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Tips for Catching Alaskan Arctic Grayling

Tia Kelliher
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Tips for Catching Alaskan Arctic Grayling

Arctic Grayling are known as the sailfish of the north, and quite appropriately so. They have beautiful fins that pop with hues of blue, green, and silver. The video above showcases an arctic grayling’s large and colorful dorsal fin. Grayling are normally considered a smaller fish but can reach lengths of over twenty inches. The normal size for an arctic grayling is ten to twelve inches. Arctic grayling are found in Alaska, Canada, Russia, and Montana. Below are some tips for catching arctic grayling specifically in Alaska. They are quite abundant in interior Alaska streams and not very picky, but there are a few things to keep in mind when fishing for these beautiful fish.

arctic grayling arctic grayling

Don’t Give up

I have experienced an arctic grayling eating the same fly over and over again more than once. In remote locations, many grayling rarely see fishers and are unaware of getting caught. Arctic grayling tend to mouth flies before eating them, unlike rainbow trout that normally devour. Considering that, don’t feel down if you miss one a couple of times because it’ll likely eat again.

https://vimeo.com/445074308

Mosquitos & Dry Flies

Interior Alaska has an insane amount of mosquitos, and they are ruthless. It is highly recommended to wear a head net and bug spray. I use the Original Bug Shirt and it has saved me from thousands of mosquito bites. Although mosquitos are evil to humans, grayling love them, along with other bugs. Dry flies work great on arctic grayling and it is incredibly fun to watch a grayling eating anything on topwater. Parachute Adams, red humpies, and Caddisflies are all known to be effective for grayling.

dry flies

Nymphs, Leeches, and Eggs

Grayling in deeper holes might be more interested in a nymph such as a copper john or prince nymph as opposed to a dry fly. For especially deep holes use nymphs with bead heads to get a bit deeper. Grayling are also known to occasionally eat egg sucking leeches or smaller size eight/ten leaches. Where salmon and grayling live amongst one another, egg patterns and beads can be quite useful. Be sure to bring a few different bead colors and be observant to match the actual salmon eggs.

Grayling

Time & Location

June and July are the best times to catch grayling in Alaska, summer is short so they are gorging themselves to survive the long winter. Grayling are territorial and occupy large pools in creeks and rivers. Because they rely on floating insects for much of their diet, these pools provide slower water that allows them to eat easier. Cold and clear water is also where arctic grayling thrive the best.

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KeepEmWet Becomes Non-Profit, Changes Name to “Keep Fish Wet”

Dan Zazworsky
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KeepEmWet Becomes Non-Profit, Changes Name to “Keep Fish Wet”

We’ve always been massive fans of the #KeepEmWet wet movement, promoting proper fish handling regardless of the season. The movement kicked off simply as a reminder to keep fish wet or in the water for as much time as possible before release. They have rebranded as “Keep Fish Wet”, now a non-profit, to further increase the impact they’re already having on proper fish handling education.

From Keep Fish Wet:

Amherst, MA (August 4, 2020) — Announcing Keep Fish Wet, nonprofit (501c3) status, and rebranding for the organization formerly known as Keepemwet Fishing. Keep Fish Wet will continue the strong social media heritage, and education and outreach initiatives to create an accurate, consistent, and persistent message about science-based best practices for catch-and-release fishing. As a nonprofit, Keep Fish Wet now has additional capacity to work with anglers and the fish we all care about. The new Advocate program offers anglers a fast and direct opportunity to make a positive impact on recreational fisheries and implement conservation.

Photo by Dave McCoy. Courtesy of Keep Fish Wet.

Keep Fish Wet helps anglers improve the outcome for each fish they release. Science shows that when anglers make small changes in how they catch, handle, and release a fish it can create better outcomes for fish. Not only does using best practices increase survival rates of fish, but it also helps fish return to their normal behavior and physiology as quickly as possible after release.

Photo by Daniel Goz. Courtesy of Keep Fish Wet.

