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Articles tagged with: Alaska Fishing Trips

Unique Offering at Alaska's Bristol Bay Lodge

Theme Party!

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The culture around fly fishing has always included music, photography, and good writing. Bristol Bay Lodge, in their 40th year of operation, is infusing their Alaska fishing tradition with some of the country's best artists. Four designated weeks will comprise their 2nd annual Artist-in-Residence program. 
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Choose Your Alaska Fishing Adventure

Book One of Our Recommended Lodges, We Donate 5%

LodgeAdBook any lodge or adventure via our promo page by March 10th and 5% is donated to Save Bristol Bay to help protect Bristol Bay's world-class fishing opportunities. See our variety of operations listed below. 

Lodge/Operation Comparison Table

Lodge/Operation Region Type of Operation Rate Per Person *
 Alaska Rainbow Lodge  Bristol Bay  Fly Out Lodge  $7,950 7-Day Package
 Alaska River Adventures  Kenai Peninsula  River Lodge  $4,995 6-Day Package
 Alaska Wilderness Safari  Alaska Peninsula  Wilderness Lodge  $5,850 7-Day Package
 Angler's Alibi  Bristol Bay  River Lodge  $4,800 7-Day Package
 Baranof Wilderness Lodge  Sitka, Alaska  Wilderness Lodge  $4,550 - $5,050 5-Day Package
 Bristol Bay Lodge  Bristol Bay  Fly Out Lodge  $7,350 7-Day Package
 Copper River Lodge  Lake Iliamna  River Lodge  $4,550 7-Day Package
 Crystal Creek Lodge  Bristol Bay  Fly Out Lodge  $8,300 - $8,900 6-Day Package
 Enchanted Lake Lodge  Katmai National Park  Fly Out Lodge  $8,750 7-Day Package
 Grosvenor Lodge  Katmai National Park  Wilderness Lodge  $4,425 7-Day Package
 Icy Bay Lodge  Southeast Alaska  Wilderness Lodge  $5,400 5-Day Package
 Igiugig Lodge  Lake Iliamna  Fly Out Lodge  $5,900 7-Day Package
 Intricate Bay Lodge  Lake Iliamna  Fly Out Lodge  $6,495 7-Day Package
 Kulik Lodge  Katmai National Park  Fly Out Lodge  $5,075 7-Day Package
 Larsen Bay Lodge  Kodiak Island  Fly Out Lodge  $5,500 6-Day Package
 Mission Creek Lodge  Bristol Bay  Fly Out Lodge  $7,500 7-Day Package
 No See Um Lodge  Bristol Bay  Fly Out Lodge  $8,600 7-Day Package
 Rainbow Bay Resort  Lake Iliamna  Wilderness Lodge  $6,250 7-Day Package
 Redoubt Mountain Lodge  Lake Clark  Adventure Lodge  $4,195 5-Day Package
 Riversong Lodge  Lake Creek  River Lodge  $5,045 7-Day Package
 Royal Coachman Lodge  Bristol Bay  Fly Out Lodge  $7,450 7-Day Package
 Royal Wolf Lodge  Katmai National Park  Fly Out Lodge  $6,350 - $7,950 7-Day Package
 Talaheim Lodge  Alaska Range  Heli-Fish Lodge  $6,800 7-Day Package
 Tikchik Narrows Lodge  Bristol Bay  Fly Out Lodge  $7,400 7-Day Package
 Wild River Guides  Bristol Bay  Float Trips  $3,750 7-Day Package
 Yes Bay Lodge  Ketchikan, Alaska   Wilderness Lodge  $4,795 6-Day Package

*Rates are subject to change. Other duration stays are available for different prices.

pebble mine   FlyLogosave bb

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Alaska Fly Selection: June (Part 1 of 3)

An Article by Fly Out Ambassador Mark Rutherford

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A Fly Selection for BRISTOL BAY, ALASKA

the Greatest Trout & Salmon Fishery in the World

Flies for 1 person for 1 week on a float trip or fishing with the region's best lodges. This is a multi species list, with an emphasis on June Rainbow Trout and Arctic Grayling, plus all of the other sport-fish in the Bristol Bay watersheds including Arctic Char, Lake Trout, early Kings, Sockeye, and Northern Pike. A short discussion follows.

