Frequently asked DIPNET charter questions

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• Site specific dipnets and rigging. 
• Ice onboard the charter to ensure the freshness of your fish while underway. 
• Will assist you in correctly filling out your harvest ticket before leaving the fishery to ensure compliance with regulations. 
• We will demonstrate location specific dipnetting techniques and work with you throughout the charter to perfect those skills.
• A working deckhand is onboard to assist you with untangling fish from net, clubbing, gilling, clipping fins and placing your catch in your cooler or our totes and icing as needed.
• NEW In camp self serve cleaning station with fresh water rinse (clean up after yourself and backhaul fish guts to river). 
• NEW Optional self service commercial chamber sealing station available for an additional fee (includes two 5mm bags per fish). We still offer full service processing. 
• All of our guides hold USCG Masters Credentials. NO other dipent charter can claim that! We are professional Mariners, deep sea divers, professional hunting guides and trappers! 
• We have bulk and bagged flake ice for sale at camp to keep your catch cold after your charter.
• We will have on hand bug repellent, sunscreen, toilet paper and honey bucket, basic first aid kit, and bear spray. 
• All required USCG equipment will be provided.
• Additional safety equipment rating us 5 Stars by the USCG.
• We are the only charter with AEDs on board our boats. 
• Our guides and staff are trained Wilderness First responders, local EMT and volunteer fire fighters.
• We are licensed, insured and bonded. Copies available upon request. 
• Top-of-the-line, USGC Approved NRS personal flotation devices (Life Jackets) are provided & must be worn at all times. Adult universal & youth sizes. 
• We will provide various snacks & water.  If you have specific dietary needs or just prefer your own food or drinks, please feel free to bring it. 
• Stop by camp after your charter and submit your harvest on the AK DFG APP  or online via our free Wifi. 

WHAT IS FLAKE ICE

Flake ice is used by commercial seafood processors because of its excellent heat transfer characteristics having more surface area to provide uniform cooling, which perfectly preserves seafood products. It is also softer and has no sharp edges, so it is less likely to bruise the fish prior to freezing. 

NEW FOR 2023 - ONBOARD ICE

We are excited to be the only dipnet charter in Alaska to include bulk flake ice onboard your charter. While underway our crew will layer ice over your catch to ensure your harvest is kept cold and fresh for the duration of your charter. 

AFTER YOUR CHARTER

We offer bulk flake ice as well as bagged flake ice for sale at our campground so you can repack your fish after processing it or for the ride home. 

We understand you have every right to harvest your permit limit and hope you catch all the fish you need. If the fish are running a family of four can harvest nearly 300lbs of fish on their permit. What we want to discourage is over harvest that leads to wasted meat. As fun as it is to catch these fish we encourage you to take only what you and your family will eat before it freezer burns or otherwise diminishes in quality. 

Have plan on how you will process your catch. It would take a professional crew several hours to fillet and vacuum seal this amount of fish so plan ahead or inquire about our fish processing services. 

If you will be visiting us with a tent,  RV or even car camping we are excited to offer reserved spots at our campground! We also have Arctic Oven Tents available for rent. All sites come with 15amp power, potable water & high speed Wifi. We have a small check in kiosk with pizza, coffee, snacks, drinks, fire wood, ices, swag, etc. Camp spots can be booked along with your charter or by calling us directly. 

It is cost prohibitive to send a charter out with one person onboard so we set minimum booking requirements of four people to prevent this. In an effort to accommodate singles, we programmed our software to show available charters that singles can book into.  If we get multiple requests for single bookings for a date and time, we will open that spot. To get on the singles call list please contact us at info@ak-x.com or text us at 907-903-2329 and detail the date, time you are interested in fishing and any flexibility you have and we will work to get a group together. 

• Fishing License and dipnet permits for your confirmed fishery, which may be purchased at most stores (e.g. Sportsmen's Warehouse, Cabelas, Carrs/Safeway etc.) or online at www.adfg.alaska.gov.  See Fishing Licenses for specific guidelines.
• You DO NO NEED a King stamp to retain a King in a PU fishery.
• Weather appropriate clothing!  Alaska can bring cool, to downright cold temperatures in the summer, so hats, gloves, and layers are a good idea.  On the flip side, sun and warmth could be in abundance. In this case, sunglasses, sunscreen.  
• Rain gear, Xtra Tuffs, gloves.
• Camera, GoPro, Phone, etc.
• Any medications that you may need, please bring 24 hours worth just in case. 
• Waterproof Backpack or dry bag to keep belongings in.  Also, a zip-lock baggie to keep phone, wallet, and any other valuables you don't want to get wet. 
• Cooler for your fish on the boat and for transport home. We don't recommend large white coolers, when full they can weight as much as 325lbs and are difficult to lift. 
• Ice to keep your catch cold and fresh for the ride home. We sell flake ice at camp.

