Sport fishing in Alaska is popular because of the variety of salt and freshwater fish. Salmon fly fishing is a draw due to the variety and size, such as a 97-pound king salmon, the largest salmon ever caught in Alaska. Fly fishing in Alaska requires knowledge of fly patterns and currents among other factors.
Identification
Fly fishing is sport fishing that is typically identified with streams and rivers where there is an active current that can be used to the guide the fly down the river. Unlike other lures or live bait, fly fishing requires a knowledge of the season and the type of flies that frequent the water you're fishing. Unique to many fish, salmon alternate between fresh and salt water.
Types
There are five major types of salmon in Alaska: king (also known as chinook), sockeye (also known as red), chum, pink and silver (also referred to as coho). King salmon are the largest breed and grow the largest on the Kenai River. Coho salmon resemble kings, but they are smaller and have different colored gums. Sockeye salmon are identifiable by their closely spaced gill rakes. Pink salmon are identified by their hump that develops as they mature. Chum salmon are metallic blue and silver in color and do not have any spots, making them unique among the other species.
Considerations
Where and when the salmon can be caught depends on factors like water clarity and temperature. Because salmon stay beneath the surface of the water, visibility is important. A day with a visibility below 20 inches will prove difficult to catch anything.
Like all states, Alaska has regulations on fishing. In Alaska there are two types of regulations, statewide and regional. The statewide regulations specific to fly fishing apply to the type of gear that can be used. Since regulations change on a constant basis, the Department of Fish and Game should be consulted regularly.
Expert Insight
Another unique aspect of fly fishing that an angler must have knowledge of is the fly pattern. Fortunately, there are many color and combination patterns that can be successful in Alaska. Most salmon will need to fished sub-surface to their depth to trigger a response since they do not eat once they reenter freshwater. For these reasons, Alaskan fly fishing for salmon often uses lures that resemble organisms other than flies such as mice, leeches or smolt.
Gear
Because the water conditions in Alaska can be so different, the type of gear used varies from salmon species. For instance, fishing for king salmon requires a heavy rod and reel, possibly even a saltwater model, because of the deep water they reside in. Coho salmon can be found in smaller rivers and streams that do not require as heavy a rod or reel, but require one with more flexibility to handle catching large numbers.
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