If you are going to fish Alaska on you own, get this book:

THE HIGHWAY ANGLER, by Gunner Pederson

It will put you on some great spots, at the right time. Also, take a 3 or 4wt and fish for some grayling. They will take a dry fly, are willing to be caught and put up a good fight. They are a real treat to catch since they are rare in the lower 48.

I liked catching rainbows but most of the fishing was subsurface with flesh flies. To catch salmon, you need to learn the Alaska Four Stoke. Most of the time you are trying to drift the fly into their mouth and snagging them. Not a lot of fun in my book, but once you get one on it can be a real battle.