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Best fishing hole? Check downtown Anchorage

"It is unusual. We are right in the middle of a city," said Dan Bosch, the area sport fish manager for Anchorage, North Gulf Coast and Prince William Sound for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

"When most people come to Alaska, they think they got to fly out to go fishing. They think it's going to cost a lot of money," he said.

The fishery services two purposes, he said. Not everyone can afford these expensive outfitter fishing trips, but can easily bring a pole to fish downtown. Also, the stocked fishery from the nearby Elmendorf Hatchery helps relieve some of pressure from the wild and remote creeks and streams.

Ship Creek has played an important part in Anchorage's history.

The state's largest city, population now roughly 292,000, got its start here in 1915 when a tent city sprang up around construction of what became the Alaska Railroad, which now has its headquarters a block from the creek.

The creek, which snakes from the nearby Chugach Mountains to the Knik Arm of Cook Inlet, features two main runs of salmon every summer, king and silver salmon.

"It really is a popular fishery," Bosch said.

With its proximity to downtown, it not only draws locals looking to drop a fishing line, but also tourists to either fish or watch the fishermen gut their take along the bank.

"The hotels right up here, we actually have people who stay in the hotels right here who walk down the road, right to the creek and fish in the creek," Bosch said.

Frank Cellini of Philadelphia was fishing on the banks of Ship Creek Monday afternoon with rented boots and a pole. He's in Anchorage for an accounting conference and staying at a downtown hotel, and rented fishing boots and a pole.

Sacks Cafe: Anchorage | Terry Simpson

The movement to fresh and local foods popularized by Chez Panisse – in Berkeley, California where they found great local foods from the local farming communities surrounding the area. It is not surprising the local trend moved to the Pacific Northwest where they have more farms per capita as well as great vineyards- but who would imagine fresh and local being in Alaska? I grew up in Southeast Alaska, where local was from the ocean, as well as berries and rhubarb from our backyard. But Alaska has changed and you can experience fresh and local everyday if you visit Sack’s Café in Anchorage, Alaska. And, they love kids there- and JJ enjoyed it!

Sacks Cafe Anchorage Alaska

Alaska has abundant local foods. From the sea there is salmon, halibut, king crab, prawns, scallops (some of the finest in the world), as well as cod, mussels, and the occasional squid. But most don’t think about the Matanuska Valley, located a short 45 minute drive north, where the fertile lands and the midnight sun grow some of the largest produce in the world (like the 180 pound cabbages). There is also wild game in Alaska and some domesticated animals (I love reindeer sausage).

Sacks has been a favorite spot of mine for 7 years. Located in downtown Anchorage, Sacks menu features the fresh and local ingredients found in south Central Alaska.

Fresh Alaska Sockeye Salmon Tacos are always a favorite- sometimes you get Halibut Tacos, depending on what is fresh and in season (at the docks). They do a beautiful job with the tacos providing a roasted corn and black bean salsa on a grilled corn tortilla.

Sacks Cafe Anchorage Halibut Tacos are amazing

Their version of Jambalaya contains fresh halibut, sockeye salmon, prawns, and clams – all local and combined with chorizo, a spicy tomato sauce and jasmine rice.

The restaurant has a great selection of wines featuring unique varietals from the Pacific Northwest- all ready to be paired with your meal. Topping off the dessert is a berry cobbler (when in season).

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