Earlier this year we did a post from Alaska West alumni Zac Cassil on why the opening week at AK West was his favorite. When you have a fishery like the Kanektok River outside your front door, there really is no bad part of the season to be there. Our good friend and regular guest,…
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Archives for October 2019
An Alternative to Neoprene Wading Socks on the Flats
This may sound crazy, but once I started wearing wool socks under my flats boots, I have never returned to a neoprene wading sock. Next time you are luckily walking a flat that requires a sturdy wading boot, try putting on two pairs of wool socks. It may sound hot but I promise you that…
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Introducing the STRONG ARM MERKIN
“What happens when Dave Skok is given unlimited space to let his bobbin roam free by a recovering drug addict fly shop owner that’s fishing with one of the sharpest guiding minds in the Keys? Dave Skok’s Strong Arm Merkin. Through constant tweaking of the design over 10 years – the claw migrated up the…
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IFTD Award Winners
AFFTA‘s annual trade show, IFTD, wrapped up last week in Denver Colorado. Show attendees were able to see the new products that manufacturers have been working on for 2020. As always, at the end of the show, the “New Product Showcase Award Winners” are announced. As fly fishermen and women, we are an innovative bunch…
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Introducing the Swim Coach
Umpqua shared a new fly it has for 2020 created by world renowned signature tyer Charlie Craven. We introduce to you, the Swim Coach. “The Swim Coach developed over several years in my never-ending quest for a fly that would present a large profile without being bulky and overweight. Working from an Intruder concept, the…
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How to Clean your Reel after a Saltwater Trip
Reel cleaning is very important after fishing the salt. You spent some good coin on that Hatch 7 or Nautilus X so let’s make sure it lasts! After everyday fishing the salt, be sure to spray down your reel with some fresh water. Once your trip is over, it is important to do a more…
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Timeless Tips, Test Your Knots!
Always be sure to synch your knots completely down before testing them with a good tug. In fly fishing, there are already countless variables outside of our control. Gear failure is something you can control. Losing a fish because of a bad knot is something that is avoidable. After every knot you tie, give it…
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Cool Article on Kanektok Rainbows
Alaska Department of Game and Fish talks about Kanektok Rainbow Trout in their October Newsletter, WeFishAk. You can read the full article here! Our personal favorite line from the article reads “One researcher on the Kanektok River found 16 mice in one rainbow’s belly!” And yes, they do include a photo of this! To experience the…
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Angler Awareness // The Plastic Plague Follow Up
Earlier this year we posted on a device designed to help clean the ocean of some of the plastic that has accumulate in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, the largest of the 5 plastic patches that have formed in our world’s oceans. At the time, the device was not collecting plastic like planned. Then it…
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Fly Tying Friday // The Avalon Permit Fly
If you’re viewing this in a newsletter or a reader, click here to see the video on our website.” “In successful-fly-pattern-years, the Avalon Permit was basically born yesterday. Next month will mark the 7th birthday of this iconic fly, but over the last decade no other permit fly has enjoyed such success. Developed by Mauro…
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