Recommended Gear
Coho Salmon:
We will be going to the Naknek during the peak of the coho (silver) salmon run. These fish are very accommodating to fly fishermen as they love to eat a stripped fly. Most of the time we’ll be running very heavy flies on an aggressive floating line in order to make the fly jig. A single-hand 9’ 7 or 8wt both work well, but the 8wt will take the show. We recommend heavy leaders in the 12-20lb range. The best fly lines for the job would be the Scientific Anglers Titan Long, Scientific Anglers MPX, Rio Predator, or Rio Grand. However, having a 300grain sinking line can be useful in some situations.
Recommended Flies: appropriate coho flies will come into the shop as we get closer to the trip!
Rainbows on the Naknek:
The migratory strain of rainbow trout in the Naknek are an incredibly unique fish and we’ll be lucky enough to have some encounters with them. The rainbow fishing in the main river this time of year is almost strictly a bead fishing game since the sockeye have recently laid their eggs, so expect to run heavy indicator and drop shot rigs. That said, the potential to catch a 30”+ rainbow trout is imminent. Rods recommended are 9-10’ 7 or 8wts, although we suggest 9.5’-10’ 7wts.
Recommended Flies: Beads! Although swinging streamers can be effective, including Dungeons, Peanut Envy, Cheech Leech, etc.
Small Creeks and Rivers:
The small waters in the Naknek area are incredible, including the world famous Brooks River. If you haven’t seen any photos of this river before, you should! Just like the big river, these small waters heavily rely on the salmon dropping eggs so be prepared to fish indicator rigs with beads. However, fishing stonefly, caddis, and mayfly patterns behind a bead can be incredibly effective. Fishing streamers work well too. The Brooks River is home to large rainbow trout, whereas places like Margot Creek hold predominantly dolly varden. There is some opportunity for grayling fishing as well in these waters, as well at Idavain Creek.
In addition to these locations, there are numerous fly outs available on a daily basis. Trophy rainbow trout, arctic char, dolly varden, grayling, and numerous salmon species are all available, depending on the location.
These waters feel very at home for us Colorado anglers as these waters are similar in size to rivers like the South Platte, Blue, Eagle, Clear Creek, etc. I absolutely loved fishing these waters and they provide a nice break from the big river (although the big river is absolutely amazing in itself). We recommend bringing a 9-10’ 5 or 6wt for these waters paired with a standard floating line.
Recommended Flies: beads, egg flies, pat’s rubberlegs, pheasant tails, hare’s ears, frenchies, perdigons, flesh flies, wooly buggers, articulated sparkle yummy
