Fly Fishing for Rainbow Trout in Alaska

When talking about fly fishing in Alaska, no fly fishing discussions can occur without the mention of the rainbow trout because it is undoubtedly the number one reason that fly fishermen come to Alaska. The most popular area for Alaskan rainbows is the Bristol Bay area. It is this area that you hear the stories of fly fishermen landing 10 to 15 lb rainbows. Because the focus of this discussion is on affordable Alaska fishing trips and because fishing in the Bristol Bay region requires additional effort and money to get to (not to mention fishing guides, lodges, etc), we will not be discussing this area. I’ve only mentioned it so you can do additional research on this area if you have the resources to do so.

When fly fishing for rainbow trout, you can find these beautiful fish in many of the waters I discussed in the salmon run charts. You will find them in fair quantities in many of the Susitna River tribs of the Northern Cook Inlet and in good quantities in the Kenai River, Moose River, Russian River, Ninilchick River and Anchor River on the Kenai Peninsula.

Fly fishing for rainbow trout can occur throughout the year, but catching them will require different tactics during different times of the year. In the Spring, rainbows aren’t tuned in to salmon eggs yet and can be taken on dry flies, nymphs and smolt patterns. As the spawning salmon enter the picture in the summer months, anglers switch to egg patterns. Then, late in the summer into early fall, as the salmon begin to die and their bodies begin to decay, anglers switch to flesh patterns to match the decaying salmon. Of primary importance to the rainbow’s diet is the salmon egg, but don’t be misled, as many are, into thinking that Alaska streams do not produce insect hatches. When fly fishing for rainbow trout in Alaska you may encounter some insect hatches although they are not as prevalent as in other states.

The dry flies you’ll want to have on hand are as follows: In faster water, the Elk Hair Caddis in size 12 – 16; Humpies, yellow, orange and black in size 10 – 14; Wulffs, white and royal in size 10-14. In slower water where they will have a better view of the fly and may be a bit more particular, the Adams in size 12 – 16, the black gnat in size 14-18 and the Blue-Winged Olive in size 14 – 18. These will all be fished in standard dry fly fashion.

For nymphs you’ll want to have the Gold-Ribbed Hare’s Ear, the AP Nymph, and/or the Pheasant Tail Nymph in sizes 10 – 14. These will all be dead drifted as is the norm for nymphs.

For the larger, streamer type flies you’ll want to have the Blue Smolt in size 2 - 4; the Woolhead Sculpin, black and olive in size 2 – 4; Wooly Buggers, black, olive and purple in size 4 – 8; and the Egg Sucking Leech, in purple body with pink egg and black body with red egg in size 2 – 4. You can fish these either dead drift or add some action by stripping your line in varying lengths beginning with quick, 4 - 6 inch strips until a strike is produced.

For egg and flesh imitations you want to stock Glo Bugs in pink, orange and red and in size 10 – 14; Bunny Fly in ginger/white and Woolly Bugger in white, both in size 2-4. Obviously, eggs and decomposing flesh won’t be swimming so these will all be dead drifted as well.