Hi all I am going to Alaska anchorage in mid august. Never been so figured pick the minds out there. Love fly fishing, so what do I need to do while I am there. At a medical conference so leaving the city for extended periods of time are out. Day or half day trips ok. So please educate me.

Jim

I lived there from '09-'14, and traveled back quite a bit '14 to '16. I had so many visitors that I made this Adobe document to help them plan their visit.

One of the best times we had there after driving rental RV everywhere for 2 weeks, was to just park at the Anchorage Water Aerodrome-or whatever they call it--and watch the private small aircraft land/take off for a couple hours.

It was a living parade of historic planes of all types long in service to the Outback. Just the variety of pontoons and wheels was a study in itself.

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Originally posted by signewt:
Anchorage Water Aerodrome-or whatever they call it--and watch the private small aircraft land/take off for a couple hours.

IMO, the prime spot for watching float planes take off on Lake Hood (world's busiest seaplane base) is the patio bar at the Lakefront Anchorage (formerly the millennium hotel).

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e Lakefront Anchorage (formerly the millennium hotel).

Is that the place that has what seems like a triangular shaped seaplane basin, with 2 longish arms converging at the back and a shorter 'docking area' in front where many of the hangers/etc are located?

Is the gun store that did a TV show still around. You know, Phred.

I am staying at the lakefront for the conference. Thanks for the document. I'll read at work. Definitely doing cooks inlet boat tour. Is there good flyfishing near town? I assume so,but if been wrong before. Looking at trying to wade not boat it.

Twenty plus years ago while my friend took finals at UAA, I killed two days just driving around to gun and pawn shops. I saw things for sale that I'd only seen in books and museums.

I assume the "gun shop hop" would be a lot easier now with the internet and GPS navigation.

You can walk to Ship Creek to look at what salmon may be running at the time. Besides the 'viewing Platform' in you go upstream a bit, near Reeve RD, they have a hatchery that has plenty to see. I think the King salmon run may be winding down by then, lots there last week though.

If you are of the bike riding type, they have a good trail that you can get on below the Capt Cook hotel area. I usually get a bike from 'Downtown Bike Rental', in the blue building. The trail goes out around the airport, into Kincaid park & beyond. You have a good chance of seeing moose near Kincaid park. Look at google maps for side trips through quiet roads, Lake Hood is sorta on the way.

There is a shuttle to 'Flat Top Mountain' downtown, a popular spot just outside town. If you feel the need for some bearspray, 'Big Rays' downtown, or even Wal-Mart have it. There is some rif-raf mostly North of downtown, harmless normally. Of course no bringing bearspray back, even in checked baggage, shoot it off or give it away.

Most go after salmon, plenty of other opportunities available. If you have a vehicle you can get out a ways, ask around. A few places to get a beer are F Street Station, Humpy's, and 'The 49th State Brewery, some dives too.

quote:

Originally posted by signewt:

quote:

e Lakefront Anchorage (formerly the millennium hotel).

Is that the place that has what seems like a triangular shaped seaplane basin, with 2 longish arms converging at the back and a shorter 'docking area' in front where many of the hangers/etc are located?

This photo shows Anchorage International Airport, the sea plane base, Lake Hood, and the Lakefront Anchorage hotel.

If you're into the Nike Hercules surface to air missile system, here's a chance to tour a partially restored launcher site:

http://www.nikesitesummit.net/...te-summit-tours.html

I know, it's not for everyone.