3 Rivers Fly and Tackle Saturday Fly Tying

3 Rivers Fly and Tackle Saturday Fly Tying

As the ice thickens and the snow gets deeper, the Vices get hotter. Winter has always been the time of year(especially in the 49th State) when most anglers spend less time on the water and more time tying flies. Behind the vice you dream of future expeditions and new ways of fooling the one that fooled you. So on most Saturday mornings we have a gathering. A gathering where similar souls come together to create and converse. If you think that you are searching for the same thing that we are then join us. Join us Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at 3 Rivers Fly and Tackle in Wasilla(for whom we are grateful to for the hospitality). These are informal sessions in which you need to bring your own equipment and materials but we are always willing to help.

Deroy Brandt

George Riddle of Blueberry Island Lodge lending a helping hand.

Summer Exploring

Exploring upper reaches of a valley creek.

Deroy Brandt, Colton Conner, Jake Williams

Loop Alaska

Jake and Wade Williams of Reel Fly Adventurez

Jackets: Loop Opti 3L pinstripe

Reels: Loop Evotec and Loop Opti Runner

Partners in Crime

I usually fish alone. Up until this summer my fly fishing has been a solitary pursuit in Alaska. My days were spent kicking around in a float tube perfecting my Stillwater prowess. That all changed when I met up with Jake and Wade. They showed me that not all moving water in Alaska was crowded and pounded hard. We had a great summer using the Switch Rods on some big Valley Bows and I can't wait for the ice to melt! Thanks for the outstanding summer and the hat.

Deroy Brandt

Capturing the Fall

Black and White

by Wade Williams

by Colton Conner

by Jake Williams

by Deroy Brandt

Kenai River in Winter

Being from up north where we fish on creeks that are not much wider than 40 to 50 feet and can be as narrow as 5 feet, going down to the Kenai is quite intimidating. I mean, fishing on any new river or creek is intimidating but the Kenai is a different monster. Its huge and you pretty much need a boat to get into the really good fishing. Walking and wading the Kenai River can be a very tough and daunting task, but if you know the river you can have success.

Well......I don't have a boat and I don't know the river so that makes the Kenai for me very frustrating. As vexing as it can be it never fails that around every February when we northern Alaskans start to get the itch, we head south to the Kenai (weather permitting) to wet a line and temporarily dust off the casting cob webs.

The thing I do like about the Kenai in winter is that there are no people, the water is low enough to walk a good portion of the river, and my favorite reason..........I get to use my spey rod. My technique for the Kenai is to just swing and cover as much water as I can and hope for the best. If all else fails at least I was able to practice casting which is always fun no matter what.

So if you were hoping to get some good advice on fishing the Kenai River in winter, well, Im sorry your not gonna get it here. But you should head over to Mossy's Fly Shop and talk to Mike Brown, the owner. He has the knowledge and the equipment to get you on the right path to having success down south.

I think that this might be the smallest Kenai Rainbow caught to date. But, in February it makes the 3 hour drive south well worth it.

Fat Fall Footballs

Here are some obese Fall Rainbows ready for winter.

Reel Fly Guide Wade Williams

Fall and Winter

The famous native Alaskan Leopard Rainbows here in the Valley have a very unique life. The season for fishing bows usually starts late April or Early May and ends around late September to early October. Its not because they stop feeding or because fish and game shuts it down,rather its due to weather. As everybody knows, it gets cold in Alaska. Some parts colder than others but, due to the temperatures in Northern Alaska, all the creeks freeze shut. So, as fall starts to ease into winter and the creeks start to drop and get colder, the trout and grayling all move out of their summer homes and into the Big Susitna River. The holes are deeper in the Big Sue and so the fish are able to sustain life through the winter. The trout and grayling live off mainly insects and sculpin during the winter but it is hardly a meal.

Susitna Valley fall rainbow.

Knowing that the fish have a long winter ahead of them, they have to stock up on food for fat storage (energy) during the winter when food is scarce. Kind of like the bears before hibernation. Luckily, for us fly fishing addicts, fall fish can be out of control without the crowds of summer tourists. During the fall season, the fish are trying to stuff their faces with food, mainly eggs and flesh, and gain pounds on pounds. This also means good chances for a trophy rainbow.

So while people get to enjoy fly fishing year around in the lower 48, we here in the Valley resort to tying flies and watching our library of fish porn again and again during the cold winter months.

But there is one place to go not too far from us and that is the world famous Kenai River.......

(to be continued...)

The outlet of Kenai Lake as it turns into the Kenai River.

Mug Shot

New Simms Mug.

Simms camo to keep the ruggedness and chrome lining the bottom for a touch of class.

Anadromous Autumn

Story and Pictures By Deroy Brandt.

Everything that has been written or said is true about the pursuit of Steelhead in the Fall. The long hours spent traveling, casting and waiting. The unpredictable water conditions and the guaranteed inclement weather. Add in the fact that the fish may not be willing or even there. These factors are the reason why the word obsession, is always used in our Epic Poem.

What sets this stanza apart in the poem is that Steelhead were caught. Not without some disappointment along the way though. We overcame some diffilculties and anger to reap the rewards of the water. Alyssa and Colton learned that the couple that Steelheads together, stays together. I learned that being the Third Wheel is not always bad. Especially when you are bringing some Cold, Hard Steel to humble hands.

Colton "Chrome" Conner

Colton and Alyssa

Deroy Brandt

Day on the Poudre

Finally got to get out on the riv for a day. It was a battle for the first 5 hours or so but the fish finally got active later in the day, that or I finally figured out what to use. Very different from Alaska.

Rainbow

Lunch

Brown Trout

TroutHunter

Just received my first round of the new TroutHunter leaders and tippet. These guys are the real deal. Great customer service, innovative spool design, and waterproof and UV resistant hard core packaging.

Check back for more updates on TroutHunter leaders and tippets.

www.trouthunt.com

Future Reel Fly Guide

Enjoy

Pics by Deroy Brandt

Rocky Mountain High

Went up to a "secret lake" in the Rocky Mountains and here is what happened...

Coffee with my cousin Jake on his deck. Colorado River in the back yard.

Beauty Rainbow

One word: SLAB

Sweet Reel