Tie, Instructions, Photos, and Write-up By Kevin Foley. The Blue Suede Shoe came about in early June 2015 after a day of fishing tributaries of the Susitna River in search of King Salmon. At the time, reports had suggested that King Salmon, the largest of the five species of Pacific Salmon occurring in the Susitna…
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Fly Tying
Fly Tying: Tyler’s Big Pheasant Tail
Every fly angler has tied on a pheasant tail nymph at one time or another. If you have not, you should. The pheasant tail nymph is a fly that has a long history in fly fishing. Versatile, this fly can be used in a broad spectrum of watersheds across America, and yes, even in Alaska….
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Fly Tying: Flies to Tie for Alaska Fish
The 2022 Alaska fly fishing season is coming upon us, and it’s never too early to start tying flies. If you search our blog, we have a plethora of flies for Salmon and Trout, and they all catch fish, or we wouldn’t feature them. Below is a curated list of flies you should start tying…
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Fly Tying: Llewych (Gleamer)
Recently I was asked to do a magazine article for Trout & Salmon magazine in the UK. I had to write it about a “sea trout” (sea-run brown trout) pattern and I could think of none better to ask than Sean Thomas in Wales. He gave me one of his nighttime patterns that he calls…
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Fly Tying: Fish-Skull Skulpin Bunny
Sculpin patterns are a go-to when it comes to trout. Dead drift or a slow strip imitating a sculpin swim, sculpin style patterns are effective in rivers worldwide. Normally fished close to the bottom, the Fish-Skull Skulpin Bunny goes down and gets down fast to where the fish are, thanks to the Fish-Skull Sculpin Helmet….
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Gear Review: Smhaen Master Dubbing Twister
The Smhaen Master Dubbing Twister could be the best dubbing in the world. This tool sports modern design cues, yet it’s still a classic dubbing twister for fly tying. Novice or a seasoned fly tier, the Smhaen Master Dubbing Twister gives you complete control over your dubbing loops. The master dubbing twister will spin the…
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Fly Tying: Balanced Damsel
The Balanced Damsel, is a favorite fly among fly anglers who enjoy lake fishing for trout. When fished under an indicator or stripped in water columns with a sinking line, the Balanced Damsel is one attractive fly. Lake fishing is very underrated. There are plenty of fishing opportunities as winter releases her tight grasp. Damsels…
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Unconventional Thinking: Fly Tying – Chewy Halo Shrimp
There are a lot of flies out there, but as fly tiers, we mostly follow standards and common practices because they are tried and true. Every once in a while, a tier will have a spark of innovation and discover a new method that can make a significant impact. Dave Chouinard did just that with…
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Fly Tying: Foam Stimulator
Most anglers associate Alaska with large trout with flesh patterns, swinging leeches, and beads. There is a reason for it. Many anglers don’t realize that you can dry fly fish in Alaska and actually how effective it is. Fortunately for dry fly enthusiasts, there are several opportunities to catch some of the world’s most magnificent…
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Fly Tying: Complex Twist Bugger
Trout bugs are cool. The Complex Twist Bugger is cool. It is a great streamer that gives you a mix of old school and new school all wrapped in one fishing catching package. You can alter the colors, styles of feathers, flash material, and dubbings to create some cool and one of kind patterns for…
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