Hello,

I am an avid fly fisherman but Ive been limited to places like New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona etc where my 9'5wt has been very adequate. Its a good set up, a St. Croix 4 piece with a Ross reel.

Ive had that set up since ~ 2002 and its been awesome, Ive fished the San Juan river with it but also had lots of success in small streams and float trips. Its been a workhorse and I dont plan to get rid of it.

My work is taking me to Alaska full time this summer, Ill be moving there full ti,e rather than going up there a few times a year. The area Ill be living in is famous for its Salmon and trout fishing and people pay thousands of dollars to fish these areas where Ill be able to go any time I want, Im very lucky and very excited.

That being Said, Ive only fished up in AK once or twice and dont remember much about what sort of set ups I used, Right now Im looking at building my fly rod quiver so that I can cover all situations.

Im also interested in learning spey fishing so Im thinking of getting 2 new set ups, One more standard and one spey set up.

Can anybody tell me what they would get for this situation? Im more interested in lengths and weights than brands, Ill likely buy mid-high end like the Orvis or sage stuff.

Somebody told me to get a 9 or 10' 8 weight, what do you all think? Ill keep my 5wt for smaller water but looking for some rods to really have fun with out there.

Thanks!!!

Fishing here varies by the river/stream and species. You're going to have to be more specific if you want advice. Also...regulations change often and dictate much of what gear you'll use. We have some pretty stupid fishing regulations...they also change on the fly (pun intended), and F&G here often makes changes daily to what you can use and where.

Bristol bay, Naknek drainage, Alaska Peninsula area, that area.

Hoping to fish june-august. All Salmon species, Rainbows, grayling, dolly vardens etc.

Basically, I want to be set up to fish the areas I mentioned properly.

Call a guide or shop in the area you will visit and ask them.

I have never used a spey rod, but son recently got one for fishing here in Texas. He wanted to get some distance with big bugs on large Texas waters. It is a 12'6" 7 weight and he uses a 9 weight reel on it.

He tells me that they use 7 weights for smaller steelies, but 9 weights for the bigger salmon.

I took a ten to fish for salmon in Alaska. An eight would be good for the fat trout up there as they are beasts.

here is some info from Orvis. http://www.orvis.com/s/fly-fis...-alaskan-salmon/3593

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:
Call a guide or shop in the area you will visit and ask them.

This is the first suggestion that came to my mind as well. Getting first hand knowledge of what works from a professional who spends time on specific bodies of water in varying conditions would be priceless information to have.

I'd suggest contacting Royal Gorge Anglers in Colorado. The owners, Bill and his son Taylor, have fished & guided in Alaska for many years and, years ago Taylor managed an Alaskan resort that specialized in guided fly fishing trips there.

Looking forward to hearing some great fly fishing stories while you are there!!

I haven't been to Alaska but have chased Atlantic salmon in Nova Scotia and Scotland as well as chasing bluefish and striped bass here in New England.

I have used a Temple Fork Outfitters TiCrX 8 wt in all those applications. I think TFO gives you a lot of rod for relatively short money. Some of my friends who are licensed guides turned me on to them.

For my last trip to Scotland, I picked up an 11' Beulah 7/8 switch rod. It is a nice 2 handed set up and enabled me to cover a lot of water.

My one piece of advice is to be sure to get a good reel. For the applications you have presented, I think it it is better to save some money in the rod and put that into a higher end reel.

The limited exposure I had to Alaskan fisher people had me convinced my own favorite 9-5wt fly rod would be inadequate for the experience.

I second a call to a few guides up there. I've been fishing up there many time, but never with fly rods. The ones I've seen and visited with were using 9 weight rods for the kings. You will need plenty of backing! Good luck in your search.

I've been usin a 9 ft 9 weight Orvis Trident in for salmon in Alaska for years and have never felt like I couldnt handle the fish (reds and silvers, I dont go up early enough for kings)

I Use a 6 wt for trout (also a trident)

the trident is discontinued, but has been replaced

Thanks for the advice, I guess calling an outfitter is a good idea so I'll do that, also I think I may have a line on a nice 9'9wt for s good price.

For reds aka sockeyes and larger trout I used a 6 wt. Silvers aka coho, I used a 8 wt. for Kings I had a 10wt.
5 wt. is nice for trout in areas where the water isn't screaming.

quote:

Originally posted by Neel:
For reds aka sockeyes and larger trout I used a 6 wt. Silvers aka coho, I used a 8 wt. for Kings I had a 10wt.
5 wt. is nice for trout in areas where the water isn't screaming.

If I could only have 4 rods, this is great advice. If funds are an issue, buy used from Ebay. You can get good stuff for 40-70% less than new. I am a big fan of Winston and Sage rods, and Ross and Nautilus reels.

unless you need a pack rod - stick with a two piece for sure.

Thanks everybody, Im thinioing an 8 and a 10 should do the job.

money isnt really an issue (within reason), but Id like to keep it at around 2000, possiby 2500 for the 2 complete set ups.

I want to have good quality gear and Ive fished long enough on a nice but not really high end set up, I think I can justify it.