What happened to the AK I loved - it got really expensive - quickly

[cohoho]

Here is the story-  Wife has a meeting in Anchorage for a couple days -late July - Right on prime time for Silvers....  I figure I tag along and visit old friends Thursday and Friday, then head to Seward for Sat and Sun for some Halibut and Ling action and of course Coho's - my personal favorite - right!  Anyhow, start with plane fare for me, ok not too awful bad, $600 now in Seward need a hotel - augh, Army camp full so now to the hotels- $318, $279, $218, $199 each a night respectively. So maybe another $400-600 for the weekend, OOOOOOOKK?  Now call some old charters I know of - ummm "Out of Business" - "Out of Business" - finally get a hold of the Fish House booking for two - uuummmm $360 each with tax for a combo Halibut, Ling, Silver combo.  Another $720...  Now let me add on tip, vacuum seal my fish, quick freeze.   Holy crap I am at $1500+ for a one day fishing trip.  Crap - I did Florida Keys for a week including airfare at that price and going to do Costa Rica for a week next year for $1500 each...   I guess I could see it if I was going on a Once in a lifetime trip, but heck did that stuff every weekend before...   Sorry AK...  Decided to stay at home and head to Sekui...  So friends in AK - I will buy a 12 pack of Moosehead beer and have my WA friends drink a few with me...

[Austrian Hunter]

I hear ya bro..... It adds up in no time!!

[Blacklab]

Dang! that's some serious coin. Don't blame you a bit on staying home, it sucks tho.

[RadSav]

Price of fuel and insurance happened I think.  I about pass out each time I have to foot the bill for freight going up there.  It's bad enough I will not be offering a free freight incentives beyond the 48 next year.

[WSU]

I've thought about going and get sticker shock as well. 

Where are you going in Costa Rica and with who?  I've been thinking of doing that....

[Special T]

For freight from Seattle to Anchorage area is about $50 per 100lbs! 

[cohoho]

I understand for that once in a lifetime trip, but gheez I used to do that same trip several times a year and didn't have nearly the income then.....   More concerned it wouldn't be as it was for the extra cost...  I guess the statement of - it is never the same if you return is true....  Besides, I'd rather not fish with four people I don't know on a charter captain I don't know...  They might think an 20lb AK ling is great, or a 30lb halibut is a monster, or lord forbid they keep pinks....