Every time you catch a fish, you have an opportunity to practice one-on-one conservation. You don’t need to buy any special gear, you don’t need radically change how you fish, you just need to follow three simple principles — minimize air exposure, eliminate contact with dry surfaces, and reduce handling time.

Photo by Jess McGlothlin. Courtesy of Keep Fish Wet.

“Using science-based best practices is your opportunity to put conservation into practice and help support the fisheries you love,” says Sascha Clark Danylchuk, Executive Director of Keep Fish Wet. “We need to do all we can to increase the resiliency of our fisheries, especially for native or vulnerable populations, and in the face of impacts such as climate change.”

Photo by Arian Stevens. Courtesy of Keep Fish Wet.

Tied to its mission, Keep Fish Wet has launched a new initiative called the Advocate program. Show your support and commitment to using best practices for catch-and-release by becoming an Advocate. This free program is open to everyone with the only expectation is that you pledge to use Keep Fish Wet Principles and Tips when you catch-and-release fish. For more information and to become an Advocate, visit Keep Fish Wet.

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Donald Trump Jr. Voices Opposition of Pebble Mine

Dan Zazworsky
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Donald Trump Jr. Voices Opposition of Pebble Mine

In what some would call a surprising move, Donald Trump Jr., a known outdoorsman, and angler tweeted his support of the anti-Pebble Mine movement. This comes in response to Vice President Mike Pence’s former Chief of Staff, Nick Ayers who also called for President Trump to block the proposed mine in the headwaters of Bristol Bay.

Let’s see if President Donald Trump will listen to his son’s opinion on the mine.

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How to Cook Tom Enderlin’s Rondón

Wills Donaldson
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How to Cook Tom Enderlin’s Rondón

Meet Tom Enderlin, owner and head guide of Release Fly Travel, Photographer, Father, Husband, and… culinary genius? In our most recent installment of: “Behind the Guides” presented by Costa Sunglasses, we asked Tom if he had any of his favorite recipes he cared to share with us from his kitchen in Costa Rica. Tom didn’t disappoint…

meat on the fire

Tom: My wife and I sometimes collaborate on photography projects, and currently, we are in the process of finishing a cookbook on traditional Costa Rican cuisine. One of my favorite fish and seafood recipes comes from Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. It’s called Rondón (Run-Down), and is a spicy and sweet fish stew in coconut milk using basically “whatever one can run down”. Here is the recipe (see separate attachment), but remember that cooking is all about having fun and being creative – so use this as a loose guide only.

ron don cooking

Rondón (Run-down):

Servings 6-10

Since the essence of this dish is literally “whatever one could run down” cooking can also be a bit more freestyle, adding ingredients to one’s personal taste.

Ingredients

~2 lbs. (900 grams) of fresh fish cut into medium-sized cubes (snapper preferred but any firm white fish will work), mussels, lobster, shrimp, crab, or a combination – basically whatever you have available

7 cups of coconut milk

2 cups chicken broth (or as much as needed to keep the right consistency as you cook)

2 lbs. (900 grams) yucca peeled and chopped into medium-sized pieces

3-5 unripe bananas peeled and chopped

1 lb. (450 grams) breadfruit (if available) chopped into medium-sized pieces

1 lb. (450 grams) ñampi or malanga (if available) chopped into medium-sized pieces

NOTE: you can substitute with potatoes, unripe plantain, sweet potato, or more of what you have available to you

2 sprigs thyme

2-3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1-2 large onions, finely chopped

1-2 whole habanero peppers (optional)

A few large clumps of coarsely chopped ginger (optional)

1 Tbsp. curry powder

Salt and pepper to taste

rondon

Now go give it a try yourself, and remember, there are no rules in the kitchen.

Thanks to Tom Enderlin for recipe and photos

Costa Behind the Guides: Tom Enderlin

10 Pieces of Gear to Improve Your Camp Cooking

Pizza & Photos with Matt Jones

IGFA Adjusts Rules, Allows ‘Droppers’ to be Used in World Record Catches

Dan Zazworsky
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IGFA Adjusts Rules, Allows ‘Droppers’ to be Used in World Record Catches

World record chasing dry-dropper and double-fly rig anglers rejoice! The IGFA just announced that using dropper flies will no longer disqualify potential records. Currently, dropper flies are only allowed to be used for Salmonid species.

