Question:

Hi All, October is the month you want to take off from work so you can fish for everything we have in the state. With the kids back in school and hunting season started there are less people fishing. Many trout streams pick up with the cooler fall temperatures. Flows are low and there are fall hatches. Brown trout are moving upstream to spawn.(Upper Sac, McCloud, Pit, Hat Creek, Fall River, East Carson, East Walker….) Lakes are cooling off so the trout are coming back to the surface to feed up for winter. ( Davis, Frenchmans,Almanor, Eagle, Crowley….) There are steelhead and salmon in all the rivers open to the ocean. (Klamath, Trinity, Lower Sac, Lower Feather, Lower Yuba, Lower American….) The stripers are schooling in the Sacramento Delta and the black bass have become active with the cooler water temps of fall. I guess the only fisheries that is not going in the fall is the American shad ? Try to plan a good trip this October so you can enjoy some good fly fishing. With the cooler temps you can fish all day too. If you need help planning a good trip or need the name of a good FF guide just let me know. It is pretty hard to have a bad trip in October in California. — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com Toll free USA 1-800-400-0359

Response:

It is pretty hard to have a bad trip in October in California.

If this was from *anywhere* but CA, it wouldn’t have been near as funny. <g — TL, Tim

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Question:

Good report deleted. Some general questions. When does the shad run start and how long does it last?

Around late March/early April through early May.   The peak varies from year to year.   Seems to be doing quite well this past week, though. How widespread are the runs?

If you mean when do the fish come up the river, it seems to be triggered by higher than average flows.   Early morning & late afternoon are reportedly better, but I don’t go enough to say yes or no.   I’ll add a bit of clarity in that the Susquehanna River holds more fish for longer than do these lower tributaries.   I just like Deer Creek because it’s so darned pretty and a lot easier fishing than on the big river (not to mention safer wading). Many years ago, when the shad were considerably more plentiful, one could arrive in the wee dawn hours and take up a position in quiet waters just below Conowingo Dam.   Once the rest of the world woke up and demanded electricity, they’d start the turbines in the hydro plant.   That was like an ON switch for the shad.   With the higher flows, they’d start biting imediately. Are they on spawning beds when you’re fishing for them or are they in the process of migrating upstream?

The ones I see and catch are migrating.   Quite honestly, I’m not familiar with their spawning habits.   I’ve never noticed a redd in the area I fish, but I’m relatively close to the mouth of the creek. Do the runs draw big crowds?

Crowd being a subjective term, I’d still say yes.   Some pools are known to be excellent spots, and to fish these, your space and mobility will be determined by other fishermen there.   Also, it is not FFO, and there are often a few spin fishermen crowding the FFers.   Having I said that, I’ll say that it is variable by time of day or day of the week.   It’s not necessary to fish the known spots though, the entire river usually holds fish at the peak of the run.   I’ve never had a problem finding a decent pool for myself. And since you didn’t ask: Yellow and red marabou streamers with gold or silver tinsel bodies are the fly of choice.   Use a sink tip line when the water is up.   Cast across and throw in a downstream mend.   They’ll hit on the swing. Joe F.

Response:

We have a HUGE run of shad in the Columbia R. throughout July, sometimes topping 100,000 per day.  These are fairly large fish, running about 3 to 7lbs, with the average about 4lbs.  Hard fighting fish, especially in the considerable current below Bonneville dam, which seems to be the best fishing area.  You can catch them on a fly, but most people use spinning gear, 8-12lb mono, and  small jigs (shad darts) with and ounce or more of pencil lead, since the best fishing is often 30 to 100 yards or more out (where the current is, beyond the eddies or slack water).  Also fisherman are often nearly touching shoulders, so flyfishing is well nigh impossible unless you fish well away from the crowds where the fishing is poor.  You also have to horse the fish in since there are so many lines in the water.  But with the fish so prolific, it can still be a blast. Pat K  

