Common Questions
Our Most Asked, Answered
Honestly there never is a bad time to go fishing. We fish year-round and always have a great time. We think the best time to go is when you are available and can afford to take the time off. Throughout the year each time period offers different challenges and rewarding experiences. Some people find that fishing Steelhead in early April is the best or fishing sockeye in July or silvers in late September. This question can only be answered by the member but we are happy to help you find that answer. Check out our fish timetable here.
You must understand that we have 5 species of salmon and they all run at different times. Please review the fish calendar on the website for a better understanding on when to come.
The limit for each species is variable and can change with emergency order by ADFG at any moment. Typically, the limit for our river systems that we operate on, for one person’s bag limit per day is: 2 silver salmon, 5 red salmon, 5 pink salmon, and 10 Dollie Varden. All trout and steelhead will be catch and release. Only 2 king salmon per year (rivers only). Limits can be increased and decreased at the discretion of ADFG. Limits are closely monitored by our guides.
Bears can be seen year-round but we see most bear activity on the river in the month of August. Bears rely heavily on salmon as a major food source in their diet. The pink salmon run is the most plentiful run of the salmon species. The pink salmon run is primarily in August and in turn that is when bear activity on the river is at its peak. Bears are naturally nocturnal animals and we tend to see most activity in the early morning and evening. Mid-day sightings are common but not as much as low light hours.
No, you paid for a full day trip and you are going to get it. If we do limit out in a timely manner, we continue to fish catch and release for the rest of the day. It does give us the opportunity to end fishing early and go see some sights and points of interest if desired. The trips are exclusive to your party and we tailor the trip to your needs and wants.
Head Shakers Kodiak does not process fish. We have an agreement with the Kodiak Smokehouse to process all our clients catch. This is a separate fee that the client pays Kodiak Smokehouse directly based on incoming weight. Your fish stay in our coolers all the way to the processor. Your fish will be transported to Kodiak Smokehouse by either the client or guide. Once at the Kodiak Smokehouse you simply tell them you fished with Head Shakers Kodiak and their professional and friendly staff will take care of you. Leave the cooler outside, next to building and you are all done.
Lunch is provided on all trips except the self-guided trip. Lunch is delicious and fulfilling meal that is prepared by one of our local stores. It is comprised of a lunch meat sandwich, bag of chips, cut vegetables with dipping sauce, granola bar, and candy. Bottled water is provided as well.
Yes, let your guide know or ask before take off and we can customize the trip to your needs.
You will need to buy from the Alaska Fish and Game website, click here.
Prices start at $15 for a Nonresident 1 Day Sport Fishing License
Short answer is, yes, we do. If you are coming to Kodiak Island and want to see the wilderness, this is a great way to do it.
We have two different tours to choose from. For more information, click or tap here.
Other Questions
Get in the know
Kodiak Smokehouse ships your fish via FedEx or UPS, handling everything when you drop it off for processing. They can also pack it for you to take as baggage on your flight home, though we highly recommend shipping for convenience.
Yes the fish are yours and you can do what you like with them. Its important to know that after our trip our clients are very tired, hungry, and want a shower. Usually, the last thing clients want to do is start processing after our trip.
Usually, we meet at a public location near your lodging. Its common to have clients meet us in store parking lots at predetermined time and then follow us to the staging area. The staging area is at the American river parking lot and is approximately a 20-minute drive south of town. If our clients are familiar with where the American river parking lot is then we will have them meet us there.
We do offer complimentary rides for our clients from their lodging to the staging area and back if needed. It is important to understand that the client is then subject to the guides timeline. Guides need to show up early to set up and stage all gear. At the end of the day guides are required to breakdown all gear and cleanup. This will delay the timing at which our clients will return to their lodging.
Each trip is exclusive and is tailored to our party. Typically, Saltery trips are full day excursions. Please reach out to us with what you’re trying to achieve and we will accommodate accordingly.
We provide fishing waders or hip boots, rods, reels, tackle, bait, fish coolers, dry storage, and all required provisions.
Bear sightings and encounters are covered in detail during the safety brief.
The age limit minimum is 6 years of age and no max. We are a family-owned business and pride ourselves on providing quality family trips. If you have a child younger than the minimum please contact us.
Yes, we get asked questions all the time from many people visiting Kodiak. Honestly there are no secret spots and there are no secret tricks. We want everyone to have a fun and exciting experience. Talking with people and sharing information has highly contributed to our success and reputation as the best river guide company in Kodiak.
