Volume 18 • Issue 4 • April 2018

56 © Don and Lori Thomas Departments Features Alaska Traveler 6 Cutthroats, with a Dash of Salt Fish Alaska Creel 8 by E. Donnall Thomas Jr. 56 Fish Alaska Online 10 During late summer, sea-run cutthroat offer wonderful options where they are found. Don Thomas writes Gear Bag 32 about the unique sea-run cutthroat flyfishing opportunities for a Compliment 34 that can be found in Prince William Sound and Southeast Sense 36 Alaska, in saltwater, estuaries and above tidewater in

© Terry Shelly © Terry 64 Fish Alaska Conservation 38 streams. Fish Alaska Fly 40 Pinks on the Dry by Terry Sheely 64 Fish Alaska Boats 42 Pinks often take a back seat to more desirable species of Fish Alaska Saltwater 52 salmon in Alaska. This reputation is not deserved. Terry Fish Alaska Stillwater 54 Sheely explains how to maximize sport while flyfishing Fish Alaska Recipe 94 for pinks with dry flies. Pinks on dries are challenging and exciting, and they are willing enough players to make for Advertiser Index 96 very enjoyable fishing even on top. Final Drift 98 Top Terrestrial Patterns for Grayling by Mike Lunde 70 Grayling are willing, opportunistic feeders and are a terrific quarry to pursue with dry flies. Mike Lunde describes nine effective terrestrial imitations to cover the gamut of insects from ants to hoppers, beetles and bees, 76 as well as how to fish them and tackle used to deliver © Adam Cuthriell © Adam terrestrial imitations to grayling.

Clearwater Fishing Tactics by Adam Cuthriell 76 Guide Adam Cuthriell of FishHound Expeditions fishes the fabled waters of Bristol Bay as well as streams in the Southcentral region of Alaska. Many flyfishers in Alaska Special Section spend the vast majority of their time using flesh and egg imitations, but Adam points out that in clear water, trout Great Alaska Sportsman often want something else, particularly at certain times Show8 Offiil Guid 201 11 of the year. Insects and mice are two great options often Learn what’s happening at this year’s overlooked for fishing clear water streams in Alaska. Great Alaska Sportsman Show April 5-8. From seminars to show specials, Little Big Things by Jeremy Anderson 84

© Jeremy Anderson © Jeremy 84 check out the official show guide. The little things can make all the difference. Jeremy Anderson of Alaska Drift Away Fishing guides on the Kenai River from spring through fall and has some great pointers regarding preparation, observation and adapting COVER / Stimulator pattern from the fly box of to situational variables that can lead you to greater success Adam Cuthriell from FishHound Expeditions. in your pursuit of Walter. © Kathryn Cuthriell. April 2018 www.FishAlaskaMagazine.com 3 PUBLISHERS Marcus Weiner Melissa Norris ASSOCIATE PUBLISHERS Patrick Speranza Kathy Anderson EDITOR George Krumm OPERATIONS MANAGER Wayne Norris EFFICIENCY MANAGER Ana Taylor ART DIRECTOR Bailey Anderson PRODUCTION MANAGER Russell K Porsley III GRAPHIC DESIGNER Melissa Wong

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Greg Brush, Troy Buzalsky, Andrew Cremata, Les Gara, Scott Haugen, Pudge Kleinkauf, J.D. Richey, Terry Sheely, E. Donnall Thomas Jr., Jeremy Anderson, Nicholas Olhrich

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Hastings A. Franks, Ken Baldwin, Anthony Madden, Tony Davis, Kristin Dunn, Brian Woobank

REGIONAL SALES MANAGER Rick Birch (907) 394-1763 SALES EXECUTIVE Jeff Falardeau (907) 345-4337

Fish Alaska Magazine PO Box 772424 Eagle River, Alaska 99577 Toll Free 1-877-220-0787 (907) 345-4337 main (907) 223-8497 advertising www.FishAlaskaMagazine.com ISSN 2475-5710 (print) ISSN 2475-5729 (online) SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Check out our specials at www.FishAlaskaMagazine.com Already a Subscriber? Call for our renewal specials! (907)-345-4337 Toll Free: 1-877-220-0787

Fish Alaska magazine is published ten times annually in January-July, Aug/Sept, Oct/Nov and December by Fish Alaska Publications, LLC, P.O. Box 772424, Eagle River, Alaska 99577. Send all address changes to P.O. Box 772424, Eagle River, Alaska 99577. One year subscriptions are $30 U.S. dollars for subscriptions in the U.S., $50 U.S in Canada, and $80 U.S. in all other countries.The single copy price is $6.99 in U.S. dollars. To subscribe by phone please call 907-345-4337. Editorial correspondence should be sent to Attn: Editor, Fish Alaska magazine, P.O. Box 772424, Eagle River, Alaska 99577. Unsolicited manuscripts and photos will be considered, but must be accompanied by a self- addressed stamped envelope. Although we will take care, Fish Alaska is not responsible for the loss or return of unsolicited materials. The opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily the opinions of Fish Alaska magazine publishers and editors.

©2018 by Fish Alaska Publications, LLC. All rights reserved. Left: Pudge Carlile Transportation System in 1985. In Attitudes are changing. Pudge has observed This isn’t the last we’ll hear from Pudge. Kleinkauf (left) 1994 she bought stock in the company, over the years that individual women She’ll continue promoting her books. She’s has passed on became an owner and acted as VP of Sales have decided they CAN do this! And that also hard at work on a new book she’s been Women’s Flyfishing her legacy to and Marketing. Later, as President she and is not just for men. Not only thinking about for a while. She and I are local fly angler by Melissa Norris her business associates grew the company are women finding the confidence to get talking about where to go fishing together Linda Leary. this summer and you can expect to read Women’s Flyfishing may be evolving but © Pudge Kleinkauf. from eight employees to over 750 employees out and just enjoy the traditionally male- the fundamental mission remains the same. Linda purchased in 2013, when they sold Carlile. dominated sport, female guides like Pudge, more about her adventures here. Their vocation is to empower women to Women’s Flyfishing In recent years Linda has focused her Kate Taylor, Nanci Morris-Lyon, Patricia Women’s Flyfishing is pleased to continue fly-fish through teaching, training and from Pudge on smart business mind on her passion for Edel, Heidi Wild and others are actually to offer beginning and intermediate fly camaraderie. On the first of this year the first of this year. flyfishing and her fabulous sense of style, making their living that way. They stand on fishing classes for women, knot tying FisheWear owner Linda Leary bought © Judy Patrick. starting FisheWear in 2015. FisheWear their merit, are treated with respect from refreshers, classes, as well as several Women’s Flyfishing from our long-time creates fun and functional fishing fashion for other top-end anglers and are just good, of their regular trips and their Flyfishing contributing editor Pudge Kleinkauf. While women. Their funky leggings have taken the capable fly anglers, regardless of gender. School. The first classes begin towards the she has some rather large wading boots flyfishing world and beyond by storm. To The gear is changing too. Pudge end of this month. All equipment is provided to fill, Linda is up for the task of gaining top it off they designed the most original dry reminisced with us about the first women’s and there are multiple dates to choose from. expert knowledge as an instructor all while bags we’ve seen featuring their artsy designs. wader design she can recall from a brand The Women’s Flyfishing trips being offered surrounding herself with deft female fly Unable to find a woman, she contacted She’s wielded a fly rod catching fish all They’ve quickly grown to a new level and that doesn’t exist anymore. Pudge was for this summer are to Copper on the Fly tyers and anglers to teach fly fishing and fly a couple of male instructors to whom she over Alaska and all over the world, as far are now collaborating with Orvis on a sling surprised not to be contacted for feedback lodge in Illiamna for sockeye and rainbows, tying classes, helping guide women on fly was referred. The first one tried to make as Ireland, Sweden, Argentina and Mexico. pack to be released this spring in line with and design ideas and then one day a sample Nome for trophy grayling, and fall rainbows fishing trips and evolving the business now it a come-on which quickly amounted to From saltwater to fresh, big boats and small, Orvis’ 50/50 On the Water program aimed pair simply showed up. She had received back at Copper on the Fly. There’s also the known as Women’s Flyfishing Alaska, LLC. a turn-off. The second gentleman had the airplanes to van-camping and float tubes, at inspiring women in flyfishing. FisheWear a set of neoprene that were cut to five-day Flyfishing School in Cordova at Cecilia “Pudge” Kleinkauf started class and wherewithal to teach Pudge and Pudge has done it all quite extensively. She is also producing the first fly boxes featuring show off cleavage! What in the world? We Orca Lodge, instructed and guided by Women’s Flyfishing over 30 years ago out of his name was Bob Neal. Pudge attended his has spoken to countless flyfishing groups, their patterns. had a great laugh and then celebrated how Women’s Flyfishing Alaska. Here you can the obvious need for a flyfishing instructor course and quickly got good at it. Bob even led seminars and presentations, written Among Linda’s strengths are great vision far we’ve come with brands like Patagonia learn everything from setting up your rod to just for women. She first learned of the need wanted to enter her into national many magazine articles, especially for Fish and style. She intentionally surrounds and FisheWear producing women’s proper fly selection, reading water, and how when she was looking for an instructor to competitions, but she just wanted to fish. Alaska, and authored five fly fishing books. herself with talented people and that makes flyfishing gear. to cast, hook, play, land and safely release teach her how. She met a female assistant As Pudge began fishing more and more She’s a dear friend to me and one who has her well-suited to continue the legacy of Linda feels that FisheWear and Women’s fish. While the school is open to women guide on the Kenai more than 35 years she had friends asking her to teach them been our supporter since the day we started Women’s Flyfishing. Linda’s ultimate goal is Flyfishing are a natural fit and that together only the other guided adventures are also ago who put a fly rod in Pudge’s hands and the idea for Women’s Flyfishing was Fish Alaska. And, she’s a legend. to continue to empower women, like Pudge they have a responsibility on a national level open to couples. For more information visit for the first time. When Pudge wanted to born. It began with small-group instruction In her legacy, Pudge is passing on her has, and appeal to a range of women in a to lead the charge for continued change womensflyfishing.net. learn more about fishing other species and and trips and still maintains intimate group brand to Linda who is equipped to take fun and classy way that narrows the gender in the industry—from the opportunities techniques the woman said she didn’t know sizes for effective learning. Women’s Flyfishing to a new level. Linda gap in the outdoors. for learning to the gear offered. Women’s how to fly-fish beyond sockeye so Pudge In over 30 years Pudge has instructed has quite a history herself in Alaska, starting The Flyfishing industry has changed Flyfishing Alaska will continue as a Trout Melissa Norris is Publisher of Fish Alaska kept looking. more than 1200 women in flyfishing. out as a receptionist and office manager at positively for women over the years. Unlimited Endorsed Business. magazine.

66 www.FishAlaskaMagazine.comwww.FishAlaskaMagazine.com AnnualApril 2018 Gear Guide 2017 April 2018 www.FishAlaskaMagazine.com 7 of Anchorage, especially those from the Lake Louise area and further north, generally are fishable through April. April offers the longest We are pleased to announce the promotion ice fishing days of the year, giving anglers lots of George Krumm to Editor in Chief at Fish of time to pursue their quarry. I can remember Alaska magazine. George is the true definition several days past of riding my snowmachine of Diehard Angler and brings expertise in back from fishing Crosswind Lake to Lake many disciplines gained through avid angling Louise in twilight at nearly nine pm. over the last four decades. He’s been fishing in Steelhead have been entering the Situk Alaska for 28 years and is a master stillwater since last fall. Fish continued to trickle in all angler, avid ice , addicted salmon winter, and fresh-from-the-ocean fish will be stalker, talented spey fisherman and lover of entering on nearly every high tide in April. all things fur and feathers. From rivers to lakes Though the peak of the run might be in early to oceans, George is at home in any angling May, April is a great time to hit the Situk for a environment and stays at the forefront of the mixture of fish dominated by fall/winter fish, angling community, making him the perfect with fresher spring fish available, especially person for the post. We’d like to express our lower down in the river. The earliest I’ve ever extreme gratitude to Troy Letherman for his hit the Situk was April 6th through the 10th, many years of incredible writing, loyal service, back in the mid ‘90’s. Fishing was quite good. willingness to tackle any project and help In the saltchuck, feeder kings continue creating the magazine you read today. As a to be available in the usual locations with Homer and Seward and all of Southeast company we are excited to welcome George’s being consistent producers. In Resurrection leadership and will continue our tradition of Bay, feeder kings are sometimes caught as quality both online and in the magazines with close as Caines Head, but fishing is generally George at the helm while we bring new and more consistent farther from Seward. Finding pertinent information to our loyal readers. schools of baitfish is vital if you want to ­­— Fish Alaska Publishers, consistently put feeder kings in the box out Marcus Weiner and Melissa Norris of Seward. As smelt start migrating up Cook Inlet, Get Ready Season feeder kings and maturing Chinook in Story by George Krumm their last year of life will be following them. Kachemak Bay and the Bluffs north of It’s hard to believe the Great Alaska Sportsman Homer will produce, and as the end of April Show is here again, or over depending upon approaches Anchor Point, Whiskey Gulch and when you are reading this. April is an odd Twin Falls will start to pick up. The occasional time in Alaska. It’s still cold in the mornings, halibut taken while will become more but afternoons can be pleasant depending on common as we approach the end of April. where you live in this massive state. Lakes As far as numbers are concerned, April is a toward the interior are still frozen, but those slow time for the Kenai trout angler. However, in Southcentral often are ice free in the latter there is fishing to be had, and with the half of the month, depending upon elevation. conveyor belt of salmon eggs and flesh nearly March is commonly viewed as ‘Breakup stopped, trout are hungry. This is a great time Season’—the time when the snow and ice to try nymphs, alevin imitations and sculpins, melt by day, and refreeze at night, creating the and both single hand fly flingers as well as conditions of potholes and puddles that last those who prefer a two-handed grip can for quite a while. It’s a period when Alaskan have good sport from Kenai Lake all the way Sneakers (Xtratufs and the like) can be down to tidewater. The river is typically very necessary, even in town. low in April, opening up a lot of water that If March is Breakup Season, then April is unfishable in the summer and fall. Since is ‘Get Ready Season.’ This is the time fishing is slow, solitude is often attainable on a when many are de-winterizing their boats, river not known for it. wrapping up the winter’s fly tying, tying Last but not least, depending upon when leaders for the upcoming season, cleaning Mother Nature actually let’s spring start reels, re-spooling them, organizing gear, and happening, it is possible that Southcentral of course, shopping for new gear. The Great lakes will be ice free late in the month. It is not Alaska Sportsman Show April 5th through something that can be counted on, but it does the 8th in Anchorage fuels the fire and creates happen sometimes. Lakes at low elevation excitement and urgency. and closest to saltwater tend to open up first. Though April is Get Ready Season Trout will be hungry, albeit a little lethargic for many, April offers some wonderful right at ice out due to water temps in the low angling opportunities for those who are 40s. But slow fishing after a long winter of no already prepared and who are willing to make fishing (except ice fishing) is infinitely better the effort. than sitting inside wishing I was fishing. See With the longer, warmer days, ice fishermen you out there! will have to be very cautious in Southcentral. , Ice will be becoming ‘rotten,’ more so with George Krumm is Editor of Fish Alaska each passing day. However, lakes to the north magazine. April! Summer is just around the corner. With break up in full effect and the sun shining brightly in the sky longer, spirits are generally improved and folks are happy to get outside and tackle the projects that need to be done before the fun can start. Tasks might involve something as simple as respooling your reels with new line or as complicated as repowering your boat with a diesel engine. Here at Fish Alaska our April goal is to get you all ready for the fishing season. Heck for us it’s already here. Keep an eye out for our 2018 fishing report that will start to heat up with news from Homer on Kachemak Bay king fishing and reports from our friends in Yakutat letting us know when the steelhead are in. There’s lots happening with our new website in full effect. Here’s what’s new online this month.

April Highlights © Bay Weld Boats © Bay Weld Find up-to-date coverage for the 2018 Travel Adventure © Frigate Great Alaska Sportsman Show from April 5-8 at the Sullivan and Ben Boeke arenas. Our team has the bead on everything happening this year from the seminars to the best deals. Map out your Sport Show plan by visiting our website! Alaskan Fishing Adventures has some early-season, resident halibut charter specials and some Kachemak Bay king salmon deals. Check out the Angler’s Special on our website and find out what kind of bargain you can get on an exciting © BRP 2018

fishing trip for your family—before the © Melissa Norris © Great Alaska Sportsman Alaska Show © Great crowds get here. Find additional fly patterns and the categories covered in this issue’s Terrestrial Patterns for Grayling article by Mike Lunde with tying recipes shown on the Fish Alaska website with step-by-step Bonus Online-Only Content photos, instructions and background. While you are on our website viewing all of this great new content make sure to click over to the Sportsman’s Warehouse website via our contest graphics to enter to win the 2018 fishing contest. One lucky winner will receive a trip for two to Togiak River Lodge for a salmon and rainbow trout bonanza plus a $500 gift © Emily Short Regal Air for Sportsman Alaska Show © Great card to Sportsman’s Warehouse. You’ll also be featured in Fish Alaska!

www.fishalaskamagazine.com © Danger Island Studios Norris © Wayne

1010 www.FishAlaskaMagazine.comwww.FishAlaskaMagazine.com AprilAnnual 2018 Gear Guide 2017 Family Friendly Attractions at the 35th Annual Great Alaska Sportsman Show by Kathy Day It’s hard to believe it has been 35 years since the Great Alaska Sportsman Show started bringing the state’s outdoor, hunting and fishing enthusiasts together. Over the years things have changed some, but in so many other ways they’ve stayed the same. Since 1984, the Sportsman Show has been held in Sullivan Arena. It started off with about 150 10X10 booths, then grew to fill Ben Boeke Arena 1. Over the years the show has grown to encompass Boeke Arena 2 and today there are over 400 booths plus outside exhibitors that together make this the largest trade show in Alaska. Some of the organizations that have been with the show for years include the Alaska Hours Department of Fish & Game, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Ducks Unlimited, Chugach Thursday, April 5—4 to 9 pm National Forest, National Park Service and Alaska Sport Fishing Association. Some Friday, April 6—Noon to 8 pm Anchorage businesses that have been involved from the beginning include Anchorage Saturday, April 7—10 am to 8 pm Chrysler Dodge, B&J Sporting Goods, Rust’s Flying Service, Alaska Sausage and Sunday, April 8—10 am to 5 pm , Indian Valley Meats, Barney’s Sports Chalet, Nova River Runners, and Trapper’s Creek Smoking Company. Several visitors bureaus and chambers of commerce have Admission been involved since the beginning including Kenai, Soldotna, Seward, Copper River Adults— $11 (includes $1 city tax) Valley and Valdez Chambers of Commerce, as well as the Kenai Peninsula Tourism Kids— $3 (Ages 12 and under) Marketing Council and Fairbanks Convention & Visitors Bureau. Onsite Parking—$6 Charter and guide companies including RW’s, Fenton Brothers, Alaska Angler, Shuttle—FREE from 2 locations Mahay’s Riverboat Service, Denali Raft Adventures and Phantom Tri-River Charters (Midtown Walmart and Northway Mall- and many others also are long-term supporters. Buses start at 3 pm on Thursday, 11 am More than a few Alaskans can say that they caught their first fish in the Kid’s Fishing Friday and 9 am Saturday and Sunday and end one hour after the show closes) Pond at the Great Alaska Sportsman Show. The Alaska Department of Fish & Game provides hatchery fish for the pond each year. Students from King Tech High School SPONSORED BY operate the pond and have become experts at baiting hooks, untangling lines and handling fish. If your youngster is lucky enough to catch a trout or salmon inthe pond, they can take it home, or donate it to Bean’s Café. The fishing pond is open 4 Inside the Show Guide to 8 pm on Thursday, April 5th, 12 to 7 pm on Friday, April 6th, 10 am to 7 pm on Family Attractions...... 12 Saturday, April 7th and 10 am to 3 pm on Sunday, April 8th. Children do need to Attractions Schedule...... 14 be accompanied by a parent to fish for free in the pond. A huge thanks goes to the Seminars...... 14 sponsors who make the Kid’s Fishing Pond possible including Bass Pro Shops, Alaska Sport Fishing Association, Sportsman’s Warehouse, the Alaska Department of Fish and Floorplan...... 16 Game and King Tech High School. Exhibitor List...... 16 While you’re over in the Boeke #2 Arena, be sure to visit the Interactive Laser Shooting What to See at the Show...... 18 Range operated by the Alaska Department of Fish & Game. Try shooting a variety of animal species with a laser gun and compete against your friends to see who the best Scan this code with your phone camera for sharpshooter is. Here you can also learn about firearm safety, wildlife conservation and the most current show respect for our natural resources, landowners and other hunters. details, full seminar Moving over to Boeke #1, you’ll find the Borealis Bullseyes Shooting Club air rifle descriptions and more! shooting range on the west end of the floor. Children and parents can shoot Daisy air rifles and pistols at targets. Here’s your chance to ask about gun safety training for children eight-years-old and up. Back over in the Sullivan Arena, be sure to visit the Archery Range operated by Black Sheep Bowmen Archery Club and Northwest Archers. The range is located in the southwest corner of Sullivan Arena, under the bleachers. Kids and their parents can try the art of bow shooting and learn about archery classes offered by Northwest Archers. Black Sheep Bowmen is a nonprofit organization located on Joint Base Elmendorf- Richardson. They have indoor and outdoor ranges, hold outdoor 3D events, hunter fun leagues, participate in travel leagues and state and local competitions. Northwest Archers provides free archery classes to the public and sponsors the State Field Shoot at Kincaid Park. If building a log home is in your future, be sure to catch one of Tom Corr’s of Tom’s Custom Log Homes seminars or demonstrations. He’ll share his expertise in a variety of areas from how to make a bowl from a spruce or cottonwood burl to scribing logs for log home building, how to finish a log home, saving money on log home-building tools and how to cut lumber with a chainsaw. If you are interested in learning how or improving on your fly fishing skills, be sure to check the schedule at the Pond. Several expert flyfishers will be offering free casting clinics throughout the show. If you have kids, make sure they take advantage of the Fly Casting for Kids instruction at the casting pond.

Kathy Day is the public relations representative for the Great Alaska Sportsman Show.

