We really enjoy swinging flies for trout on small spey or switch rods. Here at Alaska West, that usually means swinging large sculpin or flesh flies on or near the bottom. In other words, getting your fly down is often the name of the game. Earlier this year, we were fortunate to spend a week…
Read More
Alaska West
Rigging Tip: Bunny Tails and Stinger Hooks
We fish a lot of articulated ‘leech’ style flies at our lodges. Why? Because they work really well! In fact, we just ran a step by step fly tying post on one here. However, one down side to most stinger style leech patterns is that once the stinger hook becomes dull or straightened, the hook…
Read More
Bright is Beautiful
Today we present you with nothing more than what we think is a super cool perspective of a silver salmon caught during the last week of our season at Alaska West. Contrary to popular belief, our run of silvers actually extends well past when we finish up our season. Plus, we’re located only six miles…
Read More
The Miles Davis Leech – Tying Instructions
Our buddy Stuart Foxall is back again with yet another great step by step fly tying post. Today’s pattern? The Miles Davis Leech, a super effective fly for steelhead, salmon, or even big trout. Thanks Stu! The Miles Davis Leech – Tying Instructions The Miles Davis black leech pattern is an amazingly simple but effective…
Read More
Thanks from Alaska West
Today we wrap up another unforgettable season here at Alaska West and just wanted to say thanks to all of you who joined us this year. We really love what we do, and you’re a huge part of what makes our job so enjoyable. So, from all of us here at Alaska West, thanks for joining us this summer….
Read More
Congratulations Robert!
With our season winding down, we wanted to give a big shout out to our long time chef at Alaska West, Robert Schultess. This year marks Robert’s 20th year with Alaska West, and we think that’s one heck of an accomplishment. Congratulations Robert, we’re really lucky to have you as part of the team. More From…
Read More
Three Good Articles
Today we’re back with our monthly edition of ‘Three Good Articles,’ where we highlight fly fishing articles from the past month, from other websites, that we found particularly interesting and think you will too. Enjoy! Three Good Articles The Damaging Effects of Flies. BC West alum, Scott Baker-McGarva, offers some extremely interesting thoughts on rigging stinger…
Read More
SPEY TV Episode 3: Snap T,Z, and C
Our buddy George Cook is back with another great edition of Spey TV, a video series dedicated to all things spey related. Today’s topic? The finer points of perhaps the most widely used skagit casts out there, the snap T. From casting variations, to fishing situations, to the basic history of the cast, this video…
Read More
Shore Lunch
When it comes to lunch time at Alaska West, our guests have one of two options; brown bag it for maximum fishing time, or take a little break in the middle of the day for a shore lunch, where your guide prepares a fresh salmon you caught that very morning. Fishing one of the most productive…
Read More
The Strip Set – Not Just for Bonefish
“Don’t trout set,” are words nearly every saltwater angler has heard at one time or another. That’s because when it comes to hard mouthed species like bonefish it’s crucial to set the hook by stripping the fly as opposed to raising the rod in typical ‘trout’ fashion. Raising the rod does a great job at…
Read More