Fall starts early in Western Alaska, and while the first official day of fall might not be for a few more weeks, our dollies might say otherwise. Each season, our huge run of chrome, anadromous, dolly varden enter our river in early-mid july. However, as fall spawners, they undergo a massive transformation to their spawning…
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Archives for August 2017
Reeling Right or Wrong?
Over the course of the year, we’re lucky to share the water with a lot of super great, super fishy, people from countries all over the world. That lends itself to some healthy angler debate at times, allowing us to keep up to date on the latest tips and techniques in the fly fishing world….
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Thanks from Alaska West
We can hardly believe it, but today marks the last fishing day of yet another incredible season here at Alaska West. Whether you joined us this year, or followed along vicariously through our blog, we can’t thank you enough. You’re the reason we get to do what we do, and we sincerely appreciate it. Thanks…
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Simms Cam Wading Belt – Why We Like It
We know what you’re thinking.. “Really? Now the Deneki folks are telling us what belt to buy!?” Yes, really. Put it this way.. You’re humble editor has a habit (some might say ‘problem’) with buying fly fishing gear, lots of fly fishing gear. And, over the course of the year, one of his favorite pieces…
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BTT Bahamas Initiative Update
Our friends from the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust just released their 2017 update of their Bahamas Initiative and we think you should give it a look! For those who aren’t familiar with the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, their easily the most active conservation group looking after the well being of not only our beloved flats…
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Why Are They Called ‘Leopard’ Rainbows?
Today we present you with nothing more than a photo of what we think might be the best explanation of why our strain of resident rainbow trout at Alaska West are known throughout the angling community as ‘leopard’ rainbows. Call us biased, but we think they’re some of the prettiest trout on the planet, and…
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The Starlight Leech – Tying Instructions
Silver season is upon us, and while silver salmon might not be known as overly finicky in our parts, many salmon anglers would agree that when it comes to fly selection, one pattern in particular reigns supreme – The Starlight Leech. What makes it so effective? Well, we wrote an entire blog post on that…
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Nymphing with Indicators – 5 tips
It’s August, and in our neck of the woods that means our rainbow trout, dolly varden, and Arctic grayling populations are keying in heavily on the conveyor belt of salmon eggs and flesh making its way down river. Therefore, fishing sub-surface is the name of the game this time of year, and with that, like…
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Gear You Need: Nexcare Absolute Waterproof Tape
If you spend as many consecutive days on the water as we do, taking care of your hands is important. Cold, wet, hands coupled with line cuts, hook scars, and fish teeth can bring down even the most hard core anglers, which is why we’re always on the lookout for better ways to keep our…
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Bonefish Ready Position – Hold the Hook Bend
We’ve written a lot in the past about what we like to call the ‘ready position‘ when fishing for bonefish. Whether you’re stalking on foot, or poling from the boat, things can happen fast, and thus being ready at all times is critical. Today, we give you one more super simple, yet helpful tip while…
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