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – We have a HUGE run of shad in the Columbia R. throughout July, sometimes topping 100,000 per day.  These are fairly large fish, running about 3 to 7lbs, with the average about 4lbs.  Hard fighting fish, especially in the considerable current below Bonneville dam, which seems to be the best fishing area.  You can catch them on a fly, but most people use spinning gear, 8-12lb mono, and  small jigs (shad darts) with and ounce or more of pencil lead, since the best fishing is often 30 to 100 yards or more out (where the current is, beyond the eddies or slack water).  Also fisherman are often nearly touching shoulders, so flyfishing is well nigh impossible unless you fish well away from the crowds where the fishing is poor.  You also have to horse the fish in since there are so many lines in the water.  But with the fish so prolific, it can still be a blast. Pat K

Sounds like the "old days" on the Susquehanna below the Conowingo Dam when the larger American shad were plentiful there.   It was certainly not the kind of fishing I enjoy now; but still, it was a great fun of a different sort. Joe F.

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writes: (snip) I might get out again tonigh, & take my son & SWMBO.   Now where the hell is that other reel? Joe F.

Nice report Joe!The rain continuing over the weekend could have made for a tough day on the water.  A lot of fishermen would not even attempt it.  Says something for perserverance and determination! Wayne To Fish is Human….To Release Divine!      —–  Posted via NewsOne.Net: Free Usenet News via the Web  —–      —–  http://newsone.net/ —  Discussions on every subject. —–    NewsOne.Net prohibits users from posting spam.  If this or other posts

Response:

Good report deleted. Some general questions. When does the shad run start and how long does it last? How widespread are the runs? Are they on spawning beds when you’re fishing for them or are they in the process of migrating upstream? Do the runs draw big crowds? Willi

Response:

I’d hoped to get out over the weekend to give the shad run another shot, but the weather looked grim.   By Saturday evening, though, it had at least stopped raining steadily.   Around 5 p.m., SWMBO suggested I might get a couple hours in before dark.   In 10 min., I had the car packed and was on my way. I got to Deer Creek by 6, and as I parked my car, a few of the fishermen already at the Stafford Bridge pool were wading back to their cars.   The one guy I asked just said, "slow."   Still, I struggled into my waders, put my new Mike C. 4 wt. together, and dug in my bag for the reel.   Well, shit. I didn’t have the sink tip line I would certainly need with the water running as high as it was.   In a remarkable bout of foresight and redundancy, however, I had brought my 6 wt and its sink tip line.   Sorry, Mike; it’ll have to wait until next time.   I rigged the 6 wt. & waded out to a spot about 100 yds upstream of the other handful there. I was expecting slow, and the whole time I was gearing up, I didn’t see anybody else hooking up.   So I was pleasantly surprised when I nailed about a one-pounder on about my fifth cast.   Cool.   The barbless hook easily came free, and I went back to casting across the fast current.   Not long afterward, bam, another one.   Okay, that’s two in the first five minutes; how slow could it be?   In the end, not slow at all. After the tenth fish in less than an hour, I remembered a stale Montecruz in my vest pocket.   Most of the hits were coming at the end of the swing across the current, so after one cast, I tucked the rod under my arm and just let my line trail downstream while I lit the cigar.   About the time I got the stogie fired up, I had another fish on, and I set the hook with my armpit.  It was a little too easy; but I admit, I was having fun. As darkness approached, the average size of the fish increased, so I didn’t want to leave.   The last one, when I could barely see, was pushing two pounds.   In landing that one, I managed to tangle my line & tippet so badly there was no way I’d be able to undo it in the dark, so I was done for the night.   I’d caught well over 20 fish in about two hours. The 6 wt. was just a bit heavy for the size fish I was catching, and most of them could be pulled almost straight in.   A few bigger ones put up a pretty good fight, though, with a couple actually making the drag sing a few bars. I might get out again tonigh, & take my son & SWMBO.   Now where the hell is that other reel? Joe F.

