FAQs
Have questions about your trip with Tidewater Fly Fishing? See our frequently asked questions below, or contact us via email: dave@tidewaterflyfishing.com. We look forward to welcoming you in Juneau, Alaska!
Logistics
Owner and operator, Dave McKenna, is currently our only guide (see About Us page). Dave's wife, Colleen, manages some of the logistics coordination, so you may hear from her, but rest assured, she will not be taking you fishing! If you have questions specific to the fishing, please feel free to either email Dave directly at dave@tidewaterflyfishing.com or call him at 206-317-4439. He is often out fishing, but leave him a message and he will get back to you.
Not at this time. Dave is currently the only guide and can only take two people on a trip, regardless of how many of them will be fishing. First, the truck only accommodates two passengers. Second, many of the spots that we fish are tight, and we do our best to limit our impacts on local fishing spots. Last, our permits were written for two people (plus one guide) per location, so we need to stick within those constraints.
When you get here! We work around cruise ship schedules, airplane and ferry arrival times, and work schedules. We'll arrange the time around your schedule once you've booked.
Most of our fishing is accessed by driving to a trailhead and then walking to the fishing. We will pick you up and drop you off anywhere on the Juneau road system (that includes the cruise ship docks, hotels and vacation rentals, the Auke Bay ferry terminal, and the Juneau airport).
Almost all of our trips are accessed via truck and then a walk to the fishing, so even on those foul weather days when other excursions have to cancel (such as rafting trips, helicopter rides, small plane flights, and boating excursions), we can still go fishing, and we can help keep you comfortable in our top-quality rain and weather gear. A limited number of trips may involve an open skiff, but that would be agreed upon in advance and is based on abilities, fish availability, weather, tides, and much more.
Nearly all of our trips are road/hike/walk-based, rather than plane or boat-based, so we don't carry the same kind of risk as fly-out or small-boat based trips. While we can't predict absolutely every scenario, we have backup plans for our backup plans, and in the event of a mishap, we would always try to do the right thing for the client.
We also encourage you to explore the many independently-operated tour options available in Southeast Alaska. These local businesses, like ours, offer unique and authentic experiences that can't be booked through the cruise lines – often at a better value, allowing you to connect more deeply with our beautiful region and its people.
That is a savvy question, as 907 is the only area code in Alaska! We have a Google Voice phone number, and unfortunately, they do not offer phone numbers with Alaska area codes. Dave has lived, worked, and fished in Juneau since 1999, so we are definitely locally owned and operated, despite our phone number.
Clothing, Gear, and Food
We provide all of the fishing gear, plus waders and boots, raincoats, and even insulating layers for those colder days. We do recommend that you wear pants that allow you to move well in waders. Fleece pants are ideal, and we have extra if you need to use some. Synthetic socks that come up over your calf are helpful as well, and on top a light fleece pullover, or something of that nature (although on the warmer days, that might be a bit overkill!). We will provide you with a drybag backpack that you can use for your extra layers and valuables.
We also have available first aid items and toiletries, including things like toilet paper, sunscreen, bug dope, hand sanitizer, Advil, Pepto Bismol, and more.
Safety and Mobility
This depends on your level of mobility, the fishing, and time constraints. On a full day trip, if you are up for a longer walk, we can get to some beautiful and relatively remote fishing spots. If you are less mobile or have less time, some of the fishing spots are closer in and only involve a short walk on relatively flat ground.
So is my wife (in fact, she wrote this question!). If any aspect of the fishing is out of your comfort zone, we would absolutely move along to a place that better suits your comfort level. That said, we provide Simms wading staffs and cleated boots, which can make a world of difference in walking and balancing in rocky streams.
The Fishing
No, but we do guarantee that we will work as hard as we can to help you catch fish and have an enjoyable experience.
For several reasons, we are primarily catch and release. First, some of our permits are for catch and release fishing only. Second, we do not keep trout because they are repeat spawners and we would have too big of an impact on the population. Third, we are in bear country, and cutting and gutting fish in the woods could create a dangerous situation for us and for people who visit that spot in the near future. However, there is a run of hatchery king salmon in the spring and silver salmon in September, where keeping fish is appropriate. We can provide you with recommendations for where to bring your fish to have it processed and shipped.
Both our trips offer a private guided fly-fishing experience for one or two people, but they cater to different needs.
Our Partial Day Trip (up to 5 hours door-to-door) is ideal for cruise ship passengers or those with limited time. It leaves time for exploring downtown Juneau and is an affordable option. We provide all equipment, transportation, instruction, snacks, and drinks for a comfortable outing.
The Full Day Trip (up to 8 hours) offers a significantly more fishing time. With more time, we access a wider variety of locations and species that face much less fishing pressure. This is perfect for independent travelers who have more flexibility and time. That said, if you are on a cruise and you will be in town for eight or more hours, this could definitely work for you. You'll experience incredible scenery and a remote feel without the high cost of fly-out trips. Full days include lunch, snacks, and beverages, providing a complete and memorable experience.
For more details, visit this news item.
That depends greatly on the time of year, tides, your casting ability, and mobility. See the fishing page for a lot of detail on this one.
Sure, but there are some fishing times of year that are appropriate for beginners, while others require a good deal of experience with casting. Early season can be quite challenging as the fish are roaming beaches and you need to be pretty quick to cast and retrieve in a timely and accurate manner. This is a lot to get the hang of if you've never cast a fly rod before, but most first timers enjoy the experience of learning to cast and getting into the woods or walking beaches.
Fishing tends to get easier as the salmon start entering estuaries and streams to spawn, as this concentrates both trout and salmon in the same general location. If you have varying levels of ability, we can have a discussion about how you want to prioritize your day. That is, should we emphasize the more experienced or the less experienced person, or should we balance both?
Sure! We'll be out in some beautiful spots (particularly on full day trips), and a second person doesn't cost a lot more, so bring them along! If the second person doesn't like to fish at all, they're welcome to come along if they enjoy the outdoors. We'll usually get them to at least make a few casts while they're out there! If that's the case, let us know and we can bring along a backpacker's chair for them.