The Kenai River is known world-wide for it's spectacular salmon and trout fishing, especially since it is one of the few large river systems located on Alaska's limited road system. Kenai Riverside Fishing is located right on the banks of the scenic upper section of the Kenai and a a top notch operation providing guests with first class fishing, lodging, and adventure activities. This video give you a good look into their program and the beauty of the Kenai River. 

Find out more about Kenai Riverside Fishing's program here.

If you have ever invested time into researching the numerous different methods of presenting a fly with a spey rod, you may have found yourself overwhelmed with options. Each separate cast requires a certain degree of technical difficulty and has it's own situational value. When it comes down to choosing the right cast, you should first consider the wind direction.

Choosing the right cast when faced with windy conditions can mean the difference between a good day, and one that may result in a trip to the hospital. Make sure you're choosing the correct cast that presents the D-Loop on the upwind side of your body.

Remember, the vast majority of casting situations can be productively fished with two simple casts. Proficiency with the snap-T and double spey over both shoulders will keep you fishing in nearly all situations, regardless of wind conditions. Learn and practice them both. It will be time well spent.

Take some time and watch this great vintage Alaska fishing footage from Costa Films based on the Brooks River. Pretty cool to see how this fishery has maintained its integrity and fishing potential over the years. The amount of people visiting has changed for sure, yet it still remains a beautiful and productive piece of water for fishermen and bear viewers alike.

Follow Kelly Galloup on an episode of FlyfishTV as he chases Rainbow Trout at Alaska Sportsman's Lodge. They are utilizing beads during the Sockeye spawn on Battle Creek, a legendary river supporting some spectacular small-stream sightfishing. This is a great representation of the spectacular fishing you can find on your next Alaska Fly Out adventure. 

Find out more about Alaska Sportsman's Lodge here.

Becoming more productive on the water is the goal of nearly every spey angler. Compared to single hand casting techniques, perfecting both the cast and the accompanying drift with a spey rod can be the most technically and mentally difficult challenge any angler can face. During times when fish are stubborn, it is very easy to switch gears back to other proven and familiar methods. This can be especially true when you see other anglers hooking fish all around you. Here are a few tips to step up your spey fishing game and build the confidence to fish productively anytime, anywhere.

Dissect The River....

The best way to dissect a run is by breaking it down into smaller pieces. Experienced anglers know this and understand exactly where their fly begins to actually "fish." Depending on your casting angle and targeted depth, your fly can start to "fish" immediately, or when faced with fast or deep water scenarios, it may reach the targeted zone late into the drift. Divide the river into manageable pieces, and make sure you are covering the entire area thoroughly.

Consistently Adjust....

Because all river situations are not created equally, you cannot rely on one particular spey tip and fly combination to effectively fish all situations. While it may not seem like it, time spent adjusting and not fishing, is usually time well spent. Slow down your progression through the run, always making sure you are confident in the swing speed and depth. If at any time you get the feeling that your fly is not in front of the fish, stop and adjust. During tough times many fish will not go out of their way to strike an imperfect presentation. So, keep your fly in the zone, and find more fish will come to hand.

Fish Every Cast....

The only way to catch fish is by keeping your fly wet. Spey casting aficionado and renowned guide, Kate Taylor, said it perfectly at a recent spey-clave in Anchorage. She told participants that she always makes sure to have her clients fish out every cast. It does not matter if the cast is imperfect, because each cast has the potential to connect you with the fish of a lifetime. When out on the water, spend your time actually fishing, as opposed to working on your cast. If casting perfection is your goal, get out and practice aside from your fishing time. This simple bit of advice has proved its weight in gold time and time again for many anglers. 

Lee Kuepper is professional guide now calling the Kenai River home, spending his time chasing the Kenai's fabled Rainbow Trout on a regular basis. He is a Pro-Ambassador for Loop USA and is a Certified Fly Casting Instructor through the FFF.

Photographer Randy Harris visited Brooks Falls in search of fishing and photography adventure. He found both, and also captured some pretty great footage of the Brown Bears at Brooks Falls along the way.

If you have not visited Brooks Falls before, it needs to be on your radar. The fishing is spectacular, the accomodations are great, and the wildlife viewing around you is second to none.

Find out more about Brooks Lodge.

Spring is quickly making its rejuvenating presence known throughout the State. Lee Kuepper took advantage this weather to explore the legendary Kenai River canyon from the air. The once frozen rivers, are now breaking free of their icy handcuffs, and the sun is walking the horizon for hours longer than the prior months.

Summer is just around the corner. Who’s ready to fish?

As Alaska begins to show signs of the thaw, that little area in the back of fly anglers brains begins to fill with thoughts of spring fishing pursuits. For many, the first target will be chasing the mighty King Salmon.

Tackling Kings on a fly rod is no simple task, but the rewards continue to attract driven fly anglers back to Alaskan waters year after year. Following a steep learning curve is necessary in order to succeed. Even though the odds may seem against you at first, setting off to land a King on the fly will almost always improve your angling game 1000 fold. Because Kings generally live in deeper, faster waters, the proper use of sink tips and depth control are often the keys to success. Placing the fly perfectly in the strike zone can be difficult, and on tough days, fish will not want to move far to attack the offering. A precise and accurate presentation, adapting the drift multiple times throughout the run, will help the odds tremendously.

The raw power of these chrome freight trains is astounding, and anglers will quickly realize that the King is unlike any other salmon. While other fish may give an exciting, fast paced battle, Kings have a tendency to draw each fight into a knock-down, drag out struggle to simply hold on. There is no gentle touch needed here. Hard side pressure, torqueing the rod into the butt section, is usually the only way to turn these fish around.

Amidst all the trial and tribulation that comes with chasing Kings on the fly, anglers will find rewards in both the fish itself and the hard lessons learned. In the end, nearly every angler who has pursued the mighty King, catches the "fever," returning to Alaska's waters again and again.

 If you would like more information about Alaska's top lodges for chasing Kings on the fly, shoot us an email. We would be happy to assist in setting up your next King Salmon fly fishing adventure.

The 49th state is loaded with bears, and with good reason. The massive salmon influx provides the perfect fat-rich sustenance that they need to survive the long winter and raise their young. When it comes to finding a good lodge for your next Alaska fishing trip, bear safety and wildlife interaction etiquette is definitely a criteria that needs to be considered.

Respected lodges always place your safety above all. They employ experienced guides that deal with bears on a regular basis. In fact, many of the guides get to know the bears by name, recognizing each of their personal characteristics and comfortable zones of safety. Seasoned guides are just as focused on you as they are on your surroundings, addressing wildlife encounters before they have a chance to become a safety issue.

At Alaska Fly out, we understand that wildlife sightings and encounters are a big part of the Alaska fishing experience. There is nothing quite like fishing alongside bears, moose, wolves, or even wolverines. Keeping this in mind, each of the lodges and outfitters that we represent offer unique fishing experiences while placing great emphasis on keeping their guests happy and safe.

A few years ago, a couple buddies hit the road in June, searching for lake trout on the fly. They overheard whispers of a fabled smolt migration that provided anglers an opportunity to successfully fish the flats of interior Alaska lakes. This exodus of baitfish was said to bring the typically deep water oriented Lake Trout, into knee-deep sand flats. During the early hours of the morning you could find them violently attacking any baitfish imitation you could put in front of their face.

Needless to say it was an epic adventure and one they will not soon forget. It is amazing how many opportunities there are to chase fish with a fly rod in this great state, seemingly limited only by your imagination. Get yourself up to Alaska this year and check at least one of them off your "Must Fish List."