Need some opinions with rationale.

[TheHunt]

The situation is that a friend of mine that I work with now spends two weeks a month in Alaska.  He loves to fly fish and has been making those two week trips to Alaska since April this year.  He has been told to get a firearm to take with him while fishing.  He said the people he has seen up there have stainless steel pistols across their chest or on their hips.  He has seen some shotguns, but he is worried about maneuvering (Casting) with the weapon on him and wading in the water.   

The question:  What should he buy to take with him fishing? 
My idea would be these two choices, but my first choice would be the shotgun.
(1)   High capacity 12 gauge with 00 buck as the first two shells then slugs after that. 
(2)   Stainless Steel 44 Mag with 240 grain bullets or 300 grain bullets. 

[Woodchuck]

I would go with a short shotgun, i takes some serious nerve to place one where you want it under serious duress  spray and pray baby

[McCascades]

Has your friend shot big bore pistols much? If he goes that route, he will need to practice, alot. Just having it on your hip doesn't make you safe by default. If your friends elects to go with a shotgun, the sling he chooses will be critical. He must be able go from carry position to mounted and ready to fire easily. Again practice is crucial. I prefer to carry a slinged shotgun muzzle down because it's easier to mount rapidly. Carrying muzzle down while fishing may be a little dicey though. It's not difficult to plug the barrel climbing banks or sitting down.  

[Bofire]

Shotgun!! short pistol grip, while being attacked aiming will be more than difficult.

[Wenatcheejay]

Doesn't Matter, just be sure to roll the bullets in bacon grease, that way when you have emptied the magazine at the brown bear and you throw the gun at it while running for your life, God willing, it will stop to lick the grease while you get away.

[BLKBEARKLR]

all my experience up there short barreled 12 gauge, I have no use for a 44 up there any longer. Did not work for me.


Joe

[Bowbender]

Don't forget to file the front sight off on whatever weapon he decides on. This way it won't hurt so much when you pull it out of where the bear shoves it

[jackelope]

I suspect that your best odds of deterring a charging brownie is gonna be with bear spray...it's especially difficult to shoot a big bore handgun or a shotgun while simultaneously pooping yourself.

[Woodchuck]

good point jackelope 

[Bob33]

Your best defense is bringing a slow friend along, or better yet a slow enemy.

[MP123]

.45-70 lever gun or short barrel 12 gauge.  Forget the 00 buck and just go with slugs.

A slow friend is a good idea too! 

[whacker1]

Only be concerned if you start getting invited to join him.

[h20hunter]

For what sounds like a firearms novice I would agree with bear the bear spray. Tell him the joke about people wearing little bells and carrying pepper spray and how to tell the difference between black bear scat and griz. Obviously the blackie scat is full of berries and seeds and the griz smells like pepper and has little bells in it. I know, I know, I'll be here all week folks. Seriously though, unless he has firearms experience I would recommend a pony keg canister of bear spray.

[whiteeyes]

And always save one bullet in the chamber just in case.

[Mike450r]

Bear spray definitely, but I don't go hunting/fishing unarmed either so   would say a stainless revolver .44 minimum. Strapped across the chest or on the hip the same as the others he has seen up there up there.