There is no better way to break away from the grip of cabin fever than by spending some quality time at the vice with some fresh tunes. Keeping the upcoming spring thaw in mind, this video shows how to tie Kuepper's Small Fry, the perfect imitation for chasing trout during the early season salmon fry migration.

Swing and twitch it near the surface during low light periods in early spring. Focus your concentration on pinch points in the rivers, inside bends, and woody debris. Hold on tight as this little guy is rarely hit lightly.

Here is the list of materials needed:

• Gamakatsu SC15 Size 10 hook
• White/Cream Uni-thread
• Small Holographic Eyes
• Ice Dub Pearl Red Hue
• Ice Dub Pearl
• Ice Dub Minnow Back Shimmer Fringe Chartruese Peacock
• Thick UV Cured Clear Resin

Sweeping the nation faster than "Beiber Fever," spey fishing has taken over the fly fishing community. Every season there seems to be more and more long rods lining the river banks, and with good reason. Simply put, spey fishing is fun. It's fun to cast, fun to learn, offers up some exciting strikes, and is just another effective tool to have out on the water. Effective when used properly, anyways.

The complexities in both casting styles and gear selection that spey anglers need to sort through is mind boggling. Sink tips, versi-tips, scandi lines, skagit lines, long belly, short belly, running lines, and shooting heads are just a few of the choices that clog the mind of the angler, distracting them from fishing effectively. Here are the top three faults that many spey anglers are challenged with.

1. Continue To Fish Only One Type Of Spey Line
Undoubtedly, Skagit lines are extremely versatile. They are a great tool for throwing heavy flies and sink tips effectively, and allow for decent casting even with imperfect technique.

While there are many situations where Skagit lines shine, do not get caught in the mental rut of thinking that it is the best line for all situations. Often in soft or shallow water a sink tip or heavy fly is not necessary. Can you use a Skagit line in these situations? Yes. Is it ideal? Not necessarily. Scandi lines generally suit these water conditions better. The presentation is softer, you can make long distance mends easier, and controlling the swing is simpler.

Fly lines should be seen in the same light as your tool bench. There are tools specifically made to be effective in certain situations. You wouldn't use a hammer to put in a screw, would you? Diversify your line selections, and find yourself putting more tails to hand.

2. Never Adjust Your Cast
Repeating the same cast over and over, without adjustment, is the deadliest of the spey casting sins. Not adjusting your drift is a common flaw amongst beginners and experienced anglers alike. The mental concentration required to make the cast can be overwhelming and distracting, taking focus away from the drift itself. Fishing through a run using only one type of cast is rarely an effective option.

Take a few seconds before you cast and analyze your last drift. Did you feel confident that it was in the zone? What can you change to get it there? Do this after each step downriver, or be doomed to repeat the past. Insanity is defined as doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result. Don't be an insane angler, be an adaptable one.

3. Always Use A Spey Rod
At one point in time, all anglers are faced with a choice; fish a method that is more effective, or fish the way that you like the most. Sometimes, the desire to fish with a spey rod is overshadowed by the desire to actually catch a fish. If you find yourself in this situation, remember that all river conditions are not created equally. Spey rods are not always the most effective way to catch more fish. If it is success in numbers you are searching for, remember that there is often more than one way to skin a cat.

Lee Kuepper is professional guide now calling the Kenai River home. He is a co-owner of Alaska's Angling Addiction, chasing the Kenai's fabled rainbow trout on a regular basis. He is also a member of Loop USA's prostaff and a Certified Fly Casting Instructor through the FFF.

We are very fortunate to have such spectacular fishing opportunities here in the 49th state. Silver salmon are some of the most acrobatic and hard fighting species swimming in our rivers. Successfully hooking and landing an Alaskan silver salmon without the use of a rod has always been on Lee Kuepper's bucket list. Watch how it turned out.

We found some vintage Tikchik Narrows Lodge fishing footage floating around the internet. It's always great to see that despite all the changes over time, our Alaska fisheries are still going strong.

Video courtesy of Tikchik Narrows Lodge

There is no doubt that the Naknek is one of the greatest trophy trout rivers on earth. Here's your proof.

Photo courtesy of Alaska Sportsman's Bear Trail Lodge.

Filmmaker Ryan Peterson's new video "XBoundary" highlights the the open pit mining boom in B.C, and follows the impacts and concerns for Alaska. Filmed for Salmon Beyond Borders (www.salmonbeyondborders.org).

