Alaska: Pike, Grayling, Halibut & More

There are multitude of other fish species that inhabit Alaska that tend to get overshadowed by the salmon and large trout. These species are great in their own right and are worth fishing for whether it’s your first or tenth fly fishing trip to Alaska. One species I mentioned earlier is the eye catching artic char. With its large dorsal fin and beautiful hue it symbolizes the pristine condition of Alaskan waters. There is great fishing to be had for grayling within relatively close proximity of Fairbanks and some other northern Alaska towns. The best grayling fishing though is probably on the Alaska Peninsula in the Bacheroff Lake system as well as the Ugashik Watershed. The narrow spot that connects upper Ugashik lake and lower Ugashik lake is world famous for grayling. Ugashik narrows as it is called accounts for 10 of the top 10 state record grayling. Grayling are aggressive and can be caught on a variety of egg patterns, nymphs and small wet flies. Of course they are eager to hit the surface making them a good target if you like to fish dry flies. Another well known but overlooked species in Alaska is the Northern Pike, which in the prime spots of Alaska can reach the size and numbers pike fisherman dream of. By far the best spots for northern pike are the Innoku and Yukon Rivers, or more specifically the sloughs around those rivers. These sloughs are not too big and the perfect size for fly fishing. They provide cover for these voracious predators as they ambush forage including salmon fry and smolt. Fish in these regions commonly reach 40 inches and there are 50 inch fish to be had. They are not too picky and most times a simple bunny fly or some sort of pattern with lots of action will do the trick. Sheefish also knows up here as the “tarpon of the north” are rarely sought after but excellent game fish. Much like tarpon the world’s largest whitefish jump high and often and run long and hard. They can reach weights of 50 plus pounds making them a worthy foe when they turn in the large rivers they inhabit such as the mighty Yukon. In Southeast Alaska and around Prince William Sound there are landlocked and sea run cutthroat trout. Rarely targeted, especially compared to the lower 48 state where they are much more appreciated, these beauties can provide an exciting and relaxing day of fly fishing. All your classic trout patterns such as hares ears, wooly buggers, adams and elk hair caddis flies will work as well as your Alaska classics such as glo bugs and fry/smolt patterns. Finally halibut, yes halibut can be caught on the fly rod. In locations such as Kodiak and Homer large halibut will follow hordes of pink salmon close to the river mouths. Fly fisherman can string up their 11 and 12 weight fly rods with a full sinking fly line and large baitfish patterns and catch some really big fish. It definitely isn’t your traditional type of fly fishing but catching a 100 to 300 pound fish on fly gear is definitely something to brag about and something very few have accomplished.