Switch rods have become a very popular stick to have in the weapons closet. Having the ability to single hand-cast, two hands overhead cast or Spey cast is a cool rod, right? Now the challenge, lining a switch rod. Many people buy a switch rod with the mindset of versatility, want to nymph and swing,…
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Alaska West
Fly Tying: Hot Spot Mouse
Fly fishing in Alaska is super fun. People from all around the world travel to Alaska to fly fish. Among all the flies, patterns, and ways to fish for Rainbow Trout in Alaska, fishing topwater with a mouse pattern has got to be the most exciting and exhilarating. It’s such a rush to skate a…
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Alaska is Opening in 2021
In Alaska, a day on the calendar doesn’t trigger Spring. It’s more of a sliding scale. In Alaska, you know it’s spring when you can feel the warm intensity of the sun. You know it’s springtime when snow berms melt during the evening. You know it’s springtime when windshield washer fluid is your best friend….
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Every Day is Earth Day
“If all the insects were to disappear from Earth, within fifty years all life on Earth would end. If all human beings disappeared from Earth, within fifty years all forms of life would flourish. “ JONAS SALK Although we don’t believe we can prove the idea behind this quote, we acknowledge there is some sentiment…
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“Speyish” Green Butt Skunk
The Green Butt Skunk has accounted for numerous fish, and since its inception around the 1950s by Dan Callaghan, it has become one of the most effective and popular steelhead flies of all time. Dan Callaghan modified the original Skunk pattern and spiced it up with a green butt. Ever since many steelheaders will have…
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Deneki Chronicles: 6 Ways to Catch More Silver Salmon
In this episode of Deneki Chronicles, we visit the mighty Silver Salmon and how to catch more. Silvers are quite the rodeo, especially on a fly rod. Salmon season is just round the corner and we are excited! On the Kanektok River where we operate Alaska West, and on other rivers like it in Western…
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Who We Follow Instagram
As Fly anglers, we don’t need a lot of inspiration to hit the road to go fly fish and when we surf Instagram there is a lot of inspiration out there. We’ve all seen it, great photos of the fish caught on a fly amongst the pristine backdrop of gin-clear streams and rolling mountains. It…
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Understanding Spey Lines
So you got a Spey rod. Awesome! Now you looking to find the right line set up for your Spey rod. Whether you’re new to Spey fishing or a seasoned veteran, selecting a line set up to match your Spey rod can be a daunting task, especially with the variety of lines on the market…
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Gear Review: Patagonia Swiftcurrent Expedition Wader
Fishing guides are creatures of habit. We have the same routine every morning, put on the same clothes, walk into the lodge and make the same cup of coffee and usually eat the same breakfast. That’s how the day starts. Throw a wrench in that program and you’ll probably not like how it goes. When…
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Fly Tying Books
Fly tying is a fantastic way to emulate, create, and design your own awesome fly patterns. Since the internet, there is a huge influx of fly tying instruction videos, and don’t get us wrong, there are a lot of great videos. That being said, before the internet, fly tying books were the best source for…
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