Alaska Fly Fishing
There are many different types of Alaska guided fishing trips, each able to provide some of the best fly fishing trips in the world. With about 3,000 rivers running through it, Alaska is a popular destination for fly fishing. To ensure the trip of a lifetime, a few important points should be considered.
Alaska salmon fishing is well-suited for fly fishermen, with the salmon's beautiful color and delightful acrobatics in the water. The seasons for the different species runs from May through September, but plan a few months in advance, as every other fly fisherman will want to be there, too. Flyfishing for rainbow trout runs from mid-June through October.
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. 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.
Freshwater rivers and streams, teeming with trout, are what most anglers associate with flyfishing. The lower Talarik Creek is well-known for rainbow trout. 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 like 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.
Flyfishermen apply their abilities with several different styles. Some will hike into or fly-in and hike along stretches of water. Others take advantage of the Alaska highways, such as the Denali Highway system, to drive to different locations throughout a day. And others prefer the use of drift boats, typically led down a river by a guide, casting as they go.
The quickest way to a successful flyfishing trip is to rely on a guide and their gear. They will usually supply adequate flyrods, reels, line and flies that are expertly matched to what the fish are feeding on. If you prefer your own gear, at least meet with a local fly shop, purchase some gear and discuss what works best on certain rivers.
There are thousands of fishing guides, charters, and lodges that cater specifically to fly fishing, that great pursuit of solitude and salmon.
ALASKA FLY FISHING RESOURCES:
Upstream Dreams
Alaska Fly Fishing Network
Fly Fishing for Women
The American Museum of Fly Fishing
Fly Fisherman Magazine
The American Fly Fisher Journal
ALASKA FLY FISHING BOOKS:
Fly-Fishing Alaska by Anthony J. Route
Fly-Fishing Alaska's Wild Rivers by Dan Heine
Fly-Fishing Secrets of Alaska's Best Guides by Will Rice
Fly-Fishing the Kenai River, Alaska by Dave Long (DVD)