If You Bring Nothing Else — Bring This
These three cover 90% of situations on our rivers. Rainbows, Dollies, Grayling, and Silvers — handled.
Your Non-Negotiables
- Dolly Lama Coho Selection — the go-to streamer for Silvers and big Rainbows
- Mouse Fly Selection — essential mid-summer, especially July on the Kanektok
- Alaska Bead Selection — year-round producer for Rainbows, Dollies, and Grayling
Everything else below expands your options — but this is your foundation. A small, well-chosen box with backups will outfish a giant box missing the one pattern that’s working.
What We Provide
Every trip includes a working selection of the basics. But there is no fly shop within 100+ miles. If you want depth, backups, or specific patterns — you need to bring them.
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Dolly LamasIncludedBlack/white — the standard. We carry these on every float.
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Mouse PatternsIncludedPeak effectiveness mid-summer. If you’re on a July Kanektok trip, this is the fly.
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Beads — key sizes & colorsIncludedCore producers throughout the season.
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Flesh FliesIncluded when relevantLate season, when salmon are spawning and breaking down.
We cover the basics. Serious anglers show up with their own selection — and backups. Running out of what’s working matters more than variety.
Flies & Gear That Actually Work
Trout / Dolly Varden / Grayling
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BeadsEssentialYear-round producer on every river we float. Bring the Alaska Bead Selection and add late-season colors (August–September).
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Mouse PatternsEssentialEspecially mid-summer. One of the most exciting ways to fish for big Rainbows anywhere in the world.
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Dolly LamasAll-purpose streamer. Black/white is the standard; bring color variations.
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Sculpin & Leech PatternsBig fish food. Effective when nothing else is moving them.
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Flesh FliesLate season (August–September) when salmon are spawning. Can be the best thing going.
Salmon
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Dolly Lama — Coho ColorsEssential for SilversPink, purple, chartreuse, orange. Bring the full coho selection.
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Pink, Purple & Black/White PatternsLarger profile flies for visibility and aggression. Silvers respond to movement and color.
Indicators & Beads
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Alaska Bead SelectionMust-HaveAdd late-season colors if fishing August–September. Peach, coral, and natural orange become more important as salmon spawn.
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Strike Indicators — ½"–¾"Thingamabobber style. Bring more than you think you need — they get lost.
Tackle by Species
Fly fishing or spin casting — both work. Either can be exceptional. Here’s how to set up for the species you’re targeting.
| Species | Fly Rod | Spin Gear | Line / Leader |
|---|---|---|---|
| King Salmon | 9–12 wt | Heavy action spinning | Sink-tip or full sink · 20–30 lb leader |
| Coho / Chum | 7–9 wt | Medium spinning | 12–15 lb |
| Sockeye | 7–8 wt | Medium spinning | 10–15 lb |
| Pink Salmon | 5–7 wt | Light spinning | 8–12 lb |
| Rainbow Trout | 5–7 wt | Light–medium spinning | Floating (mouse/dry) · Intermediate (streamers) |
| Dolly Varden / Char | 5–7 wt | Light spinning | Beads, flesh, streamers |
| Arctic Grayling | 3–5 wt | Ultralight spinning | Dry flies, light tackle |
Spin Gear — Don’t Overlook It
Most guests fly fish — until they can’t reach the fish. Smart anglers bring both.
When spin gear wins: deep channels, fast water, and casts beyond fly range. It’s not a fallback — on some days and in some water it simply catches more fish.
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Blue Fox Pixee SpoonProvenOrange and pink preferred. Effective on salmon and large Rainbows. Bring extras — rocks happen.
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Blue Fox Classic Vibrax SpinnerProvenSize 3 for salmon. Bring smaller sizes for trout and Grayling. Orange and pink color families.
All hardware must be converted to single hook only before you arrive. Treble hooks are not permitted on our rivers. This is non-negotiable.
Where to Buy
Order before you leave home. There is no shopping opportunity between Bethel, King Salmon, or Dillingham and the rivers we float.
Every trip is different — river, timing, target species. If you want a straight answer on what to pack for your specific trip, ask Paul. No generic lists, no guesswork.