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…
Read More
Rapids Camp
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…
Read More
Stu’s Tube Leech – Tying Instructions
Stuart Foxall is back today with another great step by step! So, grab a cup of coffee and kick off your weekend right, by filling up those fly boxes! Stu’s Tube Leech – Tying Instructions Last week we dressed a simple but super effective bunny leech pattern, the Miles Davis Leech. Today we are going to be…
Read More
Swinging for Trout – The Tumble Rig
We really enjoy swinging flies for trout on small spey or switch rods. Here at Alaska West, that usually means swinging large sculpin or flesh flies on or near the bottom. In other words, getting your fly down is often the name of the game. Earlier this year, we were fortunate to spend a week…
Read More
Rigging Tip: Bunny Tails and Stinger Hooks
We fish a lot of articulated ‘leech’ style flies at our lodges. Why? Because they work really well! In fact, we just ran a step by step fly tying post on one here. However, one down side to most stinger style leech patterns is that once the stinger hook becomes dull or straightened, the hook…
Read More
Bright is Beautiful
Today we present you with nothing more than what we think is a super cool perspective of a silver salmon caught during the last week of our season at Alaska West. Contrary to popular belief, our run of silvers actually extends well past when we finish up our season. Plus, we’re located only six miles…
Read More
The Miles Davis Leech – Tying Instructions
Our buddy Stuart Foxall is back again with yet another great step by step fly tying post. Today’s pattern? The Miles Davis Leech, a super effective fly for steelhead, salmon, or even big trout. Thanks Stu! The Miles Davis Leech – Tying Instructions The Miles Davis black leech pattern is an amazingly simple but effective…
Read More
Three Good Articles
Today we’re back with our monthly edition of ‘Three Good Articles,’ where we highlight fly fishing articles from the past month, from other websites, that we found particularly interesting and think you will too. Enjoy! Three Good Articles The Damaging Effects of Flies. BC West alum, Scott Baker-McGarva, offers some extremely interesting thoughts on rigging stinger…
Read More
SPEY TV Episode 3: Snap T,Z, and C
Our buddy George Cook is back with another great edition of Spey TV, a video series dedicated to all things spey related. Today’s topic? The finer points of perhaps the most widely used skagit casts out there, the snap T. From casting variations, to fishing situations, to the basic history of the cast, this video…
Read More
The Strip Set – Not Just for Bonefish
“Don’t trout set,” are words nearly every saltwater angler has heard at one time or another. That’s because when it comes to hard mouthed species like bonefish it’s crucial to set the hook by stripping the fly as opposed to raising the rod in typical ‘trout’ fashion. Raising the rod does a great job at…
Read More