First, don't leave home without these 5 items in your carry on luggage.

  1. Your best Polaroid glasses.
  2. Your Rx medications.
  3. Your favorite waterproof/breathable wading or fully waterproof rain jacket with retractors for hemostat and line nipper and 2 large pockets for fly boxes.
  4. Waders you completely trust which will get the equivalent of a full year of normal use during your AK trip.
  5. Wading boots that fit. Felt soles were outlawed in AK in 2012. The sticky rubber soles are now quite good. No "cleated, nailed, or studded" boots in rafts or cabins.

Why? In case Alaska Airlines loses you're checked bags with your clothing, rods, reels, and flies. You came a long way! Improvise and go fish!

Flies FOR Trout, Char, and Grayling

The Trout, Char, and Grayling flies below are proven in Bristol Bay, which is the finest completely intact, functional salmonid fishery in the world. When possible, tie or buy your patterns articulated or with stinger hooks for a significantly higher ratio of total fish landed (with less damage to fish mouthparts than traditional streamer hooks.) In the Bristol Bay region, please release ALL RAINBOW TROUT regardless of whether the Alaska Department of Fish and Game allows retention. It takes 10-15 years in cold Alaskan waters for a trophy trout to grow beyond 22 inches. Sockeye, Lake Trout, Char, and Grayling in June all provide great eating.

Your fly line(s) will determine to some extent how heavily weighted your flies should be. Cover your bases by bringing both a floating line and a sink tip. A full-sink line is not needed for our rivers and creeks.

Use your floating line in the headwaters and for "searching" as you work down river until water depths in the channels along the outside bends regularly exceed 3 feet and then, perhaps, switch to the sink tip. As you move down river you'll be pitching flies using the floating line with a weighted fly and perhaps an indicator. You are targeting root wad structure, deep green channels, and sweepers. The quarry is Rainbow Trout. One loses a lot of flies using this method, but, in June, this is where the fish are and you must fish in the woody debris and among broken chunks of sod left from spring flooding! Use fly lines like RIO Clouser which help turn over the large weighted flies with an aggressive weight forward taper. Cast aggressively to launch the leeches with lots of line speed. The 3"- 6" sink tip is very effective on Bristol Bay Rivers. If you have the "gift" you'll fish the sink tip both when drifting in the boat or wading and reap the rewards. If you don't have the "gift" you'll lose lots of flies and leaders fishing the sink tip while drifting from the boat and go back to the floating line and do very well.

Your rod choices: A #7 weight fly rod does it all. Some of my clients or friends bring two #7 wts and never 'look back'. A #4 is a fine rod for Arctic Grayling and trout under "ideal" (but somewhat rare) June conditions. The #5 weight & #6 weight make all purpose Trout/Char/Grayling rods but when you start fishing the weighted cone head Sculpins & Leeches the #7 weight can not be beat.

