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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Rapids Camp
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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Seven Tips for Your Alaskan Lodge Trip
If you’ve got your sights set on an epic Flyout Fishing trip, there is no doubt a hike will be involved. So it’s wise to prepare your gear and your mind and body in the weeks and months leading up to it to maximize your trip of a lifetime. So here are seven tips for…
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Pebble Mine Update May 2022
On Wednesday, May 25th, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced revisions to proposed Clean Water Act protections which, if finalized, would have the potential to prevent the formerly proposed Pebble mine from returning to Bristol Bay. The key permit for the proposed Pebble mine was denied by federal regulators in November 2020 after the…
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Fly Tying: Chinook Graboid
The Graboid Leech by Midnight Sun Custom Flies is uber fishy, effective, versatile, and a great tie. Like other great patterns, the Graboid’s beauty is in its simplicity. This week in Fly Tying, we leverage the Graboid pattern and turn it into a Chinook (King) Salmon Pattern. Why not? Original Fly Design: Jonathan Farmer of…
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