Your guide to the finest fishing, hunting, float trips, bear viewing and flight seeing in Alaska. Sportsman's Air Service specializes in guided and outfitted remote tours. Based from Lake Hood seaplane base in Anchorage Alaska. Owned and operated by registered guide outfitter Joe Schuster.

Packing Your Bags for Alaskan Adventure

If you will be traveling in remote Alaska, whether it be to a lodge, camp, on a float trip... fishing, hunting, sightseeing... you will want to keep the total weight and bulk of your gear to a minimum.  Neither you nor your guide want to lug around heavy useless items for your entire trip. Chances are that at some point in your travel, you will be boarding a light aircraft to achieve a destination. This makes your attention to this detail ever more important. The light aircraft which are the crucial link to transportation in remote Alaska are strictly limited and monitored in accordance with federal regulations as to the amount of weight they are allowed to carry. "Critical to flight safety" means critical to your safety!  Do Not stress out your pilot or his airframe by arriving with piles of heavy bags. Not sticking to the guidelines which your  pilot or guide requests  may mean very costly extra flying expenses to you.

Stop! Read the above paragraph again! Make sure you understand its implications.

Now that you thoroughly understand the first statement, relax, 
its easy to pack within the guidelines and have sufficient gear for your trip.

Check with your pilot, guide, outfitter or travel agent as to the weight limitations for your particular trip. Most Alaska operators are now figuring there package prices based on one person and their luggage as averaging between 200 to 220 lbs. If you have several  extra large persons in your group which will exceed this average, you should make your operator aware.

A forty pound max baggage limit per person should be more than efficient for a weeks worth of remote travel. Those who pack most efficiently, still fall well light of this limit.

Keep In Mind

  • Quality not quantity... Today's modern materials make bearing the elements a pleasure. Polar Fleece, Gore Tex and other light weight materials which breath, wick moisture, and allow you to layer according to temperature, should be utilized.

  • Most lodges have laundry facilities. Floaters and campers should make use of sunny afternoons and the water around them to rinse and dry clothing.

  • Fishermen will be spending most of their time in waders and dressed to fish. A couple comfortable changes of outer garments will be sufficient for around the lodge or camp at night.

  • Excessive baggage intended for continued travel can be left in Anchorage or other point of departure for your return from the bush.

  • Pack in small to medium sized soft sided luggage or duffel type bags for easy packing, access and transport. Floaters will transfer these into waterproof river bags prior to departure.

  • Alcohol and other liquids should be transferred to non-breakable containers.

The following list has proven sufficient for the months of June and July when
 temperatures range between 50°F at night to 80°F during the day. 

Fishing Gear  Undergarments
Waders & Boots  Socks
Rain Coat and Pants ( 1 )  Towel
Polar Fleece Tops and Bottoms ( 1 ) Shoes ( 1, light duty boots or sneakers)
Long Sleeve Shirts ( 2 ) Hat ( 1, with brim)
T-Shirts ( 3-4 ) Polarized Sunglasses
Pants ( 2 ) Sun Screen & Bug Repellent
Shorts ( 1 ) Personal Toiletries and Medicines

If you will be traveling earlier or later in the year or if you get chilled easily, pack the above 
items accordingly utilizing warm water resistant materials, and add the following items.

Warm Coat and/or Vest Long Underwear
Sweat Shirt or Extra Fleece Top Warm Cap, Gloves, Socks

Don't forget a camera and lots of film.
 Waterproof disposable cameras are recommended for all but the most serious photographers.

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Sportsman's Guide & Air Service  3250 Lake Park Circle  Anchorage Alaska 99517
 phone/fax 907-248-3181     email: mail@alaskasport.com
 Joe Schuster  owner/operator