Alaska

Alaska Trout Spey and Streamers

David Kalinowski November 14, 2023

For those that love to feel solid tight-line tugs and enjoy two-handed casting techniques, Alaska is a great option, especially in June and July.

During these months, insects, sculpins, and rodents all become important food sources for native rainbow trout and char, but juvenile salmon are typically the most abundant and important source of protein. During these months, juvenile salmon are migrating downstream in large schools, making them easy to intercept and ambush. Whether fry or smolt, the trout and char of Alaska take notice of these little swimmers.

Light line weight Spey rods and trout Spey rods are great tools for this type of fishing. The length of these rods makes long efficient casts easy, enabling anglers to cover lots of water.  They are also great for line management, making it easy to manipulate the speed and angle of presentation. Matching the rod with the right lines and tip combinations is easier than ever and is essential to making one's time on the water enjoyable. Add your favorite smolt, fry, or other streamer pattern and get into the grove of casting, swinging, and stepping. 

Location, Location, Location.

Ideal spots for swinging trout Spey rods and streamers have certain things in common. Good wading, smooth currents, and healthy sockeye runs are a good start. Add access, knowledge, and timing, and you have narrowed things down even more. Here are a few operations in great locations with dates matched to swinging flies in Alaska.

Katmai Region:
Full Fly Out - Rapids Camp Lodge

RCL has a great location for easy flights to great trout and char streams. Guests have six days to fly out to the best locations available and just in case the fly outs are not enough, enjoy a home river that has some of the largest trout in the state and millions of sockeye salmon migrating up it.

Western Alaska:
Alaska West
The Kanektok is a true gem, offering all five species of salmon and a healthy trout population. The river is easy to wade, hike and simply a joy to fish. The camp is well run with a great history in the two-handed casting world.

Togiak/Wood Tikchik:
Fishing Bear Lodge
Enjoy one of the most scenic areas in the state while swinging streamers in multiple systems reached by jet boat. There are many good reasons why those that visit here want to go back. The small stream hikes combined with two large broad rivers between the lakes make for an enjoyable fishing experience. The family atmosphere, towering peaks and remote feel complete the package. 

Let's Get You Ready to Trout Spey in Alaska

Our Alaska Destination Manager is David Kalinowski