Fly Fishing Alaska Rainbow Trout

Trout Fly Fishing Methods

You can expect to catch trout consistently on sink-tip lines, long leaders and weighted sculpin, articulated leech and minnow-imitator flies. These flies and a deepwater swing/strip presentation is often the means by which we catch the largest rainbows each summer. During late May through mid-June, salmon smolt (baby salmon) begin their downstream migration to the ocean. This kicks off the first major feeding season for rainbow trout following the long winter. We rip 2- 3" flashy streamers with versatile sink-tip lines with a downstream mend and cross-current retrieve. When salmon are spawning in Lake Creek Alaska and its tributaries (king salmon in late July, pinks and chums in August,) rainbow trout begin to congregate exclusively around spawning schools. Their anticipation of salmon eggs causes many large rainbows to venture out into the open river, often in shallow water. In late July, and early August, king salmon hens begin digging nests in coarse gravel in relatively fast water. This activity disturbs rocks on the bottom, releasing hundreds of caddis and mayfly nymphs and other aquatic insects. The flood of insects is eagerly consumed by rainbows waiting for the eventual escape of eggs from gravel. During this early spawning phase of kings, we fish nymphs such as the bitch creek or a large stonefly nymph or large woolhead sculpins. Beads, egg patterns and battle creek specials are other effective fly choices. Occasionally a big, bushy stimulator dry fly will take nice rainbows behind spawning salmon schools. When pinks and chums are spawning in large numbers, we start out fishing egg imitations in the spawning areas, particularly the chum beds, usually resulting in almost non-stop rainbow action. In shallow riffles, particularly behind chums, the rainbows will often eat dries readily. As the salmon spawn subsides, we have much success on ginger bunny flies as they imitate both a dying minnow or decaying salmon flesh, both crucial late season food sources for trout.

Fly Fishing Gear for Alaska Trout

Fly fishing rainbow trout in Alaska is a world-class Alaska fly fishing experience. It's important to have the right gear to maximize your success. We typically fish 5-7 weight medium action fly rods when pursuing trout on Lake Creek. 3 fly lines we would recommend having is a double-taper floating for dry fly fishing, a weight-forward floating line and a interchangeable sink tip line such as Rio's Versatip series. 1X apered leaders are ideal for dry fly fishing and small nymphs, whereas we get away just fine with straight 8-10lb. mono leaders for streamer fishing. We like Maxima Ultragreen leader material due to its abrasion resistance. 3-5 foot leaders are sufficient for most streamer fishing methods in our river system. A fly reel with a smooth, strong drag is sufficient.

Equipment Needed for Fly-Fishing Alaska Trout

Alaska Trout Fly Patterns

• Leech Patterns
  Sz. 8 - 4, black, ginger, purple
• Bunny Leech
  Size 8 - 4 ginger, white/pink, brown
• Battle Creek Special
  8 - 4 orange/white
• Sofa Pillow Dry
  8 - 6 orange or green body
• Glo bugs, trout beads
  peg with sz. 8 - 10 nymph hook