Super high, early season water in Western Alaska can mean our king salmon are less likely to hold on the gravel bars. That was the case in early 2012 and, though huge water years are not too common season-to-season, those who set foot on the tundra with an open mind can make some seriously fishy…
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King Salmon
Pacific Salmon Feeding in Fresh Water?
Pacific salmon don’t feed in fresh water – everybody knows that, right? Wrong. Brian Morrison, fisheries biologist and author of several recent posts on fish lifecycles in Western Alaska, is back today to tell us about some recent research findings that prove conventional wisdom wrong. Read on. Salmon Feeding in Fresh Water? Many anglers have…
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Bullet Weights, Part 2: Still Crittery
Last week we gave you a glimpse into the very non-traditional world of using bullet weights with your steelhead and salmon flies. Today, more details! Next time you’re at the vise setting strategy for the ultimate Alaska West or BC West fly program, consider tying a bunch of flies without any weight. Tying on plastic…
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Bullet Weights, Part 1: The Ultimate in ‘Crittery’
Cri’tter’y – Western Alaskan adj. Shaky, unsure. Often enlightening. Always effective. Now that Skagitmaster 2’s Scott Howell virtually gave the anadromous world ‘permission’ to get all crazy Bassmaster with our flies when playing the weight game, we thought it was time to go public with the whole bullet weight thing, as well—but for a little different…
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Chinook Salmon Lifecycles
Last month we ran a post from our friend and guest, fisheries biologist Brian Morrison, on Western Alaska Trout Lifecycles. We thought it was super cool when we posted it, and then the comments started pouring in. More than one reader said something like “that was the best post you’ve run, ever”. Our editorial staff…
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King Salmon Mini Gallery
A couple weeks back we ran a post with a small gallery of photos by Brian Niska on chum salmon fishing at Alaska West. Today we present you with another batch of pictures from Brian, this time on the ‘other species’ available during chum season – king salmon. Nice shots, Brian! More on King Salmon…
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The High Sun Game Plan
Yes, we have sun in Alaska. Sometimes, a whole lotta sun, and that can make for a very cool day of fishing if you’re ready for it. A primer: During later-season king weeks, the river is often dropping and clearing—a big reason you’ll wail on kings and chum in the mornings as the foggy marine…
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King Salmon Spey Rod Roundup
Today we wrap up our mini-series of posts about spey rods designed for king salmon. We started the series back on July 4th, with a post introducing the concepts surrounding spey rods purpose-built for kings. Based on our testing at BC West during the first week of our 2012 season, we ran reviews of 4…
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A Gagatron Going Richter?
From chokers to chumblers, crittery schnittles to chinkus flinkus and disc drags set to Stun Mode, the guidespeak at our lodges has become a venerable Northern dialect that’s invaded the Pacific Northwest and points East. Special note: if you’re new to all this gobbledygook, this glossary might help. The unique descriptions of giant fish and…
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Father Son Fun
We’ve said it before – one of the most gratifying parts of being in this business is that we get to take families fishing together. Long time guest and friend Fraser Heston brought his son Jack up to Alaska West during kings this year. They had a great time and we had a great time…
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