IGFA examples of approved “dropper” rigs

From IGFA:

Dropper flies are permissible only for fishing for Salmonid species (e.g., trout, grayling, salmon, etc.) under the following configuration:

  1. Dropper flies may consist of no more than two flies fished in tandem that are surface flies, subsurface flies or a combination of the two.
  2. The material connecting the two flies must be equal to or less than the breaking strength of the class tippet material connecting the lead fly to the fly leader.
  3. Catches will be categorized by the breaking strength of the class tippet preceding the lead fly, no matter which fly the fish is caught on.

“Dropper flies have been used by fly anglers for years and are a regularly accepted practice in the world of fly fishing for certain species,” said IGFA President Jason Schratwieser. “This rule change to allow dropper flies is a great example of how the IGFA is committed to remaining relevant to the angling community while not compromising the intent of our rules and the principles of ethical angling and sportsmanship.”

For more info, head to IGFA’s Angling Rules. 

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“The Outdoors is For Everyone”

Dan Zazworsky
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“The Outdoors is For Everyone”

A few weeks ago, we saw one of our favorite fly fishing designers, Drew Wilson, team up with a great cause promoting inclusion in the outdoors. The result was a minimalistic design that is sure to show up on coolers, fishing pack straps, and bumpers all over. We sat down with the person behind the campaign, Cassidy Miles, to learn more about her fundraising efforts for the American Fisheries Society’s Hutton Program and the message behind the design.

Check out the Outdoors is For Everyone Shop, here!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Cassidy🌻 (@s_miles240) on

Flylords: Tell us a little bit about yourself, Cass.

Cass: Hi! I’m Cassidy or Cass. I use pronouns she, her, and hers. A lot of people call me S’Miles though! That’s my roller derby name! I played for 2 years before I started grad school. I still really love roller skating and plan to play again when I’m done with school and the coronavirus is more under control. 

I’m in my final semester of grad school at Western Illinois University (WIU). I am getting my Master’s in Biology. I am studying aquatic macroinvertebrates in the Upper Mississippi River. I am also the Public Relations/Outreach Coordinator of the American Fisheries Society WIU subunit. I am extremely passionate about outreach and education, especially for kids and young adults.  I plan to continue working in outreach and education after I graduate this fall. 

My main hobby these days is hiking/walking with my new rescue pup, Lucy!

Flylords: How did the inspiration for the design come about? 

Cass: I’ve been an advocate for diversity in fisheries since I first entered the field as a technician in 2014. When I attend conferences I look around and see little to no diversity. I have also faced a lot of discrimination and even sexual harassment because of my gender and sexual orientation in this field of work. This is not okay. It has been hard enough for me as a cis white female, I can’t imagine how many barriers a person from an underrepresented group feels trying to make it in a scientific field. 

I attended the joint Wildlife Society (TWS) and the American Fisheries Society (AFS) Midwest Conference in 2019. TWS members organized a luncheon, provided pins, and facilitated talks for their LGBTQ+ members. They started the “OUT in the field” initiative. I thought this was an amazing idea and a great way for a society to show that it cares about ALL of its members. 

I wanted to make a pin for AFS members similar to what TWS members had created to be a physical representation of how AFS also supports its underrepresented members. That’s when I reached out to @drewlr on Instagram.

Outdoors is for Everyone Button

Flylords: How was it working with Drew on the design?

