We like softshells because we think they’re a great compromise between warmth, comfort and breathability. The fact is, most of the time you’re on the water, a true hard shell like Gore-Tex is more waterproof, but less breathable and comfortable than it needs to be. We like hoods because they keep rain, cold air,…
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Gear
Chile West – Your Quiver
Our ‘which rods should you bring’ series continues today with the right selection for a trip to Chile West. Although there are certainly differences in the fishery while we’re open from November to April, your overall rod selection doesn’t need to change too much. We’re fishing primarily for rainbows, browns and brookies in rivers from…
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Trout Food: Flesh Fly
Last week we started our series on Alaskan trout foods with some information on salmon flesh. Today we’re covering a simple, effective fly pattern that’s used to imitate salmon flesh – your basic ‘Flesh Fly’. Our recipe and photos are courtesy of Matt Hynes, senior guide at Alaska West and recent addition to our management…
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Late July in Alaska – Your Quiver
We continue our series on rod quivers today – combinations of rods that are appropriate for our fisheries at various times of year. Today’s fishery is the ultimate in ‘bring the tackle shop along if you’ve got it’. During late July at Alaska West, we fish for all 5 species of Pacific salmon, as well…
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Scott Fiberhammer Review
Just prior to last fall’s Fly Fishing Retailer show in Denver, we heard about a new switch rod that sounded pretty unusual and awfully interesting – the Scott Fiberhammer. The Fiberhammer is not like most rods being made today. It’s a 10′ 6″ switch rod for a 7 weight line, but it’s made of fiberglass….
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FTC Disclosure
Late last year, the FTC decided that online publishers need to disclose any hidden interests or unspoken biases to their readers when they publish product reviews and/or recommendations. In the past couple of months the FTC’s guidelines have become a little more clear, so we’re devoting a day of airtime today to our Product Review…
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Ross Evolution LT Review
Ross Reels has just introduced the Evolution LT – the replacement for their very popular Evolution series of reels. The Evolution LT is a solid update to what has always been a very solid reel. While the Evolution LT will probably be used most often for trout fishing, it’s made in sizes that accommodate everything…
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It’s Not A Pollywog
…and it’s not really a popper either, but It’s pink. It floats. It has a hook. So fish it reasonably on the Lower Kanektok, and chances are you’ll catch some silvers. More On Silver Salmon at Alaska West Silver Salmon Like to Jump 6 Ways to Catch More Silvers Favorite Flies for Silver Salmon
Our Boats at Alaska West
First-time anglers at Alaska West could very well look at our guide boats on arrival day and think to themselves “I thought this place was supposed to be a top-tier operation.” Our boats are not the most comfortable, fastest, most tricked-out, or pretttiest boats at the boat show. There are certainly big, beautiful boats out…
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South Andros – Your Quiver
Today we continue our series on rod quivers – combinations of rods that you should think about bringing to our lodges at various times of year. On South Andros, our fishery is really consistent during the period that we’re open from October through May. It would really be splitting hairs to claim that you need…
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