Fishing gear

Fishing Gear:  Most of our fishermen use fly fishing equipment but there are always some who prefer spinning or casting gear, and children typically do well with simple gear. We insist on barbless hooks and, except for the fish that we keep for meals, we practice catch and release. 

Fly Rods: We recommend bringing two or three rods.  It is nice to have different rods set up (sometimes one with sinking tip and the other without) and if you do break a rod it is necessary to have a back-up.  5 to 8 weight rods with floating line are most useful. As we travel in small bush planes multi piece rods are much easier to deal with.

Spinning Rods: Medium weight capable of utilizing 6-15lb test line and throwing 1/2oz lures. Orange and red spinners, and spoons, are most effective. Pixie, Blue Fox, Little Cleos and Mepps are good designs. No treble hooks.  

Flies: It is important to bring a variety of flies.  Shop at your local fly shop or if you have time in Anchorage we suggest stopping into Mossy’s Fly Shop- http://mossysflyshop.com for the essentials.

The majority of the time for Trout, Grayling and Dollys we use bead eggs.  All sizes and colors. The best colors seem to be opaque and pearl colors in pinks and orange.  Egg hooks (nothing bigger than size 6- Smaller hooks work just as well, they are easier to release, and do less damage to the fish.

Other flies to include: (small hooks are best- size 4 and smaller are ideal): purple egg sucking leeches, Wooly Buggers in various colors flashy streamers and bunnies (the best colors are fuchsia and chartreus), flesh flies, dolly lamas, any assortment of sculpin flies, mouse flies (Morrish Mice are excellent).

Rarely do we fish dries but it can be fun to try. Royal Wulff and Parachute Adams are both excellent for Grayling.

Strike indicators

Tapered Leader

Split shot

Apparel: It is important to bring and dress in layers as it can be rather cool during the summer and often rainy

Waders: Breathable, Gore-Tex waders. We most commonly use Simms but there are many good options out there.

Wading Boots: No felt soled wading shoes will be allowed.  We often use second hand sneakers (a size larger to fit over our stocking feet) which provides good walking shoes as some of our best streams require hiking across tundra to access.

Long underwear tops and bottoms

T-shirts: Some days are actually warm

Warm fleece layers

Synthetic Jacket

Quality Raincoat

Warm stocking cap: For the extra windy, rainy days

Brimmed Hat

Polarized Sunglasses

Slip on shoes: We all enjoy crocs

A light sleeping bag and/ or a fleece liner:  Our bunks are clean and comfortable. However, we are not a full-service lodge so do not supply sleeping gear. We provide pillows and extra blankets.

Day Pack: You will want to bring a small pack to carry your stuff during the day as we do not stay in one place to fish.  You will want to have a pack to carry water, raincoat, fishing gear etc.

Water bottle

Flashlight

External Battery: The lodge runs exclusively off wind and solar so our ability to charge iPhone and other gadgets is limited.  Please bring an external battery if you plan to charge your devices.

Licenses: You can order licenses from the state Fish and Game over the web https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/Store/

Alcohol: We have no problems with alcohol in camp and if you have special preferences feel free to bring an adequate supply of your personal favorites. There is a small store by the terminal in King Salmon for last-minute purchases.