Fish Valdez!

If you want to go fishing for salmon or halibut–head to Valdez!

Typically, I love the kayaking (Pangaea Adventures) and the glacier cruises (Stan Stephens Cruises). But there’s fun for everyone!

a. The Halibut Derby is on through Sept. 5. There are weekly prizes, plus a grand prize of $15,000 cash. Get your ticket ($10/day, $50/season) at the Best Western Valdez Harbor Inn. We like that place. It’s where we stayed on our recent visit.

b. Silver Salmon Derby. Wow. Another $15,000 first-prize, plus weekly prizes. This derby also runs through Sept. 5, so go get your gear and plan your trip to Valdez!

In between your fishing dates, make plans to see the Whitney Museum, on the Prince William Sound Community College Campus. This is an incredible collection gathered over decades when the Whitney’s had a store and trading post out on the highway. There are furs, artifacts, carvings, mounted wildlife models–and much more. We basically got talked into visiting — and it was worth the trip. Learn more HERE.

Fly, drive or sail to Valdez. If you’re coming from Fairbanks, Valdez is a straight shot down the Richardson Highway. From Anchorage,you can take a quick 50-minute flight on Era Alaska. Or,  you can drive up and over the mountains to Glennallen, then back down to Valdez. Or, you can sail across Prince William Sound on the Alaska Marine Highway to/from Whittier. Great fun. Great sailing!

Learn more about your adventure to Valdez!  Let’s go fishing!