One of the most iconic and recognized fly patterns ever, the Copper John is an effective pattern in various watersheds, conditions, and seasons. Mr. John Barr designed this fly pattern to create a heavy anchor fly that looks buggy, all while sinking fast and keeping the smaller, lighter nymph, or nymphs in the zone. Hello…
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Fly Tying: Barr’s Bouface
Originally for warm water species bass and pike, John Barr got a hankering that a smaller version would be effective for trout. He wasn’t wrong. Everything about this fly is a great all-around pattern. It has movement and action. In addition, with the type of materials you use for this particular fly pattern, you can…
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Fly Tying: Purple Haze
Well, winter is fully upon us here in Alaska. For many fly anglers, particularly those of us in Alaska stuck inside the cold and darkness, it’s time to turn on the lamps, sort our tying material, and start tying. Tying flies not only replenishes our fly boxes for next season. In this episode of fly…
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Fly Tying: Suskwa Poacher
Well, it’s fall here in Alaska. The leaves are starting to turn and fall, as is the temperature (currently 34° F as of this write). Fall also signals fall fishing for big steelhead and trout for many anglers. As the leaves change their colors and the air becomes nippy, the rivers come alive with big,…
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Fly Tying: Chromer Snack
Silver Salmon is one of the most popular game fish for fly anglers. They are aggressive, acrobatic, and an outright blast to hook, especially on the fly. The Chromer Snack is a fly pattern designed by the group that was World Wide Anglers here in Alaska. The shop may be gone, but the legacy continues…
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Fly Tying: March Brown by Kevin Foley
About Kevin Foley Kevin Foley is the fly-tying instructor at Mossy’s Fly Shop in Anchorage, Alaska. His philosophy and teachings on fly tying involve the use of natural and synthetic materials to create the illusion of life. As a scientist, having received his Master of Science in Fisheries, he believes that observation and time on…
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Fly Tying: Trout Spey Micro Sculpin
If you haven’t noticed, we are big on Trout Spey. We like everything about it. As it continues to quickly be adopted by more fly anglers, this new method of fly fishing with two to five-weight two-handed rods should become more familiar to everyone who enjoys fishing for trout. Because Trout Spey rods are smaller,…
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Fly Tying: AK Chovey
The AK Chovey and fly pattern is used for Kings and Coho alike. This pattern captures the image and likeness of bait, favorites of both King Salmon and Coho Salmon in the salt Capelin, Herring, and Sand Lance all being common for King Salmon and Coho, the AK Chovey is a cool and easy pattern…
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Fly Tying: Ultra Rig Mini Llama
The Dolly Llama might as well be called the “Fly of Alaska.” It has earned the reputation as the most effective fly in Alaska. Contrast, profile, and movement are essential qualities that make it very effective for trout. All that said, it is not the easiest fly to cast because of its weight. With Two-handed…
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Fly Tying: Neil Creek Slider
One of the more awesome things you can see at the beginning of the season in Alaska is a smolt bust. During early summer, large schools of salmon smooth begin their migration down the river to the ocean. It will be obvious when the smolt bust starts, as you’ll see the Arctic Terns doing flybys…
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