When swinging flies for salmon and steelhead, we talk a lot about the importance of ‘fly profile,’ the broadside silhouette the fly takes on while in the water. Many fly tyers go to great lengths trying to achieve the desired profile, and it is this idea that has stemmed many modern steelhead and salmon patterns….
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Rapids Camp
Swing is King
Swing is king. Long casts, and big mends, swinging is a technique that we not only appreciate here in Alaska West and Rapids Camp, but it is a method we enjoy. D loops, ripping the line off the water resulting in long, bombing casts then having faith that while the fly is going down and…
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10 Tips to Wade Safely
As fly fishing anglers, wherever you fish, you’re probably moving and at some point have to wade in the water you’re fishing. You move up, down, and across streams to find and access to the holes, sloughs, and seams that hold fish. With constant movement, it is inevitable you encounter a variety of currents, depth,…
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Gear Review: Simms BugStopper SolarFlex Hoody
While fishing in Alaska, you need to be prepared for a variety of elements. Rain, wind, sun, and bugs. You can experience all of those things in one day of fishing in Alaska especially in Bristol Bay or Western Alaska. The rain is inevitable, the sun, when it’s out is intense, and the bugs are…well,…
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Pebble Mine Update August 31, 2020
Here’s the latest Pebble Mine Update from our friends at TU and Save Bristol Bay. Dear Bristol Bay supporters, Last week was big for Bristol Bay. A week ago, the Army Corps of Engineers announced that the current Pebble proposal would not receive its key federal permit, a major step in the right direction toward stopping…
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String Leech
Traditionally the String Leech is a great fall and winter, steelhead pattern that is optimal for swinging with heavier tips. This past summer at Rapids Camp on the Naknek River the String Leech was very effective in hooking up with rainbow trout and that is the reason why we are featuring it now. With great…
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Beautiful Bristol Bay
Bristol Bay Alaska is simply amazing. The grandeur and beauty of Bristol Bay are second to none. Whether fishing or frolicking with bears, sometimes at the same time, Bristol Bay is full of life. In spite of its challenges. the summer of 2020 has been filled with adventure, majestic views, bears, and fish. The awe…
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Char and Dolly: Alaska’s Under-Appreciated Species
Last week, a guest at Rapids Camp Lodge asked me what species I like to fish for the most. I told him I honestly don’t have a favorite. Although Alaska is known for its salmon and trophy rainbows and many people, including myself, desire those time and time again, I also love Char fishing. This…
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Big Hook to the Jaw for Pebble Mine
The Army Corps of Engineers announced yesterday the Pebble Mine project fails to meet the standards of the Clean Water Act and did not issue a permit for the current mining plan. We are very pleased with this news as it becomes a huge challenge for the Pebble Mine project to overcome. This being said,…
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Small things to Protect our Resources
We as anglers should not only appreciate the planet we live on but also be advocates for protecting our resources. Too many times have I seen a beer can, plastic water bottle, monofilament, or just plain ole wrappers sitting on the banks of my favorite fishing drainages. As anglers, it is not only our right…
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