Alaska fishing trips are considered by many to be the adventure of a lifetime. Few vacations combine the beauty and power of nature; the relaxation of luxury accommodations; the sensation of top notch cuisine and the excitement of world class fishing.

Men and women from around the world have enjoyed Alaska fishing trips for decades. Top quality resorts like Waterfall Resort, have brought a new level of luxury and enjoyment to fishing trips.

Alaska fishing trips are most popular in the late Spring and early to mid-Summer. Salmon fishing and halibut fishing are the two cornerstones to the industry with many fishermen and women catching fish that meet and even exceed their own body weight!

Fathers and sons, brothers, co-workers, husbands and wives and entire families have enjoyed Alaska fishing trips. Typically it is important to book reservations early for the best resorts and the best fishing spots, but last minute trips may also be possible.

If you are considering booking a fishing trip to Alaska you should factor all costs of the trip before making your decision. Some resorts offer all-inclusive packages and this typically equates to substantial savings. Though on first glance these resorts may seem more expensive, when you consider the a la carte pricing of other resorts and hotels you may find that you save significantly.

Do a little research online and you will be able to make the best decision. You will find the best fishing sports, the most luxurious accommodations, the budget you need and more.

If you are looking to “rough it” then you will want to do a very different type of research. Try to find safe and secure camp grounds. Remember the Alaskan wilderness is a little different than camping in your backyard. You can look for cabins or other campgrounds and read reviews for these locations.

The more you read online the easier your decision will be. Take advantage of great rates available at many top resorts and lodges and book great Alaska fishing trips.

A Waterfall Summer Favorite!

Smoked Salmon Quesadillas With Cucumber Salsa

Salsa:

1C. cubed, seeded cucumber
1/2C. cubed, peeled avocado
2T. fresh lime juice
1t. ground cumin
3T. chopped fresh cilantro
2t. mild green hot sauce

Quesadillas:

1C. shredded regular or hot pepper Monterey Jack Cheese
2oz. cream cheese, room temperature
1/2C. flaked smoked salmon
4 (10-12 inch) flour tortillas
Non-stick vegetable spray
1/2C. sour cream

Directions:
In a small bowl, mix together all the salsa ingredients, set aside.

In a medium bowl, mix together the hot pepper cheese, cream cheese and smoked salmon.

Lay two tortillas on a work surface and spread each equally with the smoked salmon mixture.

Top each with the remaining 2 tortillas.

Spray a large non-stick skillet with the vegetable spray.

Working in batches, grill each side of the tortillas over medium heat until golden: about 3 minutes per side.

Cut in wedges and top with a dollop of the sour cream and some salsa.

Yields: 4-6 servings.

The weather all week had been picture perfect for Ketchikan and Prince of Wales Island. Some 70 guests winged their way along the famous Inside Passage and across Prince of Wales Island via floatplane taking in the majestic snow-capped peaks and placid lakes.

Waterfall Jackpot Winners

June 7: 6:30am — The guests touched down at Waterfall. All proceeded to the General Store for check-in and boat assignment, then down to the awaiting guides and boats. Today is the first day of the 6th annual King Salmon Jackpot Challenge.

The Challenge is planned as a fun, no entry-fee fishing tournament that helps the 90 employees kick off the season. To enhance the fun, Waterfall has an optional daily cash jackpot so the guests can “up the ante” among themselves over the 3 tournament days.

As part of the no entry-fee Challenge, Waterfall has a special $100,000 Bonus Award for the guest who can land the largest king salmon each day of the three-day Challenge. Somewhat like hitting a hole-in-one! Waterfall goes one step further.  If the guest lands the largest king salmon 2 of the 3 days of the Challenge, the bonus is $20,000. Only one of the two Bonus Awards will be given.

2010 King Salmon Jackpot Challenge

Waterfall will host the 7th annual King Salmon Jackpot Challenge next June 6 - 9, 2010. First rights to boats are given to those who competed in 2009. However, if you want to get in on this fun tournament, you can wait list your group (4 to a boat) with Mike Dooley, Reservations Manager, 800-544-5125. We will open boats up by September 30, 2009
.

The incredible Waterfall Resort has begun filling fishing boats every day full of eager salmon and halibut fishing fans.

Another Waterfall First!

Waterfall now has an on-board photographer who sails around our cabin cruisers and snaps daily candid shots of our guests out on the water.

At the end of each day, the photos are loaded onto our computer and displayed on the monitors set up in the Lagoon Saloon & General Store.

Once selected, the photo is available for purchase in the General Store. The photo is then framed and ready for the return trip home.

Guests loves to share this memory-making shot with family and friends.

It’s also a unique way to capture an action shot that, in many cases, may have been missed because everyone on the boat was focused on getting their own catch aboard.

Waterfall Family Lands Huge Halibut!

Last week, I spoke about our Waterfall “family.” Well, it truly is a family here on Prince of Wales Island. You should have heard the “cheers” go up when our own Melvin Newbill, (Ketchikan Accounting Department, 25 years) reeled in a 190 lb. Halibut! To quote Mel: It was a “grueling chore,” but oh so worth it! Congratulations, Mel!

Provided by Steve Cockrell, General Manager

Season-to-Date Winner:
Barton Kilgore, Longview, WA
52 lbs. 6/21/09

Weekly Winner: 6/14/09 to 6/20/09
Dennis Lombardo, Cave Creek, AZ
42.4 lbs. 6/16/09

Daily Winners: 6/14/09 to 6/20/09

Ron Rayborn, Portland, Or
30.1 lbs. 6/14/09

Mark Moog, Brush Prairie, WA
30.2 lbs. 6/15/09

Stephen Swanson, Coupeville, WA
31.8 lbs. 6/17/09

Sigifredo Rivas, Sr. Renton, WA
40.6 lbs. 6/18/09

Dale Bodwell, Corona, CA
39.7 lbs. 6/19/09

Andrew Raufi, Carpinteria, CA
37.3 lbs. 6/20/09

Steve Cockrell, General Manager

With the 2009 King Salmon Jackpot Challenge now behind us, we look forward
to sharing another successful season with our new arrivals and our many
repeat guests who continually return to our Waterfall “family.”

Colleen Cockrell, Hospitality Supervisor, is ready and excited to show our
guests all the latest merchandise in our General Store. The Resort carries
all the “necessities” and “amenities” for your stay at Waterfall as well as
a fully-stocked line of souvenirs. In addition to fish and memories, guests
may decide to take home stuffed animals or logo-designed clothing for the
kids and grandkids!

Robert "Skip" Hymes, General Manager Steve Cockrell, Jon Nielsen.

Over 70 Waterfall guests participated in the annual fishing contest that included anglers from New Jersey to Tennessee to Hawaii. The Jackpot winners took over $10,000 in cash each of the three nights for a total of over $31,000!! All participants enjoyed the delicious banquets prepared by Chef Stu. Over $5,000 in merchandise was awarded during the Challenge and a trip to the resort was won by Fritz Westerhout!

Our daily cash Jackpot winners include: Jon Nielsen, Bill Kinnune, Norm Hood, Jim Christensen, Greg Bouchard and the largest cash winner over the three-day fishing event, Robert “Skip” Hymes