Dry Fly Alaska

Many rivers in Alaska offer trout fishing that is unrivaled anywhere else on the planet. Generally, salmon appear in July, and it’s nonstop mayhem and fish rodeos until September. But what do trout, dolly varden, and grayling do before salmon are in the river? Of course, they still have to eat. This is where bugs come into play. In the spring, bugs emerge, and of course, trout are still looking for a hearty meal, and the bugs are the prime target.

Alaska’s diversified fisheries include topwater dry fly fishing. If you enjoy the sight of a Trout rising gradually to winged bugs, dry fly fishing in Alaska is a must. For anyone who feels they have a fabulous long cast, and you enjoy topwater takes, thanks to Alaska’s vast river selection and hungry fish, dry fly fishing in Alaska is beyond Epic.

The book Aquatic Insects in Alaska lays out many bugs that show up in Alaska. Caddis, Stones, Mayflies, Stimulators, and other more traditional trout dry flies work well in Alaska for Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden, and Grayling. These flies should be a bit bigger than you may be used to – sizes 8, 10, and 12 are pretty common. But fish can be caught on flies as big as a size 4 bug or as small as a size 18.

Do you want some technical fishing? Try matching the hatch in Alaska. Here are some dry flies you should have in your fly box when you come to Alaska in the early part of the season. All images are from www.farbank.com.

Elk Hair Caddis

Stoneflies

Stimulators

Drakes

So if you’re coming to Alaska, there is nothing more fun than catching grayling and rainbow trout with a floating pattern on classic dry files on Alaskan waters in early June. Don’t think dry fly patterns won’t work in Alaska. 

Other Alaska Bug Flies:

• Rainbow Warrior
• Golden Stone
• Jumbo John
• Aquatic Insects in Alaska