TroutJournal.com

[TarponJim]

"Best" means different things to different people. You have to decide what species you want to target to get the "best" chance at those species. Having guided there for 7 years, in 3 different regions (Southeast, Bristol Bay/Katmai, and WAY up north in Unalakleet), I can tell you the general seasons.

Rainbows are best in late August and September, when they're eating salmon flesh and eggs. Second best would be mid-June when they're eating salmon fry from last season's spawn.
King salmon season is usually mid-June until Mid-July, with the week around 4th of July peak in most areas. Chums, Pinks, and Sockeye fill most of the mid summer salmon fishing. Come August, Silvers start to run in most rivers, with mid-August being a peak time.

Each drainage varies slightly, and there are seasonal variances as well. Runs can be a couple of weeks earlier or later from year to year.

As for locations, the very best are in the Bristol Bay drainages of the southwest peninsula. Anything around Katmai National Park. Some other favorites include the Good News River (that's really the name, and its GOOD NEWS!) and Nushagak River. All the major rivers draining into Bristol Bay have good fishing, and all have many tributaries.

First, pick your budget (you get what you pay for in Alaska--beware of "bargains"!) Then, pick your species of main interest. Then, talk (not email, but voice) with lodge operators and guides. Then, talk to people who have been fishing where you are considering. Finally, pick a place and a week or two, and cut the checks!

By all means go somewhere accessible ONLY by float plane. If you can drive to it in Alaska, then consider it fishing in Los Angeles. Drive-in areas are usually a zoo, and certainly not world-class.