Cass: Drew is an awesome and talented human! I wrote to him about the idea I had for a fundraiser and he was fully on board to help out. He has sold rainbow fish pride pins in the past. I wanted to take that idea and use a deeper bodied fish (like the bluegill) to include the more inclusive pride flag. This flag has the transgender flag colors in it along with black and brown stripes to represent Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). I wanted to include the phrase “Outdoors is for Everyone” because it is! No person should feel like they don’t belong in natural places or the fish and wildlife fields. Drew created the perfect design and people went nuts for it! I was really touched by how many people reached out to me. I sold 500 pins in 1.5 days. I was able to donate $1,020 to the AFS Hutton Program. Thanks to Drew’s amazing design and large number of followers, the word got out fast about the fundraiser. 

Folks from all over the U.S. and all fields of work purchased pins. The fly fishing community in particular was super supportive! 

Flylords: Can you tell us more about the American Fishery Society’s Hutton Program?

Cass: The Hutton Program provides a paid summer internship for high school students (nationwide) from underrepresented groups. They work with a mentor in fisheries and gain research and field experience. I think this is an amazing way to provide an equal opportunity for youth interested in pursuing a career in fisheries. I really wish I could have participated in a program like this when I was a teen! This program is a great step in making fisheries more diverse and inclusive. They will be the ones taking over and taking care of our natural places.

Flylords: Is there a message you’d like to share with the underrepresented groups that program works to inspire?

Cass: Don’t give up! Gain as much experience as you can and keep fighting to take up space. You deserve to be seen and heard in any field you choose to pursue. You are valid, you are supported,  and you are not alone! Outdoors is for EVERYONE!

Folks can donate directly to the Hutton Program at fisheries.org/huttonchallenge!

Or can purchase new merch items with the Diversity and Inclusion Fish design at www.society6.com/crsmiles!

All profits go directly to the Hutton Program.

Follow Cassidy on Instagram for updates and new designs @s_miles240!

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#KickRocks Campaign Stands Up Against Cairns

Dan Zazworsky
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#KickRocks Campaign Stands Up Against Cairns

From John Hewlitt:

“It’s summertime and a lot of people are traveling to our wild places all around the country so let’s make this PSA go viral and let’s do our part to save our natural heritage. It’s not art. It causes very real problems for many aquatic species. Ideally, dismantling the stacks one at a time would be best, but if you feel inclined to #KickRocks then always verify nothing is present prior to doing so.”

Cairns suck, plain and simple, especially so if they are built smack in the middle of flowing creeks and streams. Traditionally, these rock piles were used to mark trails (ON LAND), and many still do this job high up on mountains and in the highlands. However, with the surge of new outdoor participants, these annoying piles are stacking up in creeks adjacent to trails all over the country. As the video above explains, by creating cairns, you are destroying in-stream habitats, not just for threatened amphibians like the Eastern Hellbender, but for trout and the smaller fish they rely upon for food. So next time you come across one of these rock stacks, just go ahead and kick it over and redistribute the rocks around the streambed. Oh, and if you find man-made rock dams built by the same cairn-builders, go ahead and dismantle those too.

If you need more convincing, check out this study regarding the damage rock cairns and dams can have on aquatic life!

Featured image from Andrea Schaffer via Flickr Creative Commons.

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How to Tie a Non-Slip Loop Knot

Grant Michaels
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How to Tie a Non-Slip Loop Knot

Knots, knots, and more knots. As fly fishermen, we live and die by the knots we tie. Like everything, every knot can be tied to suit a specific purpose. If you are a fan of throwing streamers, you know that having life-like movements are key to success. But have you ever wondered how to give your streamers more action? If so, the non-slip loop knot is the knot for you! Injured baitfish tend to swim sporadically throughout water columns making them easy targets for hungry feeders. In this tips and tricks tutorial, Tim Flagler of Tightline Productions demonstrates how to tie the non-slip loop knot.

