We’re really lucky to witness a pretty spectacular phenomenon each season on the Naknek River – Home to our Rapids Camp Lodge Operation. Each spring, salmon smolt from the millions of salmon that have spawned throughout the Naknek River system make their way towards the ocean. Large, hungry, rainbow trout await the migration each year creating…
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Rainbow Trout
The Retro Smolt – Tying Instructions
If you’re planning on targeting early season Alaskan Rainbows this year, it is in your best interest to have some smolt patterns in your box. Spring marks the time of year when venerable salmon fry begin the smolting process as they make their migration to the sea. During this transition, the colorful salmon fry lose…
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“790-4” – A Story from the Naknek
A While back, we told you why many of our guides actually prefer 7-weight rods when targeting big Alaskan rainbow trout. Today, our own Dan Herrig put together a great write-up on his weapon of choice (that’s right, a 7-weight) when fishing for huge rainbow trout during the annual ‘Smolt Bust’ on the Naknek River,…
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7-Weights for Alaskan Trout
Ask any group anglers, “what’s your favorite trout rod,” and odds are you’ll hear of a wealth of different makes and models, somewhere in the 3 – 6 weight range. That’s because rods in the 3 – 6 weight range cover a whole bunch of trouty applications from presenting tiny flies on spooky spring creeks to banging…
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7 Reasons We Like To Fish Flesh
Our Alaskan season is just around the corner (71 days in fact, but who’s counting?), and that means it won’t be long before we’re chucking big flies for even bigger Alaskan rainbow trout. We’re really lucky to be able to target trout effectively using a whole bunch techniques from stripping and swinging streamers, to skating…
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We Love Our Trout
It’s been a while since we showed some love for our leopard rainbow trout, so today we’re coming at you with nothing but a cool photo of one of our favorite fish from Alaska West. Go ahead, try to count the spots. More on Trout Fishing Fishing Techniques for Western Alaska Trout How to Fish…
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Mending – Lift, Don’t Flip
It’s often said that a good drift is more important than a good cast. While we would certainly agree, that’s not to say getting a proper drift of your fly is always easy. Proper mending is an art in itself and today Alaska West guide, Jason Whiting, is back with a great tip on making…
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Micro Mends for Tucked-In Trout
Last week Alaska West guide, Jason Whiting, presented us with a great technique for targeting hard to reach trout with streamers by using a series of micro mends to provide action to your fly. It’s a super deadly technique, and if you didn’t get a chance to read it, we suggest you check it out,…
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Dredging Streamers for Trout
For many trout anglers, fall means streamer time. Streamers are arguably the most versatile flies out there, and if you’re not fishing streamers using a variety of techniques, odds are you’re missing out. We’ve posted in the past on streamer techniques that go beyond the classic ‘cast and strip’ method, and today Alaska West guide,…
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Nice Fish, Kevin!
Our good friend, Kevin Ford, joined us for the last week of our season this year at Alaska West. His goal? Big, late-season, leopard rainbows. Despite high winds and unfavorable conditions, Kevin still managed to get it done with this beauty. Nice fish, Kevin! More Nice Fish from Our Lodges Bryan Burke Eric Neufeld Tom Provost