In the latest Fishing BC film, we head to the East Kootenay Region of British Columbia to join the crew from Kootenay Fly Shop for some summer walk and wade action. The Kootenay Fly Shop is located in Fernie, BC, and is home to some of the best dry fly rivers in North America. When you combine healthy populations of Westslope Cutthroat Trout with prolific hatches of Mayflies, Stones, and Caddis, it creates a fly angler’s dream destination. We caught up with Gord Silverthorne, owner of the Kootenay Fly Shop to learn more about the fishery and fly fishing the Green Drake Hatch.
Flylords: Where in Canada are you based?
Gord: We are located in the City of Fernie in South Eastern British Columbia, Canada, situated in the Elk Valley and the Elk River on the west slopes of the Canadian Rockies.
Flylords: What is the best time to fish dry flies in Fernie?
Gord: Dry fly fishing starts about mid to end of June and continues through to the fall. Mid-June to the end of June brings fantastic dry fly with the Golden Stonefly hatch. July is also very good with Caddis and Drakes. August brings good dry fly with much of the terrestrials like Ants, Hoppers, Beetles. Some of the best dry fly fishing happens in late fall after the river flow rates are lower and easily readable. You have all the terrestrials, along with BWOS, October Caddis.Â
Flylords: What kind of trout do you catch and are they native?
Gord: We are catching the native West Slope Cutthroat and Bull trout in the Elk River watershed.
Flylords: Average size fish?
Gord: Many of the West Slope Cutthroats average 16†in length, while Bull trout may average 24â€-30†with many being larger.
Flylords: Why does the Green Drake hatch provide such great fishing?
Gord: The Green Drake hatch is like fishing with little sailboats because the bugs are so big and the Mayfly wing sticks up so high. It is very easy for anglers to see and the fish aggressively eat the fly!
Flylords: Any tips for fly fishing with Green Drakes?
Gord: Having quality flies that reflect the natural bug.
Flylords: What are some other notable hatches you have other than the Green Drakes?
Gord: We have good BWO (Blue Wing Olive) hatches starting in September as well as Flavolinas, a smaller Green Drake. In the early season, we have the Golden Stone hatch followed by PMD’s. These hatches are very special too.
Flylords: If someone wanted to book a trip with you or one of your guides how would they do so?
The Fall 2021 Simms Fishing collection is coming soon to a fly shop or boat launch near you. The Bozeman, MT company has just released their latest collection “Designed and developed for all anglers, conditions, and environments, Fall 2021 brings with it — angler driven features, cutting edge technologies, and innovations that collectively enhance the overall fishing experience.”
Simms Fishing Products, the preeminent manufacturer of waders, outerwear, footwear, and technical apparel in fishing, release the all-new Fall 2021 product collection. Designed and developed for all anglers, conditions, and environments, Fall 2021 brings with it — angler-driven features, cutting-edge technologies, and innovations that collectively enhance the overall fishing experience.
“Over the course of the past year, we’ve seen more men and women enjoying our rivers, lakes, and oceans than ever before. We’re particularly excited to launch Fall 2021 because we truly believe we’re bringing a feature-rich, innovative collection to market that will allow experienced and novice anglers alike the ability to enjoy every second they spend on the water, regardless of the conditions,†says Strick Walker, CMO of Simms. “From a fishing standpoint, all of us here at Simms are anxiously awaiting the season(s) ahead, and we look forward to seeing all of these great products in action on the water in the coming months.â€
Spanning all categories, Fall 2021 provides anglers superior protection from the elements, the ability to stay warm on the coldest days of the year, an updated collection of packs for hike/wade sessions, as well as essential travel gear for anglers whose adventures extend beyond their home waters.
Lightweight Baselayer Top and Bottoms
For the Fall and Winter fishing seasons, layering is critical and it starts next-to-skin. Specifically designed to be worn under waders or bibs, Simms’ all-new Lightweight Baselayer Top and Bottom provide unmatched comfort, warmth, unhindered range of motion and moisture-wicking capabilities.
Thermal Midlayer Quarter-Zip and Thermal Midlayer Bottoms
As the season progresses and cooler temps settle in, the Thermal Qtr Midlayer Zip Top and Thermal Midlayer Bottom offer reliable comfort and low-profile warmth for a seamless layering combination.
For the coldest days of the year, Fall 2021 also comes equipped with the Heavyweight Baselayer Hoody and Heavyweight Baselayer Bottom. Built with an asymmetrical zipper for comfortable protection of your nose and mouth, these two pieces are designed to be worn next-to-skin or layered over a lightweight Simms baselayer for maximum warmth and wicking protection.