Yes, we highly recommend purchasing travel insurance. There are so many variables on why a charter is cancelled or the client has to cancel.
Paying by credit card normally covers you with your credit card issuer travel insurance, check with them for their terms and if you have this perk.
On the rare occasion we have to cancel a trip our guests receive a full 100% refund. We have a strict 30-day policy in the event our guests have to cancel. If guests cancel outside of 30 days they will receive a full refund. Inside of 30 days they forfeit their deposit. We try to work with our guests wanting to cancel by moving their booking or transferring to following year.
Other Information
Get ready
Yes, we do not provide fishing licenses. All clients are required to obtain their own fishing license and provide proof to their guide before starting the trip. You can read more on the Alaska Fish & Game website.
Members are required to bring a fishing license, medication if needed, quality rain coat, bug repellant, bug head net, polarized sunglasses, camera with waterproof case, sunscreen, extra socks, and layer accordingly for the weather and temps.
On board each UTV is designated portable toilet, shovel, and toiletry kit. Let your guide know that you need a bathroom break and they will assist you finding an appropriate location. We highly encourage everyone to go pee before putting on their waders at the beginning of the trip.
Before every trip we conduct a Safety Brief with all clients. The safety brief gives a breakdown of the day’s itinerary, and all safety hazards for the day. After the brief it is followed up by a Q and A session.
No, all trips are exclusive to your party. We pride ourselves on not mixing groups and selling seats. This allows us to custom tailor the trip to your needs and desires.
We have taken many clients with disabilities and mobility restrictions. We work directly with you to make sure you have a fun rewarding experience. If you are worried about the stress of the trip please contact us.
Fish Species Time Table
Take Off Times
Important Information About Some of Our Trips
These trips take off time is dependent on many variables. Clients need to understand that these variables have a major impact on our fishery and that is why take off time is determined one or two days in advance before scheduled booked trip date. These variables can be broken up into different categories.
Environmental Conditions
Explained
Environmental conditions such as the tide and weather play the most significant role. The fish tend to return to the river system on an incoming high tide. The timing of the forecasted flood tide is crucial to knowing when our fresh fish will be arriving. The timing of the tides changes daily and can result in most the fish returning during dark hours.
Along with the tides there is weather that affects our water levels. Healthy full water levels support healthy fish returns. In many cases though it is natural to experience water levels to low from not enough rain.
This will not allow fish to return and force the fish to stay in the bay and ocean until water levels come up. Contrarily to low water levels, high water levels have a negative impact as well. To much rain and flooding will not allow the river system to be fishable. It may be unsafe for UTV transport across the required stream and river crossings as well not safe for walk and wade style fishing. Your guide is taking these variables into consideration by past, current, and forecasted environmental conditions when determining take off times.
Fishing Pressure
Explained
Fishing pressure is always a challenge for guides when trying to provide a quality fishing experience for our clients. Fishing pressure comes in two main factors such as sport fisherman and wildlife. We are always trying to give our clients a backcountry remote experience but with the growing amount of tourism and supply of guide charters it has been challenging. Our guides know when and how the competition operates and in turn we use this to our advantage when scheduling trip start times and duration.
Clients need to understand that they are not fishing the ocean with an endless amount of water to enjoy. River fishing bottle necks the fish and in turn bottle necks the fishing pressure. Along with sport fishing pressure, pressure from wildlife is always an issue. At the mouth of the river there is hundreds of harbor seals waiting on the fish to start their journey.
The fish have to run a gauntlet for their life to make it up to safe water. Once the fish have made it past the seals and have settled in the deeper holes in the river, they then encounter pressure from bears and other wildlife.
Bears, Eagles, and Foxes all wait for the fish to return to the river where they feast upon them.
Knowing all these fishing pressure variables gives the angler an understanding on why some fish bite and others don’t.
Commercial Fishing
Explained
As recreational fisherman and people who believe in the ethical sport of this great past time, we must understand that this natural resource also serves another purpose. Commercial fishing in Alaska and around the world has had a major impact on our resource. Commercial fishing provides jobs and economic growth in Alaska but also affects how many fish return to the river system.
We cannot control when the commercial fishing will open and close in the local area but we do monitor it daily. Part of our daily checks are to review fish escapement numbers, scheduled commercial opener, commercial quotas, and commercial closures.
By understanding the effect of these variables our guides can determine what part of the day gives us the best chance for success.