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Question:

Hi I

Question:

Phew. Good story. How about more of this? Who out there among us has ever written a story for publication, only to have it rejected by some pip-squeek assistant editor? Why not publish yourself on the web? right here? This beats the hell out of C&R pissing. — /* Sandy Pittendrigh                  –oO0  * http://www.nervana.montana.edu/~sandy  */

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Why not publish yourself on the web? right here?

What, and give away blood, sweat & tears FOR FREE ? My literary agent would have a coronary. — Ken Fortenberry

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‘There’s nothing like making a definitive stement on the net to provehow wrong you are’

Too true, too true!

Response:

Seemingly oblivious to the arcane machinations and unexplainable antics of a veritable host of erstwhile anglers, walkers, canoers, frustrated lovers, and usually inebriated potential suicides on the bridge above, the large and reputedly ancient trout lay just below the second brick foundation of the first bridge arch.  According to local folklore he weighed in excess of ten pounds, but he was apparently oblivious of his fame as well.   He rose occasionally and slurped a particularly inviting morsel from the calm lane at the side of the fast water caused by the water rushing through the narrows of the arch.

(remarkable story snipped) Allright, then, Mike, would it be true? Which part did you play? Mark Faulkner

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(remarkable story snipped) Allright, then, Mike, would it be true? Which part did you play? Mark Faulkner

Perfectly true, I know, I was that trout ! TL MC

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Damn bait fisherman!  We need more bartenders like that around all trout streams! Warren

Response:

Seemingly oblivious to the arcane machinations and unexplainable antics of a veritable host of erstwhile anglers, walkers, canoers, frustrated lovers, and usually inebriated potential suicides on the bridge above, the large and reputedly ancient trout lay just below the second brick foundation of the first bridge arch.  According to local folklore he weighed in excess of ten pounds, but he was apparently oblivious of his fame as well.   He rose occasionally and slurped a particularly inviting morsel from the calm lane at the side of the fast water caused by the water rushing through the narrows of the arch. If some of the local worthies were to be believed he had been doing this every summer for the last ten years. Experts and tyros, men of letters, small boys with worms,  although the water was fly only, and even lowly poachers,  had all attempted the difficult cast at one time or another over the years, some even successfully, the jaw of the fish was laced with white scars easily visible in the clear water, testimony to the "barbs and arrows of outrageous fortune" to which he had been subjected and which he now bore with seeming nonchalance, perhaps even truculent pride. A hard won but most excellent education.  In the "Stag

Question:

Need info on how to access the river below Brockaway Mills.

Response:

Rich, I have never fished it myself…my buddies tell me below Brockway is better for smallies later in the season than trout.  That  not withstanding , the best advice for access is to call the warden for that area.  His name is Philip Howland and his number is 802 885 4975.  I am certain he can tell the easiest and most productive area in which to access.  Have fun. James James Ehlers Uncle Jammer’s Guide Service 1997 Guide of the Year Vermont Fly Fishing, Hunting, River and Woodland Outings http://pobox.com/~uncle

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Hi, My sister lives near Ascutney, and I fished the Williams a year ago. We went in near the power plant (dam) at Herrick’s Cove (I think that’s the name), and since the power co. had been letting no water out yet, it was high and quite good fishing. – went all over the cove area, and actually you could go right to the Conneticutt. Directions – take #5 hwy to the jct with 103, sign says NE power picnic area – boat access is there. If I remeber correctly, the rest of the water between the Mill and the cove was a series of small flatwater pools with lots of shallows in between – but then I was there in August ! Bill Need info on how to access the river below Brockaway Mills.

– Bill Curry Tight Lines Guide Service Lockeport, Nova Scotia, Canada http://www.tightlines.ns.ca

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Question:

Can anyone suggest an inexpensive rod and reel for salt water fly fishing. Line weight, tippets, etc. No Orvis recommendations please.

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Can anyone suggest an inexpensive rod and reel for salt water fly fishing. Line weight, tippets, etc. No Orvis recommendations please.