Women’s Heavyweight Baselayer Hoody and Rivershed Sweater
To round out the layering collection of Fall 2021, Simms is excited to launch two new Women’s tops. Featuring moisture-wicking microgrid fleece and a two-paneled hood/collar, the W’s Heavyweight Baselayer Hoody can be worn next-to-skin or utilized as a mid-layer for extra frigid conditions. The W’s Rivershed Sweater provides another option for upcoming cold days on the water. Built with ultra-comfy, high-performing jacquard fleece, the W’s Rivershed Sweater also features kangaroo-style handwarmer pockets with 4-way stretch performance cuffs.
The layering theme of Fall 2021 continues with the return of a fan favorite from the past – the Fall Run is back and better than ever. Powered by water repellent Primaloft® Black Eco insulation, the all-new Fall Run Insulated Hoody and Vest provide protection and performance for the majority of the year both on and off the water. With an outer shell constructed from 100% recycled DWR-treated polyester, the highly compressible Fall Run Insulated Hoody and Vest make ideal layering options to stow in your daypack or sling pack.
Another fantastic mid-layer option included in the Fall 2021 line is the all-new Simms CX Hoody. Built from recycled polyester jacquard knit fleece with a brushed fleece backside, the Simms CX Hoody features a hood with a stretch bound opening, a zippered stretch-woven chest pocket as well as two handwarmer pockets.
The popular Freestone Collection has also received a revamp for Fall 2021 and comes equipped with the all-new Freestone Wading Jacket, Freestone Vest, and an entirely new collection of packs.
Built with a waterproof/breathable 3-layer Toray® laminate, a single point adjustable storm hood, a YKK® water-resistant front zipper reinforced by a waterproof storm flap, handwarmer pockets, and two zippered chest pockets, the Freestone Wading Jacket offers outstanding protection against the elements with tons of on-body storage.
Including hip, sling, and chest options, the all-new Freestone pack collection offer modularity and was designed for anglers to be able to comfortably carry everything they need for long days on the water. Constructed from 330D Ripstop fabric with a polyurethane backside coating, all of the packs in the Freestone collection provide anglers with a durable yet lightweight carry option. For internal organization, the packs come equipped with stretch mesh pockets inside generous main compartments.
For anglers utilizing bigger baits to chase fish in bigger water, the all-new Open Water Tactical Box and Open Water Tactical Waist Pack offer ample storage space and customizable internal organization to easily accommodate a day’s worth of big water gear. Constructed from a water-resistant, structured 1680D Ballistic Polyester shell, the all-new Open Water Tactical Box includes customizable internal dividers with hanging hook slots for convenient drying and storage. With a fully drainable and rinse-able construction achieved through a non-marking multi-weave TPU coated base, the Open Water Tactical Box includes four 12†x 3†tubes and room for Plano 3600 and 3700 tackle boxes while the Tactical Pack includes three 7†x 3†removable tubes or room for smaller personal sized tackle boxes.
Finally, for anglers looking to stash gear on the go, Simms has introduced the GTS Tri-Carry Duffel and the Simms Challenger Mesh Duffel (60L). Built with a lightweight and rugged Nylon ripstop with a PU coating, the GTS Tri-Carrey Duffel was designed to be carried like a suitcase, over-the-shoulder, or like a backpack. Complying with carry-on size restrictions, the Tri-Carry opens like a book, features two compartments for simple packing and also includes internal storage compartments for optimal organization.
To air out damp gear between trips, the Simms Challenger Mesh Duffel provides anglers with 60-Liters of storage. With a 600D recycled polyester base and an incredibly breathable polyester mesh upper, the Simms Challenger Mesh Duffel features a two-way zippered main compartment access, a single side accessory pocket as well as a padded and removable shoulder strap.
To see the complete Fall 2021 Product Collection click here!
“Gloria, want to go carp fishing?†This was the third invitation I had received from Lukas. There was nothing attractive about carp to me—not their reputed smell, nor their puckered mouth, nor the locations where they hang out. But my Florida flats trip was canceled due to Covid, and I had heard something about carp being the poor (wo)man’s bonefish. This time I said yes. I was hesitant to even bring my camera. Would there be anything picture-worthy? Just in case I decided to pack my 35mm film camera and a couple of rolls of film.
With Lukas’s pin and Google Map’s instructions, I arrived at a large lake in the middle of central Washington. There was nothing particularly inviting about this lake; it was hot, dusty, and barren. When I rolled into the campsite there was no one there except for an old “cruiser†in his 1980’s RV and Lukas in his Toyota Yaris.
Lukas greeted me with overwhelming excitement. I, however, wasn’t convinced. I had dreamed of the flats of Belize, Florida, and when I was feeling a little extra, the Seychelles. I never thought my next flats trip would be in the middle of Washington. But I forced a smile on my sunburning face, and Lukas pretended to buy it.
