When walking the flats, less can be more. I prefer to leave most of my gear back on the boat and just have the essentials with me. A good pair of pliers on my belt, a spool of tippet in my back pocket, and a hockey puck with a few different fly choices. The plastic pucks…
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Fish
Fishing Winter Rivers in Low Flows
We are in that tough time of year where Alaska is entering a deep freeze and thoughts of Andros are the only thing keeping us warm. Depending on where you live, there can still be some great fishing options in the form of winter trout streams. One variable most all rivers have in common during…
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Going from Freshwater to Salt
The transition from freshwater fly fishing to saltwater does not need to be an intimidating one. While the gear and target species may be different, you can use a lot of the knowledge and skills you have acquired freshwater fishing to help establish a saltwater foundation to build on. One of the major differences you…
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4 Benefits of Having a Second Rod Rigged Up and Ready to Go
A commonality between most all fly fishermen is a slight obsession with gear. We not only have lots of it, but we also like to bring unnecessary amounts with us on our fishing trips. Don’t just leave it back at the lodge. There are some great benefits to having an extra rod and reel with…
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Timeless Tips: Attach your Dry Fly with a Loop Knot
Have you ever been dry fly fishing and noticed your fly wasn’t always riding upright in the water? I’ve had dries that spend about half their drifts floating upside down. An easy way to avoid this? Attach your dry fly with a loop knot. You will notice your fly will almost always ride upright in…
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Happy Hump Day
It’s hump day, and every now and then we like to celebrate by paying homage to one of the most under-appreciated and oft-forgotten species that frequent our waters at Alaska West; the almighty humpy, aka the pink salmon. Why? Because pinks are fun! They’re aggressive, they look really cool, they smash surface flies, they’re a requirement…
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Nice Fish, Bill!
A couple days ago we mentioned that we just wrapped up the last day of our season at Rapids Camp Lodge. However, what we failed to mention was that on that last day of our season, despite some unrelenting weather, our good friend and long time Rapids Camp Lodge guest, Bill Anderson, tied into this…
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Net Bender
Today we present you with nothing more than one of our favorite photos from this past summer season courtesy of Alaska West guide, Lucas Young. Net shot. Spey rod. And fish so big that it buckles the fiberglass handle and aluminum frame of a gargantuan landing net.. What’s not to like? Want to swing flies…
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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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Now, That’s a Dolly
At Alaska West, we’re lucky to experience a run of anadramous (sea-run) dolly varden that’s nothing shy of remarkable. Towards the back half of our season, they undergo a stunning change in appearance from the bright silver garb of their time at sea to their fall spawning colors of fluorescent orange, red, yellow, and green….
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