For far too long, high performance fly rods have been associated with astonishingly high prices. Sure, some of our favorite rod series have rang in at premium-level prices, but not all of them. Believe it or not, when it comes to fly rods, performance doesn’t have to be sacrificed for affordability, and the folks at…
Read More
Search Results for: rainbow alaska
Support the Fight with Businesses for Bristol Bay
Dozens of businesses nationwide with an economic interest in the Bristol Bay fishery have come together to form a coalition known as Businesses for Bristol Bay. Amongst them are major outdoor brands like Orvis, Simms, YETI, Sitka, and many more. They’re joined by commercial fishing processors, well known supermarket chains like Publix and HyVee, as well…
Read More
G. Loomis IMX-PRO Short Spey 71111-4 Review
Over the past six months, we’ve been fortunate to swing flies for everything from dime bright king salmon, to feisty wild steelhead, to some of the largest native resident rainbow trout in the world. That’s allowed us to put some of the latest and greatest spey gear to the test, in full hopes that we…
Read More
Happy Hump Day
It’s hump day, and every now and then we like to celebrate by paying homage to one of the most under-appreciated and oft-forgotten species that frequent our waters at Alaska West; the almighty humpy, aka the pink salmon. Why? Because pinks are fun! They’re aggressive, they look really cool, they smash surface flies, they’re a requirement…
Read More
Timeless Tips: Sight Fishing for Trout
We’re really lucky to have an extremely diverse trout fishery at Alaska West. It’s not uncommon during any part of our season to catch trout by swinging flies, stripping streamers, dead drifting sub-surface patterns, or skating mouse flies on top. However, one of our favorite ways to target big leopard rainbows is by sight fishing…
Read More
Swinging Flies – 3 Random Tips
Its no secret that swinging flies on spey rods is one of our favorite ways to fish. We know that its many of yours too, which is largely why we’ve put together a whole bunch of tip articles on spey fishing on our blog, and today we thought we add a few more. Enjoy! Feel…
Read More
Guide Poll: Most Common Mistake Made Fighting Big Fish
There aren’t many moments on the water more exciting than the first realization that you’ve hooked into a big fish. A trophy fish. Walter. Perhaps that fish of a lifetime. Unfortunately, that moment is all too often followed by one of the most discouraging moments on the water; when that fish of a lifetime comes…
Read More
Timeless Tips: Tag Your Split Shot
Way back in 2011, Alaska West alum and trout guru, JEB Hall, gave us the details for his go-to rig when slinging beads for big leopard rainbow trout. It’s still as current as it was six long years ago, so if you haven’t checked it out, be sure to hit the link to give it…
Read More
Guide Poll: Most Common Advice Given on the Water
We’re back with another installment of our ‘guide poll‘ series of posts where our team of professional guides answer common questions asked by our readers. Today’s question; As a fly fishing guide, what’s the most common piece of advice you find yourself giving to anglers on a daily basis? Check out their answers below! Guide Poll:…
Read More
Buzzer Beater!
Last week we informed you that we were wrapping up the last fishing day of our 2018 season at Alaska West, mostly to say thanks to all of you who made it such a memorable season. In case you missed it, and joined us on the Kanektok this season, well, thanks! We may have jumped…
Read More