Within the first few minutes of walking the lake’s flat, we spotted a few plumes of dirt in the water, evidence of carp feeding. “Cast out this fly.†Lukas handed me a cluster of feathers on a hook. “You have a plate-sized margin of error.†I gave it my best shot, and it landed in the center of the plume. A huge fish slowly swam away; must have spooked him.
We circumnavigated the lake next to the highway for a while longer, climbing onto the guard rails to achieve a better angle. We timed our cast appropriately in order to avoid hooking a car. This was not my idea of a pristine fly fishing trip. When Lukas noticed my apathy, he suggested we find another spot on the lake.
We drove a few minutes to another pullout where we had some shelter from the busy highway but not from the wind. A breeze had picked up, so I orientated myself for the wind to (hopefully) aid my cast. We began wading the lake looking for plumes of dirt or shadows. I was casting toward a few fish, oops rocks when I heard some action to my left. Lukas hooked a carp, and I painstakingly netted the giant. I snapped a few photos, and we released that quirky creature back into the lake.
Being up close and personal with one of these fish, even though I had not caught it myself, I found some beauty in its scales, coloring, tail, and even a bit of cuteness in its mouths. I wasn’t disgusted like I had expected; I felt a drop of the same affection I feel for my dog, Berto.
The wind picked up and spotting fish became harder with white caps forming on the lake’s surface. When a shadow approached me, I made a precise cast. The shadow moved slightly. Lukas signaled for me to take. I expected a fish on the other end, but I had missed it. This happened multiple times and was the most challenging part of carp fishing. You don’t feel the take as you do with other saltwater fish. You aren’t stripping to mimic a baitfish. With carp you just drop the fly in front of their faces, let it sink and sit, and try to spot when they eat. It is a challenging task, and I felt a growing appeal and maybe even an addiction associated with this style of fishing.
Over our two days of fishing I failed to catch a carp. But the trip was no failure. This was not the New Zealand Browns or Montana Cutthroat I have become accustomed to. Just because at first glance it doesn’t belong on the cover of a fly fishing magazine or in an adventure documentary, it doesn’t mean it wasn’t beautiful.
A fish is a fish, and that tug will always be some sort of drug for me. I will always find my best self on the river, the ocean, and even on the side of a highway on a barren lake in central Washington. I have yet to catch a permit, a giant trevally, or even a bonefish. My days of travel and exotic fish will come, but for now, you will find me on the lake chucking clusters of feathers into the water for a giant goldfish to swallow.
Covid 19 has challenged everyone in unique ways. The hardest part for me, and an obvious clue of my privilege, has been the lack of travel. A lesson learned: there is value in enjoying what you have, where you are, and the people who surround you. I had big plans for summer 2020, mostly including tropical fish and crystal clear flats. Those plans changed. I learned to look at my home with wonder and excitement as I would a tourist in a foreign country. I didn’t get to cast my fly out for tarpon or false albacore, and one day I surely will. But I discovered a new type of fish that requires fewer funds or fuel—the carp. And if you don’t look too closely or focus too hard on the details, you could say these carp look something like a bonefish.
Article by Gloria Goñi, a content creator based in Bozeman, Montana. Check her out on Instagram at @lapescadora.
In this Week’s Video of the Week, we had the pleasure of Chatting with Alex Waller (@Trippin on Trout) about his most recent video as well as just the overall fly fishing scene in New Zealand. We discussed the untouched streamer potential and just the overall differences in our everyday approach to our rivers. In his most recent video Alex targets big aggressive rainbows on a single-hand Spey setup. Make sure to check out the video to see some epic takes and some sweet kyped up bows.
From chatting about his Spey setup to the differences in the North Island and South Island fisheries we covered some super fun topics. Alex and I were able to dive deeper into some questions about the fishery and his guiding routine. Check out some of his answers below.
Interview:Â
Flylords: How is the streamer fishing in New Zealand versus over here in the states?
Alex: “It’s not often that we break out streamers or buggers, really. I always have them in my pack but for me it’s always been one of those situations where I’d tell myself “I will come back and fish a streamer through that.” but then by the end of the day I just want to get to the car and it doesn’t happen. Not many people do it here, its weird, it’s like people get stuck on what works and don’t deviate from that technique. We get a few of the older guys who will use a wet fly and swing it but it’s pretty rare.” I really want to give it a shot because no ones doing it out here. To be honest I really have no idea what or how these fish would react to some of the streamer patterns you guys fish in the states but I really want to give it a shot.”
Flylords: With most your days guiding do you find it hard to keep fishing “fresh”?
