Fly Tying For Alaska

Fly Tying for Alaska fishing trips can be a great way to keep your mind on the fun trip ahead.  Tying flies that will produce more Rainbow trout and salmon for your trip will save you money. The first entry will deal with putting together an articulated hook system.  Articulated flies work well imitating leaches, minnows, other fish.  I enjoy fishing them but tying for example an articulated leach takes some time. No Matter what hooks you use and where you make your articulation the steps are basically the same.  On this particular fly I made the head articulated to the shoulder of the fly.  This is different way to make an egg sucking leach.   1)  put your front hook in the vise (cut at the shank or not) and make a few wraps with you bobbin and thread. 2) take your Dacron or other rope like material and loop it through the eye of the trailer hook. 3) Now you can take the tag ends of the Dacron and tie it to the front hook.  3 or 4 wraps to start and pull straight down to lock it into place.  then continue forward with wraps up the shank of the front hook. 4) Once you are 3/4’s of the way up the shank fold the material back towards the bend of the hook and wrap back over the tags.  This will lock in the material and it shouldn’t be able to pull off the front hook.  I always add super glue between any step in the process.  It’s cheep and it also adds strength to your fly. For this fly I prefer the head to be weighted with lead eyes to achieve the action I want. To add lead eyes I first add super glue where the eyes will be laying on the hook then with many figure 8 wraps lock the eyes on.   Tying flies can be fun, it allows you to be creative and it also passes the time in the cold winter months.  I highly recommend it and if you have an idea and would like me to share it on my blog, don’t hesitate to let me know through my website at www.driftingonthefly.com Thanks and tight lines

Winter Kenai River Rainbow Trout Fishing

  A few things to keep in mind for Winter Kenai River Rainbow Trout Fishing. 1, watch the weather patterns and fronts that are moving through.  If it is calling for a high of 30 degrees it is probably going to be warm enough to keep the ice off the guides for a few hours. 2, fish slow and thorough concentrating in good, producing runs.  Fish will concentrate and follow the food source. 3, stay warm,  Slow down and take the time to keep yourself warm.  Sometimes I find myself wade fishing too long and needing more time to warm up. 4, be smart,  carry extra cloths, first aid kit, extra hand warmers and lots of extra gloves.  Wet hands  will make your whole body cold, try a hook and release tool to keep your hands dry. Remember that removing fish from the water in below freezing temperatures will freeze there gills almost immediately.  I know that I have been bad for this in years past like many folks but it is something that is very important and is our responsibility in helping protect our resource. If you are interested in booking a 2009 trip or just have a question feel free to contact me at www.driftingonthefly.com Tight lines, Scott Sager

FALL TROUT FISHING ON THE KENAI RIVER

Fall trout fishing on the Kenai River can be epic.  My good friend Nigel Fox caught this Rainbow Trout on his favorite flesh fly. If the temperatures are right at this time of year we will allow you to remove the fish briefly from the water for a picture Late Oct. when the conditions are right you might switch it up and try one of your favorite flesh flies.  Many flies work at this time of year.  Leech’s, flesh flies, egg patterns, a variety of nymphs and many more, so techniques change as we change patterns. The mornings are cold and winter is knocking on our door now.  I would like to be able to chase kenai river rainbow trout for a few more weeks though. Guiding on the kenai river is very exciting for me because you never know when the opportunity for a fish of a lifetime is willing to bite. We offer both fly fishing and spin fishing guided trips.  No matter how you would like to fish the Kenai River we can accommodate your style.  Upper river drift boat trips and middle kenai river power boat trips available. I hope that if you are interested in a guide trip that you will contact us for your next Alaska fishing vacation. Tight Lines, Scott Drifting On The Fly, LLC

Kenai River Rainbow Trout Fishing In October

Kenai River Rainbow Trout Fishing in October is a great time to get out and experience the river. The crowds are starting to dwindle and the water levels usually are doing the same.  The weather can get cold and snow will be in the forecast more than likely but the fish will be there. Being new to fly fishing, Sam handled this fish like a pro.  Great Job! When the tempuratures drop we will not remove the fish from the water so there isn’t as high of a mortality rate.  Please respect this and we will do our best to get a quality picture of you catch.  If we plan on harvesting a silver salmon this rule doesn’t apply! Grayling are not a common fish in the Kenai river but we do catch one every once in a while.  Today was the exception, we caught one 8″ arctic grayling today.  Grayling will move into the kenai river later in the season to find food before the long winter sets in. October fishing on the kenai river can be very productive.  Silver salmon are spawning now and the Rainbow trout move right behind them to feed.  If you would like a late season guide trip on the kenai river contact us anytime. Tight Lines, Scott sager Drifting On The Fly, LLC

KENAI RIVER GUIDE TRIP

  kenai river rainbow trout fishingThere are many kenai river guide trip opportunities available.  Rainbow trout, dolly varden, king salmon, silver salmon, sockeye salmon and many more.  We offer both fly and spin fishing trips so no matter how you would like to pursue these beautiful fish we can accommodate you. We also can provide drift boat and/or power boat guided fishing trips. Fall and early winter brings my favorite fish to chase to our nearby waters,  giant rainbow trout on the kenai river and Silver salmon.  The rivers along the Kenai peninsula are now starting to lose water and the fish are gearing up for the cold months ahead.  Finding big rainbow trout, fresh steelhead and silver salmon isn’t a problem as much as keeping the guides on your rod open from ice.  We are still chasing some really big fish now and I hope you are too.  Our guide service continues to run trips until the end of October, weather permitting.  All you will need is some warm cloths, waders (we can provide them), a packed lunch, and a fishing license. If you are interested in a late season kenai river fishing trip contact us here.