2018 Official Great Alaska Sportsman Show Guide www.FishAlaskaMagazine.com 13 Attractions Friday 3 pm Saturday 3:00 pm Secrets of the Pros, Saltwater Salmon Secrets of the Pros, Saltwater Salmon Children’s Fishing Pond: Boeke 2 Trolling for Kings & Coho: Stage 1 Trolling for Kings & Coho: Stage 1 Thurs 4-8, Fri 12-7, Sat 10-7, Sun 10-3 Deepwater Release and Rockfish Saltwater Fishing in Prince William ADF&G Interactive Survival: Stage 2 Sound and the North Gulf Coast: Laser Shooting Range: Boeke 1 Better Beads: Stage 3 Stage 2 Thurs 4-9, Fri 12-8, Sat 10-8, Sun 10-5 How To Be a Successful DIY Backpack Learn to Flyfish: Stage 3 Dall Sheep Hunter: Stage 4 How To Be a Successful DIY Backpack Archery Range: Sullivan Arena Handgun for Self Defense: VIP Lounge Thurs 4-9, Fri 12-8, Sat 10-8, Sun 10-5 Dall Sheep Hunter: Stage 4 Friday 4 pm Spring Bear Field Care: VIP Lounge Hands-On Air Rifle Range: Boeke 1 Pike Fishing the Interior: Stage 1 Thurs 4-9, Fri 12-8, Sat 10-8, Sun 10-5 Saturday 4:00 pm Fishing Kodiak’s Road System: Stage 2 Satellite Communications and GPS Fly Casting Pond: Sullivan Arena Anchorage Salmon Fishing: Stage 3 Navigation: Stage 1 Advanced Fly Casting with Tony Light Tackle Bottomfish Jigging: Northern Pike: Southcentral Invaders Weaver: Thurs 7 pm, Fri 1 pm, Sat 6 pm Stage 4 versus ADF&G and Anglers: Stage 2 Kids Casting Clinic with Orlando Take Better Fishing Photos: VIP Lounge Alaska Hunt Planning Made Simple: Gonzales: Fri 2 pm, Sat 11 am & 5 pm, Friday 5 pm Stage 3 Fly Casting Techniques with Pudge Using Electric Reels for Halibut & Are you Rescue Ready?: Stage 4 Kleinkauf: Fri 3 pm, Sat 1 pm, Sun 2 pm Bottomfish: Stage 1 Introduction to Log Home Building: Learning the Double Haul with Orlando Fishing Kodiak’s Remote Waters: VIP lounge Gonzales: Fri 4 pm, Sat 3 pm Stage 2 Fly Casting Tips & Tricks with Hunt Planning Made Simple: Stage 3 Saturday 5:00 pm Tony Weaver: Fri 6 pm GPS for Outdoor Enthusiasts: VIP in Southcentral Alaska: Lounge Stage 1 Fly Casting Basics with Tony Weaver: Sat 2 pm & 4 pm Friday 6:00 pm Sportfishing for Chinook Salmon in the Targeting Susitna’s Wild Rainbow Trout: Homer Area: Stage 2 Stage 2 Float Hunting Alaska’s Wild Rivers: seminars The Video Series Stage 3 Float Hunting Strategies for Success: Thursday 5 pm Stage 3 GPS for Outdoor Enthusiasts: VIP Halibut Fishing Tactics, Tips & Spring Bear Field Care: VIP Room Lounge Strategies: Stage 1 Burl Bowl Carving Demo: Outdoors- through the Upstairs NE Doors Saturday 6:00 pm Shrimping in Prince William Sound: Anchorage Salmon Fishing: Stage 1 Stage 2 Saturday 11:00 am Light Tackle Bottomfish Jigging: Field Care of Big Game Meat & Year-Round Lake Fishing Opportunities Stage 2 Trophies: Stage 3 in the Anchorage Bowl: Stage 2 Better Beads: Stage 3 Thursday 6 pm Field Care of Big Game Meat & Fly Fishing for Trout, Grayling & Dolly Using Electric Reels for Halibut & Trophies: Stage 3 Varden— Gear & Patterns: Stage 4 Bottomfish: Stage 1 How To Be a Successful DIY Backpack Active Shooter Response: Vip Lounge Dall Sheep Hunter: Stage 4 Fishing and Camping: Pitch A Tent Let’s Scribe: Outdoors-through the and Cast A Line: Stage 2 House Problems: VIP Room Upstairs NE Doors Anchorage Salmon Fishing: Stage 3 Saturday 12:00 pm Firearms Laws of Alaska: VIP Lounge Sunday 11:00 am Pike Fishing the Interior: Stage 1 Handgun for Self Defense: VIP Lounge Burl Bowl Carving Demo: Targeting Northern Pike in Outdoors-out upstairs NE doors Southcentral: Stage 2 Sunday 12:00 pm Knots for Fishing, Boating and Kayak Fishing in Southcentral Alaska: Thursday 7 pm Stage 1 Are you Rescue Ready?: Stage 1 Camping: Stage 3 Flyfishing Overview: Stage 4 Five Elements of a Successful Alaska Light Tackle Bottomfish Jigging: Hunt: Stage 3 Stage 2 GPS for Outdoor Enthusiasts: VIP Room Saltwater Salmon Trolling Techniques: Knots for Fishing, Boating and Saturday 1:00 pm Stage 4 Camping: Stage 3 Halibut Fishing Tactics, Tips & GPS for Outdoor Enthusiasts: VIP Take Better Fishing Photos: VIP Lounge Strategies: Stage 1 Lounge Fishing Kodiak’s Road System: Stage 2 Friday 1 pm Sunday 1:00 pm Nushagak River King Salmon: Shrimping in Prince William Sound: Stage 4 Halibut Fishing Tactics, Tips & Stage 2 Strategies: Stage 1 Field Care of Big Game Meat & Saltwater Salmon Trolling Techniques: Trophies: Stage 3 Stage 4 Light Tackle Bottomfish Jigging: Stage 2 Shrimping in Prince William Sound: Take Better Fishing Photos: VIP Lounge Stage 4 Fly Fishing for Trout, Grayling & Dolly Let’s Cut Lumber: Outdoors-through Varden: Gear & Patterns: Stage 4 the Upstairs NE Doors Friday 2 pm Active Shooter Response: VIP Lounge Kayak Fishing in Southcentral Alaska: Saturday 2:00 pm Stage 1 Using Electric Reels for Halibut & Sunday 2:00 pm Shrimping in Prince William Sound: Bottomfish: Stage 1 Satellite Communications and GPS Stage 2 Fish Kodiak’s Remote Waters: Stage 2 Navigation: Stage 1 Five Elements of a Successful Alaska Five Elements of a Successful Alaska Alaska Hunt Planning Made Simple: Hunt: Stage 3 Hunt: Stage 3 Stage 3 Flyfishing Overview: Stage 4 Firearms Laws of Alaska: VIP Lounge Uses of a Chainsaw: VIP Lounge Sunday 3:00 pm Thank you to For the most current Float Hunting Strategies for Success: our seminar seminar schedule and full Stage 3 sponsor descriptions click here: 14 www.FishAlaskaMagazine.com 2018 Official Great Alaska Sportsman Show Guide Exhibitors as of 3-1-18 61 Degrees North Chiropractic...... 58 Countryside Art Gallery...... 127 King for a day Campground...... 274 RW’s Fishing...... 268, 269 Exhibitors A.M.S. Incorporated...... 434, 435, 436 Crazy Rays Adventures...... 190 King Salmondeaux Lodge...... 205 Safari Club International, Alaska Chapter...... 281 ABS Alaskan, Inc...... 114, 115 Crooked Creek Guides, Cabins & RV Park...... 239 Knight Boat Docks...... 279, 280 Sagebrush Dry...... 227 Ace Air Cargo...... 226 Cummins, Inc...... 185, 186 Knights of Columbus...... 324 Satellite Phone Store...... 78 AFishunt Charters...... 224 Cutco Cutlery...... 59 Kodiak Combos with Petersons Adventures...... 144 Sea Tow South Central Alaska...... 118 Ahh Karl’s Gutters...... 311 Damsel in Defense...... 18 Kodiak Custom ...... 141 Seasons on the Fly Lodge...... 292 Ahtna, Inc...... 34 Danger Island Studios...... 325 Kodiak Raspberry Island Remote Lodge...... 70 Seldovia Fishing Adventures...... 67 Air Med Care Network by Guardian Flight...... 262 Denali Federal Credit Union...... 282 Kodiak Wilderness Adventures...... 184 Seward Chamber of Commerce...... 213 AK DNR Land Sales...... 24 Denali Park Adventures...... 169 Land’s End Resort...... 267 Seward Military Resort...... 209 AK eXpeditions...... 368 Denali Raft Adventures...... 296 Lazy Otter Charters...... 218 Shoot for the Cure...... 80 Alaska Airmen’s Association...... 17 Deshka Landing Outdoor Association...... 242 LFS Marine Outdoor..284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291 Show Products...... 258, 259 Alaska Angler/SquidPro Tackle...... 40 Discover Kodiak...... 140 Life Med Alaska...... 277 Six Robblees, Inc...... 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137 Alaska Bear Factory LLC...... 390 Ducks Unlimited...... 238 Mahay’s JetBoat Adventures...... 260 SixSite...... 364, 365 Alaska Boat Brokers...... 222, 223 Eagle River Knife Company...... 366 Major Marine Tours...... 266 Sky Power Alaska...... 244 Alaska Butcher Equipment & Supply Equipment Source, Inc...... 142, 143 Majority Arms...... 206 Slogan Outdoors...... 246 ...... 270, 271, 272, 273 Explore Fairbanks...... 265 Mat-Su Convention & Visitors Bureau...... 177 Soldotna Chamber of Commerce...... 210 Alaska Chinook Charters...... 72 Fenton Brothers Guided Sport Fishing...... 81 Maven...... 160, 161 Sport Ear...... 235 Alaska Clean Harbors...... 358 Fish Alaska and Hunt Alaska...... 116, 117 Mepps...... 197 Sportsman’s Warehouse Alaska Diesel Electric...... 353 Fish Baranof...... 344 Microcom...... 342, 343 ...... 356, 357, 361, 362, 420, 421, 422, 423, 424 Alaska Division of Forestry...... 217 Fishe Wear & Women’s Fly Fishing...... 158 Millers Riverboat Service...... 380 SPOT, LLC...... 195 Alaska Fireplace & Accessories...... 321, 322 Fit with Ferguson - Hawaii...... 312 Mode One Knives...... 124 Stand for Salmon...... 53 Alaska Fish Catcher Guide & Lodge...... 363 Frigate Adventure Travel...... 360 Molopo Kalahari Safaris...... 187 Straight Shooter Financial...... 346 Alaska Fly Fishers...... 294, 295 Full Curl Archery...... 121 Monica’s Confection Connection...... 323 Surveyors Exchange Company, Inc...... 71 Alaska Gulf Coast Expeditions...... 261 P-Line/Beckman Nets ...... 189 National Park Service - Wrangell/St. Elias...... 23 Susitna Energy Systems...... 172, Outside Alaska Gun Collectors Association...... East End of BB #1 Gamakatsu USA, Inc...... 225 Ninilchik Charters...... 180 Talkeetna Air Taxi...... 32 Alaska H2O Sports...... 316, 317 Garmin USA...... 252, 253 NiteSite...... 131 Talkeetna Chamber of Commerce...... 249 Alaska Industrial Hardware, Inc...... 162, 163 GCI...... 283 NOAA Law Enforcement...... 332 Tandala Ridge Tours...... 337 Alaska Lakes Guide Service, LLC...... 69 Geico Alaska...... 51, 52 North Star Chiropractic Wellness Center, LLC...... 29 Texan Knives...... 155 Alaska Marine Highway System...... 39 Ghost Town Leather...... 236 Northern Skies Federal Credit Union...... 75 The Alaska Club...... 276 Alaska Marine Services, LLC...... 214 Glacier Bear Gourmet ...... 351 NOVA Alaska Guides...... 219 Tom’s Custom Log Homes...... 26 Alaska Men’s Run...... 74 Glacier Chain Supply, Inc...... 11, 12 Orca Island Cabins...... 2 5 5 Top Shelf Realty...... 154 Alaska Mining & Diving Supply Great Alaskan Holidays...... Outside Osprey Global...... 167, 168 Trappers Creek Smoking Company...... 188 ...... 410, 411, 412, 413, 414 Greater Whittier Chamber of Commerce...... 220 Phantom-Tri River Charters, Inc...... 234 Traveling Tower...... 334, 335 Alaska Monster Moose Transporters, LLC...... 73 H3O Polarized...... 33 Polar Marine...... 113 Trax Outdoor Center...... 425, 426, 427, 428, 429 Alaska Outdoor Access Alliance...... 194 Hawaiian Moon...... 305 Port Ashton Lodge...... 191 Treeline Construction...... 166 Alaska Outdoor Council...... 247 Heather’s Choice...... 293 Porta-bote International...... 128, 129 , Inc...... 257 Alaska Premier Sportfishing...... 159 Holland Roofing Company, Inc...... 30 Prime Lending...... 320 Tuff Kids Outdoors...... 345 Alaska Raft & Kayak Homer Chamber of Commerce...... 126 Pristine Ventures...... 35, 36, 37, 38 Ultimate Creations...... 57 ...... 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 156, 157 Howl, Inc...... 369 Quality Restorations...... 315 US Coast Guard Auxiliary...... 165 Alaska Railroad...... 125 In Nature’s Image Taxidermy...... 313 Quality Transmission Services, LLC...... 200 US Fish & Wildlife Service...... 25 Alaska Range Trapping Supply...... 138, 139 Indian Valley Meats, Inc...... 179 Quigley Ford Optics Ltd...... 341 Valdez Convention & Visitors Bureau...... 216 Alaska Sausage and Seafood...... 243 Island Air Service...... 171 Raptorazor, LLC...... 199 Valdez Fish Derbies...... 21 Alaska Series Inflatable Boats...... 122, 123 JETECH LLC...... 306, 307, 308 Ravencrest Tactical...... 208 Valdez Marine & Outdoors....386, 387, 388, 391, 392, 393 Alaska Shrimp Pots...... 303 Jimmie Jack Fishing Inc...... 170 Regal Air...... 196 Valdez Outfitters...... 327 Alaska Spiritwear...... 66 Johnson Investments...... 248 Renewable Energy Systems...... 192, 193 Victorinox Knives from Endeavors...... 79 Alaska Sportfishing Association...... by fish pond Kaladi Brothers Coffee...... 326 Renewal By Anderson of Alaska...... 15, 16 ViewDoo...... 13, 14, 329, 330 Alaska State Troopers...... 310 Kantishna Roadhouse...... 241 Resident Hunters of Alaska...... 164 Whittier Boat Rental...... 68 Alaska Trackchair...... 370 Kenai Chamber of Commerce River and Sea Marine...... 254 Willbros Salmon Company...... 355 Alaska Trappers Association South Central & Visitor Center...... 211 River Wrangellers, LLC...... 231 Willow Creek Studio...... 302 ...... West End of Ben Boeke #1 Kenai Peninsula Tourism Marketing Council...... 212 Rod n Real...... 41 WOW Africa...... 256 Alaska Unlimited...... 333 Kenai Premier BBQ Sauce...... 354 Rolling Bones Outfitters...... 109 Wulla3 Designs...... Outside Alaska USA Federal Credit Union...... 153 Kenai River Cowboys...... 336 Ron’s Honda Center...... 430, 431, 432, 433 Xtaero Boats...... Outside Alaska Waterfowl Association...... 314 Kenai River Drifters Lodge...... 27 Roving Blue Alaska...... 301 Yukon Rack...... 112 Alaska Wild Guides, LLC...... 309 Kennicott Glacier Lodge...... 263 Rust’s Flying Service/K2 Aviation...... 250, 251 Zeal Optics...... 228 Alaskan Fishing Adventures...... 264 Alaskan Smoked Salmon & Seafood...... 331 Alaskan Wilderness Outfitting Company...... 207 AM PM Retail...... 394, 395 American Delta Products...... 31 Anchorage Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram ...... 201, 202, 203, 204, Outside Anchorage Home Builders Association...... 60 Anchorage Police Department...... 176 Anchorage Sleep Center...... 304 Anchorage Suzuki Arctic Cat ...... 440, 441, 442 Anchorage Yamaha & Polaris .....400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 409 Anderson Products Co...... 371, 372 Andrew Airways, Inc...... 319 Arctic Chiropractic Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy...... 383, 384, 385 Arctic Fiberglass, LLC...... 374, 375 Ashbreez Boatworks, Inc...... 349, 350 ATC Alaska...... 130 Aurora Charters...... 237 B&J Sporting Goods ...... 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107 Barney’s Sports Chalet...... 119, 120 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats ...... 415, 416, 417, 418, 419, Outside Bay Weld Boats...... Outside Bayes Boat Rental, LLC...... 240 Big Rays...... 181, 182, 183 Bissell Insurance Agency...... 373 Blue Sky Cabo...... 275 Borealis Bullseyes Shooting Club...... Side of BB 1 Bottom Line Charters...... 215 BowCraft...... 376, 381 Bradley Smoker...... 108 Bureau of Land Management...... 232, 233 Bushwhacker Air Service...... 229, 230 CAC Plastics...... 340 Camper Valley RV...... 377, 378, 379, Outside Catch A Lot Charters...... 178 Central Plumbing and Heating, Inc...... 19, 20 ChasingTales...... 318 Chugach Outdoor Center, Inc...... 278 Cigma...... 77, 173, 174 ClackaCraft...... 437, 438, 439 Coffman Cove Adventures...... 245 Colorado Cylinder Stoves...... 198 Copper River Watershed Project...... 367 Cordova Chamber of Commerce...... 2 2 1 Costco Wholesale...... 28 16 www.FishAlaskaMagazine.com 2018 Official Great Alaska Sportsman Show Guide 2018 Official Great Alaska Sportsman Show Guide www.FishAlaskaMagazine.com 17 What to See and Do at the after launching into the market with a of the year plus great bank rates to help get 2018 Great Alaska Sportsman Show 49-foot commercial-use catamaran. The your family outdoors. Check out their toy cats are receiving rave reviews from their haulers, 5th wheels, truck campers, travel By Melissa Norris owners and Bay Weld has two more in the trailers and RVs. Air services, guided fishing charters, Go see our buddies at Alaska Mining & shop being built and two more on the way sporting goods stores, boats for Diving Supply to tour the 2825 Coastal after that for some very excited boaters. In the Sullivan backcountry rivers, boats for the big Express, 2325 Coastal Express, 2425 They are also full throttle on their mono B&J’s Sporting Goods is one of the main seas, campers, the newest rods and reels Escape HT and 2725 Offshore boats by hull vessels. Go drool over this new Cat at attractions on the Sullivan Arena floor. Just for Alaska, fishing clubs, hunting clubs, boat-building authority KingFisher Boats. the Sport Show. like every year B&J’s will feature hundreds ATVs and everything else you need to They’re also sharing tours of a 25’ TomCat Ashbreez Boatworks will be showing of great products in their expansive show play in Alaska is at the 2018 Great Alaska by C-Dory that is big news because it rides off their Armstrong Marine aluminum booth area. Showcasing all the best gear Sportsman Show. From planning your and corners smoothly without any roll. St. Elias 28 out in the boat display area for the Greatland everyone should swing adventure to serving the bounty on your Nick and Geoff and the team at AMDS are of the north parking lot. This is the 3rd by B&J’s. They’ve been a part of the dinner table, this year’s show from April super knowledgeable and happy to help. year Ashbreez has highlighted their Sportsman Show for more than 20 years, 5-8 has been refreshed with new seminars They are audibly revered by customers collaboration with Armstrong Marine. are a major sponsor of the show for over and new exhibitors for all types of fishing because of their extreme focus on service. In 2016, they displayed the first 32 x 11 10 and have been retailing quality gear and from slaying salmon in Anchorage to tips Alaska Mining & Diving Supply also has recreational aluminum power cat built in providing excellent service for Alaskans for beginning fly fishers, get more familiar display space inside the Ben Boeke 2 Hall the region, one in their Resurrection series for over 60 years. New in the store they’ve with your gps or learn how to improve where they will be offering great deals on of cats. This year they are displaying the added a “wall of halibut tackle” featuring your shrimp haul. You’ll see many of Can Am side by sides like the Defender 28’ aluminum monohull in their St. Elias Hardwire Tackle made in Alaska. There the familiar outdoor businesses that are XT Cab and ATVs like the Outlander X series. Stop by the boat and talk with Joel are lots of cool new products coming to regularly at the Sport Show and Alaska’s MR, plus they can answer questions and Morse about your dreams for a new boat. the store later this spring. Whether it is a outdoor families are counting on coming set you up with Honda motors and power Maybe you are more focused on new Tanacom reel from Daiwa, an Ugly to see them. There are lots of great specials equipment and Suzuki and Evinrude land-based recreation this year and for Stik combo or all-new reels for your and a ton of giveaways. Here’s what’s going outboards. that you’ll want to talk with the folks at charter operation, B&J’s has deals on the on at this year’s show. While you are outside make sure to stop Camper Valley RV. They’ll have their products that work for Alaska. Stop and Before you even walk in the door and take a tour of the 30 X 10’ V-berth popular all-season trailers by Outdoors and check out their specials at the show. there’s a lot to see including some enticing Catamaran by Bay Weld Boats—it’s a RV that are true 4-season trailers for At the Kodiak Custom Fishing Tackle boats. The new KingFisher 2825 Coastal work of art. Homer-based boat builders Alaska thanks to their climate-designed booth here is your chance to pick up their Express is a show stopper. Plenty of room Bay Weld Boats are at the top of the technology and the Mountain Extreme new Socko Loco Fly Rig for catching in a well-equipped cabin and a huge rear boating world food chain for commercial thermal pane windows. They also feature sockeye and their new Tackle Tube Rigs cockpit for fishing are just the beginning AND recreational boats. This new Cat is a fully heated, insulated and enclosed you probably saw in the new gear section to an exceptional list of premium features. the second recreational cat they’ve built holding tank. You’ll find the best pricing of our 2018 Annual Gear Guide. Kodiak Custom’s new products are sure to make fishing more exciting and help you target BIG fish. Stop by booth 141 in the Sullivan to see Tony Davis and Kristin Dunn. Stock up on their bottom fish jigs and spinners and check out some of their new items. If you want to ensure a freezer filled with bounty this summer then make plans with Mark Burner of Alaskan Fishing Adventures and Angler’s Lodge. Saltwater frenzies in Seward and Homer or riverside lodging and fishing on the Kenai, Alaskan Fishing Adventures showcases all the best of the Kenai Peninsula. Sportsman Show Specials are available for Alaska residents in the month of May. Fish halibut in Seward for only $175 per person (normally $300) and book a group of four for feeder kings in Homer for only $200 per person. Stop to chat with the crew about details. Are you scoping out possible trips to take visiting relatives on this summer? A great option it to drive your RV down to Alaskan Angler RV Park in Ninilchik and rent one of their cabins for your visitors. Then you can fish with the highly experienced captains of Afishunt Charters. They offer packages for both lodging and fishing and have special pricing available at the show including $185 for a full day of halibut in May and $199 for halibut from June 1-10. Combo charters are $250 from May 1 through lands clean and to completely extinguish In addition to great deals at the show, For ladies who fly fish check out first- June 10 and they expose their One-Day fires we build in the backcountry. We Big Ray’s is offering free line with the time show exhibitor FisheWear selling Super Specials at the show only. Make sure must also remember to use safe burning purchase of any reel and they’ve got their their comfortable, artsy fishing leggings to stop and ask what that’s all about. practices when burning debris around our line winder right there to get you set up for women, plus their unique dry bags For DIY adventurers Ahtna will have own homes and cabins. on the spot at their booths 181-183 in and backpacks. See their new sling pack information on land status in the Ahtna If you own or plan to buy a boat make the Sullivan. They are also offering free collaboration with Orvis and pick up one region, how to purchase a permit to access sure to meet the owners from Sea Tow rings with every scope purchase. Factory of their new fly boxes covered in their Ahtna lands, activities in the region, and Southcentral Alaska and sign up for their reps from brands like Shakespeare, Penn, Troutrageous pattern. FisheWear’s owner will have a giveaway drawing for a fishing service for peace of mind. Captain Trey Daiwa, and Vortex are going to be there Linda Leary just bought Pudge Kleinkauf’s trip in the Copper River area all at booth launched Sea Tow Southcentral Alaska to answer your questions. And they’ll be Women’s Flyfishing and you can sign up 34. to ensure no other boaters experienced presenting a new product on the market for fly fishing or fly tying classes, one of Representatives from Garmin will be being stranded in the waters on the by Cauldryn that boils water from a their group trips or their annual flyfishing at the Sport Show in booths 252 and Kachemak Bay. Raised in southcentral rechargeable battery. Spend some time at school at the show. Pudge will be there 253 displaying products and helping Alaska, Capt. Trey knows the area like the the show with the experts at Big Ray’s. too giving lessons at the fly casting pond. users understand their full benefits. back of his hand. He and his wife Alyssa Top brands for Alaska like P-line, Check out the article on page 6 of this From the inReach to marine electronics, offer the leading marine assistance service Mepps, SPOT and Beckman Nets have issue about these two very impressive Garmin is a household name for Alaskans. in the area and are offering a special at their representatives exhibit at the Great ladies. Whether you own several Garmin items the Sport Show of $159 for the first year Alaska Sportsman Show for the chance to If you are coming to the Sportsman or are looking to make a purchase, or two months free. They are also giving share their product knowledge and tips on Show to try something new this make sure to attend the seminar Satellite away a SeaTow branded Revere life jacket what works with Alaskans. summer then visit with Tom and Katie Communications and GPS Navigation to one lucky winner at the show. See them For fly-fishing enthusiasts interested from Alaskan Wilderness Outfitting by Garmin Sales Manager Josh Moreman in booth 118 for details. in building lasting friendships with like- Company. These wonderful hosts built and Training Specialist Bill Loud Saturday Big Ray’s is a longtime Alaskan outfitter minded individuals and giving back to their business around the incredible at 2 pm. These Garmin gurus will discuss with two locations in Anchorage, two the community while advancing your fly like the Tsiu River in Cordova a slew of products that are pertinent to locations in Fairbanks and one in Kodiak. fishing knowledge, stop and talk with the and they offer a gamut of options to meet the outdoors including inReach, the Rino They’ve got everything from a fantastic Alaska Fly Fishers. At their booth they various budgets and fishing preferences. and Huntview Maps. Learn the benefits boot selection to winter gear for kids and have fly-tying demonstrations, Alaska Fly From the full-service Tsiu River Lodge of these products and tips for maximizing all the fishing tackle for their respective Fishers’ shirts and hats, and information with outstanding cuisine and first-class their use in the field. communities. In case you haven’t been on activities and becoming a member. Be lodging to their Prince William Sound and A safety precaution we highly endorse to their Anchorage downtown store in a sure to check out the seminars by their co- Wrangell Mountain outpost cabins or the is getting an annual membership for your while you should see how much they’ve president Rich Johnson for beginning fly DIY floating cabin, talk with the owners family from LifeMed Alaska. Just $49 expanded their fishing department. fishers and get started in fly fishing. of Alaskan Wilderness Outfitting about per year covers your whole household to ensure no out-of-pocket expenses for medically-necessary air or ground transportation provided by LifeMed Alaska. Membership is active as soon as you submit your enrollment form and make payment. In our opinion a membership to LifeMed for Alaska families is a no brainer. As you wander around stop by the Alaska Sausage and Seafood exhibit where they are giving out samples of their delicious Polish sausage in mild or hot, cajun hot links, hunter sticks, pepper sticks, teriyaki sticks and Mooseroni. Take note of your favorites so you know what to make when you get to harvest some game this year. You can also purchase some of their gourmet meat sticks and smoked salmon tenders at the show. Alaska Sausage and Seafood has been serving Alaskans since 1955 with their top-quality fish and game processing. In addition to the variety of game sausages you can have your wild Alaska salmon processed into hot smoked salmon, cold smoked salmon (lox) or double cold smoked strips this summer. You can also find products like their smoked salmon lox available at local grocery stores. For all Alaskans the folks from the Alaska Division of Forestry are there to remind people to be fire wise. As outdoorsmen we have the extra responsibility to keep our your trip to Cordova this summer. Check out the article about Alaskan Wilderness Outfitting Company in the January 2018 issue of Fish Alaska! Still not sure where to go this summer? We work with a bunch of great chambers of commerce and visitor centers around the state. From Homer to Kodiak, Fairbanks to Valdez, Soldotna and Kenai these community leaders can help you plan the ultimate outdoor adventure to each of their beautiful destinations within Alaska. Pick up their visitors’ guides and get some advice from the locals. Make sure to visit the folks from the Kenai Peninsula Marketing Tourism Council who promote visiting Alaska’s Playground—the full length of the Kenai Peninsula. They produce the Official Guide to the Kenai Peninsula and also host a contest where you can win a vacation on the peninsula. Pick up one of their passport booklets then have it stamped at a minimum of 10 of 13 communities at their individual stamping sites and enter to win. The booklet also has 40 coupons to