Alex: “The New Zealand guiding season is pretty short, its basically a November to April game. So you have to fit a years worth of trips in a compacted amount of time if you want to make that years wage. I have felt the burnout creeping in and when I felt that I stopped. I know guys that from the moment the season opens to the moment the season ends, they are running trips. At that point they don’t even want to look at a rod let alone fish. So I’ve always been aware of it. When I first moved to New Zealand I loved sky diving and turned it into my job. Then when I turned into my job and all I did was work jumps I ended up just hating it. Someone would bail or there would be a free spot to go do a jump for fun and I’d say hell no. Fishing is my happy place and I would do anything to keep it that way. Unlike most guides in the states who run trips out of an outfitter the guides out here are all solo and can dictate their schedules. I’m not great at guiding because I’ll work for a week and then take 4-5 days to go fish for myself haha!”
Flylords: What plans do you have upcoming, any trips?
Alex: “Well as of right now I kind of am limited due to what’s going on in the world, I know Australia just closed their borders and had another spike there. But I’d love to get out over to the states when the opportunity does present itself. For this upcoming year thought I’ve got a South Island trip planned for November, I’ve got some areas that I’ve been looking at on maps that I really want to check out. In terms of some local stuff there’s some really unique offerings out here. We have flats that Kingfish will go up onto and we can sight fish for those, But I’ve got a buddy by the name of J.E Wilds and we’ve been talking about trying to get a Kingfish on the fly from the rocks. Which would be the first time anyone’s ever done that. So lots of cool stuff planned, so keep an eye out for that content!”
DENVER, CO – Trout Unlimited (TU) today announced the launch of “Colorado Gold,†a new conservation campaign designed to change the way the angling community thinks about Colorado’s Gold Medal trout waters and the headwaters that sustain them.
Colorado is a treasure currently in high demand. And when it comes to quality trout fishing, our state’s signature Gold Medal waters offer up the motherlode. The 322 river miles and three lakes awarded Gold Medal status by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) serve as the main attraction for anglers seeking out big trout, providing both inspiration and incentive for Colorado Gold.
“Colorado Parks and Wildlife does an incredible job of managing our fisheries, but our rivers, lakes, and fish are seeing more pressure than ever before and our Gold Medal trout waters are on the front lines, facing the cumulative impacts of climate change, development, dewatering, and seasonal overcrowding,†said Scott Willoughby, TU’s Colorado Gold campaign coordinator. “At the same time, we see opportunities alongside those threats. Through Colorado Gold, our goal is to work with state officials to expand the range and scope of Gold Medal water policy by organizing, educating and activating the thousands of trout fishing advocates who rely on these resources while supporting rural economies, respecting local interests and preserving the health of Colorado’s highest-quality cold-water habitats.â€
The current allotment of Gold Medal water statewide is facing an unprecedented increase in popularity. By capitalizing on that rising interest, TU is channeling its resources into balancing the public’s awareness of the rewards and opportunities Gold Medal fisheries provide against the watershed-wide challenges they face.
To that end, TU recently launched the Colorado Gold website at www.ColoradoGoldMedalWater.org. The evolving site is designed to attract anglers with continuously refreshed content combining useful and accurate tips on fishing Gold Medal waters with information on TU’s efforts to protect, restore and improve those waters along with details on how to participate in the campaigns as members of the Colorado Gold Coalition.
With more than 40 business partners to date, Colorado Gold has already begun building a formidable coalition of anglers, outdoor enthusiasts, and recreation businesses intent on working in collaboration with resource managers to expand protections for Gold Medal fisheries, increase access to Gold Medal trout waters, restore depleted fisheries and uphold the commitment of establishing Gold Medal waters as Colorado’s “highest quality cold-water habitat.â€
“Colorado Gold provides an opportunity to bring some needed attention and additional resources to Gold Medal trout waters in Colorado,†said John Land LeCoq, founder and CEO of Fishpond, a Colorado Gold Coalition partner. “I live along the Blue River in Summit County and witnessed the decline of the fishery from a Gold Medal trout stream above Green Mountain Reservoir to eventually losing that designation in 2016, and I’ve seen the impact that’s had on the local fishing and guiding community. We need to figure out how to bring that fishery and habitat back to the Gold standard and make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to other Gold Medal waters in Colorado. This campaign can help get us there.â€
Just as Colorado Gov. Jared Polis recently proclaimed that “42 state parks simply ain’t enough for a state our size,†322 miles of Gold Medal water doesn’t accommodate a state offering almost 10,000 miles of fishable trout streams (and another 2,000 lakes). By restoring de-listed Gold Medal waters, improving habitat, and addressing the threats facing existing Gold Medal fisheries, Colorado Gold is working to conserve enough high-quality habitat to merit a 30% increase in CPW’s Gold Medal trout waters by the year 2030. Strengthening protections for Gold Medal waters while expanding the geographic reach will help safeguard more Colorado fisheries while redistributing pressure on a currently limited resource.