Yea.  A St. Croix 9 ft. 8 wt., Lamson Model 3, Dacron backing (20#), and a WF8F line.  Use tough leader material. So.. what do you have against Orvis?  I think a lot of their stuff is has a good price/performance ratio and the local salesguys have been very helpful even though I don’t spend big bucks there. Andy Schreckenghost

Response:

Paul Ruff writes: Can anyone suggest an inexpensive rod and reel for salt water fly

fishing. Line weight, tippets, etc. No Orvis recommendations please.

Paul, Look for a so called fast action  (more tip than whole rod bend)… as you will need to be able to cast 80 feet plus to do well in salt water.  It is true you can get some casts in under 50 feet by stalking….. and have, but tarpon, bonefish and especially permit are spooky on the flats and require extra long casts to reach.  A fast tip action will help this.  In addition, practice 5 to 10 minutes a day for 3 to 4 weeks to strengthen the specific shoulder and arm muscles you will use….. makes a big difference after fishing…Also use the very best salt water line you can afford….. more important than the rod.   I have not used other than Orvis, Sage and Scott and all are not

inexpensive…. so I will pass on a specific recommendation of a rod…. I have seen and cast in a yard the St. Croix series and they look promising…. but have not fished them. have fun Alan E. Hoover Anglers’ Rest Powhatan, Va        *the trout teach many, lessons*

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Question:

I realize that the best place to practice casting is in the water, but will casting in the yard damage my line?  I am new to fly fishing, so I don’t have any old lines to use, and I’d rather not trash an expensive line.  Should I buy an inexpensive line to practice with and save the $40 line for the water?   Thanks,

Response:

I realize that the best place to practice casting is in the water, but will casting in the yard damage my line?  I am new to fly fishing, so I don’t have any old lines to use, and I’d rather not trash an expensive line.  Should I buy an inexpensive line to practice with and save the $40 line for the water?

If you have a dog, just keep it clear of lawn, uh, ‘browns’. TimW

Response:

says… I realize that the best place to practice casting is in the water, but will casting in the yard damage my line?  I am new to fly fishing, so I don’t have any old lines to use, and I’d rather not trash an expensive line.  Should I buy an inexpensive line to practice with and save the $40 line for the water?   Thanks,

Hi Mark, If it’s just grass you are casting on, don’t be concerned. Pavement, cement, mud, sand etc. will be very tough on your line. On grass or water, clean your line often and hang it in large loops when not in use for extended periods ( month or more) Cheap lines will slow your learning progress. Buy a good line and look after it and the lawn will be a great place to practice. Don’t forget to add leader before you begin to practice and tie a small piece of yarn on the end of the leader. Flys get caught in the grass and you won’t need one to learn. We conduct classes on grass, using our own rods and lines, with over a hundred and fifty students per year. We use Mastery lines, clean them often, and hang them in the off season. Two to three years with very, very little sign of wear. Clean with soap and water and 3M line cleaner. Fly fishing is catching … learn to let go Dennis Grant Atlantic Fly Fishing School

Response:

Should I buy an inexpensive line to practice with and save the $40 line for the water?  

Hello Mark, It sshould be o.k. to practice with your line on grass as long as you clean it.  Never cast your line on concrete.  I work for a shop and we provide lines to cast with on concrete and they last very short.  Just use a good cleaning product or just dish soap.  Then use Glide or something like it to put a good coating on your line.  Your line should be fine. Good Casting, Paul Johnson,

Response:

