Alaska is one of those places where you want to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything important. There is no running to the store once you’re at the lodge, you have only what you brought. So before you head to Alaska this summer make sure you’ve got these often overlooked things covered:
- Sunglasses – Sunglasses are a must for eye protection. I can’t even imagine getting a hook in the eyeball! When packing sunglasses make sure you grab a pair that are polarized. When you’re sight fishing you don’t want to miss that fish of a lifetime because you can’t see it! While you’re at it, throw a backup
pair in too. If you’re looking for high quality fishing glasses Maui Jim’s are one of our favorites. Just make sure you choose a brown, copper, or bronze colored lens. - Sunscreen – Yes, you will need sunscreen in Alaska. Remember that midnight sun thing, that means sunshine ALL DAY. A sunscreen stick is a good option. They’re compact to carry and you can avoid getting sunscreen on your flies and lines. Not sure if it’s been scientifically proven but a lot of people think sunscreen on your fly will actually repel fish. Not what we’re going for!
- Day pack – The weather changes constantly in Alaska and you always want to have layers on the ready. So a day pack in a must. It’s also handy for carrying your camera, extra water, snacks, phones, sunscreen, and all kind of things you might find you want to have close. No need for a huge pack, something small and easy to carry is fine. It’s also nice to get one that’s waterproof. Nothing worse than reaching for those extra layers only to find that they’re already soaked. In our Pro Shop we sell DryCase Backpacks, which work great.
- Waterproof phone case – I can’t stress this one enough! I have seen SO many cell phones die. Wader pockets are not waterproof, so even if you don’t drop your phone in the river the moisture in your wader pockets can be enough to kill a phone. I can speak to this one from personal experience. I now own a waterproof phone. Unless you have a waterproof phone, or plan on leaving your phone at the lodge everyday, please invest in a waterproof phone case. Lifeproof and Otterbox are reliable choices that our guides use.
Our Alaska packing guide has a full list of items so you can thoroughly prepared. If you ever have a question about what you should bring with you, just give us a call or send an email. We’re always happy to help!