Warning: this is a very technical post about fly tying. If you’re not interested in the subtleties of tying one of the most influential modern steelhead and salmon patterns, click here to look at a bunch of pictures of fish. Jerry French may not have a household name in the world of anadromous angling in…
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Search Results for: fly tying
Comfortable, Casual Accommodations
Our facility is nestled in the woods of the Dean River delta. Photos: BC West Staff Stunning views of Kimsquit peak are had right from our courtyard, and accessing the Dean itself requires just a 10-minute walk through the trees. Guests sleep in comfortable, wood-heated cabins. Our clubhouse provides a comfortable spot for relaxing, unwinding…
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Comfortable, Casual Accommodations
At Alaska West we run a deluxe tent lodge. What does that mean? Anglers sleep in heated tents with carpeted wooden floors. Our dining tent gives plenty of room to spread out, relax and enjoy our Alaska Gourmet cuisine. We provide showers and sinks with hot and cold running water, and our outhouse facilities are…
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Skagit Master Is Out!
Besides learning to tie it, you’ll learn how to cast it. Photo: Jeff Mishler Back in July we told you about Skagit Master, a film in production about Ed Ward – Skagit casting pioneer, spey Zen master, anadromous Jedi Knight, our head guide at Alaska West – and his approach to spey fishing. Ed and…
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Making T-14 Tips
“And then you color the front loop with a black Sharpie…” Photo: Cameron Miller When we fish the Kanektok and the Dean for kings and steelhead, most of the time we’re fishing Skagit-style spey lines with tips made of Rio T-14. T-14 is a very versatile material for constructing sinktips used when Skagit casting. The…
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Project Healing Waters
Photo: Project Healing Waters Read this post, and click on the links. Project Healing Waters is an organization dedicated to an incredibly important cause – the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active duty military personnel and veterans through fly fishing and fly tying education and outings. It’s hard to put words to the impact of…
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John Toker’s Bonefish Rig
A large man with a large bonefish. Photo: rustychinnisimages.com John Toker used to work at Andros South, and over the years he’s spent a bunch of time on the flats. Here’s his go-to bonefish rig, with his commentary.”I have had the good fortune of living and fishing on South Andros since 2003 while managing Andros South…
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Bruce Chard’s Bonefish Rig
On this page we’ll periodically be profiling the gear setups of world-class anglers, to let you know from top to bottom how they ready their equipment when they head to our fisheries. Our first installment comes from Captain Bruce Chard, legendary Keys guide and teacher of our bonefishing schools at Andros South. Here’s what Bruce…
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3 Reasons You Should Use Your Wader Pouch and What To Put In It.
We’re in the thick of it here in Alaska, and when it comes to fly fishing, anglers often focus on their rods, reels, and flies, neglecting the importance of a small but mighty accessory: the wader pouch. This unassuming piece of gear plays a crucial role in keeping fly anglers organized and prepared on the…
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Fishing Tips: Rolling in the Deep- Take a Step (or Two, or Three) Back
Every year in Alaska, we repeatedly see a common mistake anglers of all types make. They all wade too deep. Whether they fill the fish on the opposite side of the river or in the middle of the river, many anglers feel if they get deep into the river, they will get closer to the…
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