Despite my best efforts during the hours I was actually on the water, the first couple months of my fly-fishing season were less productive than I would admit, even after a few drinks at the bar. Maybe you feel the same way?
In spite of the lackluster weather, I’ve been elbowing time onto the calendar for more fishing adventures. I doubled down on skipping out of the office in search of fish in Interior Alaska — behavior I could not possibly recommend enough. It allowed me to return to several cherished stretches of water that regularly dance through my daydreams with vivid nostalgia of noteworthy fish and create new memories with loved ones.
Fitting the trend of my season so far, my annual float trip down the Gulkana River was far less productive than I’ve grown accustomed to from prior trips. That isn’t a knock on the fishery, but more to say a steady stream of rainbow trout and Arctic grayling was not in the cards this time. The smiles and laughs, however, were as plentiful as ever.
After a couple-year hiatus, I returned to the Denali Highway to introduce my family to a slice of Alaska that I absolutely love. We savored slow starts, played camp games, admired meadows of wildflowers and ogled over crossbills. Oh, and we got lost in the wonderous iridescent hues of Arctic grayling. I listened to my mom giggle gleefully with each grayling she released and watched as the man who taught me how to fish experienced a “grayling parade” on the flies I tied for Father’s Day. The trip was simply unforgettable.
Following the dirt of the Denali Highway back to my responsibilities, I mulled over my returns to two remarkable and accessible fishing destinations. I was reminded that every outing is different, even in familiar waters, which I love about fly fishing. You often won’t find the same success, but that is the point in the pursuit, and it keeps me coming back for more.
The takeaway? Check the forecast, set your “out of office” replies, wrangle some companions and get out there. Summer isn’t slowing down – it’s nearly the end of July for crying out loud!
To kick start your fishing adventure plans, here are some trips to consider:
- Driving the Denali Highway. From Cantwell to Paxson you are continually crossing streams chock-full of Arctic grayling and there are numerous lakes just a short hike away.
- Symphony Lake is an exceptionally scenic hike in Chugach State Park and can offer good, and even great, Arctic grayling fishing.
- Bike or hike to Crescent Lake, where you very well may be rewarded with particularly large Arctic grayling. The lakes along Resurrection Pass and Johnson Pass also hold fish which could add some flavor to a summer ride or backpacking trip.
Six-Pack of the Week
Legitimately, these are the six flies I took out of my box last week:
Prep or Tip
I’m a decade into this Alaska dream and I just made one of my most valuable gear investments yet: a bug tent. On my Denali Highway trip, I could not help myself from regularly exclaiming how absolutely pleased I was to escape the bites of flying pests and maintain my sanity in a mesh fortress. If you don’t already own one, get a bug tent. You and your crew will have a much better time on your outing with significantly less lamenting over airborne assailants. Seriously, you won’t regret it.
Closures & Regulation Reminders
- Bird Creek opened to fishing on July 14, adding another close option for salmon fishing.
- On July 21, the limit for Kenai River sockeye below Skilak Lake was liberalized to six per day.
- On July 21, dip netting on the Kenai River was bumped to 24 hours a day, allowing ample time to harvest red gold.
