A PHOTO ESSAY OF A 7-DAY ALASKAN VACATION.
Within a short driving distance from Anchorage, on your way to and from the Kenai Peninsula where Cooper Landing Fishing Guide, LLC is located, there are lots of adventures that await. Many of our guests ask about things to do on their vacations in addition to taking a guided fishing trip on the Kenai River and we thought we'd put together a photo essay to display all the amazing experiences Alaska has to offer.
Aside from world-class fishing trips with our guide service, our guests enjoy charming towns like Girdwood, Hope, Whittier, Moose Pass, Seward, Cooper Landing, Sterling, Soldotna, Homer and Talkeetna to name a few. Each of these towns is unique both in beauty and adventure. We hope this photo essay will inspire you to explore more and experience more when fishing with Cooper Landing Fishing Guide, LLC.
Summer views of the Turnagain Arm as you head toward the Kenai Peninsula.
This rainbow had people pulling over all along the Turnagain Arm.
Girdwood Alaska is a small resort town with a ton of charm!
Take a ride up the Alyeska Tram to the top of Alyeska Ski Resort!
A beautiful summer day on top of Alyeska!
A short drive from Girdwood, you'll find the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, home to injured and displaced animals that offer visitors an up-close view of some of the many animals that roam Alaska.
Not all species of wolves at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center are native to Alaska, but Lothario a black-phase Gray Wolf has ancestral ties to Alaska and gives a stunning up-close view of these majestic animals.
Moose are very common in Alaska, but sometimes they are just plain hard to see on your vacation. A ride through the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center gives visitors a great chance to see them up close and watch their behaviors.
Hugo was rescued in Kotzebue, Alaska in 2000. She was found dehydrated and covered with porcupine quills by two men riding snow machines. She was rehabilitated and has found a forever home at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.
On the drive to Wittier, AK, you'll find several spots to view wild salmon as they prepare to spawn in one of the many local streams and rivers.
Whittier, AK is a must-see small town, worth the journey through the tunnel to get there!
A small mountain stream in Whittier, AK.
The confluence of Canyon Creek and Sixmile Creek near Hope, AK. Sixmile Creek is world-famous for its whitewater rafting excursions.
At the end of the Hope Highway, the small town of Hope, AK awaits!
Downtown Hope, AK.
A whitewater rafting trip down Sixmile Creek near Hope, AK is a must-do excursion if you're up for it!
Tern Lake, where the Sterling Highway and Seward Highway meet. Go straight to Seward, AK or turn right towards Cooper Landing, AK.
The harbor in Seward, AK. You could spend the afternoon walking the docks, talking to fishermen and travelers alike.
Glacier viewing out of Seward, AK is hard to beat!
We spotted a pod of killer whales minutes after our boat departed from the Seward port.
Stunning rock formations as we continued our Fjord Tour.
I managed to snap this photo of a juvenile humpback whale putting on a show as it breached repeatedly.
Our home in Cooper Landing, AK provides arguably one of the best jump-off locations for activities on the entire Kenai Peninsula.
The Russian River in Cooper Landing is one of the most famous rivers in the world, both for salmon and trout fishing. Dry fly action this day was unreal!
Jackie landed several good-sized rainbows on the dry this day!
The journey up the trail to the Russian River Falls is something everyone should do on their vacation in Cooper Landing.
Part of the daunting falls the salmon must make it up each year to make it to the Russian Lakes to spawn. Visitors to the Russian River Falls have a great chance to see hundreds of jumping salmon and could possibly spot a Brown Bear or Black Bear fishing!
The boat launch in Cooper Landing at the very beginning of the Kenai River. The upper Kenai River winds through a stunning mountain setting with world-class fishing and ample wildlife viewing opportunities.
Our guests from Spain admiring a beautiful Kenai River Rainbow on their guided fishing trip.
The view back up river is often just as stunning as the views headed down the Kenai River.
Kai battles a big Rainbow Trout during the "bead bite" on the Kenai River.
Drifting to the boat ramp after a great day on the Upper Kenai!
A Bald Eagle swoops down to feed on the shore of the Kenai River.
This little bear could be spotted routinely on the banks of the Upper Kenai during the 2017 season.
Skilak Lake crossing on a bluebird day!
A look at Skilak Lake from a viewpoint along Skilak Lake Road.
Crossing Skilak towards the Middle Kenai River in Sterling, AK.
Casting for Silvers on a beautiful day on the Middle Kenai River in Sterling.
Enjoying the solitude of spey casting for Rainbow Trout on the Middle Kenai River.
Fishing for Sockeye Salmon on the Middle Kenai River.
An afternoon spent Spey Casting on the Middle Kenai River for Rainbow Trout and Silver Salmon.
Kevin's beautiful King Salmon on the Spey Rod on the Kasilof River.
Kenneth proved that you don't have to have much experience swinging for King Salmon to hook multiple fish!
We took an evening stroll near Ninilchik, AK to do some beach combing at sunset on our way to Homer.
A view across the Cook Inlet as we traveled down the Sterling Highway on our way to Homer.
Homer is truly the mecca for Halibut fishing the world over!
Driving into Homer toward the Spit.
A bluebird day on the Homer Spit.
If you're lucky enough to have clear skies on your drive to Talkeetna and Denali, the views are incredible!
Talkeetna River Park in the heart of Talkeetna, AK.
A beautiful morning near Talkeetna, AK.
On your way up to Denali, be sure to stop by WalMike's in Trapper Creek. You'll be glad you did!
Keep your eyes peeled, you never know what you'll find! I happened to spot this moose shed underwater while I was trout fishing!
Keep your eyes open for some crossing Caribou!
The stunning entrance to Denali National Park.
A bus ride through Denail National Park is the best way to see all the park has to offer!
Thank you for taking a photo tour with us through our great state! You could realistically see and do everything we've shown above on a typical 7 day vacation. Although we are fishing guides, we love exploring and sharing our experiences with our guests.
We wish you an incredible Alaskan vacation with memories to last a lifetime!