That is a good question and the answer is.... it depends. It really depends on the watershed and what species of salmon are in that particular water shed. Mid August is usually a transitional time in many rivers with most seeing kings and chums starting to die off and seeing the sockeye start to spawn. Other systems like the Alagnak for example with just be seeing chums start to spawn while kings and sockeye will be in full spawn, The best bet would be to go with the Early Season Bead Selection and supplement it with a couple packs of 6mm mottled beads in Tangerine, Dark Roe and Montana Roe. This would provide you with beads to fish behind spawn kings, chums and sockeye.
Best of luck on your trip!
Brad, Mike and Kayla
I have a similar question for the Parks Road region the first week in August. I have heard that rainbows can be picky about size and color of beads; if I simply bought a couple dozen in every color and size my box would be overflowing. Can you narrow it down for me? Also, what would be your choices for other flies for Rainbows then as well as for the Silvers. I will tie some flies and am buying some examples from you, but the choices are overwhelming. I would really appreciate an manageable list (I can handle the small dries and nymphs for grayling, I think with the trout flies I already have).
Dennis, shoot me an email, cory@alaskaflyfishinggoods.com
Beads can be tricky, they are pretty specific for time and place, especially for rainbows. Let’s get some more detail on you trip and get you set up.
Cheers!
Cory