use around the 13 communities that comprise the Kenai Peninsula for an up close and personal Alaska experience. If indeed you are heading to the Kenai Peninsula then you’ll need a place to stay and we’d like to recommend two sister properties right on the river. Consider a stay at the King Salmondeaux Lodge or Kenai River Suites this summer for a riverfront DIY salmon fishing adventure. Steps from your lodging you could be yelling “fish on” and adding to your stringer. King Salmondeaux Lodge is a community of individual cabins with full kitchens and bathrooms. A range of cabins are available that sleep from 5-8 people each and are filled with amenities. The property has a pavilion and fire pit for guest and features 700 feet of river frontage. Kenai River Suites is home to two-bedroom suites with kitchen and bathroom that face the river and also provides a private fishing area for guests. Kenai River Suites is in walking distance to shopping and restaurants. For the Sportsman Show they are offering Buy 2 Nights, get a 3rd Night Free for either of their properties during June. Also down on the Kenai Peninsula a favorite trip for locals and visitors alike are the glacier tours and wildlife cruises offered by Major Marine Tours with options to depart out of Seward or Whittier. At the Sportsman Show this year they are having a drawing for one lucky attendee to win a 7.5-hour Kenai Fjords National Park cruise when you sign up to receive their new e-newsletter at booth 266. They are giving out $20 off coupons for any of their tours this summer and are excited to announce their new vessel. The handheld night vision systems. While Kenai Fjords 360 is a brand-new, custom- we can’t legally hunt with night vision built 98-foot high speed catamaran with in Alaska it sure is handy for knowing unobstructed 360 degree views from the what is out there on your property or third deck that will join the Major Marine in camp. It’s also exceedingly useful in Tours fleet in May. a marine environment. NiteSite night You may already know where you are vision systems are more affordable, reliable fishing this summer but if you are ready and user friendly than many of the light to craft your own secret smoked salmon amplification technologies on the market. recipe or want to up your smoked salmon See them for $100 off an Eagle RTEK game then go visit the Bradley Smoker only at the Sportsman Show. booth and learn about their awesome For outdoor related businesses Bissell electric smokers, including their Bradley Insurance Agency attends the Sport Show Smart Smoker that uses bluetooth-enabled to aid business owners with their insurance devices to control temperature and smoke. and liability coverage. Make sure to stop Bradley Smoker makes it easy for anyone and talk to these knowledgeable folks who to produce gourmet-quality smoked food, offer highly competitive rates for Alaska’s we use them ourselves. fishing and hunting businesses. If you are chasing salmon in the Mat-Su On the east side of the Sullivan Arena Valley then at some point you are going main floor see the fine folks at Alaska to end up at Deshka Landing where they Raft and Kayak who will be there with have parking, a store, fuel and a large boat the popular Inmar Inflatables, NRS and launch ramp to provide year round access AIRE rafts and one-man rafts, Hobie to the lower Susitna River drainage for kayaks and a lot more. At the Sportsman boaters and snow machiners. Go visit the Show Alaska Raft & Kayak provides 10% folks from the Deshka Landing Outdoor off any raft frame and accessories plus they Association at booth 242 and ask about are able to offer free freight on many items an early bird special that is good through which amounts to hundreds of dollars in the last day of the show. savings. You can take 10% off accessories Most Alaskans own a boat, truck, or with the purchase of a Hobie kayak plus RV so they need the helpful folks at Six take advantage of discounted freight. It’s Robblees’ in Anchorage. Their staff will also a great time to reserve a raft or kayak be on the main floor of the Sullivan Arena for rent with 10% off a week or longer. offering deals on Leer truck caps and RV Renting from their fleet is a good way to parts and accessories. Six Robblees’, with different test rafts and kayaks before you three locations in Alaska, specializes in buy. Whatever watercraft suits you, Alaska truck and trailer parts. Raft and Kayak has an affordable, easily You can’t go wrong planning a trip to transportable way to get you on the water. Old Harbor in Kodiak with Captain Some of our favorite folks to work with Jeff Peterson of Kodiak Combos to are from Indian Valley Meats where they fish for kings and halibut. In addition make delicious sausage and snack sticks to their modern lodging and excellent out of your Alaska game plus smoke dining, Jeff’s ability to find nice fish is and process fish of the highest quality. legendary and his knowledge of the area is At the show they offer samples of their unsurpassed. Captain Jeff offers drop-off Polish sausage that is the most popular transportation for hunters seeking Sitka style for folks bringing their game in to blacktail deer and goat in Kodiak as well be processed. They’ll also offer roughly as offer day trips for seaduck hunters and 8-ounce packs of pepper sticks with ocean fishing charters. Go chat with Jeff venison, teriyaki sticks with caribou and about his Sport Show prices. The cost for elk jerky for just $5 each. Go see Renee a 5-day, 5- night trip in 2018 is $4000 but and Kathy and give your taste buds a treat. at the show the cost to book is discounted Of interest to local outdoorsmen are the to $3,500. If you talk with Jeff about your Yukon Rack bunk bed cots that are made plans he can customize a program and in Alaska by the McDade family here in offer a Sport Show price accordingly. Anchorage. They pride themselves on Maybe it’s not fishing at all that has building the lightest bunk bed cot on the your interest. Is archery a sport you’ve market, cots that are built for the rugged been considering whether for hunting environment of Alaska. The Yukon Rack or shooting practice? Stop and visit with is being offered at a special show price Dave Stoddard of Full Curl Archery, of $375.00 which are normally $425.00. Alaska’s largest archery shop, hosting Here’s your chance to make camping a lot leagues at their indoor range and offering more comfortable and spacious. the most extensive selection of archery Up the stairs on the north side gear for Alaska. mezzanine stop and talk with folks from Make a stop by the NiteSite booth to the Alaska Marine Highway System learn about their scope-mounted and who provide year round transportation to Alaska’s coastal communities, many that Satellite Phone Specialists in booth 71 at excellent cuisine at their B&B in the adults with the disease. are not accessible by road. They operate the show. You’ll appreciate the ease and village of Seldovia. The lodge sits on the There are a lot of cool giveaways at a massive 3,500-mile route with a fleet of convenience of working with them. Seldovia waterfront with 180-degree views the Sportsman Show this year and one vessels designed to carry passengers and Also upstairs on this side of the Sullivan of Seldovia Bay, Cook Inlet and snow that really stands out is the promotion vehicles, and even large freight containers. is Whittier Boat Rental and Whittier capped mountains. Guests can choose where Seasons on the Fly is teaming up Touring Southeast Alaska by ferry is Marine Charters. Reserve one of their from all-inclusive packages including with Honda Generators to give one lucky a great DIY angling option. They can rental boats or book a fully-guided saltwater three delicious meals a day, lodging, fully- winner a Honda EU2000i Generator answer your questions about schedules charter with Captain Matt Kopec and his guided fishing and or they plus a 5-day stay for two people at the and what to expect with ferry travel. experienced captains. Take advantage of may stay at the B&B or book a fishing legendary Seasons On The Fly LODGE. Also upstairs on this side of the arena early season and shrimping specials with charter only. At the Sportsman Show It’s part of a nationwide contest but you’ll you can find longtime Fish Alaska friend a free gear rental and up to 35% off rental Seldovia Fishing Adventures is offering have the chance to meet Seasons on the Fly Larry Bartlett of Pristine Ventures who boats from April 1- May 15, 2018. For an a special when you book a group of four television host and owner of Seasons on is a float hunting expert and trip planner, ultimate saltwater experience check out people for any length of time you can the Fly LODGE Greg Heister and he can author and inventor of the PR-49 Packraft the Spring Fever Charter Special offered bring a fifth person free for that duration! help get you get entered into the contest that most backcountry hunters and fishers by Whittier Marine Charters that is a 2 A raffle ticket that is worth the purchase plus provide you with information on his either have or want. Larry will be at the day/1 night combo trip for early halibut, for both the excitement of the prize and DIY lodge on the world-class Kvichak show with special discounts on his easily shrimping, feeder kings, rockfish, beach the worthiness of the cause is the raffle River. Even if you don’t win a free trip for transportable inflatables from the Kork to combing and sightseeing for only $425 held by Shoot for the Cure. Your $20 two you can still take advantage of Sport the Legend. Pristine Ventures’ mission is to per person through May 15! Ask about raffle ticket could win you one of two Show pricing and experience the amazing stay proactive in the outdoor industry by a halibut special for $299 through May amazing guns. Stop and visit with Karen Kvichak at an affordable, self-guided lodge creating innovative products, remaining 15. For hunters Whittier Marine Charters Rey from Shoot for a Cure and then where you control your own adventure. connected with a growing network of is a water taxi and big game transporter join them for their May 10th banquet Before you leave the Sullivan make sure customers, while promoting low-impact offering specials for live-aboard deer hunts and May 11 Shoot for the Cure Event at you have stopped to see us at Fish Alaska wilderness travel throughout Alaska. or PWS black bear hunts starting at $365 Birchwood Recreation and Shooting Park and Hunt Alaska Magazines. We have a While you are up here stop at the per person per day. Stop by booth 68 for where teams of five get together to shoot bunch of great subscription specials this Valdez Fish Derbies booth. If you’ve been details. Look for an article in Fish Alaska trap, skeet and 5-Stand. Their mission year including Buy a Fish Alaska Lifetime reading our magazine for long then you about fishing with Captain Matt in our is to create awareness and raise funds to Subscription Get a Hunt Alaska Lifetime know how much we love visiting Valdez, upcoming June issue. benefit those with cystic fibrosis. Shoot Subscription Free. You can choose from fishing in the derbies and participating In booth 67 you’ll find Brent and for the Cure raises and donates money for select Cousins rods or a Ravn air ticket in their events. This year I am hoping to Raewyn of Seldovia Fishing Adventures costs associated with medical and travel instead of the Hunt Alaska subscription finally get back to the Valdez Women’s who offer chartered halibut and salmon expenses for Alaskans with cystic fibrosis. if you prefer. We have lots of specials for Derby on August 11 and before then my fishing, lovely accommodations and They also provide scholarships for young varying lengths of subscriptions to Fish family is planning to spend Maizie’s 4th birthday at Eagle’s Rest RV Park and to fish in the Kid’s Pink Salmon Derby on July 21. Go see the folks from Valdez, pick up one of their magnets, get derby dates on your calendar and enter their drawing for a free pink salmon charter during the Kid’s derby. From May 19 through September 2 they run the halibut derby and then from July 21 through September 2 there is the overall Silver Salmon Derby. Prizes are incredible and it is loads of fun. Upstairs in the south side mezzanine find the representatives from the Alaska Monster Moose Transporters LLC offering both all-inclusive and bare-bones packages that are self-guided, drop- off hunts. Make arrangements to hunt their private land with a healthy moose population. Alaska Monster Moose Transporters is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Deloycheet, Inc. Before you head out on a moose hunt to Holy Cross, or any remote outdoor activity, make sure you’ve rented or purchased a satellite phone from The Surveyor’s Exchange in Anchorage or Fairbanks. We’ve worked with their great folks for years and it’s where we go when we need airtime for our Iridium that we bought there years ago. Whether you just need to rent a satellite phone for moose camp or a float fishing trip or if you need to buy one for year-round use, talk to The Alaska, Hunt Alaska or both plus bonus dipnetting techniques for dipping the Show. JETECH is pleased to offer these Find an indoor display for Camper content found online for subscribers. Copper and then once you’ve brought unique boats that use a patented tunnel Valley RV featuring their factory rep Marcus and I would love to have you stop the fish on aboard they assist you by to provide maximum accessibility with from Travel Lite RV. They are showing off by our booths to visit. We appreciate your removing fish from nets, clubbing, gilling minimum risk to your jet motor. They their ultra light trailers for half ton trucks support reading and contributing to our and clipping fins and you can spend more are transportable, have an unmatched pay and tow behind options. Check out their magazines for many years and we’d love time with your net in the water. They offer load and come at a price that make them Sport Show pricing so you can get out and to thank you in person. Come see us at morning, afternoon and evening charters. an excellent value compared to aluminum enjoy more this year. booths 116-117. Stop at booth 368 to meet owner Mark jet boats or any other inflatable jet boat Have you been considering an Achilles Spencer. Ask about a Sportsman Show on the market today. Sizes range from brand inflatable boat because of their Ben Boeke 1 Special of $299 per person to fish on 14- to 16 feet and are made to pair with proven four-layered fabric reinforced with Over in Boeke 1 there are a bunch of great Friday, Saturday or Sunday or a discount 25- to 50-hp jet outboards. Visit Jim from Achilles CSM fabric? Then stop and see businesses to see. At the Sportsman’s of $249 to fishing Monday through JETECH LLC in Ben Boeke 1 in booths boating veteran Wade Huls from Alaska Warehouse booth you’ll find great Thursday. You can book four spots and 306-308 to learn more. H20 Sports. Wade let us know that pricing on clothing and boots, plus some add a fifth any day of the week and add a Also in Boeke 1 stop and see the buyers can save about 20% off costs by deeply discounted clearance items. Make fifth spot for $175. folks from Alaska Diesel Electric who purchasing boats in stock or pre-ordering sure to grab a $10 or $30 off coupon Another idea for a day trip that is offer personalized sales and service on at the Sportsman show. Don’t forget you from Sportsman’s Warehouse. They’ll be different than the run of the mill is to go everything from off-grid power for your can save an extra $50 by presenting their handing out a mix of these for later use in razor clamming across the bay with the remote cabin or lodge to marine generators ad from the February or March issues of their stores. folks from Bottom Line Charters fishing and diesel engines for your vessel. Their Fish Alaska magazine. At booth 301 in the Boeke 1 you’ll out of Ninilchik and Anchor Point. In business is focused on service and they are Regal Air is an Anchorage-based air find Alaska Distributor Dewey Halverson addition to quality fishing charters for the ones to call if you have power issues taxi and flightseeing company established eager to tell you about a product line called halibut, salmon, lingcod, rockfish and no matter where you are in Alaska. Their in 1982 that offers year-round flightseeing Roving Blue that uses ozone to purify yellow eye they also offer these cool day service staff will travel to the most remote and taxi services to Alaskans and visitors. any water into drinkable water. Ozone trips for clams as well as bear viewing. See locations in order to help keep the power They have an unsurpassed safety record and is more effective than chlorine at killing Captain Ernie at the show and receive on. Alaska Diesel Electric’s big news is that uphold the most stringent maintenance toxins and sanitizing water. When the task 15% off your booking. they are now selling Yanmar marine diesel practices as well as hire only the most is complete ozone reverts back to oxygen It’s so exciting to see new concepts in engines made for boats of most sizes from experienced flight crew. Highly respected within minutes and then dissipates for the the outdoor world and this year a local sport fishing pleasure boats to commercial by customers, Regal Air is a great option cleanest sanitation agent available. Roving Alaskan has formed a new company called crafts. Yanmar is a popular choice for for your fly-in fishing trips, hunting drop Blue products include a pen-size device JETECH LLC to bring a revolutionary repowering because of their compact size, offs, and air taxi services. They are offering called the O-Pen that purifies one glass of jet tunnel inflatable boat design to market high power-to-weight ratio, smooth and a Sport Show special price to fly-out to water at a time and is great for individual that he is debuting at the Sportsman quiet operation, and reliability. the Talachulitna River or Lake Creek for a use in the backcountry or when traveling. Roving Blue products range in size up to the “MVP” that can purify water for up to 160 people a day. They have solutions for your home, lodge and in the field. Dewey Halverson and Serine Reeves are the Alaska distributors for Roving Blue products. Come learn more about the power of ozone at the show. Ashbreez Boatworks, located in Anchorage, is a versatile, multifaceted boat repair facility that is capable of a wide range of projects, from major boat repairs, fiberglass repairs, topside repainting and refinishing, marine system installations and much more. Check them out at Booth 349 and 350 in Ben Boeke 1. You may have seen their aluminum St. Elias 28 outside in the boat display area. Ashbreez is also pleased to announce that they are an authorized dealer and warranty station for the new Optimus 360 joystick control system and Electronic Pilot System (EPS) for outboards by Seastar. For many Alaskans the mission is filling the freezer so they often turn to dipnetting when our huge runs of salmon flood the rivers. Maximize your families’ time on the water by hiring AK eXpeditions for a Copper River dipnetting adventure for sockeye, kings or silvers. Get right on the fish and focus on fishing while AK eXpeditions’ guide drives the boat and helps you process fish. They demonstrate float fishing trip or hunt. The cost starts at fishing trips departing from their private operated by Tim Bouchard and his wife interest in law enforcement visit with the the outdoor lifestyle is cuisine for family and horsepower, and cargo capacity that $700 per person for roundtrip air to either dock just 200 yards from Sitka’s protected Diana. All of their captains have many Alaska State Troopers at the Sport Show. and friends on the table. Compliment all really appeals to people who hunt and fish. location. They are also offering 25% off to water . Each boat is outfitted with years of experience in Prince William As Alaskans we eat, breath and sleep your hard-earned, well-processed fish and Interesting products for sportsmen Alaska residents for bear viewing trips to rods, reels, tackle, downriggers, depth Sound and love what they do. They fishing and hunting and we also decorate game with international flavors brought to abound at the Sportsman Show and Lake Clark National Park for the month finder, GPS, charts, and safety gear. A have multiple boats that provide salmon our homes with animals, carvings, furs, Alaska by Glacier Bear Gourmet owner that’s the case at the A.M.S Incorporated of May. Stop and see them at the show. combination fishing and hotel package charters or halibut and and local arts. In booth 325 artist and Colleen David. Colleen is a regular Alaska booth where they specialize in outdoor Perhaps you are working on a remote with the Westmark in Sitka is available. charters. They also guide for sea ducks carver Robbie Younkins of Danger Island show exhibitor who offers a wide variety equipment. Check out the amazing Tetra- fishing or hunting trip to Kodiak Island It’s cool that we bring in outfits from all and offer rental boats for DIY adventures. Studios is selling his very cool one-of-a- of barbecue sauces, a dozen types of hot pod trailer that flips into a boat! Marvel at for this season. If so then we highly over the state for the Sportsman Show and At the show Valdez Outfitters is offering kind wildlife carvings and he is offering sauces, pepper jellies, pickled garlics, the Bristol chainsaw attachments that turn recommend Andrew Airways for your this year our friends Justin Crump and a “Buy the Boat Special” for halibut and $5 off as a Show Special for carvings that spices, rubs, sauces and more. At the your chainsaw into a wood drill, fogger, flying needs. Andrew Airways operates Danny Frank from Frigate Adventure rockfish for the cost of $1500 for May and begin at just $40 each. From rainbow Sportsman Show Colleen is running a post hole digger, water pump, cut-off saw a fleet of three Dehavilland Beavers, one Travel are coming to the show to let folks June. You can fish up to 6 people. They are trout to yellow eye, bears, moose, and special offer of 5 for $40 on spices and 3 or small boat motor! They also provide Turbine Beaver, one Cessna 206, all on know about the exciting king fishing also offering 10% off all charters in June eagles, show your fervor for Alaska in your for $40 on pepper jellies that are $15 each. utility trailers for ATV’s. floats and two Piper Saratogas on wheels. day trips on the Nushagak they provide. and 10% off rental boats for May and home, office or cabin. For fans of the hot stuff there are two new In conjunction with Sportsman’s Their pilots boast a total of 60 years Fishing on the Nushagak is epic and there June. Come down and fish the derbies While the Sportsman Show has no spicy jellies. Warehouse Jumping Jack Trailers will be of Alaskan flying experience and keep are still dates available in the prime of with Valdez Outfitters. They will also shortage of outdoor adventure sometimes on display in the Boeke 2. These heavy- constant vigilance on the locations of the king season open to fishing Alaska’s largest have their custom jig and halibut tackle it’s what’s indoors that we need to get Ben Boeke 2 duty jump-up trailers can carry ATVs and magnificent wildlife that inhabit Kodiak, run of kings with their expert guides. You available at the show. done in order to get us back outdoors. The Boeke 2 displays are all about the toys. all your gear on the road then convert into the Alaska Peninsula, and the adjacent can fly out for a day trip or stay overnight While you are touring the Ben Boeke And that’s Len Awe’s point of view From drift boats to side by sides, see the a tent for a comfortable living space in the islands. In addition to bear viewing and and fish for a couple days. Guided fishing stop and talk with the Alaska State from Quality Restorations, a kitchen, Alaska recreational vehicle dealers offering outdoors. They are very popular, especially scenic flight seeing tours, these folks are trips are $325 per person per day for a Troopers who are reaching out to outdoor bathroom and home contracting business great deals at the show. during the Sport Show where they usually your best asset when it comes to remote minimum number of four people and enthusiasts looking to hire quality in Anchorage. Len runs a fully licensed Some of the best drift boats and power run a special discount. Stop and talk with fishing and hunting on Kodiak. Visit with Frigate Travel can also help arrange your people for available positions. A trooper and insured home improvement business drifters on the market are made by the folks from Jumping Jack for details. lodging. Frigate Travel is owned by Justin could work in any number of sectors: and attends the Sport Show so he can Clackacraft. Stop and see Jake and Roger Andrew Airways’ pilots at booth 310 and Whatever your needs are for this year’s Crump and Kate Taylor, two top Bristol rural law enforcement, highway law help get the honey do list done and get for a close-up look at these superior drift register to win 25% off your total charter adventures you’ll be sure to find it at the Bay fishing guides. They also provide trips enforcement, urban and near-urban law fishers and hunters back outside. Stop boats that fear no rock! cost. Great Alaska Sportsman Show. The 2018 on the Naknek and guided fly-out fishing enforcement, drug investigations, major and talk projects with Len from Quality Get the medicine for your spring fever If getting out of town is the plan then event is sure to be outstanding. All of us throughout Bristol Bay. crime investigations or become a wildlife Restorations at booth 315. He is offering from the team at Alaska Mining & Diving consider a DIY adventure to Sitka. Home are eager to see you there. to some of the best saltwater fishing in One of our favorite places to fish trooper to aid helping protect Alaska’s $750 off a full bathroom remodel and by checking out the sweet rides from Alaska, Sitka gets a healthy flow of fish is Valdez and specifically with Valdez natural resources. Being a trooper is for $500 off a tub or walk-in shower install as Can Am including side by sides like the through their waters. Fish Baranof rents Outfitters. Their crew is top notch and we people with great integrity and courage to a Sport Show Special. Defender XT Cab with a fully enclosed cab Melissa Norris is Publisher of Fish Alaska boats for self-guided salmon and halibut are big fans. They are family owned and perform in the line of duty. If you have an For most of us the real end game for for all-season comfort, superior payload and Hunt Alaska magazines. Fishewear Fly Box Grundéns Weather Watch Pullover www.fishewear.com Hi-Vis Yellow This new fly box from FisheWear www.shop.grundens.com Beckman Fishing Nets Yukon Rack combines style with function. The Weather Watch Hi-Vis pullover The outer is made from EVA jacket is a great choice for anglers who www.beckmanfishingnets.com www.yukonrack.com Beckman is back. The legendary The Yukon Rack is a durable (ethylene-vinyl acetate) which gives want waterproof, breathable protection it a rubber-like feel in softness and with an added measure of safety. Beckman fishing nets have returned bunk bed / cot built in Alaska for better than ever. In the 1960s, Milo outdoorsman in Alaska. At only 37 flexibility, and also offers waterproof This hooded jacket is tailored from qualities and low-temperature Hi-Vis yellow polyester fabric with Beckman believed landing nets should pounds, the Yukon Rack is one of be durable, strong, long-lasting, easy the lightest bunk cots available. The toughness. 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April 2018 www.FishAlaskaMagazine.com 33 LaDonna McCray of Oklahoma with a nice Homer halibut in June 2016. Karen Todd with a bright winter king in Kachemak Bay out of Homer, AK, back in April 2017. Daniel Smith of Kodiak, AK, with a nice silver caught in Roslyn Creek at Chiniak.

