Alaska Fly Fishing
Some of the best fly fishing trips in the world are to Alaska destinations. Fly fishing for salmon can be the experience of a lifetime!
With about 3,000 rivers running through it, Alaska is a popular destination for fly fishing. Salmon is obviously a fun and well-suited target for fly fishermen, with their beautiful color and delightful acrobatics in the water. The time to go is August and September, but plan a few months in advance, as every other fly fisherman will want to be there, too. Luckily, Alaska is one enormous state, with plenty of quiet places for the angler to enjoy.
The Kenai River is known as a good place for salmon fly fishing, as are the Wadefishing, Kasilof and Klawock rivers. The Copper River - both the famous one in Iliamna and the lesser known Copper River that drains into Prince William Sound - are good for salmon and trout. Lower Talarik Creek is well-known for rainbow trout. Anglers battle the notorious mosquito population of Togiak River in pursuit of all species of salmon, including the mythic king.
Test pilot Chuck Yeager likes to fly fish in the Bristol Bay area, where the Alagnak River is thick with silver salmon (also known as Coho) in September. The Bristol Bay watershed is a veritable nursery for salmon and rainbow trout, providing unprecedented opportunities for fly fishing. Some consider the Kvichak River, which drains into Lake Iliamna, home to the most challenging rainbow trout found anywhere. The season opens just after the spring thaw in June. Other fly fishermen opt for lesser known species - such as the arctic grayling - which are members of the trout family but have true scales and a small mouth and somewhat resemble a sailfish. These can be found in the waters along the Denali Highway, such as the Nenana and Jack rivers.
There are thousands of fishing guides, charters, and lodges that cater specifically to fly fishing, that great pursuit of solitude and salmon.