Fall Fishing

The rivers have been fluctuating a bit the last few weeks but it looks like its starting to level out. Water is still a little high right now but very fishable. Flesh and beads are working along with some streamer patterns.

Last Catch....untill next season.

I had a great last day on the river with one of my former college professors Larry Ross who is actually a Gloomis and Ross Reels pro staffer. The fishing was a bit slow with numerous hook ups but nothing to the net until Larry hooked into this beauty. It was in a bit of a technical spot but Larry played it very well. I do have to say one thing that I have never been fishing with someone who was that excited to catch a fish. It was not that it was some world record or his first fish ever, or any instance like that but more so he just appreciates, respects, and purely enjoys fly fishing and what it has to offer. I was so happy to see that excitement and passion because not only is it rare to see but I share that same excitement and passion and am not afraid to show it. So many people just get caught up in wanting to catch fish and they think thats all that its about. I feel bad for those people. I often say that fishing is always good but the catching is sometimes not.

Gloomis and Ross Reels pro staffer Larry Ross and Jake with beautiful Valley Rainbow

I am now headed down to Greeley, Colorado for the winter for school. Wade will be around for a while to keep guiding but will also be leaving towards the end of September. I will still be posting fishing reports for the Valley and then posting pics from Colorado. Once again it was a great summer with some great fish and I look forward to next season. Tight lines!!

Fishing picking up!

The waters have finally came back down from the rain we have had the last couple of weeks. More Kings have moved up and are starting to spawn and there are also silvers, chums, and pinks are up in the rivers as well. The bead bite has started to pick up and should be getting better from here on. Tight Lines!

Ian from New Zealand

Guides Day Off!

As a trout guide in south central Alaska I have more days off than normal because the real attraction are the salmon. So it is always a treat when I get to fish with my good friend Colton Conner, Head Guide at Deshka Landing Lodge. He is one of the busiest salmon guides in the area and does not have much time to fish himself, which is a common problem in the guiding world. But on this special day the stars aligned and we were able to get out and target trout all day. It was a very hot and sunny day which sometimes can not be very conducive to fishing but it didn't matter today. Armed with our TFO 5 wt. switch rods we headed out. Long story short we will let the pics do the talking. Enjoy!!

Jake Williams of Reel Fly Adventurez (left)

Colton Conner of Deshka Landing Lodge(right)

Guides guiding Guides

Reel Fly

The smile says it all!!

Water Wolf

When the rainbow fishing is slow sometimes you have to venture out and target something else. I cant believe after living here all my life I have not targeted Pike on the fly. With the help and knowledge of my good friend Deroy and the use of his trusty wooden canoe my girlfriend and I teamed up with Deroy for our first Pike adventure. It was nothing less that amazing, and chaotic at times. Stripping poppers across the top of the water and watching a wake headed right for your fly from 15 feet away is exhilarating! Of course there where some pre-mature hook setting at first but we soon were putting the hurt to some fish. Tight Lines!

Grayling

Grayling are a fish that can often be under appreciated here in Alaska. In south central Alaska they generally don't get too big but they are fun to catch and have amazing colors. The Grayling will take anything from dry flies to beads and are often found where the rainbows are and using 3 or 4 weight rods will suffice for these fish. Grayling are not usually the trophy fish that people come to Alaska for but they are still impressed by the appearance of these underdogs.

Waiting on Kings

Rainbow fishing has been slow but steady. Just waiting on the Kings to get up river now to bring the bows out of hiding. Once the Kings get further up into the tributaries and start dropping eggs fishing will really start to pick up. If you are lucky enough to fish during the first egg drop it can be crazy! Kings are starting to move into the mouth's of the Parks Highway tributaries so it shouldn't be too much longer until we start seeing them up stream. The Rainbows are feeding on just about everything right now so fish it all, flesh, beads, smolt, and sculpin. Tight Lines!