Juan Campos of Lompoc, CA, landed this 50-pound halibut while fishing in Clarence Strait in August 2017.

Chris Cole with a Memorial Day king salmon caught on the Little Su in 2017.

Heather Smith Matt Sugita and his son Terren, 16, of of Yuba City, Anchorage with a beautifully colored Arctic CA, and her char Matt caught recently while ice fishing guide present on Big Lake with Terren’s friend Hayden Fox. their catch out of Yakutat Lodge on the Situk River in June 2017.

Hayden Fox, 15, and Terren Sugita, 16, both of Anchorage with a healthy Arctic char Hayden caught while ice fishing on Big Lake in January.

Rylieh Bodyfelt of Fairbanks is hooked after she caught this grayling on her first-ever fly-fishing attempt from Delta Clearwater. Send us Your Fishing Photos! E-mail hi-res .jpeg photos to: [email protected]. Subject Line: FFC. Please include vital caption information in the e-mail. Ethan and Ed Berman of Chappaqua, NY, We will let you know when your photo will with a beautiful king on the Goodnews River appear in the magazine. in July 2017. weren’t the slack line “push” bites that are Trolling spinners are really effective often associated with spinner trolling but when outfitted with singles! just a quick, soft tap on the rod like the Try Single-Hooked Salmon sinker hit a high spot on the bottom. Spinners Story & photos by JD Richey Casting Spinners While that was the first time I had tried When I’m guiding kings out in Southwest trolling single-hooked spinners, I’ve done a every summer, we catch a lot of salmon ton of casting with them and the results are while trolling spinners downstream. It’s pretty compelling as well. an incredibly effective method but I’m When silver fishing in the fall, we hook always on the lookout for ways to improve so many fish a day that I always run single, my game. barbless hooks on my lures. There’s just no Sometimes taking yourself to the next need for more than one hook when the fish level requires major changes, but when it are that thick! I have fished alongside many comes to dragging spinners downhill, one other guides who still insist on using treble very simple tweak paid huge dividends. All I did was change out my hooks. Most factory salmon spinners come armed with big, burly treble hooks and those work okay. My major issue with trebles is how easily many fish can spit them out. It’s pretty crazy how a Chinook can absolutely crush a spinner, make a mad So, a couple of summers ago I began became apparent that there was no need dash for Bristol Bay and then magically messing with trolling spinners armed to go back. Out of dozens upon dozens of come off. The other thing about trebles with single, barbless hooks. The nice hookups, I can clearly remember the two that I don’t particularly care for is the fact thing about Alaska is there are lots of “test fish we lost on the single hooked models. that they can be a pain to get out of a fish’s subjects” around so it’s not usually a big They stand out…because after landing Single-hooked spinners make sense when jaw. Obviously that’s not a big issue on deal if some experiment doesn’t pan out as so many I was shocked when the single there are lots of silvers around. kings that are headed for the cooler, but it planned. You can always go back to the old hook would let us down. Pretty much would be nice to be able to quickly unhook way if you need to. every king we landed on those things was hooks and we seem to always catch more fish that are going to be released. In the case of single hooks, it quickly pinned deep into the corner of the jaw— than them. perfect placement for keeping fish hooked. That’s not because I have some super- That, of course, is an excellent hooking secret lure that the coho like better. Nope, location for fishing, too, I think it has a lot more to do with the as I was able to easily slide those barbless fact that I can more quickly release fish singles out of the fish without handling hooked on a single. Bottom line: Those them. Fish hooked in the jaw corner also guys spend less time fishing because it takes have an extremely high rate of survival them longer to unhook fish—especially when released. thrashing, rolling silvers. Now, the question that is probably The other factor is that I think the singles popping into your heads—especially simply hold better in this application. I those of you who are single hook skeptics believe that sometimes trebles actually end —is how many bites did we miss on the up canceling each other out—one point singles vs. trebles. Sure, I landed the ones may be in a good spot for hooking but it I hooked…but how many did I miss can’t burrow deep into the jaw because the entirely? two other points are fighting one another Well, after a ton of side-by-side testing to gain purchase. Additionally, trebles (one rod with a treble and one with a typically have pretty short shanks, which siwash), I can honestly say it was a wash. can also keep them from digging into a We converted a high number of bites with fish’s mouth. both methods. Of course, we also missed Singles, however, have nothing to some with both as well. The misses are impede their penetration and that often the interesting part. I did quite a bit of results in better hook-ups. underwater filming with a camera rigged Anyway, that’s my two cents’ worth. in-line looking backwards towards the Give single hooks on your salmon spinners spinners. The videos revealed that many a try this season and let me know what kings actually grabbed and released the you think! spinner in the blink of an eye. Regardless of hook type, we rarely stuck those fish. There was a lot of other really interesting stuff to be learned by rolling underwater JD Richey is a contributing editor for Fish video—especially the number of bites that Alaska magazine. You can always keep we got that were mistaken for bottom up with what he’s doing (@fishwithjd) on bounces or Dolly Varden nibbles. They Instagram, YouTube and Facebook. 36 www.FishAlaskaMagazine.com April 2018 April 2018 www.FishAlaskaMagazine.com 37 Proposal 238 which the Board of Fish itself crafted to require DWR’s succinctly spells out the challenge: Rockfish morphology and physiology makes effective release of rockfish difficult, Rockfish Deepwater Release Devices since survival after release is often reduced by barotrauma (caused by decompression Deep water release devices to safely release rockfish will become and expansion of gases in the swim bladder) which occurs in rockfish caught in water standard equipment in Alaska. depths greater than 60 feet. When released at the surface, rockfish often do not have the Story by Lee Leschper, Photo courtesy of EcoLesser ability to submerge unassisted. A deep water release mechanism (DWR) is a tool that allows rockfish to be released at depth versus at the surface and significantly increases “Nice one!” the likelihood of survival. Under current PWS sport fishing regulations, anglers can use It’s a celebratory cry heard thousands of times a week during Alaska summers, as lovely a DWR to reduce mortality of released rockfish, but it is not required. Recent Board deep-water fish are reeled to the surface. But in the case of rockfish, that beautiful of Fisheries actions in December 2017 reduced the bag limit of nonpelagic rockfish to fish comes aboard looking like something from a horror movie, with bulging eyes and one fish and repealed the mandatory retention requirement of anglers to retain the first stomach protruding from its mouth. rockfish caught as part of the bag limit of the person originally hooking the fish. For eons, a caught rockfish has been a dead rockfish, unable to stand the rapid The board could have made the rule statewide in its January meeting, but chose to pressure change from 100 or even 200 feet deep to the surface. Called barotrauma, it’s table it until March to get the word out to Alaska anglers. As this is going to press, the deadly expansion of fish organs brought on by the rapid reduction in pressure as the board will meet in Anchorage in early March and is expected to vote on requiring the fish is brought from the depths to the surface. Every rockfish went in the box, or for DWRs for Prince William Sound as well. anglers already limited, it went back to feed the gulls or crabs—which is a waste every “The desire is not to set responsible angler hates. rigid regulations on anglers,” Today, the Alaska Fish and Game Sport Fish Division is spearheading a drive to said Sport Fisheries Division save most of those fish, by releasing them back at a depth where they can recover. And Director Tom Brookover. everybody should win, including the rockfish. Instead the goal is to educate Rockfish are a group of many varieties of deep water fish that typically hang tight to and encourage anglers to structure, grow and reproduce slowly, are aggressive feeders, are great to eat and easy embrace using the devices, to to catch. They’re grouped into pelagic and non-pelagic varieties—basically those that both save more fish and avoid travel and those that stick to one rock their whole lives. regulations that would limit Rockfish that don’t travel are especially vulnerable to . angler opportunity. They’ve become popular bonus species for Alaska anglers for a long time, but the Beyond the law, embracing tasty bottom fish have received dramatically more fishing pressure as tighter limits on DWRs is important for the charter halibut and salmon have sent fishermen looking for new options. resource. Rockfish are a It’s great for anglers and charter operators to have rockfish to catch and keep to help wonderful sport and food fill the void created by reduced halibut limits. It’s bad for the rockfish, though, that fish. They are a favorite eating by their very nature can’t survive being caught and released without special attention. fish in Alaska waters. But More fishing pressure, and the certain death for nonpelagics, has raised concern that because they grow slowly, are rockfish will be fished out in a few years without more protection. The effects of barotrauma are evident in the bulging aggressive and easily caught, While new traditional forms of restrictions are on the table, using a Deep Water eyes and protruding stomach of this deepwater and can be fished out of an rockfish. Using a DWR tool, like the RokLees Fish Release Device (DWR) to quickly plunge the fish back to the depths and release it Descending Device pictured here, will help save easily found piece of bottom safely, may be a more novel and effective approach to conserving rockfish populations. rockfish that would otherwise perish. structure, they require more Biologists say as much as 90 percent of rockfish will survive if quickly returned to careful treatment. deep water via a weighted device that carries the rockfish back to the depths and releases Finally, rockfish conservation is important for anglers. The only way to avoid more it there. and more restrictive limits on rockfish, as happened with halibut and other species, is Alaska saltwater anglers will need to learn to use DWRs, designed to give rockfish a to protect and conserve the resource. Releasing fish safely is a big part of that. fighting chance at survival when caught and released, just as we’ve learned to use other Options the Board of Fish has considered include reducing rockfish bag and modern tackle. possession limits, prohibiting charter operators and crew from keeping rockfish, and There are store-bought DWRs that clip or hook onto the fish’s lip, then rapidly with a even closing entire areas to fishing for rockfish. If concerns for the species continues pound or two of weight carry it back to the bottom. A quick tug unhooks the fish and, despite DWRs, those could still be on the table. in most cases, it quickly readjusts to the bottom pressure and survives. Using DWRs is an opportunity for anglers to protect their right to fish for rockfish A very serviceable version can be crafted from a 24-ounce halibut jig head. Simply in the future. Think about other species that we used to handle roughly, but now accept file off the barb on the jig and attach it to a cord or leader to the bend, not the eye, of responsibility for tender care to keep them alive while being released. This is why king the hook. To use it, simply hook the just-landed rockfish to the device and drop it back salmon to be released must be kept in the water; it’s why we quit fishing once we keep a into the water, free spooling the rig 100 feet deep or to the bottom. It seems descending king; it’s why we wet our hands before touching a fish to be released; and it’s why we use the rockfish to 100 feet or deeper is critical to the process. With the line attached to the rubber nets for rainbow trout and Dolly Varden, to keep the net from removing bend of the hook, a quick tug pulls the hook loose and releases the rockfish back where protective slime and scales, as cotton and nylon nets do. it came from and where it can readjust safely to the pressure. This brings us to a final perspective. Many of the big rockfish, especially yelloweyes, There is a great video on the ADF&G website under “how to videos,” demonstrating are ancient, often older than the fisherman that catches them. They are still great to eat, how to use a deep water release, and showing the rockfish quickly and strongly swimming but they are also a rare creature that takes many decades to replace. away when released at 100 feet. You can see the video, titled Rockfish Conservation at: Imagine a day when the ethical thing to do is to keep smaller pelagic rockfish to www.adfg.alaska.gov/indexcfm?adfg=Fishing SportFishAK.howToVideos eat, while carefully releasing and preserving these great, non-pelagic, old fish. Imagine ADF&G is investing in the devices for anglers and will be giving away perhaps 2,000 our grandchildren having the opportunity to keep fishing for strong populations of of the devices to anglers over the next two years, Sport Fish Information Officer Ryan rockfish. That would be a new day, indeed, for Alaska fishing. Ragan says. DWRs will soon become the law in Alaska. The Alaska Board of Fish voted in January to require DWRs on all boats fishing Southeast Alaska waters beginning in 2020, and as this goes to press, are considering Lee Leschper is an Anchorage outdoor writer, writing for over 40 years and publishes requiring them on more Alaska salt waters. AlaskaOutdoorDigest.com. Email him at [email protected]. April 2018 www.FishAlaskaMagazine.com 39 Step 12: Tie in Stonefly Back No. 2. The orange that you see is just a rubber twist tie Materials: used to hold the rubber legs out of your way. Hook: Daiichi 1730-10 Stoneflies Beadhead: 5/32 Gold Bead Story and photos by Mike Brown Body: Medium V-Rib Yellow Dubbing: Hareline Ice Dub Golden Brown When it comes to trout fishing in Alaska, egg Wing Casing: Pro Sportfisher Pro Stonefly Step 3: Restart your thread behind your patterns, flesh and big streamers are the typical bead and tie your rubber legs to the top Nymphback Small Olive soup de jour commonly associated with Alaska of the hook shank. Pulling the legs tight, Legs: Hareline Grizzly Barred Rubber Legs fishing. But, when we are targeting trout the and at a slight downward angle will help in Fl. Yellow Chartreuse Step 13: Tie in more of your dubbing, again foods those flies represent aren’t present all the keeping them on top of the shank. Tie back Lead Wire: .020 building a little bump to increase taper. time. So, what are they feeding on? Yes, mice of to approximately just behind the hook barb. Thread: Veevus 8/0 Light Cahill course, but they also feed on bugs just like they do everywhere else trout are pursued, and we have aquatic bugs and insects just like the rest of the world. One of my personal favorite bugs to tie and fish are stoneflies. We have eight different types of stoneflies in Alaska. Forestflies/Little Brown Step 4: Wrap your wire behind the bead Step 14: Tie in Stonefly Back No. 3. This will head to just past the bend in the hook. require a little variance from how it’s designed Stoneflies, Golden Stoneflies, Needleflies/ Now push your lead into the bead head, Rolledwinged Stoneflies, Sallflies (this is the Step 9: Take a very small amount of your to lay out. Position the back where it needs to this will tighten up the bead. dubbing and wrap a couple turns over the be. You will be tying it down right about at the state’s most rich stonefly family, with 23 different bump of your rubber legs. two black eyes printed on the Stonefly Back. species), Salmonflies/Giant Stoneflies, Snowflies/ Slender Winter Stoneflies, Stripetail and Springfly Stoneflies and Willowflies. So yeah, we have a lot of just stones alone to figure out. The list of aquatic insects goes on from here. Step 5: Wrap your thread up and secure I picked a golden stone, because it’s a go- the lead down securely. As you wrap to pattern for me in the spring. This style of back towards where you stopped on pattern can be tied in all kinds of sizes and color the legs, build a nice little transition taper variations. There are so many styles of patterns to behind the lead. This will give you an even Step 10: Now we are going to start using Step 15: Tie in just a little bit of dubbing to cover the small gap to finish it off. Whip finish tie for stone imitations and I just find them all fun transition from body to the thorax. the Pro Sport Fisher Stonefly Backs. When you open them up, you will notice each and glue. and creative. Hope you enjoy this tutorial. set is numbered 1, 2 and 3. Obviously No. 1 is the first one you will use. The legs that you tie down are designed to give you A lifelong Alaskan with a passion for family, correct proportions for your finish. Since fly-fishing and fly-tying, Mike Brown is the owner we are using a beadhead No. 3 will be altered. I use a pair of tweezers to hold the of Mossy’s Fly Shop in Anchorage, AK. Step 6: Tie in your V-Rib. I like to cut the end backs, this makes placing them simple. of the V-Rib at an angle, this gives you a Holding No. 1 in place, tie the leg portion nice even transition to your first wrap. On of the back to the top of the shank. Your a golden stone, I like to put a few brown back should be propped up against the dots on the thread that has already been small amount of dubbing you tied in. wrapped on the shank; this gives it a Step 16: Trim all the legs to the desired realistic look under the yellow V-Rib. lengths that you like. I tend to vary these lengths from fly to fly just to give options for Step 1: Slide your bead on the hook and those picky fish days. start your thread right behind the hook eye. Finished fly.

