Today we present you with a quick tip for all of you out there who like to strike off of the beaten path whenever possible (with fly rods in hand, of course). When bushwhacking (aka ‘crittering’ around our camp) with fly rods, there are few things more frustrating than your rod tip and/or leader hanging…
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Alaska West
Trout Eating Your Indicator? Fish Neutral Colors
Whether dead drifting traditional nymphs along the bottom of your local trout stream or bouncing salmon flesh/egg imitations down a run in Western Alaska, the technique of nymphing (i.e. dead-drifting subsurface flies to feeding fish) is without a doubt one of the most effective methods for catching trout in moving water. Moreover, when nymphing for…
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Buzzer Beater!
Last week we informed you that we were wrapping up the last fishing day of our 2018 season at Alaska West, mostly to say thanks to all of you who made it such a memorable season. In case you missed it, and joined us on the Kanektok this season, well, thanks! We may have jumped…
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Aqua Flies Intruder Eyes
When it comes to commercial spey/swing style fly patterns (i.e. those that you can pick up at your local fly shop), one manufacturer in particular has been standing out amongst the crowd; Aqua Flies. We’ve been pointing anglers bound for our lodges in Alaska and British Columbia towards Aqua Flies for years. Why? Aside from…
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Set Towards the Tail
Today we address one of the most common mistakes we see made on the river; setting the hook in the wrong direction. When fishing in moving water, the direction in which your rod tip moves when lifting the rod to set the hook can be the difference between a fish that makes it to the…
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Best Fly Lines for Trout Spey – North 40 Video
Last week we shared a video from our friends over at North 40 Fly Shop featuring George Cook on the particulars of choosing a proper spey rod for trout. If you missed it, be sure to give it a watch by clicking right here. A few days ago, they released another great from their latest…
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Timeless Tips: Fly Fishing for Fussy Silver Salmon
At Alaska West, we have the pleasure of closing out our season with truly prolific runs of silver salmon. Silvers get under the skin of many of our guests due to their strength, acrobatics, and willingness to grab a fly. However, contrary to popular belief, there are times when silver salmon are reluctant to eat…
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Gear You Need: Sitka Fanatic Hoody
As folks who spend the majority of our time outside, like many of you, we’re on the never-ending quest to find the perfect layer for our pursuits. Lately, we’ve been impressed by the latest offerings from the folks at Sitka; an outdoor clothing/gear company based out of Bozeman, Montana. Although geared primarily towards the hunting…
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That’s a wrap!
Today we wrap up the last fishing day of our 2018 season at Alaska West and want to extend a huge thanks to all who made it one of our most memorable seasons to date. To all of you who joined us on the Kanektok this year, along with with those who followed along vicariously…
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Guide Poll: Favorite Way to Target Rainbow Trout
One thing we love about our native Alaskan rainbows (aside from their size, beauty, and aggressive nature, of course) is that we get to target them using a bunch of wild techniques that you might not otherwise get to try in other parts of the world. From skating rodent imitations, to stripping ridiculously large streamers,…
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