Posted: 2/12/2012 6:03:27 AM EDT
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Wife and I are going on a really nice "helicopter" fishing trip in Alaska in July. I am NOT a flyfisherman by any means but I have done a little of it in the past. This is a big deal trip with all five salmon possible as well as rainbows. What I need from you guys is any advice that might be relevant. Waders? Bait? Mosquitos? Bare essentials? Rods?
TIA! |
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Quoted:
Wife and I are going on a really nice "helicopter" fishing trip in Alaska in July. Lucky bastard. I am NOT a flyfisherman by any means but I have done a little of it in the past. This is a big deal trip with all five salmon possible as well as rainbows. What I need from you guys is any advice that might be relevant. Waders? Around here you want breathable. Not sure up there. Bait? I think you mean flies.  Mosquitos? I'd leave them at home. Bare essentials? Rods? I like my TFO BVK with Okuma SLV reel.
TIA! I found my dream trip but it'll only happen if I hit the lottery. A 30-day trip starting with several days at an Orvis school, 5 days drifting down the Green River, and a 21-day backcountry excursion. Good luck man! Have a blast and definitely take lots of pics! |
| We got Simms breathable waders and wading boots with the small metal screw on grips yesterday ay Tailwaters yesterday in Dallas. I will continue to collect gear etc. as we move forward. Thanks for the advice so far! I`ve had wife out in the yard practicing with good results so far. My eyes my eyes! I can barely see to put a leader on my fly line! |
| This is absolutely a guided trip. We will be provided all the flies we need apparently. We are also going pike fishing for one day where there are NO limits and NONE of the fish we boat can be returned to the water. It seems the state doesn`t like pike living in this particular lake. |
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I went on a float trip plane out of Juneau (My wife and I were on a cruise).
We were right in the middle of the "Humpy" run (Come to think of it, the entire cruise was a "hump me" run  )
Anyway, all I brought were my waders and they werent really necessary (I just like mine alot and they fit me). This trip was more of a catchting experience. All one had to do was flip a simple roll cast out 6 feet into the creek and 15 fish would ATTACK the fly. Matching the hatch, double haul casting, finesse presentation (all traits of a good flyfisher) were useless. Huck a sparsely dreesed 3X hook covered with pink maribou and you caught. Caught ALOT. Like 50 salmon in 50 casts LOT. Actually it's kinda retard fishing because it's so easy. Of course YMMV, and you may be required to actually fly fish for Dollies or steel, but in my case it was easier to hook a salmon than it is for me to find my sneakers in my house |
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I went on a float trip plane out of Juneau (My wife and I were on a cruise). We were right in the middle of the "Humpy" run (Come to think of it, the entire cruise was a "hump me" run )
Anyway, all I brought were my waders and they werent really necessary (I just like mine alot and they fit me). This trip was more of a catchting experience. All one had to do was flip a simple roll cast out 6 feet into the creek and 15 fish would ATTACK the fly. Matching the hatch, double haul casting, finesse presentation (all traits of a good flyfisher) were useless. Huck a sparsely dreesed 3X hook covered with pink maribou and you caught. Caught ALOT. Like 50 salmon in 50 casts LOT. Actually it's kinda retard fishing because it's so easy. Of course YMMV, and you may be required to actually fly fish for Dollies or steel, but in WOW! This is what I wanted to hear. I really enjoy the "hunt" if you will for a trophy fish. What you`re describing is exactly what I want for my wife to experience. I`d be perfectly happy helping her get all those nasty fish off her hook so she can catch another one! my case it was easier to hook a salmon than it is for me to find my sneakers in my house |
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You did well by buying the simms waders. They will be perfect.
Your outfitter will give you the best advice on what rods to bring. My good buddy went up for a similar trip and took 5, 6, 7, 8wt rods. He said he wound up using the 6 and 7wt rods 90% of the time. But he missed the salmon so that explains the 8wt gathering dust. You will want a good wading jacket aka rain coat. The OR (outdoor research) goretex hats rock. Sunglasses are a must. Have a great time! |
Small update. Since I first posted I have spent a small fortune getting ready for this trip. Three new fly rods, two three piece G LOOMIS travel rods, Simms bags, line, nippers, nail knot tiers, two new spinning reels, Multiple fly lines both sinking and floating, extra backing, leaders, wire leaders for pike fishing, 14 lb test by the mile, sd cards for the camera, 460 Rowland compensated conversion (bear round) for one of the Kimbers, tanker style chest rig and on and on. I hope I catch a fish!
As for the wife I`ve had her in her waders in waist deep rushing water trying to get her used to them. She does fine! We have vests now that fit well and are continuing the casting lessons. Thanks for all the advice! |
Practice casting the wire pike leaders if you get a chance because they are a PITA to cast in my experience. I usually use some knotable wire and make my own as the pre packaged pike leaders have a piece of stiff wire and a snap on the end that does not present real well. Which lake, I assume that it's in the Susitna game units as that is the only area of the state that I know pike are seek and destroy. They are an invasive species on this side of the Alaska Range and have really put a hurt on the native salmon runs. They are a blast to sight fish though and you can catch a lot in an afternoon (I caught 30 last year in one afternoon on the same fly, the strikes didn't get any less vicious after they started to mangle the fly either ). Tight lines
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Quoted:
I don`t yet know the name of the lake we are pike fishing in. Thanks for the tip on the pike leaders. Never thought about them being hard to cast. How big do pike get? Just looked up some records for fish in Alaska: Chinook 98lbs Chum 32 Coho 26 Sockeye 16 Dolly 28 Pike 38 Steelhead 42 |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I don`t yet know the name of the lake we are pike fishing in. Thanks for the tip on the pike leaders. Never thought about them being hard to cast. How big do pike get? Just looked up some records for fish in Alaska: Chinook 98lbs Chum 32 Coho 26 Sockeye 16 Dolly 28 Pike 38 Steelhead 42 Wow! Big fish! Thanks! |