Step 7: Wrap your V-Rib up to just behind the lead wire and tie off. Step 11: Move forward from the back just Step 2: Take one full length rubber legs and a little bit and tie in both sets of rubber legs. fold it in half. Put the loose ends through the I cut these legs about 2” long. Position the bead and pull the loop end of the rubber legs centered on each side of the shank. legs within approximately 1” from the hook Repeat the dubbing behind, over and a eye. Fasten the rubber legs down right behind little in front of the legs. You want to make the hook eye. Wrap your thread back a little Step 8: Tie in your rear legs. You want these this dubbing ball a little bigger than the longer than the bead is wide. Whip finish and to V backwards and to be centered on one in step 9 to create a nice taper for the slide bead down to hook eye. each side of the hook shank. thorax. Kayak Fishing Story by Troy Buzalsky

Growing up in the Pacific Northwest has created many outdoor adventure memories. Some were brought to the forefront while watching my favorite Saturday sport show, ABC’s Wide World of Sports. If you’re from my generation you certainly remember “The thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat,” including the epic ski crash, Sea Eagle boats allow anglers to access more water and catch more fish. but what I remember most were the © Sea Eagle. endless outdoor adventures showcasing sporting activities from around the world. I specifically remember the first time I saw the small, one person The market line-up for Sea Eagle with Scotty Rod Holders. watercraft called a kayak. The skilled includes inflatable kayaks, catamarans, This super portable, solo fishing kayak boaters were navigating some of the boats, canoes, and stand-up paddle can also be used as a two passenger most serious class IV & V whitewater boards (SUPs). In the kayak line vessel in lakes, rivers, bays, and ponds in the world, crashing through chutes, the 350fx and 385fta are designed when not fishing; just replace the Sea pools, and waterfalls, and at times using specifically for anglers, and the FS126 Eagle Swivel Seat Fish Rig with two their trademark “Eskimo Roll”. is Sea Eagle’s answer to a stand-up Sea Eagle Deluxe Inflatable Seats or Kayaks have evolved greatly since paddleboard that serves as a versatile Tall Back Seats and you’re ready to go. their early beginnings, and today’s fishing platform. The FastTrack Angler has always been kayaks have been developed to increase The 385fta FastTrack Angler Series a great kayak for calm water paddling, fishing prospects including rivers, lakes, inflatable kayak was introduced in fishing and sailing, but now it’s also bays and inlets, and even into the open 2017 and is designed to be the most a true fishing machine. Anglers and waters of the ocean, targeting warm practical fishing kayak on the market. outdoor enthusiasts that are looking for water crappie and bass; cold water Built on the roomy but manageable a low maintenance, easy-to-use, stable salmon, trout, steelhead and sturgeon; 12’6” long x 36” wide footprint with and durable fishing kayak that packs and saltwater rockfish, halibut, lingcod, the ability to carry 635 pounds. The down small for easy transportation and and even billfish. FastTrack Angler features a patented storage should definitely take a look at Today’s kayaks can be classified and state-of-the-art external, rigid, the new FastTrack 385fta Angler. into three categories, or what I have inflatable NeedleKnife Keel making for The newly released inflatable 350fx dubbed the ‘Three P’s’ of propulsion: a faster, smoother paddling experience. Fishing Explorer from Sea Eagle is a Paddle, Pedal, and Power. This column Designed with the angler in mind, rugged, ultra-portable kayak for anglers will examine two top-of-the-line the spray skirts feature cut-outs in the everywhere. Measuring in at 11’6” fishing-specific kayak manufactures, front and back designed to keep your and 39” wide, the Fishing Explorer is Sea Eagle and Hobie, along with kayak- most trusted lures, knives and tools specifically designed as a one-person specific fishing products from Scotty close at hand, as well as providing two fishing machine. The Fishing Explorer and Tempress. integrated rod holder bases to keep is manufactured with 1000 denier your rods in place and accessible. reinforced PVC and strengthened with Sea Eagle The durable, 1000 denier reinforced 2000 denier reinforced PVC on the side Sea Eagle Boats, located in Port PVC has been fortified with thick of the tubes where it’s most needed. Jefferson, New York, has been crocodile-patterned EVA on both tubes Featuring three air chambers and a manufacturing quality inflatable kayaks and on the drop stitch floor for added removable, double layer, high pressure since 1968. Think about that—50 protection against sharp objects, spiny drop stitch floor with non-slip EVA years building inflatable boats—you fins, and fish hooks. There’s a built in 36- foam padding, this kayak is as practical could certainly call Sea Eagle a pioneer inch measuring tape on the starboard as it is bullet proof and is rated for Class in the inflatable watercraft world. Sea tube to allow for easy measuring of your IV whitewater. Eagle boats are primarily sold over big catch (and keep you honest) and an Combining the proven design of the Internet through various dealers, elastic cord at both ends to hold gear the Sea Eagle Explorer and the fishing and can also be ordered directly from along with 18 D-rings to secure more prowess of the FastTrack Angler, www.SeaEagle.com. gear or Sea Eagle’s Swivel Seat Fish Rig the new 350fx Fishing Explorer has everything the serious angler needs 350fx is also ideal for accompanying to turn a good day on the water into you on your next fly-out adventure. a great day fishing and exploring. The 385fta, 350fx and FS126 SUP The Fishing Explorer features large all utilize drop stich construction. tubes for extra buoyancy and superior Drop stitch construction is more than stability when standing to cast or just a fancy phrase; it’s a high tech reeling in a fighting fish. The floor process utilizing thousands (if not system includes an open & close self- millions) of fine polyester threads that bailing floor system to keep you dry in are sewn into the floor’s top and bottom calm waters and let water out quickly creating a two-ply inter-woven fabric and easily as needed. Being designed as that virtually locks in the rigidity of a fishing platform, there are six built- the top and bottom. Once pressurized in rod holders, spray skirts with Sea with air it creates a super-rigid and Eagle’s accessory belts that hold tools, super-strong air chamber ideally suited lures and hooks, a built-in 40-inch fish for a boat or SUP floor. ruler, anchor trolley, adjustable foot Because safety matters, Sea Eagle is braces, EVA foam non-slip foot pad, a longtime member of the National 22 D-rings to secure gear and seats, Marine Manufacturers Association and a large, removable skeg. (NMMA), and are CE and ISO The 350fx Fishing Explorer can be certified. Sea Eagle backs their boats used with a double-ended paddle or with an impressive three-year warranty powered by an electric motor. The against manufacturing defects as well optional motor mount takes up to as an unheard of 180 day risk-free a 34-pound-thrust electric motor so trial period. you can quietly get to where the fish If you’re thinking of an inflatable, are. Another popular option is the Sea sometimes it’s nice to reflect on what Eagle Swivel Seat Fishing Rig which other owners are saying about the allows you to sit higher and it is pre- product. If you check out Sea Eagle’s Hobie kayaks are highly-specialized fishing tools that incorporate advanced configured for two Scotty rod holders. online reviews you will quickly see systems and smart features to make anglers even more effective. © Kayak The 350fx weighs only 51 pounds and a very strong five star rating with Fishing Oregon it folds up for easy transportation in heavy praise coming from Sea Eagle your trunk, RV, or pleasure craft. The boat owners.

Hobie The Hobie company emerged in 1950 through the efforts of Hobie Alter, who built his first surfboard in his parents’ California garage. By 1968 Hobie introduced the internationally acclaimed Hobie Cat 14, and in 1994 they introduced the Hobie Float Cat, marking the company’s first cast into the angling arena. In 1996 the Hobie Pursuit Kayak introduced a new generation of roto- molded polyethylene kayaks, and a year later the Hobie MirageDrive provided game-changing capability, turning the kayak from a paddle boat to a pedal boat. After reeling in victory after victory in advancement towards the ultimate kayak, the Hobie Mirage Pro Angler was introduced as Hobie’s first angler-specific kayak. Today’s angling world has embraced Hobie roto-molded kayaks, with the Outback and the Pro Angler 12 and 14 equipped with MirageDrive 180 being the most popular, according to Mark Cohen of Alaska Raft and Kayak. The Hobie Mirage Outback serves as the renowned design platform that helped propel the MirageDrive application into the hands and feet of

April 2018 www.FishAlaskaMagazine.com 45 avid anglers. The Outback is a time- 36 inches, 38 inches, and 43 inches. aluminum rail provides a strong and landings by simply pushing one pedal tested hull that is an ideal blend of The Pro Angler 12 weighs in at 128 corrosion-resistant mounting platform forward. New for 2018 are ARC cranks stability and smooth maneuverability, pounds fully rigged, has a 500-pound to effortlessly mount more gear in that adjust with the push of a button yet more nimble than ever thanks to the capacity, and fits easily in the back of more places, ideal for accessorizing to accommodate users from child size efficient, reverse-capable MirageDrive a pickup. The Pro Angler 14 weighs your kayak. The boat comes with a to tall adults. 180. Designed as a one- person kayak, in at 144 pounds rigged and could rear-mounted tracking skeg which pays While researching Hobie kayaks the Mirage Outback is 12’ 1” long and be considered a larger version of the dividends when covering long distances I caught up with kayak fishing guru 33” wide, with a carrying capacity of 12-foot model, with additional storage in challenging conditions. Michael Rischer, who owns and 400 pounds. When fully rigged the for tackle, rods and reels. The Pro The boat has user-friendly handles operates Kayak Fishing Oregon and boat weighs just under 100 pounds and Angler 17T is Hobie’s two-person integrated front and rear, and of course is also a member of Hobie Fishing is available in six different colors. fishing kayak. is equipped with the MirageDrive 180 team. “I love fishing from my Hobie The deck is designed around the Unique features to the Pro Angler with ST Turbo Fins for ultimate on kayak because they are silent and Vantage CT Seat system to maximize series include a front hatch with the water performance. The Pro Angler most of the time fish have no idea I’m stand-up space and storage. Cruise, removable liner, ideal for storing fish, is also equipped with the Lowrance- nearby because we don’t use motors, camp, or catch . . . The Outback is ice, bait, or any other accessory the ready thru-hull system, which makes but instead our feet, pedaling fins packed full of kayak fishing features angler needs. Built-in rod storage is adding any Lowrance transducer and that require very little effort and can including the Lowrance Ready System provided in the front and rear, and a simple task rather than an reach speeds of four to five miles an that makes sonar installation simple. there’s a large, sealed hatch mounted all-day project. hour for long periods of time. I also Standard features for the Outback conveniently under the kayaker’s legs, The MirageDrive 180 is Hobie’s love the fact that we don’t need to use include molded carrying handles, large which includes a tackle management bioengineered MirageDrive propulsion bulky trailers to haul our boats and bow hatch access, rod holder holsters, system with two conveniently stowed system for its kayaks. Launched in the they are light and durable enough dual 8-inch twist and seal hatches, tackle boxes. For seating, the Pro Angler mid-90’s it has literally revolutionized to throw on a car or in the back of a easy access rudder control, supersized features the Vantage ST seating system kayaking, especially for the avid angler. truck. Kayaks are way cheaper than rear cargo area with bungee tie-down which features Boa lumbar support Weighing in at under eight pounds, the fishing boats too, and with the right system, rear mounted rod holders, and technology for those long days on MirageDrive 180 produces full power practice and safety training can access Hobie’s Twist and Stow Rudder. the water. in both forward and reverse and offers most of the same water. We ALWAYS The Mirage Pro Angler line takes over The rear cargo area is oversized and unprecedented maneuverability. The dress using dry suits, PFD’s and carry where the Outback left off, catapulting has a built-in 8-inch Twist and Seal user can pull one of two shift cables radios, but it’s still way cheaper than the ultimate kayak into the ultimate Hatch for even more storage. Fingertip to pivot the fins 180 degrees, almost most of the other fishing options. Plus fishing machine. The Pro Angler series controlled steering is made easy with instantly from forward to reverse and we get a nice workout while we fish.” is available in 12-foot, 14-foot, and 17- dual side controls and the all-new back again. The dual fins provide For more information on Hobie’s line foot lengths with respective widths of Hobie H-Rail system’s extruded shallow water access and easy shore of fish-friendly kayaks for Alaska visit www.alaskaraftandkayak.com.

Scotty Sixty-five years of quality innovation and customer service sums up what Scotty Plastics LTD has been to the and its international spectrum of anglers. Located in Sidney, British Columbia, Scotty features an array of fish-friendly products from downriggers to rod holders to kayak stabilizers. Yes, I said kayak stabilizers; in fact Scotty has an entire line of kayak-friendly accessories guaranteed to turn your ordinary kayak into a true fishing machine. A true kayaking angler needs to maximize every square inch on their small fishing platform. This is where Scotty excels, having already brainstormed and designed products specific for fishing kayakers. In this column I am going to equip my vintage Mokai kayak with a host of Scotty accessories that will certainly make my days on the water fishing more efficient, more effective, and quite frankly, more fun. Many kayakers realize as soon as they stand up to cast that their kayak is more like a tippy canoe than a stable fishing platform. Scotty’s inflatable Kayak

46 www.FishAlaskaMagazine.com April 2018 April 2018 www.FishAlaskaMagazine.com 47 visible you are, and the last thing you serve as rocket launchers for unused comfort in mind, the ProBax was want is to be run over by another vessel. fishing rods. carefully engineered by a team of US The Triple Rod Holder Board will Additional Scotty items specific for spinal surgeons and ergonomic experts be added to my kayak’s helm station kayak fishing include downriggers, to create a seat clinically proven to and will serve as the location for the kayak bilge pumps, lanyards, rod holder provide optimal long term back and fish finder display, camera mount, extensions, paddle clips, and even first upper body support. The first time and cup holder. The beauty is that the aid and safety kits. Bottom line, for my I saw the ProBax I knew it looked plug-and-play capability makes for easy next adventure on the water I will be different, but it was the first time I sat accessorizing with anything deemed Scotty equipped, which means I will be in one that I could feel the difference. essential for that day on the water, like more efficient and more effective, while The ProBax makes long days on the the other day when I used the bait table having more fun. And if you ask my water that much better. to hold my lunch. wife, most importantly, I’ll be safer. TEMPRESS supplies boat builders I’d be terribly negligent to not a plethora of accessories that include mention the need to add Scotty Tempress Products hatches, deck plates, and tackle boxes. Rod Holders to the list of fishing In the marine industry TEMPRESS TEMPRESS has creatively made accessories. Rod holders must be is synonymous with a made in the accessing storage and cubby-holes strategically mounted for the best USA fold-down fishing boat seat. In simple and efficient. Included in fishing performance. Before mounting fact, both my drift boat and jet sled their line-up is a series of heavy duty a rod base or two you must consider are 100% equipped with TEMPRESS roto-molded hatch liners designed how you will be fishing. Trolling, on utilizing their Elite Helm Seat in one to be dropped in to add extra storage anchor, hover fishing, jigging, even and their High-Back NaviStyle Seat capability. They work well for dry or back-trolling? All these options create in the other. Since 1972, TEMPRESS wet storage, and with built-in places to differing needs. Scotty has the answer, has been a leader in the innovation, add drains and water intakes, they make with its Gear Head and Low Profile Slide manufacturing, and distribution of great live wells. Liners can be installed Track System, which gives the kayaker high-quality products that serve people horizontally or vertically depending on ultimate flexibility and adaptability for who fish, hunt, and boat worldwide. application and are available in various rod holder placement. Add a couple Included in their line of marine styles including the fishing friendly Scotty inflatable Kayak Stabilizers strategic Slide Track Systems installed and fish-friendly products you’ll find tackle storage design. dramatically increase the stability of port and starboard and your mounting a complete line-up of boat seats, There’s a name in the angling world your kayak and make it possible to possibilities are endless. I also add extra including the new Orthopedic ProBax that needs no introduction, and that’s comfortably stand. Plus they come the classic FISH-ON! Rod Holders by off easily when not needed. © Troy rod holders to the back of the kayak to Series. Designed with more than just Buzalsky Stabilizers provide you with a wide, tip- resistant stance which literally changes your ability from barely being able to stand and cast into a stable platform for all-day angling. And the best part is, the stabilizers can be quickly removed and stowed, allowing the kayak to ride as originally designed. Over the years I have configured several fishfinder contraptions, trying to position a transducer in the water without creating something that looked like it was put together with PVC pipe, bailing wire and duct tape. The Scotty Transducer Arm Mount works perfectly for my situation, allowing me to quickly and easily drop my transducer in the water via its pivoting arm system, just raise and lower as needed. And on those days when I’m not fishing, it’s quickly and easily removed. Last year on one of my favorite rivers there was a tragic accident when a fishing kayaker was struck by a powerboat. The kayaker had a short orange flag that did not serve as warning enough. To hopefully avoid winding up in the same situation, I’ll add the Scotty folding LED Sea Light to my kayak for increased visibility. Let’s face it, the smaller you are on the water, the less zippered pockets, water bottle pouch, and water tight chart/map pouch for easy viewing. X-Pak Fish N’ Tote is that ideal stern mounted organizer that features removable shoulder pads, removable liner, accessory pockets, and holds up to six tackle trays. Four molded D Rings allow for easy and secure attachment. New in the TEMPRESS line- up includes the X-Pak Crate Cover. Designed to fit over the standard 13” x 13” crate, the Crate Cover maximizes storage and organization of your most- prized fishing tackle or other storage needs. Padded shoulder straps make The TEMPRESS X-Pak Crate Cover allows an angler to organize the fishing the Crate Cover easy to transport while gear on a kayak to increase effiiny o te wtr © TMRS Products the dual-molded rod holders nicely and safely stow unused rods. The Crate TEMPRESS. With well over a million increased versatility, making these ideal Cover includes two tool and gear bags rod holders sold, the FISH-ON! Rod for kayak applications. to maximize storage. When kayaking, Holder features a fully adjustable TEMPRESS also features a line smart storage designs reign supreme, configuration, with 360 degrees of of kayak-specific gear bags. The and the TEMPRESS X-Pak storage horizontal adjustment, and 90 degrees TEMPRESS X-Pak Cockpit Deck systems have designed form into of vertical. Designed with an enlarged Caddy is your solution for keeping function for the angling kayaker. opening, just the act of removing your your gear organized and ready to rod creates a hook setting motion. It use when cruising and navigating. features a sliding locking ring to secure The Deck Caddy stretches over the your rod, and comes equipped with a kayaks cowling with an adjustable Troy A. Buzalsky is a contributing editor mount ready for installation and use. bungee and adjustable yoke. The for Fish Alaska magazine and writes the Rod holder extensions are available for Caddy features large rubberized mesh Boats Column in each issue. This husky, but light-biting Prince maintaining a tight line instead of turning into of Wales king fell victim to a six ounces of airborne hook-out. herring rigged on a slider. There are several effective ways of rigging © Terry W. Sheely. sliders to troll bait, spoons, plugs or flies. Slip Sliding Salmon Perhaps the most basic is to knot a bead-chain swivel on the end of a leader six or seven feet by Terry W. Sheely above the lure/bait. On the main line, slip the Salmon aren’t especially smart and ling cod slider on and feed it up the line (toward the are several rungs below that but both are savvy rod), then slide a plastic bead onto the mainline enough to spit out a sharp pointy thing that’s between the slider and the bead chain to act as giving them the stiff arm. a cushioning bearing. Then tie your mainline to Which, by itself, is reason enough to rig the bead-chain swivel. with sliding sinkers, but that’s only one of In a pinch, I’ve modified standard crescent the advantages of slippin’ and slidin’ for sinkers into sliders by running the mainline saltwater fish. through the wire end loops on either end. This Any saltwater fisher not trolling with a and my thumb on the spool. This allows me to works well if you use a bead larger than the wire downrigger and the requisite 15 pounds of instantly spill line if needed, or to clamp down loop to protect the swivel joining leader and fixed weight or dancing a weighted jig, in my and snug a runner before easing the drag on. mainline. My preference, though, is to use a experience should be fishing with a weight that Duct tape on my spooling thumb eliminates lead specifically designed to slide. slides freely on the mainline. the blister problem. Metzler sells what they call a Quick Change Weight selection is one of those 100 boring If I’m fishing with the rod in a holder I again little details that separate consistently really back off the drag, but turn on the ‘clicker’ which good fishermen from those occasionally really provides just a touch of control and prevents lucky—whether trolling, mooching, or drifting backlashes. I want a fish to be surprised when with bait, spoons, plugs or streamer flies. I clamp down and suddenly the morsel deep There are several advantages to using free- inside its mouth is resisting but it’s too late to sliding weights instead of knotting in the let go. sinker that includes an attaching ‘Slide Bar’ that standard crescent sinker. Up front is sensitivity. The other big-time benefit of using sliding free-slides, much like the crescent sinker detailed When salmon, ling, rockfish or even sinkers, and perhaps even more important than in the previous paragraph. The difference is notoriously insensitive halibut attack a bait, fooling fish, is the ability of sliding weights to that weight sizes can be switched out without lure or fly it’s with eons of evolution that have run up the mainline away from the thrashing removing the bar from the mainline. It’s very instilled in that predator an expectation that fish. The further a weight is from a hooked fish fast and easy to change weights, and you don’t the soon-to-be-swallowed will muster a certain the less chance there is for that fish to use the need to re-tie. level of resistance. Wiggle is what predators weight against us. My favorite setup, though, is a round lead expect. Not expected is that a couple of ounces I’d hazard a guess that most salmon are ball, attached to a plastic slider with a built-in of lunch will resist like it’s attached to 18-feet lost on a jump or while head-shaking on the snap that secures the weight to the slider. The of power boat and a spring-loaded rod that surface. Two negatives are at play here. One is slider, with the attached weight, is fed onto the goes off like a pendulum. the creation of slack when a high-speed salmon main line. Below it I add a couple of plastic Unless the hook point penetrates when a reverses course and heads for the boat and the beads for buffers and knot protectors, then tie fish strikes, and it can happen—sometimes, surface. Experienced fishermen may be able to the mainline into a chain swivel designed to there’s a good chance that everything below the react quickly enough to handle that. What they prevent line twist. Sometimes I connect two swivel, including the hook point, will rip out of can’t handle is Newton’s Third Law, his theory bead chain swivels back-to-back with a Duo- the fish’s mouth. Up in the boat is a fisherman Lock Snap or split ring, for just another layer puzzling over how he blew the bite, and down of insurance against line twist. To the back loop below is a fish wondering what in the world on the bead chain I knot on six to eight feet of got into that herring. leader and the terminal gear. The dead weight of a solidly tied-in sinker Works great. With a salmon on the line, the weight is unnaturally heavy and delivers small slider/weight rig is rarely closer to the resistance that predator fish aren’t expecting. hook than 15 feet and always well submerged When this occurs two things can happen— maintaining tight lines on acrobatic jumpers. both of them bad. With this rig, I’ve not had one salmon throw Most likely, upon feeling unusually stout the hook because of a flying weight. Another resistance the fish will open its mouth and The author’s favorite slider rig, including advantage of using the line-slider is that the spit the bait out. The second option, common plastic slider with snap, round weight, built-in snap allows me to change out weights mostly with salmon, is that they clamp down and bead chain swivels. © Terry W. in seconds. Sheely and run—hard, fast and toward the resistance. I don’t have to explain that advantage to By the time the fisherman figures out there’s a that for every action there is an opposite and anyone who’s ever cranked and scrambled to bite going on, the salmon has blessed him with equal reaction. When a salmon jumps, a tied-in replace eight ounces of bottom-thumper with yards of line slack. After that it’s just a matter weight flies into the air. When a salmon goes two ounces of surface nudging lead while a bait of time until it opens its mouth and releases the left, lead goes right and becomes a counter- ball is blowing up off the bow. bait, spoon, fly and/or hook and another good weight that pops hooks free. When you’re packing the tackle box for early salmon comes unbuttoned. Not so with a free slider. kings this month, take a look at the slider rigs. Unlike a knotted weight, the mainline on The faster a salmon swims towing a free- Try it once. I doubt you’ll ever go back. a slider runs through the lead, not into it. sliding weight, the further that weight slides Sliders offer little, if any unusual resistance away from the hook, moving up the mainline. while a salmon or ling mouths the lure/bait. When the salmon jumps or wallows the weight Terry W. Sheely is a contributing editor for Fish To complete the deception, if I’m holding the remains in the water, yards away from the Alaska magazine and can be reached through his rod, I troll or mooch with the drag backed off chaos, holding tension on the hookup and website at www.tnscommunications.net. Tying the Balanced Leech Here are the steps to tie the Balanced Leech: Story & photos by George Krumm In the last issue of Fish Alaska, I wrote about fishing the Balanced Leech. It can be extremely effective for fooling trout, especially on windy days. Almost any fly can be tied in ‘balanced’ form. However, leeches and ‘bugger type patterns are what I usually tie in balanced format. The fly is simple to Step 6: Wrap forward, passing the tie, yet absolutely deadly at times. I generally eye of the hook and ending at the tie it in three color schemes (black blends, Step 1: Put a suitable jig fly hook into the bead. If you don’t make it to the maroon blends, olive blends), and three sizes vise and form a thread base starting at the bead, form another dubbing loop eye of the hook, down to the bend and and continue. The dubbing should (6-, 8- and 10). It’s important to tie this fly back up to the hook eye. sparsely in order to create translucence and to push on the bead a little to help hold it securely against the pin head. maximize the movement of the dubbing and Pick out the dubbing with a dubbing marabou fibers in the water. This fly works needle and then brush it vigorously best if you tie it to your tippet with a non-slip Step 4: Form a four-inch long with a medium-stiff toothbrush to free mono loop knot. dubbing loop just forward trapped fibers. Then, trim the fibers of the tail, and wax it. Add all around so that they are shorter dubbing to the loop. A thin, than the tail is long. Note: You can uniform amount works best. The materials needed tie this without a dubbing loop by to tie this version of the simply dubbing the fibers onto the pattern are as follows: thread and then picking them out. Step 2: Put a tungsten bead on the pin with However, the dubbing loop method the wide hole towards the pin head, and produces a more durable fly. • Hook: Blue Wing Olive 5220 lash down the pin with secure wraps. Be size 8 jig fly hook or Umpqua careful around the end of the pin as it is sharp and may cut your tying thread. The C400BL barbless jig hook bead needs to be positioned forward of • Dritz beading pin #89, size 14- the hook eye in order to balance the fly. I 7/8” trimmed to 2/3 the hook usually position the bead about one bead’s width forward of the hook eye. Brush Krazy shank length glue over all thread wraps. • Tungsten bead (color to suit; BWO 3/16” (4.6 mm) metallic Step 7: Holding your tying thread blue was used for this fly) parallel to the ground, brush some • Uni-thread, 6/0 (color to suit) Krazy glue onto your tying thread, covering about an inch of thread. • Marabou (color to suit; black Immediately wrap three or four used for this version) Step 5: Spin the loop, and wraps of thread between the use a dubbing needle and/ dubbing and the bead. Whip finish. • Wapsi premium dubbing wax or medium-stiff toothbrush to free any trapped fibers. • Arizona Simi Seal dubbing (#21 Step 3: Tie in a somewhat sparse clump of black/blue used for this fly) marabou to form the tail. The tail should be slightly longer than the hook shank. Lash George Krumm is Editor for Fish Alaska and • Brush-on Krazy glue it down to the end of the pin, then clip off Hunt Alaska magazines, and he can be reached excess. Ending the marabou where the pin at [email protected]. ends helps form a smooth underbody. Smolt imitations can be effective for August can be an “in-between” time of year for coastal cutts from spring through fall. salmon anglers along Alaska’s coast. Kings and sockeye are usually either gone, dead, or too dark to be of interest. Waters may be loaded with pinks and chums, and if you can catch up to them in or near saltwater while they’re still bright and lively they can be fun. But that’s a big if, and pinks especially are more likely to be too far advanced in their pre-spawning changes to be worthy gamefish. And so we pin our hopes upon the arrival of the silvers, my personal favorite among our Pacific salmon species. Early run fish may already have been arriving in the lower reaches of some rivers for weeks, and chances are that I’ve taken a number of them offshore by then. But in most drainages silvers begin to show up within more practical reach of fly rod tackle sometime in August. The question is: When? Local scuttlebutt may announce the event with varying degrees of accuracy, but the only way to know for sure is to hit the water and find out for yourself. Since that chore involves being outdoors during what is often the most pleasant month of the year, I’ve never minded the work even when the conclusion is not yet. Our goal that day was to run up the mouth of the river at high tide, which would allow us to go farther along that tricky channel than usual without peril to the prop. We planned Cutthroats, to drift along lazily on the falling water all the way out into the bay, allowing us to cover a salinity gradient ranging from almost pure river to almost pure ocean. If the silvers had started to arrive and had a preference for how much salt they wanted passing through their gills, we Story by E. Donnall Thomas Jr. ought to find them somewhere. Feeling conservative about the motor’s lower with a Dash Photos by Donof & Lori ThomasSalt unit, I didn’t push all the way up to what I call “the Tidal Hole,” where anadromous fish of all kinds like to stage and wait for ideal conditions prior to forging upstream toward their eventual spawning grounds. We could investigate that later on foot if we wanted. Neither Lori nor I touched a fish as we floated past the towering conifers on either bank, but we didn’t really care. A bald eagle soared overhead, red-throated loons out in the bay filled the air with their eerie cries, and we watched a young black bear poking through some dying humpies at the water’s edge. Being outdoors felt mandatory, but catching fish was optional. I was swinging a streamer slowly through the last long straightaway before the bay when something tagged it in the tannin-stained current. Too lively for a pink and too small for a silver, I’d narrowed its identity down to two choices by the time I finished strip-setting the hook: a sea-run Dolly or a coastal cutthroat trout. An ambitious jump in direct sunlight confirmed the fish as the latter. Although it was only fifteen inches long, it acquitted itself well against my 7-weight. (See Fish Alaska, Aug/Sept., 2018 for a discussion of that rod weight choice.) As always with this Coastal cutts taking dry flies are species, it was a remarkably beautiful little fish. seldom selective. Generic patterns In contrast to salmon and halibut, cutts belong will almost always work. back in the water once you’ve caught them. On the theory that where there’s one there’s more, I dropped the anchor after I released the fish, dug through my vest, and Coastal cutthroat water offers the summer. handed Lori a small, silver plenty of fine dining. Release the The Alaska range of the cutthroat trout is smolt imitation. Although cutts and eat the crabs. limited to the Southeastern Panhandle and this wasn’t necessarily prime Prince William Sound. While all these fish time for smolt out-migration, belong to the seagoing coastal subspecies, not there seemed to be plenty of all of them can reach salt water. Especially juvenile pinks in the estuary in Southeast Alaska, some populations have and the cutts were dialed in become naturally landlocked by waterfalls to them. We passed one rod or other obstructions that serve as barriers to back and forth happily until out-migration. These lake-resident fish are the water began to desert us some of the largest in the state. Despite their and it was time to check the smaller size (a 15-inch fish is a nice one), I crab pots. I’ve never been prefer to fish for sea-run cutts in or near the interested in catch-and- salt for personal reasons. I enjoy the marine release fishing for Dungeness environment, where there is almost always crabs, as long as they are something interesting to observe, photograph, legal males. or eat, and I’ve always felt that fish from Despite the variety of gamefish in Alaska and the state’s reputation as a famous trout the sea fight harder than their freshwater destination, only two species of true trout are native to the state: rainbows and cutthroats. counterparts. Tidal estuaries may not be the The first is most notable for size, as anyone who has been on the right stream at the right place to look for a state record cutthroat (the time in the Bristol Bay area knows. The second is perhaps more noteworthy for its beauty and current and longtime record holder came biological complexity. from Wilson Lake near Ketchikan), but that Like all members of the Pacific salmonid family, the cutthroats’ ancestors originally came environment remains my favorite place to fish from the sea—not just in Alaska, but throughout their range as far south as California. Some for them. populations became landlocked and totally isolated from the sea, including three subspecies that Aggressive predatory feeders, cutthroats made it all the way across the Continental Divide, probably as a result of upstream migration are not particularly difficult to catch, a through mountain passes that no longer exist. Cutts are more widely distributed about inland characteristic that has helped contribute to North America than any other member of the salmonid family other than the lake trout. the decline of several isolated subspecies in Distribution across such a wide range and variety of habitat encourages diversity. the Lower 48. During the saltwater phase Biologists have long argued over the number of cutthroat subspecies, but there are around a of their lifecycle, they feed predominantly dozen, not counting several now considered extinct. Only one inhabits Alaska, and in many ways on fish, especially salmon smolt. Any small, it is the most unique. All Alaska cutts are members of the coastal cutthroat family, Oncorhynchus flashy streamer will draw strikes. Their return clarkii clarkia. (The name derives from the co-leader of the Lewis and Clark expedition). These to fresh water during late summer and early are the only cutthroats that migrate back and forth between fresh and salt water, like salmon. fall coincides with the arrival of spawning While they occur in limited numbers as far south as Washington and Oregon, the heart of their pink, chum, and silver salmon. Just like range lies in Alaska. Somehow, that seems appropriate. Bristol Bay rainbows, they feed heavily on Despite the overall similarities in their anadromous lifestyle, salmon and cutthroats behave quite differently once they leave their natal freshwater streams. While a tremendous amount remains unknown about the details of adult salmon movements at sea, it’s clear that many of them travel a long way from home. Coastal cutthroats, in contrast, seldom stray far once they reach salt water. Once they have moved downstream after spawning in the spring, they often cruise along beaches near river mouths or move back and forth through estuaries as they feed. Those are the best places to look for them during

