How to pack for your Alaska fishing trip

Traveling to Alaska is an exciting proposition. Trying to figure out how to pack all of your clothes, fishing gear and other equipment without having to pay the airlines extra money is quite a daunting task. I’m going to tell you how to pack it all up in preparation for your trip. Since you’ll probably be flying to Alaska (as opposed to driving), it will be very important that you understand the airline baggage rules and regulations as it relates to your luggage and baggage allowances. In order for you to do this I’ve provided links to the websites of the most popular airlines serving the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Simply click on your airline and it will take you to the airline baggage information page for that airline.

Alaska Airlines
American Airlines
Continental Airlines
Delta
Northwest Airlines
United
US Airways

You should also visit the Transportation Security Administration website for additional information on transporting fishing gear as this information can change periodically.

So, as you can see from each of these websites, in general, each airline generally allows 2 checked bags and 2 carry-ons (one real carry-on and one personal bag like a camera bag, laptop, etc.). So now we’ll concentrate on how to pack all of your items to meet these airline baggage rules and regulations. It can be done.

Your first piece of luggage is the most obvious. It is your suit case (or duffle bag if you wish). Choose a suit case that is as large as the airline allows and is soft sided so it can expand. You’re going to have a lot of stuff to pack in here. Your suit case will contain all of your clothing items, your toiletries bag, your waders (in a plastic garbage bag if dirty), your fishing vest (as your forceps, clippers, pliers, hooks, etc. could be construed as weapons), vacuum packaging machine if you decided to purchase this item (don’t forget extra bags for this), your soft-sided tackle box and tackle, maybe extra reels, grilling basket for cooking on the fire, stringer, fillet knife, rain gear, shoes/boots, bungy straps and the MilePost.

As you can see, your suit case is going to be very full. For this reason, you’ll need to take along your small backpack as a carry-on item. If a backpack doesn’t work for you, you can also use a small gym bag. Check the airline regulations and make sure that your backpack fits within their guidelines for carry-on luggage. In this carry-on, you’ll pack your bulky sweatshirts, your fishing hat, fishing license, sunglasses, first-aid kit, sunscreen, zip lock bags and garbage bags, toilet paper, bug repellant, hand warmers, gloves, rope and duct tape, camera and camera bag and any reading material and snacks you may want for the flight. In one of the side pockets you’ll store your maps, airline tickets, keys, sunglasses, money and/or travelers checks and any other personal items. You can also toss in your favorite book or magazine to read along the way. Carry your jacket with you. It won't be counted as a carry-on. If you live on the east coast of the U.S., it will be a fairly long flight but depending on where you are flying from, there is usually a lay over or two along the way.

If you’re planning on bringing home some salmon, your cooler will turn out to be your most important piece of luggage. Just remember that in general, the airlines will not allow any piece of luggage to exceed 50 lbs. Keep that in mind for your return trip as you are filling your cooler full of salmon. You will be packing your cooler last, just before you leave for the airport. In your cooler you will pack all your cold items first. This will be any cheeses, butter, lunch meats or other frozen meats. Add in the frozen gel packs on top of that layer. Next, lay in a towel or two and your wash cloths and two old dish clothes. This will help insulate that bottom layer and keep it cold. Finish off your cooler with the rest of your dry food items, your condiments and your spices, paper plates, one set of regular silverware and some plastic silverware, aluminum foil, cheap plastic drink containers (you may leave these behind if you don’t have room on the trip home).

Once everything is packed in your cooler, you will wrap all the seams with duct tape and then make several wraps around the entire outside of the cooler to make sure it remains closed and sealed. If you have a hard-sided rod case, you can also strap this to the back or to the top of the cooler, effectively making this one piece of luggage. Check with your airline to make sure this is acceptable to them. If not, you may have to do that and then simply put them both inside an oversized garment or duffle bag and tie it shut. Either way will work. As a last resort you can also leave the case behind and wrap a few rubber bands around the rods and carry them on.

If you follow these guidelines on how to pack, you should have very few problems getting everything packed up neatly and efficiently. Naturally, not everyone will take everything I have mentioned here and some may take more. Use your powers of creative thinking to figure out what is best for your particular circumstance.