48 Trout Flies

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  • Sculpin patterns. Choose among various Sculpin patterns: Sculpzilla, Cone head, Rag, Woolhead, Exasperator, Loop, etc. Colors- olive, black. Size 2-4. Bring 4+ of your chosen pattern(s), 2 in each color.
  • Egg sucking leech patterns. Choose among: Loop, Articulated Bunny, Sleech, Lead Eye, or Starlight, purple, olive, white, all purpose attractor. size #4-6. At least 2 should be purple. Bring 4+.
  • Starlight leech. All white, good attractor for rainbow. Great color for Lake trout at your "put in lake". Bring 2.
  • Haymaker Leech Conehead Eggabou size #1 black or blue. Consider it.
  • Conehead Eggabou size #4 in pink or purple. Bring 2
  • Dali Lama, Black & White, #6 all purpose attractor. Bring 2.
  • Dali Lama, Green & White, #6. An option to substitute for traditional olive Sculpin.
  • S&B Super string leech, or Pink rubber worm Sleech size #4 pink. Cold water Rainbows bring 2. Consider a selection of S&B Super string leech colors. A very fine fly.
  • Mice bring 4+, Mr. Hanky, Loco, Preparation H Mouse, Moorish Mouse, Blair, Darth Skater, Mercers Lemming. You should have small bottle silicone floatant (not dry silica) for Mice and Caddis.
  • Wooly bugger patterns in Olive, Black, Brown, size #4-6 bring 4.
  • Nymphs, Hares ear, Pheasant Tail, Copper John etc. Bring 4. Fished as dropper in upper river or in cold water under an indicator.
  • Trout beads, 8mm, natural roe and gold roe colors fished as dropper with "Owner" egg hooks. Bring 6. Fish as dropper where legal.
  • Smolt & Fry. Stinger Clouser, Strung out Thunder Creek, Neil Creek Dart, Neil Creek Slider, Bring 4+ can be fished as dropper, streamer, or dead drifted under an indicator! Green & gold.
  • Dry flies. For headwater through mid river when Grayling are rising. Elk Hair Caddis, Royal Wulff, Parachute Adams, Stimulator. High floating, high visibility. Size 14. Bring 6.

Total trout flies 48.

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5 Tips for Booking Alaska

Fly Out 101: An Alaska Resource

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1. Book Early – The best lodges in Alaska have incredibly high return rates. Usually, guests have the first right of refusal for returning the same time next year, which means there can be few openings for new anglers. Your best chance to get a high-demand date is to book 6-12 months in advance. Send an Email to Fly Out for available dates and booking information. You can also contact lodges directly through the Fly Out Directory

2. Choosing a Type of Operation to Fit Your Goals – There are many types of adventure offerings in Alaska that can fit almost any budget. Below is a general summary of your options.

Fly Out Lodge ($$$) – The most exclusive way to see and fish Alaska. These operations fly to different remote rivers, lakes and streams everyday. A fly-out option allows you to experience the wonderful variety of Alaska. The views from the air and the flight experience alone are worth the price of admission. Extraordinary accommodations and dining will make you forget that you are amidst the remote wilderness of Alaska.

River Lodge ($$) – Located on the rivers and streams, these lodges are only accessible by the air. They provide world-class fishing, comfortable accommodations, and delicious meals at a great value. These lodges operate jet boats, and the anglers get the opportunity to experience everything that a single fishery has to offer.

Float Trips ($) – A classic Alaska adventure focusing on a genuine wilderness experience, self-reliance, and incredible fishing. Despite the roughing-it nature of a float trip, most outfitters provide accommodations that are surprisingly comfortable, and the food always tastes good after a long day on the river.{gallery}BlogContent/January2011/Lodge_Gallery{/gallery}

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Catch Magazine Volume 21

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Catchmagvol21More amazing photos from Todd Moen and Brian O'Keefe's Catch Magazine! Check out Alaska - Part 3 - Fish and Wildlife. These are shots from member lodges Riversong Lodge, Kulik Lodge, and Royal Wolf Lodge. Check them out.  

Also, our friends at Trout Underground published an interesting article about the future of Catch Magazine and other e-Magazines here. Tell us what you think. Feel free to write a comment below.

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Multiple Sclerosis Expedition

Trip Report Written By Fly Out Ambassador Mark Rutherford

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On July 9, 2011 6 participants gathered together in Dillingham, Alaska to launch a fly fishing expedition into the Wilderness of Togiak National Wildlife Refuge. Our goals were much the same as other Alaska wilderness enthusiasts who fly out in small float planes loaded with rafts and camping gear to float and fish wild Alaskan rivers. Our commitment was: "to be prepared mentally, physically, and with proper equipment to be self supporting in the wilderness". We would be dropped off at a lake beyond the tree line to navigate shallow tundra river channels, to float, fish, and camp among the notable Alaskan Brown Bears of the region. Two of the participants were especially motivated by their commitment to live the Alaska wilderness experience to the fullest! For them as each day passes their physical abilities and health are compromised by MS, Multiple Sclerosis. A third participant with a prosthetic leg, Malcolm Daly, co-led this annual Paradox Sports trip. Karen Daly and Olly Merrill and I signed on as support.