Cutts are seldom picky eaters and a wide range of patterns will draw strikes.

Single egg patterns can be effective year around. This cutt fell for a properly presented smolt pattern.

salmon eggs then, and dead-drifted single egg limits are generally restricted to two fish at a patterns can be highly effective. Whenever maximum, while some waters are catch and cutts are present in fresh water, they also feed release only. Slot limits apply widely, and in on a variety of insects. While the streams they “trophy” cutthroat lakes the minimum size inhabit don’t support a lot of aquatic insect for retention may be a whopping twenty-five life, cutts feeding during a hatch can provide inches. Bear in mind that all these restrictions some of the best opportunities are meant for the good of the fish. As always, in the region. Alaska angling regulations are complex, and Cutthroat trout are a delicate species. anglers should carefully study rules that apply Across their wide range, they face numerous to specific waters they plan to fish before threats other than deliberate or inadvertent wetting a line. mortality from recreational anglers. Outside The easiest approach to these rules and Alaska, declining cutthroat populations are regulations is simply to plan on releasing any an unintended consequence of competition cutthroats that you catch. I’m not a catch from and direct predation by more and release zealot, and I’m all for a fresh fish aggressive introduced rainbow and brown dinner at the end of a day on the water. But trout. “Cutbows,” the product of natural why not make it a salmon, which will be dead hybridization with rainbows, are usually in a few weeks anyway? Young cutthroats may sterile and take up space in the food chain spend as long as five or six years maturing while subtracting from cutthroat genetics. in fresh water before heading to the sea. Of fifteen cutthroat subspecies identified in That’s an old fish by Alaska standards, and one authoritative review, two are considered it will take a long time to replace it. Stay extinct and three are listed as threatened. away from bait in cutthroat water, use small While wilderness Alaska cutts may not be flies or lures, and crimp down the barbs. susceptible to some of these hazards, they still Those measures will help keep Alaska’s deserve special management considerations, unique cutthroat population alive and well and the state has addressed that need in its for future generations. angling regulations. Because of the high release mortality among fish caught on My favorite dry fly water on my favorite bait, its use is prohibited in many waters Southeastern Alaska river is difficult to fish inhabited by cutthroats. Daily and possession with a fly rod. The most accessible bank

Taken in a tidal estuary, this cutt hit a large streamer meant for silvers. consists of a sheer rock face from which it is almost impossible to deliver a cast. The water below the rock is deep and strewn with boulders that make wading difficult. During periods of low water, it’s possible to wade across the river below the pool and fish the run from the opposite side. The problem is that the commonest water level is just low enough to let you think you can make it but just high enough to go over the top of your waders. I don’t much mind during the summer, but on blustery spring days like this one waders full of cold river water can ruin a day quickly. My usual approach is to study the run from the top of the rocks and then go somewhere else if I don’t see fish. Today however, a few mayflies are scattered across the slick surface of the current, and almost every one of them is disappearing into a delicate dimple before it has drifted downstream more than a couple of feet. The fish don’t look big and the dense cloud cover doesn’t allow sufficient visibility to identify them as one of at least three possible species. Even so, there’s no walking away from this scene. After ten straight days of swinging streamers for steelhead, I want to catch some fish on dry flies. Getting across the river feels as fraught as Washington crossing the Delaware but I make it, with dry feet no less. After continuing upstream into casting position, I pat my vest down for my dry fly box, hidden somewhere in a world class collection of Buggers, Zonkers, Bunnies, and nymphs. There’s not a lot to choose from—no neat rows of duns and emergers—but it doesn’t much matter. Fish here are seldom selective, and I feel confident that a well-worn will do the trick. As indeed it does. Deposited on the surface a few feet upstream from the nearest rising fish, it soon vanishes like a bobber pulled underwater by a farm pond bluegill. The fish turns out to be a 12-inch cutthroat. Although beautiful in their own way, coastal cutts from salt water look as if they’ve been photographed in black and white—small, inky spots on a silver background, iconic red throat slash so washed out it may practically be invisible. But this fish has over-wintered in the stream, leaving it dressed up in colors appropriate to the spawning party yet to come, with flanks the color of bronze and a throat made up for a teen slasher movie. Over the next hour I pick off an oddball assortment of Dollies, more cutts, and a few resident rainbows. A 16-inch cutt proves to be the fish of the day. After two weeks of fish measured in pounds rather than inches it would seem easy to dismiss that one, but come on. It’s beautiful. I caught it on a dry fly. What more is there to say?

A former resident of the Kenai Peninsula and Southeast Alaska, Don Thomas now divides his time between rural Montana and Arizona. He writes about the outdoors for numerous publications. where it should. I’m in the zone—wet fly the man who devised the system and I was Bristol Bay and sated with pink salmon Mark Hieronymus can catch pink nirvana—cast, mend, drift, short strip, drift sucking pinks to the surface often enough to proficiency, Mark’s self-imposed challenge again, feel the stop and snug down. say I can now catch pink salmon on dry flies. was to work up techniques that trigger salmon on wet flies in his sleep. “Ever try a dry fly?” Mark interjects. It’s A couple of months ago, Mark let me bottom-huggers into uncharacteristically Probably. more challenge than question. He reaches know he’d upped the dry-fly challenge— annihilating a small bit of something drifting As a professional fly-fishing guide he’s Pinks On Top deep into his vest for a box wedged with taking it to saltwater, and, he declared, on the surface, something that they had been banging salmon with flies for so long Try These Fly-Fishing Breakthrough Tactics bright floaters. Silvers yes. Dollies yes. Trout “In saltwater pinks are even better. More never before seen and had no reason to eat. that what a lot of fishers will consider a yes. Pink salmon never. numbers of aggressive fish.” It started in freshwater with the evolution shout-about-it accomplishment, he banks as For Banging Humpies on the Dry Minutes later I’m watching a hot-pink Pinks deserve Mark and his buds for of foam-bodied pollywogs. Skated or just another 50-salmon day of routine. foam-body polywog bouncing upstream on infusing righteous respect and challenge stripped downstream, the high-floating I’ve watched him give raw beginners quick, By Terry W. Sheely the reverse curl of an eddy swirl. Looks good into a species of salmon widely swamped in ‘wogs proved to be dynamite on pinks in basic instruction, another couple of minutes to me but not to the shifting pod of salmon unmerited disrespect. Why? Because they’re rivers, especially near salt, according to of on-the-water casting and presentation I can see below it. Finish the drift. Nothing. the smallest fish on the salmon ladder, and Mark. Only after watching dozens of pinks lessons, and have them nailing salmon on “Put it in the seam at the edge of the arrive by the millions. But mostly, I think, rise and nip at skated wogs did it occur to cast wet flies within minutes of picking up riffle,” Mark says. “Mend once and dead drift pinks are belittled because they’re not kings him that these fish could be taken on a dead their first fly rod. Some catch their first wild downstream. There’s a line of pinks holding or silvers. drift, and possibly on an upstream cast. Alaska salmon on the fly before they know on the seam. Come right over them.” I do. In the Great Land famous for powerful Mark elaborated, “The old method was how to string up their rod. The awful pink thing floats high, fluffy and king salmon to 70 pounds, and explosive to cast down and across, give the line a Which is why Mark, a long-time guide dead for 10 feet and nothing happens. I look silvers that can thrash good tackle and test slight upstream mend, then keep tension for Bear Creek Outfitters in Juneau, at Mark, perhaps a little skeptical, and when skilled fishers the smallest of all Pacific on the fly causing it to wake across the pool. and his buds upped the challenge that I look back at the floating fly a slick green salmon—a 14 pounder would be a new Occasionally, I would see pinks eat the fly as developed—incidentally—into a fly-fishing and white set of ‘gator jaws are coming up Alaska state record—pinks gets short shrift. it was drifting downstream before it started breakthrough. They fish pink salmon on top, and around it. Most pinks weigh between four and seven swinging. on dries, with specific techniques and trout That was a couple of years ago. I still see pounds and are caught on overpowering big- “I decided to try intentionally fishing the gear that matches their two to eight-pound that big buck’s hooked jaws wrapping around salmon tackle. They are no match for rods fly as an upstream dry—and as far as I know frames, and our littlest salmon becomes a that little pink fly and I smile every time. and lines designed to turn kings or tame that is when the upstream dry technique for righteous challenge. How they got to the dry Did I pull the trigger too early? How could I cartwheeling coho. pink salmon was born. Over the last four fly breakthrough is an interesting evolution. not? After that initial wreck on the learning But when fought on fly rods designed for years the finer points of the technique have With a few of his like-minded fly-flinging curve I followed Mark’s advice, kicked in their weight class—think trout or bass— been developed, and it’s no longer a fluke buddies, Mark went after pink salmon where the patience factor and watched when pinks pink salmon sizzle. Add the challenge that only happens on one particular stretch everybody knows these gravel-rollers can’t be crushed the floater, dove and waited to snug of going dry and you’ve got a proper fly of one particular creek.” caught—on top, on dry flies, on down until I felt weight and power. A couple . The best presentation for dead-drifting the dead drift. of more tweaks and instructional tidbits from A summer fly guide in Southeast and upstream dries is to sight cast to individual First in flowing freshwater, just yards from saltwater and when that technique was in the bag they upped the challenge and went after pinks with dry flies on the strip in saltwater. What started as a challenge to catch salmon in ways that they don’t want to be caught, led to trout-rods, floating flies, and techniques that consistently provoke salmon fights with sizzle. There is nothing low-key or routine about watching a gaping salmon mouth split the surface tension, engulf a dry fly and power down. Pink salmon like pink flies and can be “You want to watch that fly all the time,” tempted to eat off the surface. Mark tells me. “That’s the best part, seeing that big mouth come up behind a fly and eat. The hard part is not pulling the trigger too early, jerking the fly out of its mouth.” I think that last part was a nice way of skewering me. We are on a small gush of clear freshwater pouring out of the mountains on Chilkat Rigging up for a Peninsula, close enough to saltwater to hear day spent pursuing pinks on top. the crash of a humpback breaching, over the drumming rumble of a rock riffle chute. The first pool above salt is split by an open gravel bar and loaded with shifting schools of bright pink salmon. My fly, a small green beadhead wet is teeth tattered and ugly and still hooking salmon on every cast that lands