“Within the angling community, Gold Medal designations set the standard for high-quality trout fisheries across Colorado,†said David Nickum, Executive Director of Colorado Trout Unlimited. “By strengthening the protections surrounding Gold Medal waters, bringing declining fisheries back up to capacity, and recognizing other deserving rivers and lakes among Colorado’s signature trout waters, we can help CPW broaden the scope and raise the standards for trout fisheries statewide.â€
With today’s formal launch of the Colorado Gold campaign, TU invites anyone interested in learning more about fishing the state’s Gold Medal trout waters and how to help protect them to visit Coloradogoldmedalwater.org and join the Colorado Gold Coalition. Registration is free, and while it’s not required to enter the site, it does offer access to exclusive content and premium product raffles from partners like Northwest River Supplies (NRS) and Denver-based Down River Equipment (DRE). Then join more than 12,000 TU members statewide in making the most of the treasure that is Colorado Gold.
Trout Unlimited, the nation’s oldest and largest coldwater fisheries conservation organization, is dedicated to caring for and recovering America’s rivers and streams, so our children can experience the joy of wild and native trout and salmon. Across the country, TU brings to bear local, regional, and national grassroots organizing, durable partnerships, science-backed policy muscle, and legal firepower on behalf of trout and salmon fisheries, healthy waters , and vibrant communities.
Gold Medal waters are Colorado’s highest quality coldwater habitats and have the capability to produce many quality-size (14 inches or longer) trout. Colorado Parks and Wildlife may designate a water as Gold Medal once it has been demonstrated that the fishery consistently (1) produces a minimum trout standing stock of 60 pounds per acre and (2) produces a minimum average of 12 quality trout per acre. Gold Medal water designation can only be applied to waters of the State that are accessible for fishing by the general angling public. For a complete list of Colorado’s Gold Medal waters, visit www.coloradogoldmedalwater.org.
Captains for Clean Water and the South Florida ecosystem need your help and voices. As progress is made toward better water management in the Sunshine State. Please watch the video below from C4C and make your voice heard by sending an email to the US Army Corp of Engineers!
“We see this every time progress is being made on our water issues. Paid political activists come out of the woodwork, paid by special interests to attack those that are the biggest threat.
Their strategy is to roadblock progress by creating conflict, confusion, and doubt using their paid army of fake reporters, fraudulent environmental groups, and other trolls as proxies to do their bidding. Do not be misled by their fake news narratives.
Since the beginning of LOSOM, our support of Plan CC has ALWAYS been conditional on the premise that changes are made to address harmful discharges to the Caloosahatchee.
Together with Governor Ron DeSantis, Congressman Byron Donalds, The City of Sanibel, Florida, Conservancy of Southwest Florida, SCCF, and multiple Chambers of Commerce, we clearly expressed this position to the Army Corps letters and in every blog and social post we’ve put out over the past few months.
You’ve emailed the Corps and special interests are feeling the pressure as their control slips away. They’re coming after us and we’re happy to take the bullets. We’ve had over 12,000 of our members and supporters take action to date. KEEP THE PRESSURE ON, IT MEANS YOUR EFFORTS ARE WORKING!!!
Our supporters have been the most effective in this process and we can’t let off the gas now. Take action to protect the Caloosahatchee and read the details about the changes we’re advocating for at the link in our bio.
This is OUR home and we won’t stop fighting to protect it.”
Alaska – The last frontier. For decades, Alaska has acted as the mecca for premium fly-fishing; boasting the biggest, meanest, and most abundant source of freshwater fishing in the United States. In exploring one of the largest fisheries offered to anglers, getting around can take some time. Luckily, pumping up an NRS Raft and floating down the river is more than an achievable method in conquering such a complex fishery. However, floating Alaska isn’t something you can just jump into. Below, is our guide as to what you need to know about floating Alaska.
What’s Floating (in Fly Fishing)?
Floating, not “float fishing†as that pertains to using bobbers on either center pins, bait casters, or spinning reels. In this piece, we will outline everything you need to know about rafting, floating, drifting, or any other name you can think of that pertains to floating down a river with a fly-rod in hand in the great state of Alaska. We will touch on the advantages, applicability, and situations where floating can be the best option to approach a river or lake. This is your one-stop guide to not only fishing from a non-motorized watercraft but selecting the correct boat for your needs and even how to book your own float trip with a guide on some remote rivers in Alaska.Â
Why Float?
Cover more water: Floating allows you to cover more water in a shorter period of time and in some circumstances allows you to fish longer in higher percentage areas (assuming the fishing regulations allow you to anchor or step out of your watercraft). Considering the sheer size of the waterways in the state, floating Alaska is arguably the best way to fish these rivers.