Don't take our word for it! Google our credentials.  Being true professionals we strive to meet or exceed all requirements to operate our business and lead the industry by proudly holding more licenses, permits and credentials than any other charter on the Copper!

AK eXpeditions has never been issued a citation by any state, local or federal agency for any reason. We follow stringent regulations and work closely with Dept of Fish & Game, and the Alaska State Troopers and are proud to say none of our clients have ever received violations while participating on our charters. 

Yes we do offer discounts on our fishing and dipnetting charters!  To honor our Greatest Generation, we offer The Greatest Discount.  With this discount any WWII veteran will fish FREE with AK eXpeditions.  All other military, retirees,  veterans  and first responders receive a $25 discount with proof of ID. Discounts not available on Big Game Hunts or Transports or in conjunction with other discounted fares such as Book the Boat or the Dipnet Express Charters. 

It is customary to tip your fishing guide (usually 10-20%) of the charter price, the guides strive to make your trip on the Copper River safe and memorable.  They prep the boat and gear, hustle on deck to assist you with your fish, clip the fins, bleed and sort them and ensure your permits are in compliance.  Having a fun, knowledgeable and upbeat crew can take the sting out of a tough day of fishing. A tip is always appreciated in recognition of a job well done regardless, of fishing success. Click on "More on Tipping"  for a great article by Orvis. 

Unfortunately, we cannot make any such guarantee. Although it is not  common to leave a trip empty handed, it can happen. We will do everything in our power to give you the best possible chance to  catch fish.  In the end, fishing is often a fickle endeavor that is unpredictable based on water conditions, run timing, weather, and debris levels. It also relies much on the dipnetter's skill level and physical abilities.  It is our job to safely transport our clients on the Copper River and put them "over the fish."  We do so in comfort, safety and in a fun-filled enjoyable atmosphere. From there,  the remainder is up to the dipnetter to net the fish and ensure it is landed. It is unlawful for our crew to  pull up the net or fish on the dipnetter's behalf.  If the net is not pulled up fast enough, it is common for the fish to escape before being hauled aboard.  Dipnetting is a physical endeavor, and the level of skill and experience in dipnetting is directly related to its success.

Please understand, you are booking a charter to safely navigate the Copper River to dipping  locations along the river and use our crew, boats and dipnets to ATTEMPT to catch fish.  You are NOT booking a charter to be supplied with fish. As such it should be clear NO REFUNDS of any kind will be offered should you not be successful in catching any fish. There is definitely a large amount of skill involved in dipnetting from a boat and that only comes with time on the water. 

We understand that life happens.  If you are in need of canceling a trip, please let us know as soon as possible. Due to the nature of our seasonal business and remote location, if canceling is ultimately what you need to do we offer the following schedule based on when you cancel you charter. 

CANCELING 15 DAYS OR MORE FROM CHARTER DATE

A full refund will be issued. 

CANCELING 14 DAYS OR LESS FROM CHARTER DATE

A 50% refund will be issued.

CANCELING 72 HOURS OR LESS FROM CHARTER DATE

Refunds will not be given for any reason. Here is a short explanation of why we must enforce this policy. After you have made a reservation and sent us your deposit we can no longer market that charter. We turn away numerous fishing parties every year because we are fully booked. When we turn these parties away they go to other charter services or make alternate fishing arrangements and may never try our services. If you cancel your charter, we have lost the opportunity to sell this charter to any of these other parties. We understand your charter is a vacation for you, but please understand that we depend on the revenue earned from our 10 week fishing season for our livelihood. 

RESCHEDULING YOUR CHARTER

If rescheduling is available a $25 fee per reservation will apply. This policy assumes you are rescheduling at least two weeks in advance of your charter date and is in addition to any cancelation policy and penates as noted above.

FISH AND GAME CLOSURES

Though extremely unlikely, please note we cannot be responsible for Department of Fish & Game Emergency Orders that may negatively impact your trip. We will rebook at no cost within the current season or the following season on either the Copper or Kenai Dipnet Fisheries. 

Customers will receive a full refund in case of operator cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances. Contact us by phone to cancel or to inquire about a cancellation. No-shows will be charged the full charter price with absolutely no exceptions.