Step-by-Step Process:

  1. Place the fly in your right hand and your leader in your left.
  2. Move 6-7 inches up your leader and create a simple overhand knot, but do not tighten.
  3. Thread the tag end of your tippet or leader through the hook eye.
  4. Loop the tag end back through the hole of the overhand knot in the exact opposite way it came out.
  5. Pull the tag end to close down the loop attached to the hook eye but don’t tighten fully.
  6. Pinch the knot with your right hand and with your left hand, wrap the tag end around the running line 4 to 8 times depending on the size of the running line.
  7. Once the wraps are completed, pass the tag end back through the same side of the knot created earlier. (This is very important)
  8. To seat the knot, pull the running line and tag end in opposite directions. It is recommended to lubricate the knot with saliva before seating to prevent abrasion.
  9. Cut the tag end off and hit the water! Tight lines!
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3000 Miles: “A Story from the Road”: Texas

Heather Harkavy
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3000 Miles: “A Story from the Road”: Texas
meris drinking longdrink
This story is brought to you by Long Drink. Click here to check them out for yourself.

Traveling is only as good as the people you get to spend the adventure with…That being said, I could not name two girls that have less in common than Meris and I…

When it comes to accommodations, a couch or hammock will always suffice as the perfect sleeping quarters. Showers are deemed the opposite of essential, and as long as I have some caffeine in my veins and food in my belly, I’m ready to face whatever the day has in store.

Meris on the other hand can survive all day on just a few calories and a can of long drink, but if she doesn’t have a shower and clean sheets at the end of the night… well, we don’t know what’ll happen because she will always find a way.

meris fishing

Travel buddy tip: always use your words. By always being verbal and sharing exactly how you feel, differences can be celebrated, and compromises can be made. Regardless of our different views and preferences, our friendship was rooted in never taking any moment too seriously, and our love for fly fishing.

That’s something I’ve found to be really valuable over the past few years in finding friends who are driven by fly fishing. We are all so different in so many ways. Different ages, genders, hometowns, ambitions, etc. However, one common theme remains the same… a love for being on the water and in the company of friends.

meris with redfish

Throughout our time in Florida, I had a chance to expose Meris to the waters I grew up surrounded by. Now it was time to understand Meris’s roots within fly fishing. Texas came along with darker water, new species of fish, and of course, some southern hospitality.

Meris grew up fishing the Texas coast with her dad for Redfish, Jack, and Tarpon. I was so exhilarated to experience the waters that helped shape her into the angler she is today, as well as uncover the fire that fueled her passion for fishing. I knew that underneath the ripping swells and crashing waves of the Texas coast, there were untold secrets just waiting to be uncovered, and with them, experiences that would change me as an angler forever.

meris with redfish

Unfortunately, the weather had other plans for us. As storm clouds began to roll in from the south, thunder tore through dark skies accompanied by the thunderous applause. With Rods gently put to bed into the truck, we huddled together under a tin roof and listened to the melody of raindrops as they lulled us deeper into a hypnotic state.

long drink in the cooler
Find a Long Drink supplier near you!

As we awaited the absence of thunder and lightning, we came to the conclusion that heading out onto the water with rods poised in the air was probably not a smart call. Instead, we opted into enjoying some time on the water atop tubes hooked to speedboats. With music blasting and energy levels pumping at maximum levels, we still managed to enjoy ourselves even amongst the lack of fish being caught. Turns out tubing can be a super intense sport given the proper boat driver.

surfing with long drink

Before we knew it, we were on the road again, this time with Colorado in our sites. As we watched Texas shrink in our rear-view mirrors, we found solace in knowing that we’d be back soon enough to once again uncover the thrills those dark waters had to offer.

dad drinking long drink on the boat

Shoutout to The Long Drink for helping fuel this adventure. The Long Drink is an iconic alcoholic beverage that is a top taste of Finland, it’s now available in the USA. Click here to learn more and find your closest retailer.

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Photo of the Day: Idaho Bull Trout

Flylords
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Photo of the Day: Idaho Bull Trout

If you plan to find a fish like this, I recommend finding the most rugged-looking terrain/canyon where most people won’t go and go there.. and when you feel like you’ve walked further than most would, keep hiking. This is when you will find your solitude and some of the best fishing in your life, like this Smug Idaho Bull Trout.

38837084_10209637619617431_299122365969727488_o

Photo and text from Reuben Browning, @reuben.browning.

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