{gallery}WildRiverGuides{/gallery}The trip fulfills an ongoing commitment shared by outdoorsmen John Merritt, Malcolm Daly, and Mark Rutherford, to make truly significant, bona fide, Alaskan wilderness expeditions accessible to significantly disabled campers. We believe that if Erik Weihenmayer, totally blind, can summit Mt. Everest and that Mark Wellman, a paraplegic, can climb El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, that others with disabilities will consider taking on expeditionary challenges. In this case to undertake a self propelled adventure across a vast Alaskan landscape. We undertook the first self propelled Alaska expedition with paraplegic fly fisherman Vijay Viswanathon and angler Malcolm Daly with his prosthetic leg, in 2009. In 2010 we completed a second adventure with 5 disabled participants. In 2011, to honor John Merritt's extraordinary vision we devoted the Alaska wilderness fly-fishing expedition to participants with Multiple Sclerosis. John Merritt has secondary progressive MS and his prior adventures exploring remote Alaskan fisheries are spoken of around many campfires. 

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10 Gifts You Might Have To Get For Yourself

For the Alaska Angler

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1. GoPro Hero 2 - $299.99 - GoPro cameras are used by more professional athletes, sports filmmakers and core enthusiasts than any other camera in the world. The HD HERO2: Outdoor Edition is the most advanced GoPro camera yet.

  

 

 

 

2. Zg Helios Fly Rod - $775.00 - Orvis set out on an adventure to make the world's lightest fly fishing rod. Along the way, they may have made the world's best. The new patent pending Helios is so innovative and, frankly, so far ahead of all other fly rods it skips generations in how a fly rod should feel, cast, and fish. It is so sublimely light, incredibly responsive, deadly accurate, and just plain easy and enjoyable to cast. A perfect trout rod for Alaska.

        

3. The Alaska Chronicles: An Unwashed View of Life, Work, and Fly Fishing - $24.95 - For seventeen weeks, Nolte had used his laptop and a satellite Internet connection to transmit his semi-daily account of what it's really like to be a fly fishing guide on a remote Alaskan river. Now published into a book, this candid account gives an interesting perspective on guide life in Alaska.

      

4. Filson Original Briefcase - $215.00 - A dependable, everyday briefcase, appropriate for the field. Inside is a wide carrying compartment, two full-length open pockets and sewn-on compartments for calculator, business cards, pencils and pens. Narrow pockets on both ends and full-length outer pockets on both sides.

5. Bozeman Watch Company Cutthroat - $6,675.00 - This stunning watch has been designed and made with the addition of a 24 hour time zone or GMT function so its proud wearer will always know what time it is in the mountains of Montana (or Alaska) where his/her favorite catch lies in waiting.

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6. Mount McKinley Flight Seeing Trip with Talkeetna Air Taxi - Starting at $195.00 - Consider a Gift Certificate for a Denali flight seeing tour and see one of the last wilderness areas untouched by modern man: over six million acres of open alpine tundra, wildlife, mile high granite gorges, ancient blue glaciers and endless icy peaks.

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7. A Bob White Print: An Outside Chance - $160 to $800 - Take a look at this signed & Numbered Limited Edition Giclee Print. A good fit for the sportsman's living room or office. We are happy to have such a talented artist and fly fishing guide as a Guide Ambassador with Fly Out.

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8. Save Bristol Bay - $ Donation - 'Tis the season of giving! This is the perfect gift for mother nature. Walk the walk, and donate to help protect Bristol Bay.

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9. Subscribe to The Drake Magazine – 18.00/year - The Drake is our favorite fly fishing publication, period. The quality of articles and content is unmatched. Although the magazine is quarterly, you are not likely to be disappointed.

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10. An Alaska Fly Out Adventure - Go back to your favorite lodge or find a new adventure via our directory at AlaskaFlyOut.com. Email the lodges directly through the listings to inquire about specials and/or holiday pricing. See our list of Fly Out Lodges here. Or, contact the Fly Out team at [email protected] for booking advice. We're the Alaska experts. 

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