Custom Alaska Cruises Recommended Flies Mid June-Mid July

Dear Valued Custom Alaskan Cruises Guest,

Thank you for choosing Alaska Fly Fishing Goods to help out with your fly fishing needs for your upcoming SE Alaskan Vacation. I have set up this recommended fly list in the form of a shopping cart.  With this format, you will be able to see the recommended flies and products,  You will also be able to add/remove items and change quantities.  This recommended list is intended for 3-4 days of fishing. We recommend that anglers plan on using 3-4 flies per day.  Inexperienced anglers may want to consider 5-6 flies per day.

From Mid June thru Mid July is a transitional period for a lot of the streams and rivers in Southeast Alaska.  The tail end of the salmon smolt out migration is taking place while the first of the adult pink and chum salmon are starting to return. Dolly Varden and Cuttrhoat Trout can be found starting to return to the freshwater streams in preparation for the upcoming salmon spawn.  These fish will still be primarily feeding on salmon smolt which can be anywhere from 2-5" long.  In the brackish waters of the intertidal zone, try stripping clouser minnows in natural colors combinations.  Size six AK Clousers and Stinger Clousers are really good starting options.  Because the fish are getting ready to feed on salmon spawn, brighter pinks and orange colored Clousers can be a deadly alternative to the natural hues. When fishing up in the streams, try fishing the Tungsten Mini Dolly Llamas.  Many times the trout cannot risist the added motion that this pattern produces.

Down in the tidewater, most streams will see chum and pink salmon starting to stage.  This is a great time to target some bright salmon in tidewater.  The salmon will often cruise up and down the beaches near their rearing streams.  This allows the salmon to adjust their gills from salt to freshwater before they enter the streams to return to their spawning grounds.  Both pink and chums will often readily take bright pink streamers like the Humpy Hooker and AK Clouser.  Pinks usually fall for a medium fast strip, where chums often like a long slow strip.  If chums are found staging in moving water, try casting down and across the current and allow the fly swing across.  Try using the fast sink Polyleader with the Flash Fly in this situation.

If pink salmon are found in large schools, a very fun way to change up the day is to fish the AK Gurgler.  This is a foam wog style fly that is fished on the surface.  Try fishing it with long strips at a medium pace so that the fly is creating a nice way.  This will often entice the pinks to chase down the fly and eat it like Jaws.

Typical gear for this trip:

Dolly Varden and Trout-
9' fast action 5-6 wt with a floating line with a 9' 8-10# salmon/steelhead leader
10'6"-11'6" 4-5 wt Switch Rod with a Swich Line or Scandi Short

Pink Salmon- 
9' fast action 6-8 wt with a floating line with a 9' 8-10# salmon/steelhead leader
10'6"-11'6" 5-6 wt Switch Rod with a Swich Line or Scandi Short

Chum Salmon-
9' fast action 7-9 wt 
Floating Line with a 9' leader or  5' fast sink Polyleader with 5' of 12#
11-11'6" 7-8 wt Switch Rod with Skagit Switch or Airflo Scout shooting head with a the All Float -5/5' Medium Mow Tips.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email me.  

Thank you for your time,

Mike Cole
Web Manager
Alaska Fly Fishing Goods
(907) 586-1550
mike@alaskaflyfishinggoods.com