April 2018 www.FishAlaskaMagazine.com 65 fish instead of “flock shooting” a school. slashing sideways take. Often a reacting fish The best places are shallow, riffle sections, or will create a V-wake behind the fly as they walking-speed flats in or near tidewater. follow it, and open their mouth with the Regarding presentation, Mark adds, upper jaw out of the water, snapping and “Starting at the closest fish, land the fly moving back and forth like a shark as they four or five feet from and in-line with that catch up to the fly. Pinks don’t usually turn fish. Once the fly has floated over and past with the fly, so a hook set is necessary but the fish, repeat the cast. I cast three or four timing is everything. Most folks tend to set times per fish and if they don’t react, I start the hook too soon, before the fish closes its the pattern over on the next closest fish. In mouth, and the fly is jerked away. The best any school of pinks only a few fish will be method and hardest is to continue the strip aggressive enough to take the dry. You have through the take and not set the hook until to find that fish. you feel the weight of the fish. “I repeat the pattern until I run out of “It’s hard,” he says. “It takes discipline.” fish to try, then move a few paces up or “The pattern I tie and use is based on the downstream and start over on new fish. Gartside Gurgler, with a few modifications When pinks react, it is usually a subtle sip of to make it both a good dead-drifted and the fly, but occasionally males will rush and stripped top-water fly” Mark tells me. smash the fly.” His dry pink freshwater tie is on an While he loves the finesse of a take on Umpqua U401 Size 4 hook, tied with a dead-drifted dry, Mark admits there are Danville Flat Waxed Nylon (FWN) 210 times when stripping is the dry-fly answer. denier thread. For the body he uses 2 mm “When stripping top-waters, I fish the tide x 1/8-inch pink or red closed-cell foam, line or slower holes. Retrieves that work best double wrapped, with a tail of three strands Pink salmon are often under- vary from slow and smooth to fast and jerky. of EP fiber, plus hot pink Krystal Flash, in appreciated as If I have to pick one I would go with a short Alaskan fuchsia. compared to the (8-inch) strip that imparts a slight pop and For a top he uses 3 mm x 3/8-inch pink other four species splash, at the rate of one strip every second or red closed-cell foam, tied in at the rear of of Pacific salmon. and pausing (or “missing a strip”) every two the hook, folded forward and secured under Catch them on top or three strips. a collar of 25 strands of Krystal Flash in and your perception “Pinks react to stripped top waters in a matching Alaskan fuchsia. will change. variety of different ways, from the barely Other popular top-water patterns may perceptible follow and sip to the splashy, also work, he says, especially pollywogs, techno-wogs, and any top water designed for coho if it’s tied slightly smaller for pinks. Moving the challenge out to saltwater meant evolving changes in presentations, but it also liberalized pattern selection, according to Mark. He’s found that freshwater pinks are opportunists that will take a fly that’s easy but prefer not to chase. In saltwater though, he’s found fly movement to be critical. Mark continues, “A big part of saltwater success depends on where you select to fish. “I hardly ever get more than 1/4-mile away from the mouth of a spawning stream,” Mark tells me. “I need a concentration of pinks and the biggest point of concentration is just off the streams. Look for jumpers, places where pinks are really concentrated. That’s where we find the largest concentration of aggressive, chrome-bright fish that will come up and chase flies. I prefer sight casting, but if the fish are deeper I’ll work blind where I think salmon are until I get one to come up. “I’ve got a few to come up in fairly deep water, 35 feet, but most productive beaches are four- to six-feet deep where salmon are suspended from near surface to mid-way. Dry flies are not something that’s going to draw them up from great depths, but luckily pinks often hang out near the surface.” And, he adds, schools often migrate within 40 feet of the shoreline, average fly- casting range from banks or small boats. If Mark spots a major concentration of fish far out from the bank, he says that he has Orange, white, red, pink, cerise, and He has also used Tiemco 8089 nickel-plated too slow pinks ignore it. You’ve got to find the fly over, and doesn’t negatively affect fly bubblegum pink all work, he finds, including hooks for poppers. that window and then fish that window as action it’s okay.” patterns with the fold over foam body. Regardless of size or selected style, long as you’ve got fish in front of you,” is Mark’s personal leader is “Eight feet of The difference is that instead of high- saltwater hooks need to be stainless or plated his advice. 12-pound Maxima and it fishes just fine. floating dries, he prefers a dry that’s tail- to withstand saltwater corrosion. “When you’re doing that strip, don’t react Knot to fly isn’t too important, either,” he dragging under the water. He adds, “I just Saltwater retrieves are what he describes as when you see a pink come at the fly. Some said, “just so the fly doesn’t spin or roll. That’s put a brighter tail on it with a little bit of “estuary style”, meaning they work in both pinks come up from behind and grab it. If enough to put them off. Otherwise use the flash made of any material that doesn’t soak freshwater estuaries and in salt. His favorite you miss it, keep stripping. Don’t strike, just knot you tie the best.” or mat in saltwater. Fish Hair is good if retrieve is an eight- to 12-inch pull, every pull until you feel the fish….don’t ever strike. One thing about fishing with Mark you comb out the underfur. Marabou will 1½ seconds. He describes the retrieve as, Never an overhead trout set. Hieronymus, he’ll re-route your thinking mat. Bucktail works really good, but I use “Pull-pause-pull. Play around if you have to. “Take your time, just use a strip set. Don’t when it comes to pink salmon, and re-define synthetics because they’re more durable.” Some days I need a longer pause, other days rush. Don’t pull it away when you see the your idea of a great day on the water. Popper heads common to are a longer pull—16-24 inches. take. Wait until you feel weight, wait then Try pinks on top, saltwater and freshwater, gaining popularity, Mark says, but he also “I can’t stress this enough—pinks on top strip firmly. That works.” with pink-sized tackle, and specific points out that “If I use them I turn the head are about altering your presentation within He looks for days that arrive with light sea presentations—if you’re up to the challenge around so the pointy end is forward, East a window—not too fast, not too slow and breezes in late summer. of tackling Alaska’s smallest salmon. Coast slider style. repeat it until you get fish to move on it “If you’ve got three foot waves breaking on The challenge starts in July when pinks “This way the fly body slides just below then fish that retrieve with conviction. shore you’re not going to want to top-water begin migrating back toward natal streams. Finding the right spots for targeting pinks on top is an integral part of angling success. the surface, and is suspended on top by the Don’t make three casts the same and then fish,” he laughs. “I like a little wind riffle. If Look for showy, flat-sided leapers, active head which gives the fish a target partially change up. Stick with it, have confidence. If there’s a little surface disturbance then a little fish likely to blow up on a pink dry fly, then in and out of the water. Rigged this way, it worked once, it’ll work again on the next added fly disturbance doesn’t spook fish and follow the runs into freshwater through learned to expect smaller secondary groups are probably more fish willing to chase a dry. poppers also cast easier and don’t create bunch of fish to come through.” can actually attract them.” August and into September. of pinks tight into the shore. “If you’re seeing When you’re up on top, trying to get pinks as much of a surface disturbance. These Another difference, “I don’t do the slow Even in gin-clear saltwater, Mark has Four or six weight rods, floating lines, dry jumpers beyond casting range, cast short to to do something you want, not what they work best when they create enough but not waking (freshwater) retrieve in salt and not found pinks to be leader shy or require flies, salt to fresh—bring a whole new level of where you think salmon would be cruising want, you need a lot of fish to be moving in too much disturbance, and sit just below certainly not a dead drift. I start with a fluorocarbon leaders. I’ve found that to be respect for Alaska’s smallest salmon. along the shore, out of sight. There’s a good front of you to increase the number of fish the water. medium speed 1 1/2-foot pull. Pinks don’t true, but I still prefer blind-siding fish with chance these smaller schools of cruisers will willing to chase.” Mark prefers to tie on size 4 saltwater want to work for their catch, and if it speeds invisible fluorocarbon—just because. be there. And they’re a little bit more finicky about hooks. Smaller hooks have smaller point-to- away, they’ll let it go,” he’s found. Lines and leaders, Mark says, are picked “Persuading pinks to take dries in saltwater what fly they’re willing to chase, Mark warns. shank gaps which can be obstructed by the “Bear in mind, pinks are pinks, they’re not with personal preferences. Pinks are a lot of can be a game,” Mark finds. After extensive trial and error, Mark foam and this can impede hookups. top-water dollies or trout that want to chase things, but picky isn’t one of them. “Some days you locate a small number of and his buds have come back to patterns He recommends an Umpqua U401 your fly. Pinks want dry flies that move slow, “One of the guys I fish with likes six- to Terry W. Sheely is a contributing editor for Fish fish and only a couple will chase it. If you that work in freshwater, but with different “basically because the wire is a little easier to to be able to target it, and have it wait to be seven-foot stout leaders and it works. Pinks have a lot of fish in a school, that means there saltwater presentations. Alaska magazine and can be reached through bend and can be flared away from the foam.” slowly attacked. If the fly moves too fast or are not leader shy. As long as the leader turns his website at www.tnscommunications.net. Terrestrial Critter Materials spiders. Foam spiders were originally Material selection and tying techniques used for terrestrial patterns Top designed for warmwater fly fishing are fairly standard. Knotted legs are often used for formulating the applications for bluegills, perch, and other legs found on grasshhopper, cricket, and adult stonefly patterns. species because spiders frequented Terrestrial A common natural material choice used for making knotted legs shoreline docks and boatsheds. Common is pheasant tail fibers. Goose or turkey biots can also be used for spider species found in Alaska include knotted legs. Individual fibers are trimmed with sharp scissors and Patterns the flower spider, orb weaver spider, and knots made by using a pair of tweezers and making a basic overhand common house spider. Foam spiders are the knot. A thin application of UV-cured adhesive secures the knot and keeps the hinged appearance of an insect leg. A second method for simplest terrestrial pattern to tie quickly. for Grayling Only two materials are needed: two Story & photos by Michael Lunde making bent legs is to heat the business end of fine-edged tweezers stoneflies or adult salmonflies. The flyis with a lighter, and then crimp the feather fibers where you want them commonly tied on 2XL nymph hooks in millimeter foam for the body and rubber A two-inch black terrestrial critter composed of knotted legs to bend. This creates a permanent hinge in the leg without having to sizes eight to 12 because the shanks are or Sili Legs. A size 10 dry fly hook is the attached to multiple layers of two millimeter closed-cell foam drifts tie a knot. Some tying material companies sell pre-knotted legs in substantially stronger than dry fly hooks. most common hook used to tie spiders downstream in a foam line formed from a fallen, hollow Sitka spruce case tiers want to skip this step. Rubber legs are also commonly used A sparse application of Krystal Flash is tied for grayling. in a burbling riffle. Clouds of vapor rise into the spruce-scented air on many terrestrial patterns. in the rear of the hook. A tapered, dubbed as air temperatures ascend at a slow straggle. The lonely grayling- Foam is the main body material showcased in most terrestrial body is made using Kaufmann’s Stonefly Foam Black Ant ka-teer grasps the chartreuse-colored fly line with his damp fingers. patterns provided in this article and the comprehensive bonus feature Nymph Blends dubbing or similar natural In Alaska, both salmon and non-salmon The lifeless and motionless critter is magically transformed to life as in Fish Alaska Online. Hackle is used often especially when wrapping dubbing. A medium-sized Chernobyl foam based streams contain a large biomass of slow, methodical twitches of a nine-foot graphite magic wand by cutter is used to trim two millimeter foam ants that are ecologically functioned to the angler’s wrist causes the critter to dart erratically downstream around parachute Adams-like posts on some recipes. Calf hair, deer hair, and Poly Yarn are typical for this part of the fly. Thread type to shape; the foam is reverse-tied in back. beneath Sitka spruce branches just feet above the surface. As it skates Hareline McFlylon is used for the wings. downstream through waist-deep water, a small, pan-sized eruption varies by pattern type, material, and magnitude of thread tension. I use threads as heavy as #6/0 Uni and as fine as 14/0 Veevus. A small, thread base is used to attach two breaks the surface with a 20-inch grayling airborne for a brief series of two-inch sections of non-knotted moment in time, the black terrestrial protruding from the bottom Sili Legs to the body. of its jaws. Momentarily suspended in the headwater mountain air, it TOP TERRESTRIAL PATTERNS disappears into the crystalline depths below. Tim’s Hoppindicator Alaska is biologically blessed with an endless abundance of aquatic Designed by commercial tier and college professor Tim Widmer and terrestrial insects that live near or in the small roadside streams of Colorado, Tim’s Hoppindicator is a relatively new terrestrial of Southeast, northbound through the Interior and into the frozen pattern designed to represent large adult stoneflies while other tundra of the Arctic coast. Although grayling focus on miniaturized fly tiers believe this pattern imitates outsized grasshoppers. pieces of flesh and eggs during the arrival of spawning salmon in Regardless of which streams that have them, the window of opportunity is typically recycle nutrients, particularly marine- terrestrial insect it imitates, derived nutrients from salmon, back Arctic grayling are fairly Widmer believed there is into the ecosystem. As salmon carcasses abundant in Alaska and are much room for creativity get washed into the stream during high consistently-willing biters. and exploration when water events, the same end result occurs tying terrestrials. Body with ants leaving grayling with easy prey composition consists of Foam Beetle opportunities. Several species of ants can two different colored layers Because of Alaska’s short summers and be found near Alaskan rivers, including © Solitude Fly Company of two millimeter foam—a extreme environment, the thought of large carpenter ants. Multiple variations brightly colored underbody and darker, contrasting color for beetles inhabiting Alaskan river systems and prototypes of foam ants have been the main body on top. Three sets of knotted Sili Legs in two often seems unlikely. However, grayling developed over the years, but the simplest color combinations knotted together provide supplemental are opportunistic and will eat a large, patterns utilized foam and hackle— movement when twitched or skated. Krystal Flash is tied in the simple foam terrestrial that is easy to nothing else. A two-inch strip of foam back. I prefer to tie this pattern on 2XL and 3XL nymph hooks see. The Black Hippy Stomp Beetle is a is reverse-tied on the back section of the short, leaving the question of what other food sources are available. or a 2XL streamer hook to achieve the desired length of the fly. representative pattern and pictured here. hook, folded over itself so that little end Dry fly presentations can be effective all season long. Studies from Fly tying materials include black foam, points backwards, and excess trimmed. entomologists determined that, similar to trout behavior, grayling Schroeder’s Parachute Hopper black moose mane, grizzly hackle, striped An identical step is repeated in the front of are estimated to consume approximately 90 percent aquatic This is a timeless terrestrial classic fished on blue-ribbon trout rubber legs, a calf tail or white Poly Yarn the hook near the hook eye, thus leaving and terrestrial insects when other food sources are not available. streams of the Lower 48 and also used in Alaska for grayling. This wing, and Tiemco TMC 2312 hook. Other tying space in the middle for a palmered, This scientific fact explains why fly fishermen are obsessed with terrestrial imitation features two important characteristics that effective terrestrial beetle patterns include black dry fly hackle feather. Other versions fishing dry fly imitations to mimic the adult stage of an aquatic or separate high-performance the Green Beetle and Monster Beetle. can be found in fly tying guides and terrestrial insect. hoppers from less effective online forums. The common categories of terrestrial insects include grasshoppers, ones: Profile and visibility. crickets, beetles, spiders, bees, ants, and cicadas, though not all of Foam Spider Classic tying materials Spiders are often associated with warmer Panty Dropper Hopper these are commonly found in Alaska. The behavior of terrestrials is used in this pattern include often linked to photoperiod. Bright days following periods of rain seasonal climates as seen in the southern Initial observation of this creative fly is knotted pheasant tail showers are when they are most active, creating a significant foraging United States, but Alaska is home to many symbolic of a cricket or small grasshopper. opportunity for fish. Terrestrial behavior increases throughout the day fibers for legs, a parachute as sunshine increases temperatures. Day-to-day behavior of terrestrial Adams-like post composed © Ray Bley insects involves moving through riparian vegetation and overhanging of calf hair, mottled turkey trees in search for food and resources. Movement varies by species; feather for the wing, a dubbed body, and grizzly rooster saddle some fly, some hop, and some crawl. Sometimes they unexpectedly hackle for the hackle. It is equally effective in slow or fast water fall into the water. Since terrestrials don’t swim, they move erratically with tan and olive the best colors. as they struggle to find land. This struggling, desperate act for survival draws the attention of hungry underwater predators looking for an Chubby Chernobyl easy meal. Grayling are a prime example and are absolutely ruthless One of the most productive stonefly and hopper patterns when these easy feeding opportunities present themselves. ever developed, it was originally developed to imitate golden

70 www.FishAlaskaMagazine.com April 2018 April 2018 www.FishAlaskaMagazine.com 71 Popularized in the blue ribbon trout foam and a reverse-tied deer hair head for the wind with ease. A large arbor reel or near weed flats in shallow bays of lakes, streams of the Rocky Mountains of extra buoyancy. matched with 12- to 20-pound Dacron where riffles transition into deeper runs Montana and Idaho, its nearly complete backing connected to one of several fly and glides, and the confluence of forks in foam construction allows for low ride on Honorable Mentions line types will work. A standard, weight headwater systems. the surface film and the supplemental Innovation and fly tying exploration is the forward (WF), floating fly line is the orange foam tied behind the head makes it name of the game when it comes to the preferred choice by most terrestrial anglers. TECHNIQUE & PRESENTATION easily visible in faster current. An additional endless creativity that is observed in the Double tapered (DT) floating lines are The skills necessary for effective feature different from other terrestrials is world of terrestrial fly patterns. Although generally selected for smaller to moderate- presentation of terrestrial patterns is two substantially thick haunches which these patterns are not fully described, these sized streams because of easy line control. similar to other dry fly fishing. The are somewhat truer to scale onto which honorable mentions are still highly effective Other grayling veterans utilize them for objective of a well-presented terrestrial two thin, red sections of rubber legs are and worth sticking in your fly box for your hoppers because they throw a controllable, pattern is to have the fly skate across the attached. next Arctic grayling expedition. Patterns incredibly smooth loop. Leader length surface at the natural speed of the current. are categorized into each fly pattern type. is similar to other dry fly fishing with This seems to best imitate the behavior of Foam Crickets • Bees—Foam Bumblebee a tapered, nine- to 10-foot leader with a terrestrial insect being swept downstream Similar in body construction and • Grasshoppers and Crickets— a 10- to 15-pound mono butt section as it attempts to generate thrust and power composition to a grasshopper, crickets Streambank Hopper, Cicadicator, tapered to 5X monofilament tippet being with its wings and/or legs to get out of the are often nicknamed “mini-grasshoppers” T-Bug the norm. water. Additional techniques can be mixed due to their hopping behavior. Nightfall • Ants—CDC Flying Ant, Crystal Ant, in during the presentation to represent often triggers these critters to come out, Hi-Vis Foam Ant WHEN & WHERE TO FISH distinct behaviors from the moment a • Spiders—Cuf Hopper, Panfish Spider, Locations for fishing terrestrial fly patterns terrestrial insect encounters the water, is Spider Popper vary considerably throughout the season drifted downstream in the current, and • Miscellaneous—Terrestricator, and effectiveness can vary according to attempts to escape. The three techniques Hendrick’s HopperStone, Parachute stream type. Grayling streams that contain called skating, twitching, and bank Hopper spawning salmon are very productive early bouncing are discussed below. in the season such as mid-May through early July, prior to the arrival of salmon. Skating TERRESTRIAL HOPPER TACKLE Action is somewhat slower through the A traditional dry-fly presentation Effective casting technique and salmon spawning run but is off the charts technique used for many imitations of presentation of terrestrial patterns is in late summer to early fall before water aquatic and terrestrial insects is called similar to casting other dry fly imitations temperatures plummet to near freezing. In skating. As the terrestrial pattern sails noticeable by their chirping. Two cricket to Arctic grayling with minor exceptions. streams without salmon or in alpine lakes, through the air and lands on the surface, species found in Alaska are house and field A traditional classic nine-foot, five-weight terrestrial patterns can be the most effective an upstream mend repositions the fly crickets. Multiple patterns can be fished fast-action graphite fly rod excels rather fly fishing technique of the open water line upstream and takes any slack out of to imitate crickets yet the EA (extended well for presenting terrestrial patterns season, particularly for larger fish. High- the fly line. After the primary mend, the abdomen) Foam Cricket and Pheasant on most grayling watersheds throughout percentage casting locations for terrestrials position of the rod-tip is several inches Tail Cricket are two of the deadliest I Alaska. Certain environmental and water include outside bends of heavily-vegetated above the water’s surface. During the have used. The two fan-favorite foam conditions, particularly faster flows and stream banks, mid-channel boulders or presentation, the angler slowly follows the cricket patterns are the aforementioned windier conditions, might require a six- submerged logs that act as microhabitats natural downstream drift resulting in the EA (extended abdomen) Foam Cricket weight. A fast-action to ultra-fast action in long runs or deep pools, close to fly skating across the surface in an arc-like and Stalcup’s Cricket, a cricket variant stiff six-weight can punch larger, more shorelines during periods of high water, shape similar to a traditional wet fly swing composed of knotted pheasant tail fibers, wind-resistant terrestrial patterns through along bulrushes in backwaters sloughs, in with weighted streamers. Common strike locations during the skating technique can occur almost anywhere with typical strike locations following the initial mend and as the pattern increases speed during the arc- shaped swing of the fly.

Twitching Most terrestrial insects are designed for flight, not swimming in the water. To simulate their slow struggle on the surface of the water, light twitches of the rod tip best accomplish this. In similar fashion to twitching streamers, the fly rod tip is held inches from the surface. After the primary mend, impart a series of twitches with your wrist. Throw in occasional pauses during the presentation. Pause length is largely determined by water clarity, current flow, and daylight. During conditions of lower visibility, more predictable twitches and pauses make it easier for the fish to find the fly. Frequent twitching of terrestrial patterns throughout the entire presentation with pauses thrown in will often drive grayling absolutely bonkers. It’s often effective to throw in a mixed series of twitches at the beginning or towards the end of the presentation as the fly skates broadside across the surface.

Bank Bouncing A topwater fly fishing technique previously discussed in Fish Alaska during 2016 for targeting grayling described deliberately casting mouse patterns onto the streambank and twitching the rod-tip to simulate a rodent that accidently fell into the water and struggled to escape. A similar strategy can be used for terrestrial insects since their foraging behavior often occurs on streamside vegetation. During light to moderate precipitation or just after the conclusion of it, a cast onto the shoreline vegetation of an outside bend, or onto an emerged log, followed by a sudden twitch of the rod tip simulates a terrestrial insect falling into the water. As this happens, it is very common for terrestrials to get taken almost immediately. This classic predator-prey interaction that trout in Lower 48 watersheds take advantage of also occurs in grayling streams throughout Alaska. Whether wade fishing from the inside shoreline or probing outside bends from watercraft, target a cast onto the fringe of the sedges or grasses. Refrain from casting too deep into the riparian vegetation as this will result in a snagged fly.

Mike Lunde is originally from Pewaukee, WI, and received his B.S. in Fisheries from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks. Mike works as a fisheries technician for the Alaska Cooperative Fisheries and Wildlife Research Unit and has guided in both Alaska and Patagonia.

April 2018 www.FishAlaskaMagazine.com 75 Pay attention to your surroundings! We as anglers can be so excited about getting on the water and throwing what we tied up last night or heard we should try that we overlook many clues about what’s currently happening on the river. As one is walking through the brush or headed down a path towards your favorite fishing spot, pay attention! Are you kicking out shrews and voles on your way to the river? Are bugs flying in the air or landing on your clothes? Look at ones caught in spider webs along your way, or even the ones stuck on your windshield. By taking a closer look at these insects one can tell what has been hatching. When you get close to the river’s edge stop, look, and don’t go charging in knee deep. Observe the surface; are fish rising? A good angler doesn’t need a bachelor’s in entomology to identify basic characteristics of aquatic insects. One only needs to look at some basic differences in types of bugs, both the real ones and the ones we use to imitate them. Adult insects are ones that land on us and the top of the water (dry flies). Throwing any sort of fly on the surface and having a fish rise to it is one of the most fun and exciting ways to fish! Surface feeding runs the gamut from the delicate sip of a mayfly by a grayling to the almost scary annihilation of a mouse pattern by huge trout. I think fishing top water is something every angler should strive for. Rarely in Alaska are we tasked with tackling extremely picky fish. However, if fish are feeding on species of mayflies and one only throws a brown caddis they will often be refused because that is not hatching. The differences in adult insects for our basic angling purpose of “matching the hatch” can be found in four distinct areas: Size, color, wings and tails. For the purpose of this article, we’ll focus on wings and tails.

Here in Alaska we are blessed with many different angling opportunities and as many different ways to catch the fish that swim in them. For example, there are monster glacial fed lakes which create incredible rivers at their outflows like the Kenai and the Naknek to crystal clear rivers where one can see almost all that inhabits them like the Kanektok in Western Alaska and Montana Creek south of Talkeetna. Tactics and strategies can vary from glacial fed river systems to those that are crystal clear. Fish behave and feed differently in varied environments. Through years of guiding I have used a couple of tactics that get over looked by many Alaskan fly fishermen. One in particular is related to the namesake of our sport, FLY fishing. Many anglers ignore aquatic insect hatches and throw the same Dali Llama or Cotton Candy cast after cast with nothing to show for it other than bottom ticking and dull hooks. The tactics Caddisfly Stimulator Bugmeister and methods that I will share have been tested and used from clear water road system rivers north of -No Tail Stonefly Stonefly Anchorage to the remote streams of Western Alaska and Kamchatka. Wings short tail? Caddisflies don’t have tails in their adult stage while species of stone flies have a short, split tail. These differences Story by Adam Cuthriell “Tent” style wings are found on caddis and stoneflies. Some can be seen in the insects themselves or by the flies we use to might argue that stonefly wings aren’t really “tent” style, but imitate them. rather down-wing style. However, for our purpose the tying techniques to imitate both are similar. Most caddisflies and Mayfly tails are often long and split. Some species have Fishing stoneflies have two sets of wings. In Alaska we have many two tails; some have three. These are imitated in multiple different species of stoneflies and caddisflies ranging in size, ways by tyers. Clear color, and time of year for hatching. Again, by observing the Tactics clues we are given we can solve this riddle. Nymphs During the fishing season many hatches occur with aquatic Dun wings or “sailboat” style wings are the type that are insects emerging, mating and dying. Before they turn into Photos by Adam Cuthriell present on mayflies. They stand up much taller on the water adults imitated with dry flies they are in their adolescent ater and Kathryn Cuthriell and look very different to us as well as the fish. These types stages of life. The adolescent stage of life takes place under W of wings are imitated by fly tyers in “parachute” style using the water. They are called nymphs. Nymphs are a huge food CDC, calf tail or synthetic wing material. Divided, upright source to hungry fish. In fact, most fish feed predominately When I first began guiding in Alaska I heard a lot of fellow guides and anglers yammering about how wings are often tied with hackle tips, waterfowl primary quill under the surface. That is because underwater is where the our fish don’t eat bugs—that they want meat! This seemed so true to me at the time. On a trip years ago sections, and natural hair such as calf tail, deer or elk hair and majority of life is spent for these insects. in Western Alaska on one of the rivers that ends with “TOK” or “IK” I witnessed this ‘hatch’ of decaying the like. Determining what type of insect is under the water flesh first hand. I thought for sure this would be the time to swing a flesh fly. I love throwing a two-handed may sound daunting but by paying attention to clues and rod and quickly jumped at the opportunity to swing a home-tied flesh fly. I swung through the run with no Tails investigating more about the river, you can learn what’s results. I then noticed a rather large trout feeding in the upper level of the water column. This trout was When selecting a fly to fish; observe the naturals that are hatching happening. When an angler arrives to the river’s edge and avoiding large pieces of flesh floating by to feed on something that I could not see. I went below the fish or flying about. Do they have no tail at all? A long-split tail? A doesn’t see any fish rising the fish are feeding on an underwater and dug through some rocks and sticks and discovered numerous, small mayfly nymphs being swept into my seine net. I retired my two-hander and grabbed my single-hand rod and tied on a small mayfly nymph imitation below an indicator. On the first drift over the huge ‘bow my indicator quickly disappeared below the surface, with the large ‘bow tail dancing across the river with my nymph in his top lip! I then worked my way back up the run on which I had swung and been skunked, catching many fish including grayling and char in addition to rainbows on my mayfly imitation. Since that experience, I vowed to slow down and pay more attention to what the river is telling me and less to people’s opinions.

