Rock Skip Adventures provides the boat and nets if need; you provide the lifting to get your fish out of the river - a good time is sure to be had!

There is nothing like the Alaskan outdoors and getting to the sweet-spots is a rich part of the adventure. Over the past 18 years, I have provided family and friends access into remote areas of Alaska. In sum, I combined my love for the great outdoors and family fun activities to create Rock Skip Adventures.


Rock Skip Adventures offers access to the Copper River for full-day and multi-day dip netting and sightseeing charters. 


Overview of a full-day charter

Full-day dip netting charters at Chitina for Copper River Red Salmon.

  • Charters depart at 6:00am.
  • Charters pick-up and drop-off on the southeast side of the bridge (right side as you are driving over the bridge).


Getting to the pick-up/drop-off point: on the road to McCarthy, as you leave Chitina you crossover the Copper River on the big bridge (Mile Post 1). The access road is through the state campground. It is the first right after you crossover the bridge. There is no sign indicating the campground. This is a state operated campground. There is no place to pay at the campground. The campsites are first come, first served.  At the back of the campground there is an access road that will go to the river. Take a right on the road. The boat will be in the water by the side of the bridge. The river is always changing.  The bank and the channels can change where the charter pick-up and drop-off. When changes occur notifications will be sent out. The Captain will be close by and help load your gear onto the boat.


Fishing: fishing takes place downriver below the canyon. You need to be prepared to transport your fish in coolers with ice. The amount of coolers and ice required are dependent on your fish limit (the more fish, the more coolers and ice needed; See Processing for more details).
There is a 30-minute boat ride downriver to get to the dip netting area. The ride can be cold and wet. Layers and rain gear are needed for every trip. Bring extra gear in case you get wet. After the ride downriver, we find a spot on a sandbar to unload the boat to make room for the fish. Fishing is done from the boat. Dip nets are set up, and instructions are provided for safe fishing and how to handle the fish when you catch one in the net. Fishing can take a few hours.


The charter is for you. If you need to take a break, we will take a break. If you want to fish until you catch all of your fish, we will fish all night. Dip netting is hard work, and it is not for everyone. There is a real risk undertaken by being on the river.


Respect is needed when we are on the river. Respect for one another; respect for the river; respect for the salmon; respect for others that are dip netting.


After the fish are on the boat, we process the fish downriver. Haley’s Creek is a fresh water creek. It is located near where we unload gear to go fishing. The creek provides a place to process the fish using fresh water. Fish cleaning can take a few hours. After we process the fish, the gear and fish are loaded back on the boat and we push off to run upriver. We return to the same place that we picked up. The Captain helps unload your gear, and then you are on your way.

Nets up and may your freezers be full.    

 

Rock Skip Adventures

Safety
Due to the unpredictable nature of the river and dip netting, you will be taking a risk going out on the boat. However, we are able to follow some safety basics to curb the level of risk.


Life jackets are provided for everyone aboard the boat, and they are required to be worn when you are on the boat. The boat is equipped with safety rings, and there is a safety throw rope on the boat.


The following are safety steps on the boat: 

  • Follow all orders from the Captain.
  • Stay in your seat when the boat is underway.
  • Do not lean over the side of the boat.
  • If a net is snagged and starts to pull you over, 'let go of the net.'
  • When you are fishing, take a knee or sit down when the boat starts to move back up river.
  • Look after one another.


Gear list
The weather in Alaska is ever changing, especially on the river. If you do not like the weather now, wait 15 minutes and it will change. Thus, a gear list is comprised of clothing that you can take off and add to. You need to have extra clothes to change into if you get wet on the boat or fall into the water. When you are dip netting, it is recommended that you wear rain pants and rain boots. You will get wet as the nets come back into the boat. The slime from the salmon will rub off onto your pants, hands, arms, basically it can get, and often is, everywhere. Gloves are nice to work with the poles and the salmon.

The weather varies; I have seen days that are super sunny and days that are dog rainy. The boat will run in most any condition, so be prepared for the good, the bad, and the ugly.