Fly Fishing in Alaska

A neighbour and friend of ours loved going fly fishing in Canada, and loved fly fishing in Alaska. Every year his poor wife had to endure him taking off for weeks at a time to fish in some hidden location accessible only by puddle jumpers. I think Alaska was his favourite fly fishing spot. Like Canada, it's a wonderland of lakes and mountains and rivers and streams, but there was just something about Alaska that kept drawing him back again and again. Maybe it was the fun of trout fishing with brown bears.

Anyway, he obviously wasn't the only fly fisherman who loves Alaska, because fly fishing in Alaska has become a multi-million dollar industry with anglers flocking there to catch prize-winning fish every year.

So, where are the best fly fishing locations?

1. One of the best places for fly fishing in Alaska can be found on Lake Creek which is northwest of Anchorage. Here you can expect to catch some beautiful king salmon, pink salmon, and rainbow trout. Like most of Alaska, it's isolated, and the scenery and experience is considered absolutely second to none!

2. Katmai is designated as the only trophy sport fishing area in the entire state. There are over 1,000 miles of streams and rivers to fish for trophy-sized coho salmon, rainbow trout, and award-winning pike.

There are a lot of lodges in this part of Alaska that provide guides to give you a real Alaskan fly fishing adventure!

3. The Alagnak River is another great fly fishing destination in Alaska. This river is located just a few miles away from Bristol Bay providing some great tidal waters that breed outstanding fish like chrome-bright salmon who stay here a few days after coming in from the ocean to get used to their new freshwater environment. Each new tide brings in a new crop of fish, so there is always a great chance of landing not just one but a number of fish on every expedition.

Alaska is renowned for its abundance of fish, and you're going to have an experience beyond your wildest dreams when you are fly fishing in Alaska. The only thing that might ruin your day is if you see the brown bear are catching more fish than you.

Anyway, start planning today and make the trip of your fly fishing dreams a reality – in Alaska! I've provided a section below with links to various lodges and the park so you can take a look at where you'd like to make your reservations. Each place offers guides to take you were the action is.

[The following is a suggested list from Wild River Fish.]

"Essentials List" 7-10 day Alaska Float Trip:

• 1 Rain jacket with hood for wind / rain / hiking / fishing *
• 1 Pair chest high waders **
• 1 Pair Polaroid sunglasses. Don’t leave home without them!
• 1 Med-Heavy polyester polar fleece sweater ***
• 1 Set med. wt. Poly-pro long underwear ***
• 1 Pair polyester polar fleece pile wading pants or "expedition" wt. long-john bottoms ***
• 1 Pair "river or flats or trekking /travel" pants (brushed nylon very quick drying) ****
• 1 Long sleeve shirt (synthetic quick drying, can be used as a cover up layer to put mosquito repellent on) BuzzOff seems to work. Light colors such as tan, yellow preffered. Dark blue attracts mosquitos.
• 1 T-shirt
• 1 pair lt. synthetic gloves to fish in if weather or mosquitoes are "inclement"
• 1 pr. per day, med-heavy, wool-blend or polypro socks (hint "Smartwool" or socks labeled expedition-trekking)
• 1 Cap w/bill for sunshade
• 1 "Fuzzy" light/mid weight polar fleece ski hat or "Bomber" style earflap hat for wind.
• 1 Small bottle mosquito repellant w/ "deet" ingredient
• 1 Pocket or belt knife, Swiss army etc
• 1 Pocket butane lighter / campfire starter
• 1 Toiletries kit, toothbrush, comb, fem hygiene, boxers, underwear etc
• Prescription glasses as needed w/ spare pair
• Prescription medications