: says… : : I realize that the best place to practice casting is in the water, but : will casting in the yard damage my line?  I am new to fly fishing, so I : don’t have any old lines to use, and I’d rather not trash an expensive : line.  Should I buy an inexpensive line to practice with and save the $40 : line for the water?   : If it’s just grass you are casting on, don’t be concerned… : Don’t forget to add leader before you begin to practice and tie a small : piece of yarn on the end of the leader… This is how I learned to cast (from Dave Engerbretson at a University Enrichment short course).  Two things I’d add:         1. be sure to clean and dress your line before you go fishing.         Grass will get your line dirty, which will make it hard to shoot         line.  But of course, you clean your line after every outing         anyway…right?         2. Have a couple snappy comebacks for the neighbors who wonder         what you’re fishing for.  Some possibilities: "I thought I saw a lawn         carp" or "with so many worms, I thought for sure there’d be         fish". — Laboratory for Applied Logic    Dept. of Computer Science University of Idaho             www: http://www.cs.uidaho.edu/~foster —–BEGIN PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK—– Version: 2.6.2 mQCNAzDtvLEAAAEEAKAC21G2Be0K0DMgjLpxrwLmsYfCz8rWcfgyABjr3Ryfk1dO nV7fFFpUF3xohR7die+/B2V9oqRQzTLeSF2ECKlsTY/yUyw2kn+P2ju1umh4Fwzd cVTvc+H69q1+Ft3kmw/PE0Pan+g0PUGGJ43stw3q4OgBHdixbRd/f9giJFDxAAUR tCZKYW1lcyBBLiBGb3N0ZXIgPGZvc3RlckBjcy51aWRhaG8uZWR1PokAlQMFEDD8 ReEXf3/YIiRQ8QEBFrAD/2AFuRWcD/3MENC3qJMC/Or1qxknjkK7Uv+TDf2LHPOY GHBbG9PyWuXQ8of0Dd+JYwf/tzlO9Yk1s1zTdikfriak21FW0bCokxDIhA3myppZ IZDWVA9CyvDYHuP5Ii1NkBvocab813JzDLZA+0iVN5sebGb9zSXR4Za47hlriHeP =RDHK —–END PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK—–

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Question:

Hi Sandy, I have a bunch of EVA ZOTE closed cell foam I bought from a dealer at the Fly Tackle Dealer Show a couple of years ago. I don’t avertize it in my catalog but I’ve got it if you need some. Give me a holler at 585-0745. Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

Response:

I have found some good foam for bugs by searching the boxes we regularly receive here at work.  Alot of the computer companies use good quality closed cell foam for shipping.  Soft and floats well. I’ve accumulated more than I’ll use in a very long time. It’s kind of like finding road kill foam. Seek and ye shall find. You can also find adhesivfoam in Hardware Stores (used to stop drafts)-

Fishfinder

Response:

I want some advice on different glues to use on foam body bugs.  I have tried head cement and it seems to work somewhat, but doesn’t bond the hook to the foam.

The strongest glue for anything will always be epoxy. Model airplane shops sell *thin* 5 minute epoxy that works well for fly tying. 20-minute epoxy will be more flexible and stronger yet, however. Super glue is handy, also sold at model airplane shops, along with ‘instant’ hardening catalyst. I make a lot of foam flies. I use cheap, open-cell polyurethane foam for soft-bodied nymphs and streamers, and EVA (ethyl-vinyl-acetate) closed-cell foam for grass hopper bodies, etc. Big, soft foam streamers are interesting because fish don’t spit them out. They bite down and say ‘yes, this is what I thought.’ Where do you get closed-cell EVA foam? I dunno, for sure. John Betts used to sell under an ‘Evazote’ trade name, but he never had colors. I get it from a wholesaler. But most folks can’t do that. I don’t use foam strips, I cut out a hopper body, wrap it lightly with thread to segment it, and then tie it on *loosely* with thread, and then use super glue. One last note: Not all closed-cell foam is worth anything. Some is so dense it hardly floats. You need to find *lightweight* foam to make unsinkable dry flies. Most fly shops sell strands of ’round-in-cross-section’ closed-cell foam (made by ??) that looks really handy. But the damn stuff is so heavy it’s more like rubber, and hardly floats.

