Well, it’s fall here in Alaska. The leaves are starting to turn and fall, as is the temperature (currently 34° F as of this write). Fall also signals fall fishing for big steelhead and trout for many anglers. As the leaves change their colors and the air becomes nippy, the rivers come alive with big,…
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Spey Fishing
Fly Tying: Trout Spey Micro Sculpin
If you haven’t noticed, we are big on Trout Spey. We like everything about it. As it continues to quickly be adopted by more fly anglers, this new method of fly fishing with two to five-weight two-handed rods should become more familiar to everyone who enjoys fishing for trout. Because Trout Spey rods are smaller,…
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Trout Spey and Four Reasons We Like It in Alaska
You’re likely to hear the words “swing season,” “trout Spey,” or even “Micro Spey” if you speak with enthusiastic trout fly-fishing anglers across the nation. Swinging for trout gives fly anglers an alternative method of fishing and a different pace to chase trout during trout season. Trout Spey is essentially just the standard two-handed Spey…
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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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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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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…
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Deneki Chronicles: Spey Casts You Need to Learn
When it comes to Spey casting, everyone has their “go-to” cast. Your go-to cast is probably the first Spey cast you learned, and since you got good at it, you’ve built confidence, you stuck with it. We get it. We’ve been there too. The reality is mother nature, and the river itself can put you…
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King of The North: Alaska Chinook
Alaska Chinook Salmon are the Kings of the North. These mighty fish are beyond a thrill to catch and fight. The Nushagak River is known for its abundant run of Chinook Salmon. The Nushagak River is only accessible by floatplane. At Rapids Camp Lodge, the program is relatively simple. You wake up, eat a hearty…
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Gear Review: Sage Spey Reel
We like Spey fishing throughout Alaska. From Southeast Alaska, through Southcentral and Western Alaska, Spey fishing is not only a prevalent method of fly fishing; many would say it is preferred. Sage makes a variety of Spey rods and reels. One of the best reels they have come up with is the Sage Spey Reel….
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Deneki Chronicles: Fighting King Salmon – Bend the Butt Section
In this week’s Deneki Chronicles we explore how to leverage your rod to fight Large Anadromous fish like King Salmon. Keep the fish Under Pressure! Our King Salmon seasons in Alaska and British Columbia are underway, so today we present you with a friendly reminder of one of the most common mistakes made when fighting…
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