Ah…King Salmon season. We love King Salmon season. The might King or Chinook Salmon is one of the most sought-after game fish across the world. When it comes to King flies, materials, colors, profile, and movement are the most attributes in a productive King Salmon fly. Does size matter? Sure, depending on conditions. Just because…
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fly tying
Rapids Camp Lodge: Fly, Float, Fish.
One of the best things about the fishing experience at Rapids Camp Lodge is not only the variety of fish you can catch but also how you fish. You can jet upstream the Naknek River, fly over, and fish the Nushagak River, a swinger’s paradise. Or you can fly out to the many hike-in locations…
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Gear Review: A Vise for a Vice
Talking about fly tying vises in the fly tying world can be polarizing as well…almost anything else in the fly fishing world. Everyone has a favorite, and no one will convince them otherwise, and we’re not going to do that today. Today, we’re going to go over the features and benefits of a vise we…
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Fly Tying: Fox Alevin
Well, it’s springtime. Streams and rivers are starting to open up, and water is beginning to flow. (Channel your best David Attenborough while reading this next part) During this time, a beautiful natural phenomenon occurs; salmon alevin starts to arise from the bottoms of the river. Alevin is the second stage of a salmon’s life…
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“Speyish” Green Butt Skunk
The Green Butt Skunk has accounted for numerous fish, and since its inception around the 1950s by Dan Callaghan, it has become one of the most effective and popular steelhead flies of all time. Dan Callaghan modified the original Skunk pattern and spiced it up with a green butt. Ever since many steelheaders will have…
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Fly Tying: Jigged Frenchie Hot Spot
It’s springtime in Alaska. The snow is melting, the days are longer, and hopefully, you’ve already replenished your windshield washer fluid. Sping also means, the streams are flowing and spring fishing will soon be upon us. Spring fishing is good for a lot of reasons but the best reason is…it’s spring and your fishing. We…
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Fly Tying: Critter Sculpin
During the October and November months in Alaska, it is the ideal time to fish with two handed rods. The water is low, the scenery is majestic and with less pressure on the river, it is downright peaceful and serene. A swing fly every two hander junky needs to have in their fly box is…
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Fly Tying: Rainbow Warrior
The days are getting longer, the sun is brighter and more intense, and the thaw freeze cycle puts our wipers to the test. All good signs that spring is coming upon us. As the rivers and streams begin to increase their flow, we can’t help but think about spring fishing, especially after a long dark…
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Fly Tying: Flashy Tube Bandit
The month of August in Alaska is a special time of year. The salmon have made their way through the rivers and have begun their prescribed order to spawn much to the delight of the eager Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden, and Fly Anglers alike. While egg patterns tempt trout during this time, it is still…
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Fly Tying: Partridge & Orange Soft Hackle
Soft Hackles are a forgotten and underrated fly pattern in Alaska. They shouldn’t be. Soft hackles are divided into two categories; Buzz flies, which are tied with palmered hackle to represent an insect in motion, or winged flies, where the hackles are often a throat then a collar with wings set to imitate an insect…
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