* Lodge: Whales Resort * Location: Prince of Wales Island * Species: King salmon (20 to 60 pounds), chum salmon (8 to 15 pounds), pink salmon (3 to 5 pounds), silver salmon (10 to 20 pounds), Pacific halibut (up to 300 pounds or more), rockfish (2 to 5 pounds) and lingcod (up to 40 pounds). * Type of angling: Mostly trolling and drift fishing but also jigging. Fishing takes place from fully equipped 25-foot Bayliner cabin cruisers that accommodate up to four guests and include a licensed captain/guide. Freshwater river fishing and fly-outs can be arranged. While fishing is the main attraction, the spectacular scenery calls for sightseeing trips (by boat or light plane). * Hot action: The best strategy involves targeting silver salmon in the morning and concentrating on king salmon and halibut in the afternoon. An estuary next to Whales Resort offers super sight fishing in small skiffs for silver salmon from the last week of June through July. Resort owner Bill Fannemel reports that on one memorable day, Jim and Tony Druck of Minneapolis, Minnesota, were hooking lots of silvers on light tackle when one particular fish thrashed and cartwheeled across the surface. The silver made several incredible jumps and broke off, but it managed one more leap and landed right in the lap of an astonished angler fishing in a nearby skiff. Besides the great salmon and halibut fishing, PWI provides grand opportunities to appreciate the beauty of Alaska. Whale watchers will enjoy seeing plenty of breaching humpbacks from spring to fall, and a special river reached by charter plane near the resort offers a good area to safely observe bears fishing for salmon. * Accommodations: The main lodge sports spacious open-beam ceilings, a stone fireplace, satellite TV, a bar, four classes of modern rooms (standard to king suites) and all the amenities one could reasonably expect. Top chefs prepare gourmet meals. In addition to being a destination for hard-core anglers, Whales Resort serves as an excellent lodge for couples, families and small corporate groups. * When to go: Late May through early September. Best shots at kings occur May and June; silvers, July through early September; pinks and chum, mid-July through mid-August; halibut, June through early September. * How to get there: Fly to Ketchikan (about 60 miles southeast of Prince of Wales Island), then take a 45-minute charter flight to the camp. * Costs: $2,400 per person, based on double occupancy, which includes the charter flight between Ketchikan and Whales Resort, three nights accommodations, three full days of guided fishing, tackle, rain gear and all meals.