Alaska Flies

[PaulC]

I figured I'd throw this one out to the tying gurus.
What do you guys recommended tying up as staple patterns out there in Alaska. I know bead fishing is the primary goto but I'd love to throw some feathers out there.
We're fishing primarily on the Kenai, the russian, quartz creek, etc.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
-Paul

[David Lee]

Just my opinion here ....

Try a Battle Creek Special (#10 -#6) , wool head Sculpins , and a Pearl/white Leech . Small flesh flies should round up a few fish , as well .

When in doubt .... swing a Teeny nymph (black , size or a Clouser Deep minnow ...

Hope ya have the trip of a lifetime !!

David

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Seriously Paul,

'Oregon Salmon' (Galen Geller) has tied flies for several of the top Alaskan lodges ($5,000-7,000 wk places) for about 20 years now.

He knows all about this. We just need to get his attention here.

It really depends on when you are going to be there.

Early you get Kings, then Chums and Sockeye and later there are Silvers and the Rainbows are fatter.

Whne the carcassesa re decaying they use the tan/pink "Flesh Flies"

When the salmon are spawning they use beads.

Whne the fry are out migrating they use small fry imitations.

They use a sinktip and an Egg Sucking Wooly Bugger all the time.

Olive Sculpin.

Many areas have their own special patterns.

[PaulC]

We're planning on being out there in august 11th to the 20th.
Thanks for the tips.
-Paul

[OregonSalmon]

I don't know a durn thing about that area but I could nose around.
Always have some rabbit hair leeches in the box. A buddy came up with a twist on it; the banded leech. Just the regular leech with a band of contrasting fur. Good combos: beige w black band, beige w red band, white w red band, olive w black band. Also, some lead eyed string leeches. Oh, and McCune Sculpin. Don't know if that is on the internet anywhere but I can explain it in detail if you want to tie a few.

[Digger]

Just my opinion here ....

I'd just as soon light my ass on fire and put it out w/ a pitchfork as I would fish a plastic bead .

The water in the Kenai is tinted fron glacial runoff , so I doubt anyone really needs to use those stupid , stupid beads . The rubber eggs that are all the rage now are also stupid -

David

Gee David, you don't care for beads, huh?

[David Lee]

Sorry , everyone - I had a 'foaming at the mouth' moment

Fish whatever fly you want to ... as long as it makes you happy !!

David

[Jasonh]

Not that i have ever fished in Alaska but i have heard that the cotton candy is a great trout and char pattern. Ii would also take a long some egg sucking leeches, they seem to work everywhere!

Jason Hartwick

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I don't like beads either but I don't care if anyone else uses them.

I guess we all have our own preferences?

I actually prefer to go to certain places at special times of the year where I can fish a floating line all the time.

I don't like to use indicators but do sometimes when I am out with one of my favorite drift boat guides in mid-day with no hatch.

I actually just enjoy fly casting so much and know a lot about where to go and when to go there that I can be very selective.

Example 1:
I can go to places like Davis Lake right now during the damsel fly emergence and fish from about 9am till 2pm with a floating line casting only a small unweighted damsel nymph to working fish.

I have no desire or need to troll in a lake or to sit and watch an indicator in a lake to catch fish. I don't really even need to have a sinking line.

Example 2:
When I Steelhead fish on the Klamath River I only take a weight forward 6 weight floating line and fish early and late with the sun off the water. I don't even take any sink tips with me because I don't need to fish all day. I can get pretty deep with a long leader and weighted bead head fly. I like to fish the Klamath in September and October when the water is not to cold yet so I don't have to fish sinking lines. I like to cast to rolling Halfpounders with an unweighted fly in the morning and evening.

Example 3:
I fish tarpon, snook, permit and bonefish in very shallow water in the tropics with a weight forward floating line and the lightest smallest fly I can use.

I guess I really enjoy fly casting when I am fly fishing.

PS: Now next week you might see me out with Andy on the Lower American throwing leadcore for Stripers.

[Adam Grace]

Bill, Make sure that you DUCK!

These LC heads don't cast like those floating lines

Good luck out there with Andy.