“Shooting fish in a barrel.” We’ve all heard the phrase. This hyperbolic expression alludes to the fact that fish make an easy target inside a barrel, as opposed to a river or the sea. When you come to Alaska, to fish, it can be like that. Salmon and trout runs are abundant relative to most….
Read More
Rapids Camp
Fly Fishing Tips: Casting when it’s Windy
If you’ve been fly fishing for any amount of time, you know that the weather significantly impacts your fly fishing experience, particularly wind. No matter the location, the wind is a culprit that can humble even the best fly caster. Today we provide some pro tips on how to cast in windy conditions. These tips…
Read More
Getting Excited: Alaska Fly Fishing
We can not help but get excited about the upcoming fishing season every summer in Alaska. Syncopated by the runs of salmon and trout in summer months through fall, fishing in Alaska is a festival of concerts of epic proportions. And it’s opening soon. Team Deneki is actively building camps, prepping Lodges, and stocking food,…
Read More
3 Tips on Setting the Hook on the Hang Down
Have you ever had a run of losing fish in the “hang down?” If you’ve been fly fishing for a little bit you have probably felt the surprise of a fish grab on the hang-down part of your swing. You’d think hooking a fish on the hang down would be easy, but in actuality, it…
Read More
Fly Tying: Larimer’s ES Loop Leech
The beauty behind the Larimer ES Loop Leech is its simplicity with the materials. This super wiggly, swimmy pattern is effective for salmon, steelhead, and trout. The best part of this particular fly is the combination of colors you can tie it in. One of our favorite color combinations is a Chartreuse head and Black…
Read More
Deneki Chronicles: Trout Fishing in High “Off-Colored” Water
In this Episode of Deneki Chronicles, we explore the idea of fishing in high water. For the most part, a blown-out river is not a good thing for any fly angler. But we’re here to tell you, that it is not the end of the world. Have a read. Whether early-season run-off or late season…
Read More
Fly-out Fly Fishing: A Target Rich Environment
If you’re asking yourself, “where have I heard the phrase A Target Rich Environment?” It’s from Top Gun. The 1986 cult classic movie finally has a second rendition coming out soon, and it got us thinking about buzzin’ the towers of all the fly-out locations at Rapids Camp Lodge in Bristol Bay, Alaska. Bristol Bay,…
Read More
Guide’s Corner: Rapids Camp Lodge Guide -Mike Petersen
Born in Minnesota, then raised in Montana, Mike Petersen made a home in Alaska thirteen years ago. Mike got into the outdoor industry as an avid angler and hunter by answering a craigslist ad for a moose packer at a lodge. This lodge also had guided fishing on the docket—Mike Guides for eight months in…
Read More
New to Spey Casting? Learn this: Loops vs. Coils- Managing Running Line.
For many of us, Spey casting is all about casting, but it is so much more than that. Like a good operating machine or a smooth golf swing, there are so many parts to consider. One thing many first-time Spey or two-handed fly rod users don’t fully consider or understand is the importance of line…
Read More
Fly Tying: Flies to Tie for Alaska Fish
The 2022 Alaska fly fishing season is coming upon us, and it’s never too early to start tying flies. If you search our blog, we have a plethora of flies for Salmon and Trout, and they all catch fish, or we wouldn’t feature them. Below is a curated list of flies you should start tying…
Read More