the spring and summer progress. 

From May through mid-June, we often find steelhead in the upper stretches of the rivers. One of the ultimate fresh water fighting fish in the world, steelhead can be a challenge to hook. But imagine a 20-pound fish leaping four feet out of the water, and streaking away on a powerful run — putting you in hot pursuit to keep the line from being “stripped”! 

Cut-throat trout and Dolly Varden can also provide good fun during this period. During May, most of the Dolly Varden move out of the upper reaches of the rivers, into salt water and near the river mouths.

There they feed on small ocean fishes and invertebrates. We often find concentrations in the lower tidal areas of streams, where the main food source is out-migrating salmon fry. Get on to the right presentation, and you may experience the best “catching” of your life.

Salmon start moving into the streams on their spawning cycle in early July.  By mid-July, Pink Salmon offer abundant opportunities to catch four to seven pound fighte. Mix in a few Sockeye and Chum Salmon, and add the Dolly Vardens which have followed the salmon up the rivers, and the streams can be “alive” with thousands of fish.

Late August and September is when Silver Salmon move into the rivers. You will get a hit, followed by a seven to fifteen pound Silver clearing the water several times before settling into strong combat. Keep the drag loose!  They will easily break 10-lb line.

Respect for the Resource

Many fishermen spend multiple days in the area. A day or two on a salt water charter boat, fishing for salmon, halibut, and other bottom-fish, usually provides all the frozen fish you'll need for home use. Gustavus has an excellent small processor that will cut, pack, freeze, and ship, the catch from these boats.  

We have great stream fishing on north Chichagof Island and other rivers which feed into Icy Strait and Cross Sound. In fact, some of our clients have told us they have had “the best fishing day of their lives” here.

We want to keep it that way. Doug Ogilvy will do the best he can to give you a good day on the stream. This does not mean filling a cooler with the legal bag limit of fish. We will be fishing with barbless hooks, and trying to minimize mortality on fish released. Taking a couple fish back to your lodge (most of the local lodges can prepare them for you) for supper is fine. We are also OK with bringing out a few late season “bright” Silvers. 

However, if your primary interest is in taking home maximum poundage, we are not the right guide service for you.

What We Provide

We offer a great bundle of services, to maximize your experience on the rivers we fish.

We'll provide boat transportation, to several different streams off the Gustavus road system. If you have your own favorite equipment and waders, by all means bring them, because if you're staying in Gustavus, there are places you can fish accessible by road or hiking.

Whisper Marine can supply waders, and flyfishing or spin-cast gear for our clients. Anyone over the age of 12 will need an Alaska fishing license. The same license applies for salt water fishing. We carry a small first aid kit, and a pack for lunches and other supplies. With larger groups, we sometimes bring a canoe or kayak up the river, for ease in transporting lunches and extra gear in “dry bags.”

When we choose to keep a few fish, we make sure they are properly cleaned and transported back to the dock.   

What You Need to Bring

Most Gustavus Lodges provide a lunch for their clients who have booked a day outing. If yours does not, you'll need to have a lunch, snacks, and enough beverages for a full day.

Between the sunny days in Southeast Alaska, it can be cool and damp. You'll need to bring rain gear, rubber boots, and some warm clothing. The stream waters are always chilly. We will be wearing waders when fishing, but long pants or long underwear bottoms under them can be a nice thing — especially if you choose to stand in water much of the day.  

A small day pack is handy for your binoculars, camera (be sure to store it in a zip-lock bag) and some extra clothing. Check with your lodge before you pack everything for your trip — some of the lodges supply day packs and rubber boots.