We talk an awful lot about ‘chrome bright salmon,’ but we’d be lying if we said we didn’t think some of the colors pacific salmon take on as they start their spawning ritual were anything short of spectacular. We’re lucky that some of our lodges are located so close to the ocean that we’re able…
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Rapids Camp
Stone Beads
In our neck of the woods, trout like eggs. Therefore, we tend to do a lot of bead fishing for trout at our lodges. Salmon eggs are a primary food source for our trout, and there isn’t a better imitation than a single bead. Most beads made specifically for trout fishing are made of plastic, usually…
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How Are We Doing?
Even after eight or so years of posting, the audience of our humble little fishing blog still continues to grow. That makes us really happy and we have you, our readers, to thank for it. So.. Thanks for reading our blog! Every now and then we like to take a day to ask what you would…
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Airflo Super-Dri Nymph/Indicator Fly Line
Western Alaska is far from the traditionalist’s view of trout fishing. It is not the land of four weights, fine tippets, and microscopic dry flies. Instead, bushy mouse patterns, heavily weighted streamers, and clunky flesh and egg rigs are the norm.. None of which are particularly easy to cast. Most trout specific fly lines are…
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Fish to the Future, Not to the Past
We’re really lucky at our lodges to be able to target trout in a number of ways. However, one of the most common (and most effective) ways in which we target trout is by rowing downstream in traditional ‘drift boat’ fashion. Rowing allows you to cover the maximum amount of water possible, thus putting your fly in…
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Sockeye on Mouse Flies?
Most folks that have fished for sockeye salmon are aware that sockeye are extremely reluctant to take a fly. However, at Alaska West we’ve honed in our sockeye program to catch them on mouse flies. Just check out the photo of our buddy, Kasey Halcro, above! Okay, okay, we’re totally kidding. However, the sockeye above…
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Starry Flounder
We’ve shared countless photos over the years of fish caught by our guests at our Alaskan lodges, from all five species of salmon, to rainbow trout, to Arctic grayling, to dolly varden and Arctic char. However, we haven’t shared many photos of one of the rarest fish in our river, the Starry Flounder. Flounder you…
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Trout Fishing in High “Off-Colored” Water
Whether early season run-off or late season rain, when the river comes up and the water becomes dirty, fishing for trout can be tough. That’s not to say it can’t be done though! Here are 9 tips when targeting trout in high water. Go Fishing. Don’t let ‘the river’s blown out’ be an excuse to stay…
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OPST Ostrich Intruder Plumes
When it comes to tying large-profile intruder-style flies for steelhead and salmon, one of the most difficult part of the whole process is finding materials of consistent quality. Ostrich herl in particular, a material used in many steelhead and salmon flies, varies quite a bit in terms of quality and can be frustrating to the…
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Late Season Dollies
Today we present you with a cool photo of a dolly varden, courtesy of Alaska West guide, Zac Cassill. They might not get the same press as some of our other species, but if fun is your prerogative, we think fast past action for late-season, clowned-up dollies is hard to beat. Drop us a line to come see for…
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