Accessibility: Many times throughout the year, we are presented with a situation where we may have limited access to water we would like to fish whether that be because of private property or simply being presented with unfavorable wading situations.
Fly-out programs such as the ones offered by Fish and Float Alaska allow anglers to reach completely remote destinations.
Spend more time fishing: Floating Allows you to spend more time fishing while on the move (unless you are rowing). Oftentimes, on a guided float trip you will spend most of your time fishing from the watercraft. This can be extremely advantageous to the angler as the guide or your buddy can perfectly match the boats speed to the current speed allowing you (the angler) to offer the fish a longer and more consistent drift with your fly of choice.
Fishing Means and Methods While Floating
Nymphing: Fishing a nymph under an indicator can be very effective from a boat or raft when the watercraft is traveling the same speed as the current. You will be able to achieve a perfect drift easier than fishing from a stationary position.
Dry Fly: A similar concept as fishing a nymph from a boat, achieving a perfect dragless drift is much easier when the angler is moving the same speed as the current.
Mending: No matter if you are fishing from the shore or a boat, mending will almost always come into play when you are fishing a dry fly or a nymph. Mending allows you to maintain a little slack in your fly line while your fly is in or on the water to ensure you are achieving a natural “dragless†presentation.
Streamers: There are a multitude of options when fishing a streamer from a boat. Sometimes the best option is to simply drag your streamer behind the boat to match the current speed. You may also choose to smack the bank while drifting steadily downstream and retrieve your fly by stripping it back and other times, the rower can hold a position and allow you to have multiple opportunities to fish a particular piece of structure. Whichever way you choose to fish, keeping your rod tip down, and maintain positive contact with your fly as it will help you detect a take much easier.
Mice: Similar to fishing a streamer, you can slap the bank or fish overhanging brush and log jams. When mousing, I prefer to cast 30-45 degrees downstream, and as soon as the fly lands, throw a big downstream mend. This allows the fly to skate perfectly perpendicular to the bank, imitating a mouse or vole crossing the river, even when drifting downstream in a boat.
Watercrafts for Floating Alaska
Personal Watercraft: These styles of boats are great for day trips, minimalist backpacking, or fly out fishing trips and are light enough to carry on your back or almost any aircraft. They include inflatable kayaks, small round rafts, packrafts, one man catarafts, single man step through rowable inflatables, or sometimes can take the shape of a Giraffe, Zebra or Orca although, the animal-shaped ones are not recommended for fly-out trips or backpacking.
Round Raft: The most common style of fishing raft, there are constantly new companies bringing new round rafts to the market with tougher materials, more packable designs and lighter frames. If you are just getting into floating, a self-bailing round raft may be the perfect option and can be outfitted with motor mounts, rod holders and a plethora of other accessories.
Cataraft: They look like big inflatable pontoon boats, but row like drift boats, with minimal drag and maximum maneuverability. They offer a lot of the same advantages as a drift boat, but at a fraction of the cost, and require a little more maintenance.
Drift Boat: They can be made from aluminum or carbon fiber and are often the guide’s boat of choice when it comes to road-accessible float trips. They can be outfitted with motors, lights, heaters, grills, comfortable chairs, rod holders, the list goes on and on. If it is maneuverability and comfort you are seeking, a drift boat may be an option to explore.
Oars not Paddles
Oars: If you refer to raft or drift boat’s oars as “paddles†you will most certainly be corrected by your guide or buddy. Your guide will probably be nicer about it and your buddy may toss you out of his boat or at the very least, call you an uneducated degenerate. There are many options when selecting the proper oar length for your watercraft, along with a few different materials to choose from. The lighter oars are often constructed from more expensive materials like carbon fiber but can make for a much more comfortable day on the water. As far as the length of your oars, that will depend on the boat in which you will be rowing and personal preference.
How to Row Down a River: The bow of your watercraft should always be pointed downstream, you will be utilizing the current to travel to your end destination. Rowing a raft or drift boat is very different than rowing a canoe or kayak and can require some practice to perfect. Everything is opposite, so in order to turn right, you would pull back with your left oar and to go left, pull with the right. Once you have the stern of your boat pointed in the direction you are wanting to travel, pull back on both oars and your boat will gently glide across the river toward whichever bank you choose. I would recommend practicing on a large slow-moving river with minimal obstacles until you are proficient in controlling your boat.
Safety Items
As always, safety is number one. Be sure to bring extra layers in a small dry bag, sunscreen, and bug repellant to ensure you remain comfortable during your float. Ensure that you have enough lifejackets for everyone aboard, an extra pump, and a patch kit if utilizing an inflatable raft. I always bring a roll of duct tape and a spool of paracord just in case I need to make emergency repairs or strap something down better.
