Over the years countless stories, magazine articles and videos have chronicled the tremendous rainbow trout produced by the Naknek Lake system. Many of the rainbows hooked over 30” aren’t landed due to their sheer tenacity in the 6 plus knots of current. They will put to the test any angler’s gear and abilities on a…
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Rainbow Trout
Painting Beads for Trout
Targeting trout with beads might be one of the most debated techniques in our sport. Whether or not you find it fly fishing in the purest form or not, the truth is they work, and work well! Our Western Alaska Rainbows depend on the abundant, and highly nutritious salmon eggs throughout the season and there…
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Dan Herrig’s Naknek Swinging Rig
Dan Herrig is the Head Guide at Rapids Camp Lodge, our fly out operation in Bristol Bay. Rapids Camp is located on the Naknek River, home to some giant rainbow trout. In the late season at Rapids Camp, there’s a phenomenal swing fishery for these rainbows. If Dan was to step into a run on…
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Have You Ever Seen a More Heavily Spotted Trout?
Check out the lower jaw, the leading edges of the fins, the eyeball for goodness’ sake! This has to be one of the most gorgeous rainbow trout we’ve seen at Alaska West. More Beautiful Alaska West Trout Really Rad Rainbows CSP with an Early-Season Dandy Photo Contest Winner
5 Reasons to Swing for Trout This Winter
Let’s face it, winter trout fishing is hard. If you are crazy like us, odds are you are not going to sit around and twiddle your thumbs until your next trip to Alaska or B.C. – you’re going to fish! Having hailed from all over the Northern U.S. and Canada (Alaska, Washington, Maine, British Columbia…
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Kyle Shea’s Nymphing Rig
Have you noticed lately that a bunch of the posts on our blog have been tagged ‘Kyle Shea‘? That’s because Kyle has been writing a bunch of posts lately! Kyle cut his teeth fishing and guiding for trout and salmon in his home waters of Maine. He now spends his summers guiding on the Kanektok…
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Grocery Hole
Rainbow trout in Alaska get big not by eating 5 billion Blue Winged Olives – they get big by eating meat. Salmon flesh, salmon eggs, smolts, sculpins, rodents and more…it takes a big mouth to take down a big meal, and that’s why big trout in Alaska have quite the grocery hole indeed. More on…
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Tie Your Own Flies!
Catching a fish on a fly you tied yourself is a special thing. It gives you a closer connection to the sport and the fish itself. If you have never experienced this, Alaska is the place to do it! Whether you’re a beginner or experienced fly tyer, here are a few patterns that we tie…
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Red Stripe
Just another beautiful, blood-red-striped rainbow trout from Alaska West! More on Trout at Alaska West All About Rainbow Trout 5 Favorite Flies for Alaskan Rainbow Trout Jordan Sly’s Trout Swinging Rig
Meep, Meep…Splash!
Mrs. Rainbow ate Mr. Mousie and Mr. Angler had lots of fun. More on Rainbow Trout at Alaska West All About Rainbow Trout Favorite Trout Rod Results Secrets of the Flesh Fly