We continue our series on rod quivers today – combinations of rods that are appropriate for our fisheries at various times of year. Today’s fishery is the ultimate in ‘bring the tackle shop along if you’ve got it’. During late July at Alaska West, we fish for all 5 species of Pacific salmon, as well…
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Kanektok River
Why Pink Salmon Are Cool – 6 Reasons
True, not many anglers head to Alaska specifically to target pink salmon. That’s OK though – we still think they’re pretty awesome fish. Here’s why. Every other year there are billions of them. OK, not billions, but on even-numbered years on the Kanektok, our pink numbers are very, very large. They eat poppers. Find ’em…
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August in Alaska – Your Quiver
We’ve gotten a lot of questions lately from anglers wanting to know what combination of rods is most appropriate at various times of year at each of our lodges. We’re happy to answer those questions! Today starts a series on rod ‘quivers’ – combinations of rods that work well in a certain location at a…
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Alaska Rainbow Fishing – When To Go
Here’s one from late August. Photo: Cameron Miller We get lots of questions from anglers planning trips who want to know ‘the best time to go’. When it comes to rainbow trout in Western Alaska, the answer depends a lot on what you’re looking for. Since rainbows in the Kanektok are all resident fish and…
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Alaska Silver Salmon Flies – 5 Favorites
Got one. Photo: Cameron Miller The period from late July through early September at Alaska West is just one big mess of silver salmon mayhem. At this time of year the leopard rainbows, dollies and other salmon species in the Kanektok make room in already crowded waters, because they know as well as we do…
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George Cook on Sinktip Selection Through A King Season
Hey, George caught one! Photo: Cameron Miller George Cook is one of the pioneers of spey fishing for king salmon in the Northwest, and he’s one of our best-in-the-business spey instructors during our king season at Alaska West.George has shared with us a bunch about his philosophy of king fishing in the past, and today…
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Dec Hogan – When It All Comes Together
Dec builds his confidence, as if he needed to. Photo: Justin Jackson Dec Hogan visits Alaska West during the first week of our season each year, to deliver spey instruction to our guests and to get in on the hottest, brightest kings of the season. This year, Dec had one of those experiences that, to…
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Mousing for Rainbow Trout – 5 Tips
Mouse flies are not delicate. Photo: Cameron Miller One of the most fun and unique ways to target rainbow trout in Western Alaska is by ‘mousing’. Small voles and other rodents often find themselves in the river, intentionally or not, and our bigger predatory rainbows are always on the lookout for a meal that’s even…
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6 Ways to Catch More Silver Salmon
Got one. Photo: Cameron Miller On the Kanektok River where we operate Alaska West, and on other rivers like it in Western Alaska, the classic method for catching silver salmon on flies involves targeting them in slow-moving water, casting a floating line, and stripping back a weighted fly. Here are 6 ways to make the most of this…
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5 Flies for Kings on the Kanektok
There are a bunch of anglers out there who are pretty darned excited these days, because they’re headed to the Kanektok River this summer to swing flies for kings. The ice is out on the Kanektok, our setup crew heads in just a couple of weeks from now, and fly boxes are starting to get…
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