Alaska Rainbow Bristol Bay

Greetings,

Posted a video clip from Youtube video, Alaska Fly Fishing – Rainbow Trout (1080p HD) Top rated video

Cheers,
AKG

How much sleep did you lose during the vid? I only watch if it’s more than 36 hours.

Greetings wildbeaver,

I lost no sleep, and more accurately, I did not completely view the clip. I posted the clip in order to give folks a feel of recreational fishing opportunities in Bristol Bay. I do not understand your comment, “I only watch if it’s more than 36 hours.” Ain’t no video clip out there than I can watch for 36 hours. I hope the clip shows some good fishing in AK. Attention span, and
the ability to stay focused are both important attributes.

Cheers,
AKG

AKG wrote:

Greetings wildbeaver,

I lost no sleep, and more accurately, I did not completely view the clip. I posted the clip in order to give folks a feel of recreational fishing opportunities in Bristol Bay. I do not understand your comment, “I only watch if it’s more than 36 hours.” Ain’t no video clip out there than I can watch for 36 hours. I hope the clip shows some good fishing in AK. Attention span, and
the ability to stay focused are both important attributes.

Cheers,
AKG

Don’t worry about this comment. It was a shot taken at another thread.
DT

Thanks deertracker,

The comment did seem out of context. I am too old and it takes way too much energy to engage in worry. In fact, I have found that feelings are in fact, a choice. So is thinking. I am new to the forum and it will take me a little while to get up to speed. I enjoy conversation with good folks who have so much common ground. The last chat forum I was in, was a anti hunting, and fishing bear chat. It is difficult to talk with people who are anti hunters. Anti hunters who have never hunted in their entire life. At any rate, again thanks.
Peace and joy to you and yours,
AKG

Wasn’t that first fish a Dolly? Looks like some wonderful fishing.

S.R.

Greetings SR,
Yes Dolly Varden or (Salvelinus malma) are common in Alaska. I caught them in big numbers on the Karluk River, located on Kodiak Island. Another lesser well known trout common to Alaska is the Arctic Char (Salvelinus alpinus), easily confused with Dolly Varden. Of course Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) are also found in AK. Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) can be found in SE Alaska. Finally Arctic Grayling (Thymallus arcticus) are yet another species that is often over looked in favor of five different salmon species found in AK. Northern pike is another species available in AK. Makes Alaska a very popular fishing destination. See link below for more information.
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=home.main
Cheers,
AKG

Beautiful fish. I caught one on Resurrection Creek in Hope. A fond memory.

S.R.

Been to Hope many times. Gold panning was on the docket during my drives from Anchorage to Hope. Road access Alaska is quite good. Fly out Alaska is a horse of a different color. Lots a black bears near Hope.
Cheers
AKG

Thanks for the post.

I’ve recently started looking into ideas for a Bristol Bay area trout fishing trip. My only reference so far has been early Sept rainbow fishing on the Kenai. That would have been the very tail end of the 2nd red salmon run with similar fishing to this video (drifting beads thru groups of reds).

What time of the summer was this trip and was it primarily a bead/strike indicator affair? Was there any streamer/mouse pattern fishing available?

Also, what rods did you primarily use? 7 to 8 wt? and did you get into any switch rod lengths?

Thanks,

“What time of the summer was this trip and was it primarily a bead/strike indicator affair? Was there any streamer/mouse pattern fishing available?”

Tegg, I was on Lake Creek in late July/early August. The Silvers were running, the river was full of Pinks and Chum, and the Kings were all up river sitting on Redds. They call that part of Lake Creek “The Rock Garden”. That’s where a lot of the Rainbows were hanging around, eating nymphs and eggs filtering down from the redds. The guide said “yea, eggs…but they’re still Rainbows and they can get picky about size and color”. I decided to apply the “stranger theory”. That’s where you throw something entirely different so your presentation doesn’t get lost in the crowd. I tied on a Sculpin pattern tied with pheasant feathers from a bird my daughter shot. It was magic, many many trout up to 24 inches over the next couple of hours. The next morning at the lodge the guides were all waiting for me because they wanted to know how to tie up that Sculpin. So yes, streamers will work and work well.

S.R.

Greetings tegg,
I never know how much experience good folks have with Alaska, so, I tend to keep things basic, along with sharing my experience.

The world famous Kenai River is a very fine “road access” river system. I would most likely not recommend road access fishing because fly out fishing is so much better. Alaska access is often expensive. Why not jump on a float plane and see what the real AK wilderness is all about. The big draw on the Kenai was, king salmon. World record Kenai king salmon remains at 96+ lbs.

My favorite river in Bristol Bay is the Alagnak River. One of many favorites.
Sept in Bristol Bay is among the very best times of the year to catch monster bows. Typically I fly commercial flights from Anchorage to Illiamna, then to Nonvianuk Lake via float plane. We float 90 miles in river rafts, camping along the way. The biggest problem with catching rainbow, is being able to get your fly down through the salmon, and on to the rainbow. The other issues include, seasonal transition weather, and you will have to share the river with AK brown bears. Sept can be cold, which is nice with regards to bugs, not so nice with regards to bush aircraft. I have been “weathered in” many times, which was always a bonus. Best to plan on two extra days on each side of any bush flight. When the plane don’t fly, it’s time to go fishing.

Any egg pattern will work very well on AK Bristol Bay rainbow. My favorite fly is the purple egg sucking leech. I would bring fifty with me, and all were torn to shreds after the trip. Mouse flies in summer at night is a very special experience. I have seen rainbow literally jump out of the water, and down onto my mouse fly. Beads are a real good idea to have as well. Lotta fun. Bottom bouncing is key in Sept.

I use a 7 wt flyrod at the 9.5 foot length,for everything Alaska. I bring 3 of em, just in case I break one. I have had salmon break my 7 wts. Ain’t no stores out there to buy a new one. Timing and proper survival gear is life.

Hope that helps, if I can be of further assistance please let me know.
Watch out for the bears,
Cheers,
AKG

In my case I was in Anchorage for work so the Kenai worked perfect for a Sat/Sun before flying back home.

I am intrigued about something more substantial. Bristol Bay sounds like a great option although it’s not inexpensive. Good to hear as 9.5′ 7-wt plays into gear I already have. Some of that current looked pretty strong which made me wonder if one might want to bump up to an 8-wt.

Will need to keep Bristol Bay in the bag of fishing trip ideas.

Greetings again tegg,

Very cool on Kenai. How bout that Kenai River current? I fished rainbows at the head waters the Kenai just down from Skilak Lake clear on into Jan. I lived in Kenai/Soldotna AK for many years. Time and expense are certainly huge challenges. I can assure you that fly out fishing is way better. Fewer people and more bears are important to me. Bristol Bay is one of the premier rainbow trout destinations in the world. There are many youtube videos on Bristol Bay fishing. Planning takes many folks a year or more in advance to prepare.

I have carried and used 8-10 wt rods for bigger ocean fish. Just too heavy for AK in my experience. However, I say, go with what ya know, and of course, listen to your guide, as you will live longer, and catch more fish. I have seen a couple of Client’s who thought they had a better plan, only to catch more fish after following the guides suggestions. Finally folks who get on bush aircraft are all limited on weight.

It is hard to describe what it is like to be standing in ankle deep water with 5000 fish at your feet. In Bristol Bay we go catching, not fishing. No wait time is common in Bristol Bay. I had to pinch the barbs down in order to more quickly release, and get my fly back into the water for the next rainbow.

I consider Bristol Bay heaven on earth for those who chase bows. Most folks report having the trip of a lifetime.
Cheers,
AKG