Booking An Alaskan Float Trip
Even with the know-how of the premise of floating, floating Alaska can be a daunting task to most anglers. Booking a float trip with a guide is an excellent way to fish some more remote destinations or begin your journey into the world of fishing from a raft or boat. You can learn a lot from an experienced guide on how to maneuver your own watercraft and fish from it. Our friends at Fish Float Alaska can help you plan your trip of a lifetime and float down some of the most pristine rivers that the Bristol Bay region of Alaska has to offer. CLICK HERE to book the Trip of a lifetime!Â
This spring, we spoke with potter and fisherman Jeff Szarzi. Since moving to Alaska in 1987, Jeff has mastered an impressive array of skills through his work in fishery science, guiding, coaching hockey, and teaching math, science, carpentry, and ceramics. He currently lives in Homer and creates pottery “inspired by Alaska” in his home studio. Learn more about Jeff’s background, artwork, and passion for fly fishing below!
What brought you to Alaska?
I moved here permanently in 1987 and went to the University of Alaska Southeast in Juneau. I got my bachelor’s degree in biology with an emphasis on marine biology and fishery science and worked for the Forest Service as a trail ranger and a fisheries technician. My wife and I met in 1988 and got married in 1989. She got her master’s degree in fishery science, and we moved to Glennallen in 1991.
Photo Courtesy of Jeff Szarzi
What role has fishing played in your life?
Our life was always built around fishing. When I worked as a fisheries technician, I had a volunteer from Colorado who was insane about fly fishing and he got me turned onto it. From that point, I loved fly fishing and I spent my days off hunting for spots to fish. Once we moved to Glennallen, I tied flies in the winter and found places for grayling fishing.
I got a job with the Bureau of Land Management as a fishery technician on the Gulkana River. On one of our first jobs, I went up to the middle fork of the Gulkana and snorkeled through creeks to see how far the Steelhead went into upper tributaries. The Steelhead up there are the northernmost known population of Steelhead. The next two summers I did lake census work with volunteers. In 1992 I took on the Head River Ranger position, which was great because I was always fishing. Fishing has just always been a big part of my life.
What is your most memorable fishing story?
One memorable and kind of goofy story was on the Arolik in Southwest Alaska. It’s pretty magical out there—we fish with surface patterns for rainbows. It’s extraordinary to throw them into the bank, pop them off the grass, and watch a rainbow come up from below.
The bends in the Arolik have typical characteristics – there are big bends, cut banks, and big pools that riffle out. When the red salmon are packed in there, there are also hundreds of Dolly Varden below them.
Photo Courtesy of Jeff Szarzi
One day I was sitting and eating a bagel with cheese, and a chunk of the bagel fell into the water. All of a sudden, a Dolly Varden came up and swallowed it whole. We all looked at each other and said “maybe we should make a bagel pattern now!”
How did you find your way back to the classroom?
I left BLM in 1992 and got my teaching certificate. I came back to Glennallen and worked as a middle school teacher and hockey coach for four years, and fished more remote rivers during the summer. My wife got a job in Homer, so I left my teaching position after the fourth year and got hired by River Wranglers. I became one of their fly fishing and river rafting guides—it was a great lifestyle and a really special time in my life.
Photo Courtesy of Jeff Szarzi
After that, I did carpentry work in Homer for a while, and then got a teaching position at an alternative school in Homer with three teachers. I became the math and science teacher due to my science background. We taught the kids other skills, too, so I used my carpentry and woodworking skills and built a woodshop with the kids. We got several grants and built rustic furniture, which sold really well at craft fairs. I taught there for sixteen years.
What drew you to pottery?
We have a great program called Artists in the Schools. Local artists or people from the state come and spend two weeks with the kids. In my fourteenth year there, the kids explored ceramics with our local potter Paul Dungan, and they worked in the wood studio. As the supervising teacher, I worked along with them.
Photo Courtesy of Jeff Szarzi
I remember looking up and seeing all the kids engrossed and the room was silent. I thought, “maybe we should do woodworking half the time and I can pursue this clay passion with the kids.” I took hand building and wheel throwing classes, and we bought wheels, a kiln, and other tools with the money we had saved up by selling the wooden furniture.
Soon after, it was my last year of teaching and I was like “what am I going to do?” I liked what I was doing with pottery and I had a garage space I knew I could convert to a studio. I contacted a ceramics professor named Jeremy at the University of Alaska Southeast. Jeremy suggested I pursue an eight-week concentration program in Penland, North Carolina at Penland School of Craft. I did, and my skill just shot up. When I got back, I remodeled my garage and everything fell into place.
Photo Courtesy of Jeff Szarzi
Early on I loved carving grayling. I also carved flies and fisher-persons, and my Instagram went viral—there were a lot of folks interested. Then I had the confidence to pursue a fly fishing theme. That was about six years ago and now I’m doing all kinds of different aspects within the craft.
