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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Gear
12 Gifts for the Fly Angler: Part Two
We’re another week closer to Christmas this year, and we got four more gift ideas for that pesky fly angler in your life. If you missed last week, click here for part one of the Christmas gift guide. A fly tying vise is literally the foundation for fly anglers who tie flies. Like a lot…
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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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Gear Review: Loon Outdoors Ergo Knot Tool
The Nail knot is arguably one of the most famous ( or infamous) knots in the world of fishing. Per its namesake, the nail knot was initially tied with an actual nail. Over the years, the nail has been replaced with a modified and designed into a convenient, compact, and versatile tool, making it much…
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Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Short
Being comfortable can make all the difference between a good or bad outdoor experience. Everybody talks about the importance of keeping your body’s core warm in cold conditions. Underlayer clothing is designed to keep your “core” warm in colder temperatures. Last checked, your tushie and thighs are a part of your core, and a lot…
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Fall Fishing in Alaska or The Bahamas
Termination dust is on the mountains and the opportunities for big Rainbow Trout are upon us. Thing is…if you aren’t comfortable out on the water, you’re gonna be off your game, and we’re not just talking about the cold. The same goes for The Bahamas. No matter where you’re fishing. the right gear makes for…
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Gear Review: GLoomis IMX PRO 51111-4
If you haven’t noticed, we are fans of the GLoomis IMX Pro ShortSpey rods. You can read a review we did here about the 71111-4. One of our team members recently had the opportunity to demo the GLoomis IMX PRO 51111-4, and it did not disappoint. Here is the Setup: Rod: GLoomis IMX PRO 51111-4…
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Deneki Chronicles: Monofilament or Fluorocarbon?
Mono or fluoro? That’s the question. Since the inception of the fluorocarbon line, one of the most asked questions about fly fishing is monofilament or fluorocarbon? The best answer…it depends. We realize that is not the answer some of you want to hear. With that, below are some things to consider when you have to…
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