From The Filmmaker - An open-pit mining boom is underway in northern British Columbia, Canada. The massive size and location of the mines--at the headwaters of major salmon rivers that flow across the border into Alaska--has Alaskans concerned over pollution risks posed to their multi-billion dollar fishing and tourism industries. These concerns were heightened with the Aug 4, 2014 catastrophic tailings dam failure at nearby Mt. Polley Mine in BC's Fraser River watershed.

By Lee Kuepper

Part of the Indie Alaska series, "I Am A Fly Fisher" follows the story of one of the most well known and respected female anglers in Alaska, Pudge Kleinkauf. I have met Pudge up here a few times, and can tell you that she is quite an amazing woman. More so, I have run into many of the women she has taught and touched along the way, furthering the respect I have for her passions and pursuits in the fly fishing world. 

Find out more about how to go fishing with Pudge.

Truly an incredible project working with Ultima Thule Lodge, Chris Davenport, and the Claus Family. This isn't heli-skiing. This is genuine winter adventure in one of the most awe-inspiring places on planet Earth.

Book your trip today!

Recently I had a discussion with a good friend of mine, Anthony Carruesco, regarding the unique and exciting fishing that we have each year in Alaska. We both were reminiscing on the springtime baitfish migration, agreeing that it can provide some of the most spectacular fishing for the big red-sides of Alaska.

Every river that has a salmon run, will also have a baitfish migration at one time or another. Specifically, river systems with heavy sockeye salmon returns provide some of the greatest near surface streamer fishing found anywhere in the world. As the snow melts, and spring starts to become summer, the fragile aelvin stage salmon begin to take shape. Now considered "fry," they move from their natal hatching grounds towards the lakes where they will grow before migrating to sea.

Not only do the fry stage salmon move during the Alaska spring, but various species of salmon "smolt" also migrate towards their salty feeding grounds, where they will spend a few years growing before returning back to their home water to spawn. Depending on the species, the "smolt" will vary in size and coloration, but in general they are larger than their "fry" cohorts.

Getting your fly hammered by trout that are acting more like a school of saltwater tuna is some of the most exciting trout fishing on the globe. Soft hands need not apply as there are no soft strikes here, every fly gets hammered, nearly pulling the rod out of your hands every single time. At times it can be slow, and patience is a must. But if you are positioned correctly, and the fish gods smile down upon you the way they sometimes do, you are in for the ride of your life.

Here is what guide Anthony Carruesco had to say about the fry runs he has experienced through his years guiding Alaska's waters, and the techniques employed to take advantage of them. 

Most people who come up to Alaska to fish for big rainbows think the only time of the year to put the hammer down is when the Sockeye are in dropping eggs throughout August and September. While the egg drop does make for some silly good trout fishing, fishing the early season fry migration in June is some of the most exciting fishing we see all summer. As the young Sockeye fry begin to move around, rainbows concentrate in specific parts of the rivers and lakes in preparation to intercept the chokingly thick, pulsing mass of protein.

Low light periods prompt the fry to move downriver and if you pay attention to "choke" points in the river, lake inlets/outlets for example, there is probably a pretty good chance you will see boiling fish slashing at the bait balls. The river is seemingly filled with feeding fish producing big boils for as far as the eye can see. It's quite the spectacle to behold. . Fishing during these windows is AWESOME. You'd swear the fish are taking dry flies off the surface.

Remember, these small fry migrate very close to the surface, so when the rainbows pod up and begin to chow down, grab a Thunder Creek and get swinging. Keep it about an inch or two below the surface in the general area where you see the boils and hold on. The key to the Thunder Creek is that it's tied sparsely and only sinks an inch or two max. Your fly needs to be close to the surface to fool a fish that's locked into fry.

Looking to cash in on this unique time period? Below is a list of the great lodges that are perfectly positioned to take advantage of this spectacular phenomenon each spring. Remember, these time periods are very short. Sometimes the baitfish specific bite may only last for a week. So make sure you make your reservations early to lock in your spot. If luck is on your side and you hit it just right, you will be sure to experience some of the most exciting trout fishing of your life.

Tikchik Narrows Lodge - Alaska Sportsman's Bear Trail Lodge - Mission Lodge - Kulik Lodge