How does your scientific background influence your pottery?
Biologists are naturally curious. The birds, the moose, and the fish in the bay and the rivers are all big inspirations. I know the science behind the birds and the fish really well and am always curious to see what they’re doing. In the studio, scientific knowledge comes in with glazes, believe it or not. Glazes are calculated to the molecular weight of chemicals. My woodworking experience comes in, too, because clay shrinks, and I have to take that into account when shaping pieces. All that stuff helps out immensely.
Photo Courtesy of Jeff Szarzi
You describe your pieces as inspired by Alaska. What does that mean to you?
It’s the world around us—King Salmon in the bay, the mountains bright with snow, transient pods of Orcas coming back in, the cranes flying overhead, Denali National Park. Alaska is just so darn intense.
For example, I go to the Kenai peninsula once the red salmon start to lay eggs, and as I walk along the shore I see salmon carcasses. Some of them are beautifully dried skeletons. Those inspired me to pursue a Dia de Los Muertos screenprint mug with salmon skeletons.
Photo Courtesy of Jeff Szarzi
It’s also the town of Homer. We have painters and ceramic artists, sculptors, and musicians. It is a wonderful little bastion of creativity. We’re all in our studios doing solo journeys, but we’re in communication. Three years ago we started the Homer pottery tour. Sometimes I’ll go over to somebody’s place and see what they’re working on and ask questions.
Last year one of our potters made Native American pipes for a women’s group down in the Northwest somewhere, and she wanted to fire them at a certain temperature. She couldn’t do it with her kiln, so I gave her the clay and she made the pipes and fired them at my studio. There are wonderful collaborations that happen.
Photo Courtesy of Jeff Szarzi
What are your goals for your artwork?
My art always goes with me, and I am always thinking about what I can put on a surface next, whether it’s textural or more an animal’s biology.
In my most recent show, my theme was “coming together.” I made a lot of sets—whisky sets, tea sets, and a grayling set with flies on it. I really enjoy making them for the purpose of bringing people together. People who share that fly fishing passion can sit around and enjoy drinks and tell some stories.
Photo Courtesy of Jeff Szarzi
That whole narrative is what I appreciate most about being a ceramic artist. I want people to know that I really love doing custom work for them. I know that once it gets out there, the whole gathering narrative starts again with the piece’s new owners.
Photo Courtesy of Jeff Szarzi
To see more of Jeff’s Pottery and to contact him for commissioned pieces, visit his Instagram and his website.
When fishing dry flies you’re probably going to be fishing at an angle that is upstream or downstream. Depending on your angle, the way you should approach your cast will be different. Check out this video from Red’s Fly Shop for some tips that will help you improve your dry fly casting upstream and downstream.
Here’s the quick rundown:
Casting Upstream
Finish with the rod low.
Have your stripping hand ready to go.
Keep rod low and ready for a hook set.
Casting Downstream
Finish with the rod tip high.
Your fly should hit the water with slack in the line.
Lower the rod tip during the drift.
Feed line/walk downstream if you need to.
Thanks to Red’s Fly Shop for the informative video. Stay tuned for more fishing tips!
Captains for Clean Water is asking for your help to improve south Florida’s water management! If you’ve been following this issue for years or just a couple of months, you  understand the role Lake Okeechobee management plays. Effective and pro-active management would send as much water south, through the everglades, so there is available capacity during the rainy season. This strategy would minimize the harmful discharges to the Caloosahatche River that contribute fuel to current and past harmful algal blooms and fish kills.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages the lake through LOSOM (the Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual). Currently, LOSOM is going through a once in a decade process to provide revisions and updates. Captains for Clean Water has been intimately involved in the process since 2018, but now needs public support to advocate for the best alternative and responsible water management.Â
A couple of weeks ago, the Army Corps announced plan CC as their preferred alternative and began a listening tour to hear from stakeholders. The Army Corps Jacksonville District Commander, Colonel Andrew Kelly, visited SWÂ Florida Monday, July 26th, and Captains for Clean Water had the chance to sit down and talk with Colonel Kelly.
“Thanks to Colonel Kelly for visiting SWFL on Monday,” said Captain Daniel Andrews, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Captains For Clean Water. “He told our supporters that their voice matters and now it’s time to do our part. The two main changes we need to focus on are significant reductions in wet season discharges to the Caloosahatchee and beneficial flows to Caloosahatchee and Everglades across all bands. We can’t let off the gas now…we need everyone to take action, this is mission critical!†Â
Be sure to check out Captains for Clean Water and email the Corps today! Florida’s coastal ecosystems are some of the most productive in the word, but are faltering due to decades of mismanagement.