Response:

Question:

I pulled open a drawer where I keep all kinds of eyes for tying fishing flies.  As I was getting set to tie some bonefish flies, I realized that a lot of my bead chain had come out of any pouch that it had been in.  Some of the bead chain is old standard stuff, some is Stainless, which I’d like to use on my bonefish flies.   Anyone know of an easy way to tell which is the stainless eyes? (besides letting it sit in salt water for a few days/weeks) Weird question, but I would hope some metallurgist fly-fisherman might know the easy answer! TIA… Steve

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I pulled open a drawer where I keep all kinds of eyes for tying fishing flies.  As I was getting set to tie some bonefish flies, I realized that a lot of my bead chain had come out of any pouch that it had been in.  Some of the bead chain is old standard stuff, some is Stainless, which I’d like to use on my bonefish flies. Anyone know of an easy way to tell which is the stainless eyes? (besides letting it sit in salt water for a few days/weeks) Weird question, but I would hope some metallurgist fly-fisherman might know the easy answer! TIA… Steve

Hi Steve Using a magnet is a good starting point in that (in my experience) even the highest-quality stainless steel exhibits some magnetic properties. I have three kinds of bead chain; chrome plated mild steel, shiny stainless steel and chrome plated brass.  A magnet should enable you to tell these three apart, in that brass won’t be even faintly magnetic. Hope that helps  Russ

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Anyone know of an easy way to tell which is the stainless eyes? (besides letting it sit in salt water for a few days/weeks)

I believe that a magnet will not attract stainless steel. Dave

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In general the stainless will not be "ferromagnetic" and will, therefore, not be attracted to a magnet, unlike the steel bead, which will.  Although this is not always the case I would take about any odds that it will work, as ferritic stainless is rare….make that very rare. dave

Response:

: I pulled open a drawer where I keep all kinds of eyes for tying : fishing flies.  As I was getting set to tie some bonefish flies, I : realized that a lot of my bead chain had come out of any pouch that it : had been in.  Some of the bead chain is old standard stuff, some is : Stainless, which I’d like to use on my bonefish flies.   : : Anyone know of an easy way to tell which is the stainless eyes? : (besides letting it sit in salt water for a few days/weeks) : : Weird question, but I would hope some metallurgist fly-fisherman might : know the easy answer! : : TIA… : : Steve Austenitic stainless steel will not attract a magnet.   Martensitic stainless steel *will* attract a magnet. So, one has to be careful.  Now, what you do have going for you is that austenitic stainless steel is the most corrosion resistant and thus might be the best choice for saltwater use.  However, martensitic is the type that can be the strongest.  As far as the other type of stainless, ferritic, I am not sure, but I think that also might attract a magnet.  As I said, one has to be careful. Good luck. Kind regards, Steve Kernosky Michigan Tech Univ.

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Stainless steel is generally not attracted to a magnet nearly as strongly as regular steel because of the increased content of other metals, i.e. nickel and others.  If you have a small magnet, you might try this until a *real* metal expert replies.  longspeer

Response:

Anyone know of an easy way to tell which is the stainless eyes? (besides letting it sit in salt water for a few days/weeks) I believe that a magnet will not attract stainless steel.

Russel and Dave- You are both right on.  Thanks for the tip… Steve

Response:

The technical stuff all sounds great – if you are trying to tell between Stainless and Mild Steel, the simple way is to make sure the item is clean (and not sharp) and taste it – stainless does not taste of anything, mild steel has a , well, metallic sort of taste. Dont hook yourself. hope it helps.

Response:

snip Anyone know of an easy way to tell which is the stainless eyes? (besides letting it sit in salt water for a few days/weeks) Weird question, but I would hope some metallurgist fly-fisherman might know the easy answer! TIA… Steve

I believe that stainless steel is not a ferromagnetic material, and therefore will not be attracted to a magnet. — Brian Charles

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: : The technical stuff all sounds great – if you are trying to tell : between Stainless and Mild Steel, the simple way is to make sure the : item is clean (and not sharp) and taste it – stainless does not taste : of anything, mild steel has a , well, metallic sort of taste. : : Might look a little silly. : :   : Dont hook yourself. : : That would look even worse. Just try explaining *that* to the wife. : : -DLB I guess I’ve come into this thread late, but has anyone mentioned that stainless steels (cept 17-4 HT or 18-8 HT) has very low to none magnetic capability. To determint it quickly I use a strong magnet. Mild steel is easy determined this way. Bob — Bob San Jose, Ca

