Top Tips for Your Alaska Fly Fishing Trip

03.21.13

We polled our past and present guides to find out what tips they can offer to make sure you have the best Alaska fly fishing trip possible. In order of importance based on our poll, these tips hold true whether you’re fly fishing in Alaska at our camps or somewhere else.

Top 5 Guide Tips for Your Alaska Fly Fishing Trip

Casting heavy weighted flies takes a little practice. Photo by ToshBrown.com

1. Practice Your Cast. Of course our guides are always happy to teach you how to cast (or how to improve your cast) while on your trip. But if you have the time before your trip, take a casting lesson from your local fly fishing shop and/or practice on your own, especially if your cast is a little rusty. If you can’t take a lessson, at least try to learn the basics through a book or video. Practice casting heavier rods (8 weight or so) with weighted flies – the feeling and effort is far different from throwing small dry flies on a light rod. After all, casting proficiency translates into more time fishing and less frustration.

2. Bring Solid Rain Gear. Period. It will likely rain at some point while you’re fly fishing in Alaska. Replace, or at minimum, retreat old rain gear with Revivex or similar re-waterproofing treatment. (And don’t forget to carry rain gear with you everyday in Alaska, even if the day starts of sunny.) DO NOT SKIMP on your rain gear!

3. Check Your Waders. You should check your waders for leaks several weeks prior to your trip in case they have to replaced or repaired. At your house, you can turn your waders inside out and fill them up to at least the crotch with water from a garden hose. This takes 2 people – one to hold the waders (they get very heavy), one to fill them and then check for leaks. Look for any seeps – big or small. Mark the area(s) for repair with a sharpie marker.

If you don’t take the time to water test your waders, at minimum visually check your seams on the inside and outside of your waders. Check your neoprene feet for cracks and rot. If anything looks amiss, have your waders repaired or replaced! You can often send them back to the manufacturer for repair at a reasonable cost. NOTE that before and during the busy summer season, allow several weeks for waders to be repaired by manufacturers. And don’t assume your local fly shop will have your size in stock should you need to replace them. PLAN AHEAD!

Soaking it in, Alaska Peninsula style. Photo by ToshBrown.com

4. Bring Comfortable Wading Boots. This is especially important if you are buying new boots that you have never worn before. (Remember, felt soles have been banned in Alaska.) Make sure your boots are comfortable and work with heavy socks and your waders. Note: we do more walking at our camps compared to most Alaska fly fishing lodges or trips, so proper fitting wading boots are very important.

5. Soak It In. Alaska is a magical place. Whether the fishing is the best of your life or a little slow, take time to stop, look around and soak in the awesome beauty around you. Both our fly fishing tent camps are located within some of the most pristine, remote, and wild lands found anywhere on the planet… take a moment to remember what it’s like to breath perfectly clean air.

Learn more here: Other Tips for Your Alaska Fly Fishing Trip

Posted in All Posts, Fishing, Tips