A beautiful cutthroat to start off the season!

After a verrrrrrry long winter, we are back and ready to dust off the gear and get going! Fishing is off and rolling in the usual early May manner. By that we mean that some Dollies have left the  lakes and are off the beaches feeding hungrily. Others have yet to leave freshwater but the out migration should pick up big time in the next week or two. Fishing this past week has been significantly better than the week before. Anglers are reporting getting into small schools of Dollies with multiple grabs in the span of a few minutes. Then the school moves on and things quiet down. Finding those little schools and getting a fry pattern in front of them is the key. Good flies include AK Clouser Minnows, Epoxy Mini Minnows, Doppelgangers and Stinger Chumpies.

Dollies have been found off the beaches of Sheep Creek, Dupont, Boy Scout Beach (near Eagle Beach), and Auke Rec. Fishing can be a bit slow, but it is going to do nothing but pick up from here. Finally, take note of the Peterson Creek closure to protect the very vulnerable steelhead run. The creek, salt chuck and saltwater out front are all closed until June 30 to all fishing.

A spring steelhead comes to the net.

Steelhead fishing has also been slow to get going. We have a fantastic snow pack so the creeks will be running nicely all spring. Unfortunately, the water temps have been bitterly cold which doesn't entice steelhead to come in out of the saltwater. All of SE Alaska (including Yakutat and the Situk River) have been in the same situation. The steelhead will come in so don't give up trying! The next two week will be the time to get out there and look for a steelhead or two. With Peterson Creek closed to fishing, Cowee Creek is your best bet to look for a road side chromer.

Finally, a few house keeping items:

  1. The shop is open 6 days a week for regular walk in traffic. Just wear a mask and you are good to go.
  2. We are continuing the super popular Grab & Go Fly Selections that we came up with last year. We pick the hottest flies for the week and you can choose from 6 flies or 12 flies. It is a quick and easy way to get some flies and get out fishing. Check 'em out here. We have both a Steelhead and a Dolly Grab & Go. Appropriate leaders are in there, too. Order online for In Store Pick Up or swing in the shop and grab one.
  3. Photos for the Fish Report! We love seeing your fishing photos and we'd also love to put them in the Fishing Report. Tag us on Instagram (@alaskaflyfishinggoods) or old-school email them to brad@alaskaflyfishinggoods.com.
  4. We will have our first fly casting class of the season next Friday May 14th from 6pm - 8pm. It is free but spots are limited and you need to RSVP to hold one. Call the shop at 586-1550 if you want to jump in.

See you on the water!