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Hi, try using a good magnet. The stainless steel will roll to the magnet quicker. Good uh ? fishing.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – snip Anyone know of an easy way to tell which is the stainless eyes? (besides letting it sit in salt water for a few days/weeks) Weird question, but I would hope some metallurgist fly-fisherman might know the easy answer! TIA… Steve I believe that stainless steel is not a ferromagnetic material, and therefore will not be attracted to a magnet. — Brian Charles

No, some types of stainless steel (typically the 400 series, I believe) are at least slightly ferromagnetic, so a magnet is not an accurate way to determine whether or not the metal is stainless steel. Unfortunately, I don’t know of any easy, reliable way to distinguish stainless steel.  Usually one can tell by appearance:  stainless steel has a relatively dull, gray sheen compared to plated materials (eg. chrome or cadmium over steel), but brighter than aluminum or pot metal alloys.  It helps to have a practiced eye – as well as some examples of true stainless steel.  Surface texture is also a good clue:  with stainless, the machine tool marks may still be evident, whereas plating will typically smooth or fill these in.   -Wes Wes Neuenschwander Seattle, WA

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Question:

The mission requires a boat, the Kenai is the best one to start on.  only a few minor rapids.  there is a boat rental in Anch. called Wild Alaska Rivers Co. on old seward hwy. (907-344-wild)  get a raft.  The only bummer on the trip is a lake that must be rowed across , you can also get a motor for more $.  but the trip on the skyloc lake is worth it.  Many camping possibiltiy and Bear are abundant.  A fisherman on the russian river was mauled on the butt,  lucky.  It’s the best way to avoid the crowds.   Iteleboard (Jon Y.)

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Yes, there are plenty of road accessible streams and rivers, but getting a guide is really the way to go.  Some of the rivers are quite robust and I wouldn’t want to fish them without boat access.  Also, for Kings especially, guides can quickly point out the common resting holes.   To begin, I would recommend getting the fishing regulations from the DNR and other tourist information.  These are very precise, and will point out flies only spots.Plenty of famous spots on the Kenai, but if you go for Kings it could be "combat fishing".  There are plenty of good spots off the main drag to Talkeetna…check the fishing regs for flies only locations. This can also be mobbed during the King runs.   For an absolutely fabulous car tour, drive an hour or two to Portage, put your car on the flat bed of a train to Whitier.  It goes right through the mountains…there’s no other way to get there.  Then at Whitier put the car on the fairy to Valdez (about 8 hrs.).  Fantastic views of Price William sound, glaciers, whales ect.  Spend the night at Valdez and fish the Copper River basin.  Good spots near Glenallen, without the Anchorage-based crowds (still recommedn a guide though).  From there take the dirt road to Denali, see the park, then down to fish the Talkeetna basin.  The perfect Alaska trip, and it will bring right next to some of the best fishing they have to offer.  Kings on Fly rod…WOW!  Monster rainbows…delicate char.  Lucky dog. Have a good one. Tom

Response:

Dan:    Your query is one I have pursued for over 25 yrs.  Best suggestions:    Kenai River (if you can tolerate crowds), Deep Creek(same reservation), Anchor River (same) and a hike into Crescent Lake for greyling (float tube helpful); all above on the Kenai peninsula.  North of Anchorage try the Kepler Bradley Lakes (buy local folding maps which show lakes and raods) and further north, try lakes and streams along the Denali Hwy for wonderful greyling fishing, esp Clearwater Crk.  Local dealers at mcAfee’s fly shop and Mtn View Sprts. are helpful w/ directions. Good luck, Tom Nelson

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Hello, I’d like to go Anchorage, Alaska this summer and flyfish for any species of char, salmon, or trout without using guides or lodges.  I’d like to try to do this trip by driving from Anchorage (any distance) or taking a ferry and then wading or paddling on any streams or lakes. I’d like to camp or stay in motels.  So where and when are the best places for independent fishing, Kenai, North of Anchorage, or Kodiak, ect?  Are there any good books on the subject? Thanks in advance. Dan Janies University of Florida

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