Frequently Asked Questions & Cancelations Policy

Yes! We have had anglers who had never touched a fly rod before. They had a great time and were successful. The float provides a lazy river float feel, with wildlife sightings being common.

We do our best to provide everything an angler would need to be successful for the day. Some items are personal and can’t be provided by us such as:

• Printed & valid sport fishing license
• A hat, gloves and weather appropriate layers to include a raincoat or waterproof jacket.   
• Polarized sunglasses cut glare and protect eyes, but also help spot fish.
• Prescription medication or EpiPen 
• Camera for wildlife sightings
• Dry bag or small backpack
• Dry clothes for after trip, Just in case of submersion or falls
• Merino wool socks are best, cotton holds water and doesn't keep warm. 
• Comfy base layers that breathe are best in waders, jeans are tight and hold moisture without insulating.

Sunscreen and bug repellent are corrosive to fishing gear and rafts. We recommend UV blocking long sleeve shirts or fishing hoodies, or apply before leaving your vehicle to gear up. We carry Thermacell devices that repel mosquitos very well.

Please leave knives, pens, or sharp objects in your vehicle or stowed in your bag if you must bring them. We want to avoid sharp objects piercing the raft. Wading boots with studs, cleats or felt prohibited without exception.

No. With too many dietary restrictions or allergies we find it best that you bring any food or drinks you would like to have for the day. We provide a cooler with ice packs, and it will have plenty of bottled water. 

No. Traditional spinning rods with spinners and bait can be used, and is sometimes more effective at catching some salmon species or aggressive Rainbows. Style of fishing is based on legal regulations at the time of your charter.

Not all children are the same. This is a 6-8 hour float for the full day and will not be reimbursed or refunded for days cut short. Alaska's weather can and does change rapidly and children's gear is unfortunately the limiting factor for most kids. We have very limited gear for kids 6 and up, but if you provide your own gear and want to bring a child we are happy to have them. Discounts are not provided for kids since our process and prep time is all the same. As a father of two small boys I understand the want to get them out and have fun. We want you to fish worry free and have fun as well, but parenting and supervision will always default to parent and not the guide except in matters of safety.

Once we launch there is not an option to take out early. The float is about 5 miles, or slightly more, depending on the section we float that day. Emergencies are case by case but will be expedited in the best manner by the guide. If we just rowed the river from start to finish without fishing, it is approximately a 3 hour float. The booking is for a 6-8 hour day depending on weather and river conditions and client input.

Please see "when is the best time to fish Alaska?"

In Alaska from spring to fall, the time of day isn't as crucial as other locations. Timing is more dependent on when ice thaws and rivers open, trout & salmon spawn timing, and the egg drop. 

• Rainbow Trout fishing is great in early spring and fall. They spawn from May - June, so catches can vary at that time. Rainbows can be trophy size in this fishery, potentially up to 30 inches and 12 pounds. They make big runs and have aggressive head shakes. They are known for their leaping attempts to spit the hook and multiple big runs.
• Arctic Grayling are present most of the season, but early spring and late fall are best to catch them as they migrate up and down the river system. Abundant during trout spawn. Fun to catch on light Fly rods and dry flies. A bucket list fish for many.
• King Salmon/Chinook run Willow Creek June - July. Currently closed by Emergency Order for conservation. No targeting and no catch and release. Inadvertent catches must be broken off, or netted as fast as possible, released safely and WILL NOT be removed from the water at all. 
• Chum Salmon/Dog run Willow Creek July - August. Large and powerful fish that can get into backing and make big runs. Very underrated and can dog you around.
• Silver Salmon/Coho run willow Creek July - September. Silvers are very aggressive eaters and can put on great aerial displays when hooked. They have powerful head shakes and runs.
• Pink Salmon/Humpy run Willow Creek July - August. Abbundant numbers, fun on light  Fly rods 5-6 Wt rods. Also under appreciated but can make for an amazing day with plenty of opportunities to catch a big toothy Humpy.
• Rare Catches Red Salmon do not spawn in this system but will sometimes make their way up stream. Dolly Varden can be present during the fishing season in small numbers, Northern Pike and Burbot are more common in the main channels of the Susitna River but have been caught in the tributaries such as the Willow.
  

Moose are the primary big game animals we may encounter, bear sightings are not common but a real possibility. Beavers, otters, Bald eagles, Ducks, Geese and Swans are some of the other wildlife we have seen on occasion. The Guide carries bear spray and other deterrents to provide a measure of safety for the clients, but awareness and keeping your distance is always the best policy.

This is often asked by new anglers and understandably so. However, The Cast Frontier cannot guarantee that you will catch fish on your trip. There are too many variables and any service claiming otherwise is not realistic. We know the local area and we know how to target fish in this system, and we will do our absolute best effort to put you in the position to catch fish. Trust us, we probably want you to succeed more than anyone.

We are about a 1.5 hour drive from Anchorage in Willow, AK. This trip is very accessible and there are amenities on the way to your float. There's a campground nearby for RVs/campers, and VRBO or AirBNB for those looking to book a stay nearby. Wasilla and Talkeetna are also within a  40 minute drive from willow creek and have great places to rent for your stay.