76 www.FishAlaskaMagazine.com April 2018 April 2018 www.FishAlaskaMagazine.com 77 number of pinks. I suggested we go back to the start of the run and drift a large stonefly imitation through the water we had just fished. On her second cast she had a beautiful, 20-inch plus rainbow pulling out line at an incredible pace. She immediately screamed in excitement loud enough for her father to hear and he came running to see what the commotion was about. By the time he arrived I was netting the beautiful Sailboat Sailboat Blue Wing Parachute Wing - CDC Wing - CDC Olive - BWO Adams ‘bow, much to his daughter’s delight at out-fishing her dad. Her dad was in disbelief seeing the stonefly nymph in buffet. For us to see this buffet we can with minimal angling pressure, so basic, at home. A simple, homemade seine net notorious for eating egg sucking leeches the corner of the mouth rather than one employ a couple tricks. impressionistic flies like Pheasant Tail or can be made with a pair of pantyhose hence the massive amounts he had of his egg sucking leeches. After a quick One of the easiest methods is to find Hare’s Ear nymphs in a variety of sizes and the net you already own for landing tied up. He instructed me to take his photo she went back to fishing while the a part of the river with slower current and colors will produce. fish. Simply take the pair of panty hose daughter to a good run and get her dad and I discussed tactics over a shot of like an eddy behind a large boulder Another method to figuring out and slide them over the basket of your into some ‘bows. He gave her a couple good bourbon. He had told me that he or root wad or an inside seam of the what’s taking place in the river is called net. You will be amazed at what you can of the leeches to try. The daughter and had caught a lot of pink salmon in the river. In this slower current find a fist “seining”. Seining is where we use an see trapped in the panty hose. I walked up to the next run, and not run he was fishing but no rainbows. I to softball size rock on the bottom or extremely fine net called a seine net. On a trip last season with a very wanting to disappoint her in her father’s explained, “These fish have seen a zillion even a larger, submerged stick and pull We position the seine net downstream experienced fisherman from the Lower fly selection we tied on one of the brightly colored pieces of feathers and it out of the current slowly. On these of our position in the stream and kick 48 and his daughter of slightly less leeches and began to fish through the they know they don’t taste good. Let’s submerged objects you will likely find rocks around upstream of it. We hold experience we were fishing a river not run. Pink salmon were in the river at try throwing something that they know all sorts of insects of varying sizes, it in the current for about 30 seconds. too far north of Anchorage. The father the time so I knew the brightly colored tastes good—a stonefly.” I re-rigged his shapes, and colors. Just like matching Any nymphs dislodged will be swept was extremely excited to get out on leech would get something to tug on it. set up and sent him back down to his dry flies, we can match nymphs by downstream into the mesh. Then pull it his Alaskan fishing trip with a box full After four or five pinks she asked where hole. After releasing a couple nicer sized looking for the presence of a tail or out of the current slowly and examine of huge, brightly colored egg sucking the rainbows were. They had just come bow’s and grayling for the daughter, I no tail but most importantly, size and what it has collected. Seine nets can be leeches that he had tied himself. He from the Kenai where they caught some heard the father scream, “Net! Net! Net!” profile. In Alaska we have ravenous fish purchased from fishing shops or made had read that Alaskan rainbows are good ‘bows but also caught a ridiculous I went sprinting down to see a monster

Rainbow trout are opportunistic feeders who rely on insects for much of the year. "These fish have seen a zillion brightly colored pieces of feathers and they know they don’t taste good. Let’s try throwing something that they know tastes good—a stonefly. ”

thrashing near the father. At first, I thought it might have been a salmon foul hooked but it was a huge slab of a rainbow. After releasing the beautiful specimen, the dad told me it was his fourth fish in as many casts. He couldn’t believe that the stonefly imitation was drawing so much attention. With that opportunity I pulled up a large stick with numerous stonefly nymphs on it. He was blown away by the life he hadn’t noticed!

Mousing While fishing bugs can be one of the most productive ways to fish clear water it’s not always productive due to insect hatches or lack thereof. So . . . Fish a small mammal!! There is nothing more violent or exciting in fly fishing than a trout attacking a mouse pattern skittered across the surface of a clear water stream. Here in Alaska we are fortunate to have some of the biggest, most predatory trout in the world and one of the ways they gain such size is by eating shrews and voles. On many trips all over Alaska I have seen violent takes of a small shrew or vole trying to get to greener pastures by crossing the perilous, predator filled river. My clients and I have caught trout, grayling, char, dollies, silvers, chums, kings, and even sockeye on mice patterns skittered across the surface! Working a mouse is an amazing tactic to get fish to strike in all sorts of conditions. One condition where mousing excels and other tactics lack is fishing log jams. Trout and other predatory fish love the protection and opportunity to stalk prey through the cover afforded by a log jam. It allows them to choose their moment and prey at ease while giving them protection and comfort. It is also a place where many an angler has donated countless flies to the wood. By fishing a mouse, one stays above the pesky sticks below while still showing a worthy meal to hungry fish. Fishing aquatic insect and mice patterns shouldn’t be your only method of fishing clear water streams; they should be arrows in your quiver of tactics in addition to swinging flies, throwing flesh, and drifting beads. All anglers from seasoned guides to those just getting into this lifestyle are human, and being human we can get caught up in the excitement of the moment or day and neglect the river itself and what it is trying to show us. By paying attention to our surroundings we gain greater understanding of how to catch the fish we cherish and a better understanding of the whole system in which the fish are only a small part. Nearly every time I am fishing with people, from clients to friends, we stop at the river’s edge and observe. Each time we see something that would have gone unnoticed had we just gone charging in. For example, it would be easy to miss birds feeding on the same insects the fish are or a trout slamming a salmon smolt in the shallows of the river’s edge. Seeing the whole picture, not rushing by clues, will lead you to more fish and a better understanding of the river. Rainbows in Alaska are known for incredible jumps and fast runs, making them among the most exciting fish in the Great Land to catch on fly gear. Adam Cuthriell is part owner of FishHound Expeditions. His wife Kathryn Cuthriell and business partner Dave “Reps” Repta make up the rest of the company as well as their dogs Hatch, Rado, and Pike. They fish, live, and guide in Alaska year-round. When not guiding on the rivers they guide ice fishing on Alaska’s numerous lakes. This slab of a rainbow, aka Having a clean and organized boat is a great start. I give my boat a quick rinse at Walter, is what drives many of the end of the day to make sure the deck is clean and ready to go for the next day. I us to fish long hours in Alaska. will also clean my gear to make sure it stays in good working order. When I am going © Alaska Drift Away Fishing. out on a trip, my rule of thumb is to only bring the gear I need that day and I keep it contained in one area, like a rod locker. I pull out a Pips box and a few small bead boxes with some weights and in case I need to re-tie, and I always keep a pair of pliers with a scissors on my belt. Everything else stays in my trout bag and typically doesn’t get pulled out unless something unexpected happens. When my gear is organized, it is ready to deploy at any moment and I don’t waste time fumbling around looking for things. I also like to keep everyone’s bags, food, and extra clothes stored under the seats so there is room to move around without tripping. Another critical point to consider is having good gear set up before you leave the house. For me, this is a must. No one wants to miss the best bite of the day because they are tying gear. Being prepared will give you that one extra drift that could result in the big trout of the day. I always check and pre-tie all my rods prior to my trips. I also carry a Pips box with 35 pre-tied leaders, so it is an easy swap if I need a new The hook or the line is frayed. I might go through a few more leaders than the average person, but I am not willing to gamble on a 15-pound rainbow trout with a hook that isn’t sharp or a leader that has an abrasion. It is also important to have a good stock of beads and flies that you know are going to catch fish. I make it a priority to have a bead or fly that is one variation off what was the best choice yesterday. You have to stay on your trout game to have consistent good days. Another piece of gear that you should put in your boat is a sounder. It will help Little you understand important factors about what is going on underneath you, like water depth, water temperature, bottom structure, and where the fish are. In 2010, I was fishing with a military group from Anchorage. We were approaching an area that I had been catching more fish in lately, and as I went through a tighter channel my sounder started blowing up with fish. I decided to stop and start there instead. In our first drift we tied into several trout, one about 25 inches, and another a whopping Big 35.5 inches. Yes, that day we found Walter, a 22-pound rainbow trout. However, if I had not heeded the new information on my sounder, we wouldn’t have fished that spot at that exact moment and those two big rainbows wouldn’t have reached our net. The River & the Fish Care About the Little Things, Too When thinking about the river and the rainbow trout it is important to realize that constant change is the name of the game. There are some facets that remain constant, Things: but having the knowledge to make a good in-the-moment decision is crucial to better results. I like to look at it like a mystery or puzzle where each experience I have helps me for the next. Topics such as boat control, the sweet spot, water levels, spawn, food Up Your Trout Game lanes, and timing have a lot to do with upping your trout game on a daily basis. Accurate boat control is vital. As the skipper, you must be intentional behind Story & photos by Jeremy Anderson

The sun is about to come up and we just stopped at Cook’s Corner gas station in Sterling, Alaska, for one of their famous breakfast sandwiches. We can’t quite tell how the weather is going to shape out. The weather man said, “Partly just about everything,” which is common for Alaska. Before we back the boat in, we go through our morning routine to make sure everything is ready. Once the boat is in the water, we let the engine warm up and we prep our gear. Throughout this pre-fishing process I think about all the little things that lead to success on the water. It’s the sum of all the little things—while prepping and while fishing—that make a huge difference while on the hunt for Walter (what we like to call the big one). Your Boat & Gear Is Where It Starts I have been in a boat full of clutter with river silt caked on the floor. Did the boat still float? Yes. Did we still catch fish? Of course. I have also spent 45 minutes tied up to shore to retie gear. You’ve probably been there too. But the bottom line is that the more your line is in the water, the more catching opportunity you will have. If your boat is clean and organized and your gear is ready to go, your day is going to be a lot less stressful and you will be able to focus on finding Walter. Organize your gear before fishing. © Alaska Drift Away Fishing

84 www.FishAlaskaMagazine.com April 2018 April 2018 www.FishAlaskaMagazine.com 85 This 35.5-inch rainbow trout was caught after spotting a new school of salmon on the fish finder. © Alaska Drift Away Fishing

the motor or oars. You need the ability same bead or a different color or size? salmon and you will find the food lanes to put the boat exactly where you want Hitting the sweet spot early in the day downstream. If you are catching more it. You need the ability to control your helps me make good choices the rest of salmon than trout, you are probably right speed in the current. If you can develop a the day. on top of the spawning grounds. Your strong grasp of both then your drift will Water levels are constantly changing, best bet is to move below the salmon be more accurate, and that will result but are an important consideration where the water flows into the food lane. in more fish. Often times, people move each day. Train your eyes by choosing Food lanes change daily, and sometimes the boat more than they need to. I will a few markers, like the shoreline or a hourly, so you have to really pay attention often close my eyes and simply feel how rock in the water, and gauge their level to water levels and spawning salmon. The the boat is floating in the current. If I feel of exposure to tell if the water levels rest for this one is up to you to figure out resistance then I know it’s time to go with have gone up or down each day. I also on the water. the flow of the river a little more. Most use an application on my smart phone Timing is one of the biggest make-or- importantly, learn the river and plan called Fishhead, which allows me to see break factors in the trout game. There ahead to get your boat where you want how the water is changing in real time are a lot of quality rainbow trout in the it. Don’t try to force it if you’ve missed because it is connected to flow stations Kenai River, but if the conditions aren’t it—either motor up and position yourself on the river. It is an amazing tool to use right, then you won’t see them. Each bite early or row down to the next hole. that picks up on the subtleties you can’t of the day has its own value and payoff, The sweet spot is a riffle, slot, hole, necessarily see with your own eyes. When but every day I take note of the first bite, seam, drop, or whatever you want to call water levels change, so do the locations of the last bite, and the best bite session. it where you know you are going to catch the fish. Being aware of this will up your These can change daily, and after the river something. I like to consider this my trout game. goes through a major event, like a flood baseline of the day. Each day I go to my The spawn and food lanes for trout are or a muddying, it takes time for the river sweet spot to get reacquainted with the directly affected by water levels. Each year to stabilize and fish to be active again. river and fish, and it helps me understand we see schools of salmon move quite a bit Staying knowledgeable through these what has changed since yesterday. Here when the water changes volume quickly. changes requires a lot of time on the river are a few questions I ask myself in the It’s an easy adjustment if the water drops and/or good communication with fishing sweet spot: Did the drift fish the same? but if the water volume is rising then the buddies. This knowledge allows you to Are the fish in the same spot or did they salmon have more room to move around know your timing and to get away from move slightly? Do the trout want the and find their new happy place. Find the other anglers and pressured waters. A quality Kenai River rainbow trout caught on the first cast after the angler broke off on a snag using a pre-tied leader. © Alaska Drift Away Fishing

one shade different than one you started Little Big Things with. With flesh flies, it is important to for Your Fishing not change the major tone of the color The little things in your setup are but think about changing the highlights especially important when you are on of the fly a little bit. With leeches, I only the river. Simply upsizing your bead, have a few patterns in my quiver but in changing your fly, removing weights, or multiple colors and sizes. If one option increasing your leader length can change isn’t working another option will. your day to a “fish on” experience. My In terms of presentation, sometimes rule is simple—make one change at a time rainbow trout want a straight up dead to isolate the cause-and-effect relationship drift. Other times the trout get really of your changes. In high water add some excited when you swing your fly right length to your leader. In water with in front of them. And at other times, a less visibility upsize your bead or fly. In dead drift with a slight swing at the end slower water reduce weight a little. If of the drift is the best drift for the day. the fish wanted old beads yesterday and Also, the river will dictate whether you that bead isn’t working today, the quick have a better drift casting towards shore fix is to put on a fresh bead. If that isn’t or from shore towards the main channel. working, go back to an old bead that is Find out which works better in each spot A 27.5-inch Kenai River rainbow trout caught during the best bite of the day, which was only about a 30-minute window that day. © Alaska Drift Away Fishing tracking system that works best for you. This trout was caught in one of many “sweet spots” during the 2017 Tying it Together fall fishing season on the Give a long, hard look at how you operate middle Kenai. © Alaska your program, and you will have a better Drift Away Fishing vision to reflect on. Everything you do throughout your day, whether on purpose or by accident, is an integral factor in the outcome of your fishing trips. Remember that there are important things you can do even before you get on the water with your gear and boat. The more you are ready before you put the boat in the water, the more time you will spend with your line in the water. Recognize what the river and fish are providing you today, so you can incorporate that data into your future fishing plans. Don’t be afraid to change your plans up if other through what we like to call research and including weather, water clarity, what indicators tell you to. Take ownership of development. In other words, get out beads/flies worked, where the trout your fishing decisions and don’t be afraid there and fish it. were, and any other detail to help paint to try different things to see if it helps. It’s important to continually self-reflect the picture of the day. I was diligent for Remember that fishing is all about fun on your choices as a fisherman and to a few years and it was amazing how well on the water with the people you are create a place for past experiences to live so it worked. Over time I used the journal with, but why not come prepared with you can start to see trends and grow your less and now not much at all, but I think your little things and let them add up to depth of knowledge on rainbow trout that the value in tracking the river and finding Walter? fishing. Some people have a photographic the fish is unmatchable until it becomes memory and others need to write things second nature to you. Now I keep a photo down. When I first started fishing the journal of the flies and beads I produce Jeremy Anderson is one of the three co- Kenai, it was suggested that I use a daily and a sample of each one that worked owners/guides who operate Alaska Drift journal and write down everything, well. The bottom line is to develop a Away Fishing. Pan Roasted Halibut, Brussels Sprouts, Sweet Potatoes & Gruyere Fondue Recipe by Chef Eric Wallace, Westmark Hotel Sitka

Ingredients while proceeding with the remainder of the 2 lbs halibut filets, cut into 8-ounce portions recipe. In a large, flat-bottomed pan, begin ¼ cup olive oil to sauté rendering the pancetta on low heat. Once the 2 cups brussels sprouts—blanched and cut pancetta begins to brown, add in the butter in half and potatoes. Gently increase the heat at this 5 tbsp unsalted butter point and allow the potatoes and pancetta to 1 each red onion, cut into 1/4-inch wedges brown gently. Add in the onion wedges and 2 each sweet potatoes—blanched and cook until they are translucent. Add in the diced small brussels sprouts and continue cooking for four- ¼ cup rendered pancetta or bacon to six minutes. At this point reduce the heat ½ cup crème fraiche and add in the crème fraiche. Bring to a quick 1 tbsp fresh thyme—picked & minced boil then remove from the heat. Stir in the 2 cups grated gruyere cheese gruyere cheese and adjust the seasonings with Freshly ground pepper to season salt, pepper, thyme and freshly ground nutmeg. Freshly ground nutmeg to season Serve with the halibut placed on top. Kosher salt to season

Season the fish filets with salt and pepper. While these are resting, pre-heat a large sauté pan on low heat. Add the olive oil to the pan and begin searing the fish over med-high heat Westmark Hotel Sitka to develop color. After four minutes, gently turn the fish and place the pan in the oven pre- 330 Seward St., Sitka, AK 99835 (907) 747-6241 set to 400oF to finish cooking for 10 minutes. www.westmarkhotels.com/ Pull from the oven and allow the fish to rest destinations/sitka-hotel/

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Mike was still red-faced as he put them on. I decided to let him off the hook by lying, “Don’t worry Boots about it, I did the same thing.” I was just glad Story by Kelly Pinnell that we were alone on the river. That’s not exactly true. There was the Fish and Game Like many of my fishing buddies, I met Mike officer that stopped by later. at the hotel. He had just moved to Alaska I was looking for Mike when he pulled and joined the motley crew that made up the up. We talked for a bit after my license was hotel staff. Quickly, I learned that Mike liked verified. It was then that Mike came into view. to fly-fish. He claimed to have done quite a He was in the river casting and continually bit of trout fishing in Colorado and couldn’t looking over his shoulder into the brush. wait to test his skills here. I was fairly new to The officer walked onto the bridge and the game and thought that Mike might be the asked Mike if he could come up and show perfect mentor. him his fishing license. What Mike said Break-up came early that year so we planned surprised us both. a run down to the Kenai Peninsula, chasing He said, “No.” the rumor of an early smolt migration. Mike The officer looked at me. I shrugged. Great, showed up at the house in his red Cadillac. I not only is Mike a fishing rube, he was going quickly loaded my gear and we were off. to get us in trouble with the law. The long drive allowed for conversation, so I “Sir. I need to see that license.” quizzed Mike about the fine art of fly fishing Mike was grinning, “I understand, but I’m for trout. I will admit I was a bit intimidated staying here.” by the apparent master, but welcomed the The officer looked back at me for help. I opportunity to pick up some tips. had none to offer. He tried again, “Well if you Mike answered my questions as the miles don’t come up here I am coming down there.” passed and offered to let me dig through “Okay, but I wouldn’t advise that either.” his fly boxes. I opened the first box and was The officer was getting more than dazzled by the assortment of flies. Some were annoyed. Mike’s last comment sounded like a familiar, but the majority were new to me. I threat. “Last chance. If I have to come down questioned him about a few of the flies. His there you’ll be leaving with me.” answers were a bit vague and I didn’t press. “That’s fine with me. You had better bring We made it to the river without incident your shotgun though.” Mike laughed. and began to gear up. We both put on Who was this guy? Another criminal our waders and I completed the outfit by running to Alaska to escape the law? Who strapping on my boots. Mike didn’t put on says that to an officer? I had images of sitting his, which puzzled me. Maybe that’s how they in court, “No your honor, I barely knew the did things in Colorado? guy. I didn’t realize that he was the Colorado I waited as Mike finished his Kid. I’m just happy to be alive. I think he was preparations. His rod was strung, his vest going to strangle me and steal my boots if the loaded, bear spray on, everything but the officer hadn’t come along to save me.” boots. I was a bit confused, but I wasn’t going The officer moved his hand to his sidearm to question the master. and looked at me to see what I was doing. The Mike asked if I was ready to go. I said that I look of shock on my face told him I was just was and chuckled a little when I asked him if as confused as he was. I shook my head to he was ready. He had a big smile on his face, confirm I had no idea what was going on. “I couldn’t be more ready. I’ve been waiting to The mystery was solved when a cow moose fish in Alaska for years and now here we are.” and two calves appeared out of the brush I smiled and asked, “Are you sure?” behind Mike. The officer said, with obvious Mike’s smile faded and was replaced by a relief, “That explains it.” perplexed look. “Yeah, I’m ready. Why do you Mike responded, “Well, what are you keep asking?” waiting for? Take me to jail… please!” I couldn’t believe that he had forgotten to This was Mike’s first moose encounter so put on his boots so I looked directly at his feet we talked him through it. We learned that and repeated, “You sure?” the cow had been following him for an hour, Mike looked down at his feet and then snorting and pawing at the ground every back at me, still confused. “Yes.” time he tried to get out of the water. He I couldn’t take it anymore and laughed. didn’t know what else to do so he just kept “Mike you forgot to put your boots on.” fishing. Which, I’ve found, is the perfect Then it happened. The moment I knew I response to most challenges. wouldn’t be learning anything from him that We got skunked that day. However, Mike day. Mike looked to his feet and then back at did catch a new nickname, ‘Boots’. me with a deer in the headlights stare. “Boots? What boots?” I couldn’t believe it. “The boots that go Author Kelly Pinnell is a long time Alaskan over the waders.” I pointed to my feet so that and fly fisherman. His books include The Dolly he would be clear on what I meant. Made Me Do It and The ABC’s of Reading Mike was obviously embarrassed and said Alaska’s Small Rivers and Streams. He enjoys he didn’t need them. I could only shake my standing in water and waving sticks at fish.