YEEHAA Going North this August

[jdmidwest]

Update. 4 weeks to D-day. Just acquired a new Orvis 8wt 9' Zero Gravity 4pc rod and reel for the trip, new wading boots, and some waterproof fleece for the trip. This trip, I have better equipment than last time in 2000. You learn from experience. The minute I returned I started upgrading, buying fleece, gortex, GPS, lighter weight camping equip, etc. Alaska is a little more technical than a trip to Taney. Especially when you go "do it yourself" without a guide or camp outfitter.

I can hardly wait to cast the rod, feels great. I have a 5wt 9' 4pc Zero Gravity and it is wonderful. Dam pretty rod for Orvis. I remember the days when they did not even sand the blanks and left a spiral on the rod all the way. Nice red finish, nickel silver reel seats. This one will probably punch thru the winds with ease. Been watching Turnagain Arm forcasts and the winds have been running 20 to 30 mph.

I have noticed a lack of reports on Alaska here since Phil got back, I know others have gone too. Whats up?

[AKflyfisher]

Jd, Yep I to am heading up north to fish again after living here for 4months now I need a break from the heat and small fish. So I am headed up to anchorage on the 4th aug staying with my freind and doing abunch of fishing.

Its funny you say Ak is technical fishing, I think the same way about the tailwaters down here. Yep late Aug will be a great time to go, as long as the water agrees with you. last year about that time the rivers where still really high from our 100yr flood that riped threw southcentral AK.

Anyway Ill post a report when I get back on the 11th of aug. And if you got any questions I might know ask me. I know the kenai and valley pretty well from living there for a while

[jdmidwest]

Technical in equipment only. If you dunk around here, you walk back to the truck. If you see a meth head coming down the river in a stagger, you can avoid him around here. In Alaska, you dunk in glacier water, it can be critical. If you see a Grizzly charging down the stream, it can be critical.

The fishing is great and the equipment is upscale from down here. The temps and and the climate is great this time of year. If I break something here, I go replace it. Up there, I am screwed if it happens and we will be a long way from help or a store.

Last time, I had a weak tent, 40 degree bag, mostly cotton clothing, neoprene waders, and cheap raingear. The temps were down in the 20's of a night and the winds were in the 30 mph range. All of the equipment would do well around here, but up there it was marginal. I will be better prepared this time and more comfortable.

I look forward to the post. Any special patterns doing well this year? I am tying for 2 and will be targeting the trout, dollies, and silvers. If the rain blows us out, we can find other things to do. We will have a rental car and camping gear. We could wander north or south. I hope to hit the 20 Mile river, Russian, and Montana Creek at least. I want some grayling this time so we may venture farther north and take a better look at Denali. I read today that a new alpine trail just was improved at Girdwood, a hike may be nice also, it will be close to "base camp".

[AKflyfisher]

Ohh yea hikeing around the turnigain arm will be awsome there should be some berries on the bushes to so you can go berry picking (tastie) I would say either the turnagain arm or Hatchers pass are my favorite places to hike.

No I completly understand why you say technical fishing up there, but I guess for me its "home" so it dosnt seem to technical.

You say your fishing 20mile from what I remember the silvers run really late their like mid to late sep. But of course you could try a real native alaskan experience and fish Bird creek (wouldnt recomend it) Nice and thick with silvers and crowds and bears that time of year

Oh and I see Quartz is not on your list of rivers you must fish it I have caught 60+ dollies beading on it in aug before Their will also be some rainbows but not many in the creek. (Quartz is a tributary to Kenai lake you drive buy it on the way to the russian on the sterling highway.) Their is 2 campgrounds on the creek quarts creek and another one find the other one and you will find alot of fish. Do a little exploring an fish the sweepers and other structures and you will be rewarded

[AKflyfisher]

ok flies I dont know of any new ones that are clamed to garuntee fish and all but for rainbows and dollies eggs/flesh and a sculpin or 2,

for silvers

I would take black&purple egg sucking leaches, fushia bunny leaches, flash flys, bright clousers (maby), a polywog or 2, I think the most important thing is covering 4 major colors Black,purple,fushia/pink,and a few chartruse flys have that and you should be covered

Anyway looks like you have rainbow flys coved just get some purple esl in that box and you will be set

[Phil Lilley]

I think you're right... change colors (and those are the best). We did very well on silvers last year on black or purple wooly buggers #8's and #10's. But we were fishing for them in fairly slow current.

[jdmidwest]

1 week and 2 days or less and I am getting pumped. Our area is getting up in the 70's of a day and the 20 Mile river is spiking a little during the heat of the day according to USGS due to melting of the glacier. Fishing report from John shows good runs of Pinks, Reds, Chums and a few Silvers coming in good. 70 degrees will be a nice break, my readout at 2:00 on the truck in the shade was 101. Last weekend at home, tying flies and getting stuff together.

Other backup streams looking good, Russian River is just now getting peak Red run. Talkeetna area is doing good on the Silvers.

Time flies when you are gonna have fun....

[AKflyfisher]

Jd, I just got back from my trip today the fishing was hard. The sun was out and it was warm everyday I was there, the water levels were rediculoisly low, and the reds were late or not coming. The russian is as low as I have ever seen it and it had no reds holding in it, so the rainbow fishing was hard only seen acouple holding in the river and they were super spookey. we caught some though but not as much as usual they were all holding around the cleaning tables. The parks highway steams were all fishing pretty tought to but they were alittle up compared to kenai steams the silvers are starting to show but they are mixed in with a bunch of pinks and chums. the rainbows were spooky. Even with the unfavorable conditions the fish can be caught but just not easy. but what the fishing laked the nice weather made up for good site seeing

Of course the conditions might change in your favor and you might get some rain and overcast days

[jdmidwest]

Thanks for the report, it helps on the decision on where to go. I was wanting to go north to the Montana Creek. I am interested in the Quartz and did a little research, we might give it a try.

All tyed up and getting ready to go. Spent the weekend tying flies and picking up the last few items for the trip. Time to pack up the tying stuff for the trip. Any last minute patterns?

You mentioned the Parks Highway streams, which ones did you fish?

Last trip, we had 2 out of 7 days that had good sun. The rest was overcast and sprinkles. But you could fish in it. Only one afternoon at Skilak and a few hours at the Russian was a washout and I spent the afternoon in the tent reading and snoozing.

[AKflyfisher]

Yea the valley streams I fished were willow and montana, both up stream and down. Last minute paterns, I would tie up some small orange fleshes for the russian size 10ish the ones I was using where made with glo bug yarn. they were wanting smaller paterns

Oh and bring some midge patterns for the russian both dry and nymphs there was a huge midge hatch going on and all the small rainbows were going wild of coures their was no real size to them -6 inches but I would be real fun if the biguns werent biting