Fly tying can be a great diversion during the off-season. More and more dedicated fly fishermen are tying their own flies. You get the satisfaction of catching a fish on your own creation and you save a little bit of money as compared to buying flies at $1.50 to $3 each. Creating flies for Alaska's fish is a little different because salmon will take (or shun) dozens of goofy creations. It's all in the timing and presentation. Here are a sampling of flies you can tie (or buy) to hook Alaska's gamefish. This list is pooled from various publications and personal experience of club members. (Note: The Egg-Sucking Leech pictured above is the official club fly.)
Salmon Flies Everglow Fly, Flash Fly, Bunny Fly, Polar Shrimp, Skykomish Sunrise, Woolly Bugger, Flash-A-Bugger, Coho Fly, Herring Fly, Comet
Grayling Flies Elk Hair Caddis, Adams, Mosquito, Pheasant Tail Nymph, Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear, Salcha Pink, Bead Head Hare's Ear, Black Gnat, Blue Winged Olive, Griffith's Gnat
Rainbow Trout Egg Sucking Leech, Woolly Bugger, Bunny Fly, Elk Hair Caddis, Adams, Egg Flies, Mouse patterns, Smolt Fly, Mohair Leech, Griffith's Gnat, Damselfly Nymph
Northern Pike Sea-Ducer, Mouse patterns, Bunny Fly, Large Hair Flies, Woolly Worm, Woolly Bugger, Flash Fly, Muddler Minnow
Arctic Char and Dolly Varden Egg Fly, Woolly Bugger, Egg Sucking Leech, Bunny Fly, Salmon Fry Fly, Gold-Ribbed Hare's Ear, Bead Head Nymph, Polar Shrimp
Sheefish Maribou Muddler, Smolt Fly, Flash Fly, Egg Sucking Zonker, Woolly Bugger
Lake Trout Smolt Fly, Lake Leech, Sculpin Fly, Woolly Bugger, Egg Sucking Leech, Muddler Minnow, Egg Sucking Zonker
Halibut Flesh Fly, Bunny Fly, Everglow Fly
The list above is just a sampling of what works for various Alaskan fish. Timing is very critical in finding the fish and presenting a fly that will entice a strike. It's always a good idea to call the local fly-fishing shop and find out what patterns are working, and where the fish can be found.
This page last modified on November 22, 2004
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