During the summer, Alaska is a hotbed of fly anglers. Many are new to Alaska and have only fished with a five-weight in spring creeks and tailwaters of many incredible streams and rivers in the lower Forty-Eight. One question we get a lot about coming to Alaska for fly fishing is, “if I were only…
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Gear
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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Gear Review: Tacky Pescador Fly Box
If you’ve read our blog for a while, it’s no surprise we at Deneki Outdoors are fans of Tacky Fly Storage Boxes. Mindful design, thoughtful materials, and straightforward usability give Tacky Boxes an edge over some other fly box companies. Tacky’s newest fly box series, the Pescador, carries Tacky’s “Better Box” mantra with a solid,…
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Gear Review: Sage Spey Reel
We like Spey fishing throughout Alaska. From Southeast Alaska, through Southcentral and Western Alaska, Spey fishing is not only a prevalent method of fly fishing; many would say it is preferred. Sage makes a variety of Spey rods and reels. One of the best reels they have come up with is the Sage Spey Reel….
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Shore Lunches are the Best
When it comes to lunchtime 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 just caught. What makes a shore lunch? It’s pretty simple. Your guide…
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Gear: Don’t go “Cheap” on these things.
Let’s be honest. Fly Fishing is not an inexpensive outdoor activity. The barrier to entry is high regardless of what price point fly gear you purchase because there is so much gear to get just to get started. Unless you got handed down a treasure trove of fly fishing gear, obtaining fly fishing gear can…
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Fly Fishing Gear Maintenance
It’s winter for many of us, and many have put away our fly fishing gear. We’re willing to bet you didn’t check, clean, and prep your fly gear before you put it away for the winter. If not, now is the perfect time to take inventory, check your fly lines, rods, reels, organize fly boxes,…
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Bonefish Fly Fishing Essentials: A Comprehensive List
Fly fishing for bonefish isn’t easy, and if you’ve never done it before, trying to figure out new water is challenging. Learning what works with particular fish in a different habitat can be challenging. Understanding what gear to bring and how to use it will give you a leg up by not wasting time figuring…
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Deneki Chronicles: Get the Right Line for Your Spey Rod!
At Alaska West we spend a lot of time chasing anadromous fish with two-handed rods. We see this situation all the time: Angler arrives in camp with new spey rod. Angler sets it up with the line that his or her buddy/mentor/favorite author/shop guy/rep/mother-in-law said would work well. Angler fishes it for a while and…
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Gear Review: Simms ExStream Hooded Jacket
For many of us in the Northern Hemisphere, we’re entering a punishing stretch of cold and darkness. For the diehard fly anglers, you’re dying to go fishing regardless of the temperature. This is where the Simms ExStream Hooded Jacket comes in handy. Either as an out layer or a mid, insulating layer, the Simms ExStream…
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