In last year travel has been great, and has had its challenges. We all want to travel by air, boat, or whatever means necessary. We all want to go places. This year, many people will be coming to Alaska for the trip of a lifetime. Fish, hunt, see Denali, a bear or 2, and some…
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Rapids Camp
RIO Flies We Like for Kings
It’s King Salmon season here in Alaska both on the Nushagak River and Kanektok River. As one of the most sought-after game fish in the world, King Salmon can be picky. With the help of our friend George Cook, we got some RIO flies that will do the trick. So here are a few flies…
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Alaskan Gold: Arctic Char
One of the more sought-after fish in Alaska is the Arctic Char. Having many of the same attributes as both salmon and trout, fight like trout and get as large as the largest salmon, and look pretty doing it. Often confused with its cousin Dolly Varden because it takes close examination to tell the difference…
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4 Tips for Trout Fishing in Side Channels, Braids, and Small Tundra Creeks
We’re lucky at Alaska West Lodge and Rapids Camp Lodge to have incredibly abundant and healthy rainbow trout fishing. Mice, sculpins, leeches, flesh flies, beads, and smolt fly patterns are favorites at both locations. We use single- and two-handed, trout Spey rods. And we fish lots of different parts of our rivers, from the big main…
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Fly Tying: Ultra Rig Mini Llama
The Dolly Llama might as well be called the “Fly of Alaska.” It has earned the reputation as the most effective fly in Alaska. Contrast, profile, and movement are essential qualities that make it very effective for trout. All that said, it is not the easiest fly to cast because of its weight. With Two-handed…
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Deneki Chronicles: 19 Reasons to Fish a Mouse Fly
In This Week’s Deneki Chronicles, it’s trout week and we’re looking back at what the trout have been and continually gorge on. It’s no secret how much we love fishing mouse patterns for big Alaskan rainbow trout. We do a lot of it, and, as odd as it may sound, it is our most productive…
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Leopards and Mice: Alaska Rainbow Trout
What is a leopard rainbow trout? Is it a rainbow trout that has spots like a leopard? Yes. Is it because they are as aggressive and voracious as a leopard? Yes. Throughout the state of Alaska, rainbow trout here are different from other trout in North America. Hungry, predatory, and aggressive, these are rainbow trout…
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Fly Tying: Neil Creek Slider
One of the more awesome things you can see at the beginning of the season in Alaska is a smolt bust. During early summer, large schools of salmon smooth begin their migration down the river to the ocean. It will be obvious when the smolt bust starts, as you’ll see the Arctic Terns doing flybys…
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Deneki Chronicles: 5 Guide Secrets to Catch More Alaska Rainbows
More fun than a frog in a glass of milk. Okay, we’re not exactly sure what that means either, but we’re sure it means it is hootenanny when it comes to Rainbow Trout Fishing in Alaska. In this week’s Deneki Chronicles, we can’t help but get excited about Rainbow Trout Fishing. Have a gander. Alaskan…
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Wading Boots We Like
When it comes to wading boots, comfort and durability are what we are after. Since they have been introduced, the Simms G4 Pro Boot and the Patagonia Foot Tractor have logged some miles. Both the Simms G4 Pro and the Patagonia Foot Tractor boots have been used on various fishing trips and in a variety…
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