Every once in a while we come across some metric related to our web site that knocks our socks off. Today was one of those days. You see, our real business is running fishing lodges. A few years back we started posting content on our site that we thought would be interesting and helpful to…
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Search Results for: big fish
The Kanektok Slam – Congratulations Dean Foster!
A couple of weeks ago at Alaska West, our new friend and angler Dean Foster pulled off a Kanektok Slam. Congratulations, Dean – that’s a big deal. What’s a Kanektok Slam? Here’s the story. Our rivers at Alaska West have incredibly varied fishing in general, and that variety peaks in late July and early August….
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The High Sun Game Plan
Yes, we have sun in Alaska. Sometimes, a whole lotta sun, and that can make for a very cool day of fishing if you’re ready for it. A primer: During later-season king weeks, the river is often dropping and clearing—a big reason you’ll wail on kings and chum in the mornings as the foggy marine…
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A Gagatron Going Richter?
From chokers to chumblers, crittery schnittles to chinkus flinkus and disc drags set to Stun Mode, the guidespeak at our lodges has become a venerable Northern dialect that’s invaded the Pacific Northwest and points East. Special note: if you’re new to all this gobbledygook, this glossary might help. The unique descriptions of giant fish and…
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The Art of Alaska West Guide Jim Palmersheim
Most of our past and current Alaska West guests know Jim Palmersheim as a super-mellow, very friendly, mega-fishy guy who’s not above handing you a hot, riverine cup of French-pressed espresso mid-swing. All true. What you might not know—probably because Jim’s far too humble to talk about himself—is that he’s a world-class pastel artist when…
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Fact: Kings Aren’t Always as Deep as You Think.
We’re lucky enough to fish with a ton of born dredgers in our camps each season — excellent sticks from NorCal, Oregon, Washington, B.C. and beyond — who know how to get a fly deep and keep it there. What tends to blow their minds, however, is that our fish aren’t always as deep as…
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Depthfinding: The Real Beauty of the New Skagit Intermediate Heads
We’re absolutely loving the new Tom Larimer-designed Airflo Skagit Intermediate Heads for a lot of reasons and here’s how we’re using them to get deeper (hint: it’s might not be exactly how you think). The obvious: The head itself does cut the surface tension to get down a little—a big reason the lines fish so…
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More Deneki Gear!
We’ve got some more gear available on our online store, and this time it’s not all hats and t-shirts! How about a cozy Simms / Alaska West WaderWick Fleece Top? Need a new beverage retention device? Our Nalgene / Deneki flask will treat you right. OK, this one’s a hat, but we think a Simms…
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King Season Mantra: Stand Your Ground
Whether it’s a choker king fresh from the Dean Channel or that gagger Alaskan Chinook melting away yards of your backing, one thing’s for certain: This is no time for a Junior Varsity track meet. When that mega-king blasts off into hyperdrive—and make no mistake, it will— there’s always the temptation to chase it down, so remember…
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Best Reader Input
We’re constantly humbled by the fantastic input that we get from you folks, the faithful readers of our blog. Thanks so much for pitching in over the years. Here are five of our favorite ‘Reader Input’ posts – in which you take over and help everybody else out! Our Best Reader Input Best Travel Tips…
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