If there were no steelhead in the Dean, the river would be known purely as a world-famous chinook fishery. Dean chinook share the same traits at their steelhead cousins. Due to the need to ascend the Dean River canyon prior to spawning, our chinook are strong, powerful and resilient. From an angling standpoint, there are…
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Search Results for: fly tying
What to Pack
South Andros Island may be the most informal place on the planet Earth. Comfortable, casual wear is accepted and encouraged. Flip-flops, sandals, shorts, t-shirts…casual is king. Expect mid-80’s during the days, and high 60’s to low 70’s in the evening and early mornings. Click here for a printable packing list. Although casual tropical attire will generally…
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Finest Guides and Gear
Our anglers routinely comment on the unique camaraderie that exists between our staff, and our anglers. A close relationship between staff and guests is a vital part of the Alaska West experience. Our entire camp crew eats at the same dinner table as our anglers – giving us a chance to get to know you…
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Tom Larimer’s Steelhead Rig
Tom likes steelhead. Photo: SteelheadBum.com Tom Larimer has guided for more than a decade in the Great Lakes, Alaska and Oregon. He currently owns and operates Larimer Outfitters, one of the premier guide services in the Northwest. He also happens to like fishing on the Kanektok and the Dean. In addition to his hosted week…
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How to Pack for Your Day of Bonefishing
It actually matters a lot what’s in here. Today’s post relates to packing and bonefishing, but it’s not about loading your big bag before you leave your house – you already know how to do that. Today we’re talking about your typical day on a bonefishing trip – it’s the first morning of your week…
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Tom Larimer’s King Rig
Tom loads up yet another laser loop. Photo: Cameron Miller Tom Larimer runs one of the premier guide services in the Northwest. He’s a super dude, an incredible angler and teacher, and…you guessed it, he’s one of our spey hosts during our king season at Alaska West. If you saw Tom headed out on the…
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Non-Slip Mono Loop
Learn this knot if you don’t know it already. The Non-Slip Mono Loop is one of the most versatile knots we know. We use it all over the world when we’re looking for a strong loop knot. After many days of use on the water, and some semi-scientific testing like guide knot tying contests, we’re…
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Tube Flies and Stinger Hooks
Stinger hooks hold well. Photo: Cameron Miller John Toker, our former manager at BC West on the Dean River, checks in today with some comments on tube flies and stinger hooks. “The virtues of one style of hook or another is a fairly common topic of conversation among anglers. When you get around anglers whose…
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Ed Ward’s King Rig
This is the first picture ever taken of Ed when he wasn’t casting, or holding a chrome anadromous fish. Photo: Cameron Miller Ed Ward has been called many things. ‘Jedi knight’, ‘Zen master’, ‘Buddha’ and more all apply to Ed when speaking of anadromous fish, particularly when two-handed rods are involved. Ed is one of…
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More From George Cook on King Fishing
If it ain’t chartreuse, it ain’t no use. In tidewater, at least. Photo: Cameron Miller We’ve looked at George Cook’s go-to king rig for fishing at Alaska West on the Kanektok, and we’ve seen what George’s quiver looks like when he’s chasing Kanektok kings. We’ll end our George Cook series with some of his thoughts…
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