We’ve said it many times before, but we love fishing giant flies for our trout in western Alaska. Some might assume that that’s because we subscribe to the ‘big fly, big fish’ theory of fly selection.. However, in our neck of the woods, abundant food sources and a short growing season lends itself to trout,…
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Alaska West
Fighting Fish – Take a Bow
Ever wondered why so many fish come unbuttoned during a jump? Is it coincidence? Hardly. Fish are able to contort their body faster and more violently when airborne than they can in the water. After all, there’s far less resistance in air than in water. When under tension, this can cause an unexpected yank on…
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Brown Trout in the Kanektok?
No, not really.. That’s just a ‘jack’ king salmon in full spawning garb caught by our buddy Chandler Cook at Alaska West Lodge. Many anglers are aware of the shocking transformation of our beloved king salmon as they transition from the chrome bright appearance from their years at sea, to the brilliant ‘fire-truck’ red as…
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Hang Time
Because it’s been a while since we shared a photo of an airborne coho from Alaska West. Hang time. One of the many, many reasons we love fly fishing for silver salmon. More on Silver Salmon Silver Salmon – 3 Reasons to Love ‘Em Silver Salmon Fly Selection Man and Silver
Plan D Articulated Fly Boxes
From swinging flies for anadramous fish, to banging the banks with streamers, to skating mouse flies for trout, we fish a lot of articulated and stinger-style flies over the course of the year. However, until now we’ve yet to find a great way to store them. We’ve long been fans of simple Plano Boxes for housing…
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What Do You Want Us to Write About?
In the nearly 8 years since the inception of our humble little fly fishing blog, we’re happy to report that our online fly fishing community continues to grow! That makes us really happy and we have each and every one of you to thank for it. Some of you have been following along with us…
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Jerry French’s ‘Dirty Hoh’ Coming to a Fly Shop Near You
If you like swinging flies, odds are you recognize the name of steelhead guru and Alaska West guide, Jerry French. Along with his friends, Ed Ward and Scott Howell, Jerry was part of the braintrust behind one of the most widely used fly patterns in modern Northwest steelhead fishing; The Intruder. Since its creation, numerous steelhead…
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Bling!
Today we present you with nothing more than a photo that any hardcore salmon or steelhead angler will appreciate.. We talk all the time about how much we love catching big salmon and steelhead at our lodges, the majority of which are as bright as the face of nickel – a tell tale sign of fish…
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Breaking Down Fly Rods for Quick Transport
Most of us have spent a day on the water with someone who’s gear situation seems exceptionally well organized, from the layout of their boat to the packing of their truck. Heck, you might even be that person! If you’re not that person, you may have wondered why anyone would take the time to be so…
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Trout Lies – Presenting to Submerged Structures
Today’s tip falls within the ‘common mistakes we see a lot of’ category. Most of us are well aware that any in-river structure (rocks, logs, snags, tundra clumps, ect.) make for potential holding lies for trout. Any object able to break up the speed of the current provides the opportunity for trout to hold comfortably in…
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