Tight Lines, Scott Drifting On The Fly, LLC

FLY FISHING RAINBOW TROUT ON THE KENAI RIVER

kenai river rainbow troutFly Fishing rainbow trout on the Kenai river can be a great guided trip.  We offer many trips on the Kenai but specialize in finding bit trout on the fly.  Fish like these aren’t landed everyday but are hooked often.  Every once in a while a fish cooperates and an angler does everything right and we are able to put a big fish in the net.

King Salmon are starting to really starting to drop their eggs now and trout fishing the kenai river is heating up.   The Rainbow trout are moving around and finding dinner at the the hottest spawning ground these days. The river should be full of eggs within the next week..!!! Think of any other trout fishing you know and match the hatch except with beads and flesh flies instead of may flies and stone flies.  Just like any fishing pay attention to what’s happening in the stream and you’ll have a more productive day on the water.

Guide trips are available and Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about our kenai River guide operation or what is going on with the Kenai River.

Thanks and tight lines,

Scott sager www.driftingonthefly.com

Middle Kenai River Fishing

Middle kenai river fishing is very popular.  We chase Rainbow trout, dolly varden, silver salmon and sockeye salmon on this section of river. alaska rainbow trout fishing Rainbow Trout fishing the kenai river is good day here and a so so day there but we look for it to get real good any day. Rainbow trout that are over 25 inches are not uncommon here and 30 inch fish are landed many times throughout the season.  Middle kenai river trout fishing is good in June, August, September and October.  Book a trip on the middle kenai river and then a steelhead fishing trip or two and let us show you a great fishing vacation. I’m going to be out in the back country for the next few days so if you have a question about booking a leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.  Alaska’s back country is fun and wild.  The great thing about being a small guide service is that we can work with you to design the trip that you want.  We have lots of rivers in our arsenal and can put just about anything together that you might want to do. Thanks and hope your getting a line wet. Scott Sager www.driftingonthefly.com 907-382-6808

KENAI RIVER KING SALMON

Kenai river King Salmon are coming in better numbers every day.  The rivers both kenai and kasilof are fishing well right now. Drift fishing has still been hit or miss depending on the day. A few Sockeye Salmon are showing up in the Kenai River this week. Be sure to familiarize yourself if you plan to fish the Kenai river since a lot of regulation changes are now in effect for the 2008 season. Pay special attention to the 2-Stroke Motor restrictions. June 11 will open the Kenai River Rainbow Trout Season, until then this season is closed river wide. Check out this link for details on the regulation changes. Give me a call 907-382-6808 if you want to fish the Kenai or Kasilof, I still have a few days open in June as of tonight if you are interested in using our kenai peninsula guide service.

Tight Lines, Scott Drifting On The Fly, LLC

FLY FISHING THE KENAI RIVER

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Fly fishing the kenai river is a great way to spend time on your vacation. I recently was asked the question ‘What rod would you recommend for Rainbow trout fishing on the Kenai River’?  I thought about it and my answer: there is a rod for every situation.  On the Upper kenai River I like to use a 9′ – 10′ 6 or 7 weight and  then a 7-8 weight on the Middle Kenai river for rainbow trout and dolly varden.  I think it comes down to preference when choosing a rod.  One thing that I do consider is the amount of weight of the fly you are casting and the size of fish that you could latch on to.  No matter the weight of the rod I believe that a 10′ rod or longer even is your best length for big mends and long leaders!

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Whenever you approach a stream or river make sure you look before you wade.  Fish will often be feeding close to the bank and this is a fish you can catch instead of spooking into deeper water.

I’d be happy to show you a guided trip down the kenai river.  We have wade fishing, drift boat, and power boat opportunities available.

Tight Lines, Scott Sager Drifting On The Fly, LLC

TROUT BEADS FOR THE KENAI RIVER

copy-of-beads-004.jpg Rainbow trout beads for the kenai river come in a lot of different sizes and colors.  Give them a realistic look by painting them in the color of a real salmon egg.  There are so many different stages of color that a real salmon egg has so have a large selection of trout beads for the kenai river. A good way to make sure you have everything you need for the kenai river rainbow trout season is to start early.  It also makes for more fishing time when you get a chance to go! Anywhere there is fish spawning you should at least have a few beads in your box. We use many different flies, beads, and lures to fish the kenai river.  Beads are just another weapon in your box for you fishing adventure on the kenai. Tight Lines, Scott sager Drifting On The Fly, LLC