Alaska Steelhead Fishing

For over a decade Alaska steelhead fishing has been our passion. It’s what we think about most of the year, and what helps get us through the winters. Below you’ll learn more about what makes steelhead fishing in Alaska both unique and exciting.

Introduction to Alaska Steelhead Fishing

While there is a lot to cover when discussing steelhead fishing in Alaska, we’ll first start with what makes them so incredible.

What makes Alaska steelhead so unique?

The most exciting aspect of Alaskan steelhead is that anglers are assured that every fish they catch (or see), is wild. While Alaska does have a robust salmon hatchery program, there is no hatchery in the entire state producing steelhead.

As it stands today, the abundance of fish is also unique. The runs are healthy (as far as we can tell) which is a rare statement in most steelhead fisheries today. For us, it’s extremely important to do what we can to help maintain these runs.

Why Alaska is a steelhead fishing paradise

As we mentioned, the runs are still healthy. But it isn’t just the amount of steelhead in the runs, it’s also the number of rivers that have runs. Especially in southeast Alaska, just about every small creek and river have steelhead.

Combine the amount of rivers to choose from with the run timings and you have the makings of an incredible fishery. There is somewhere where you can steelhead fish almost every month of the year, which means that if you’re dedicated, you can always scratch the itch…it just might take some time, money, and serious planning.

Best Time to Fish for Steelhead in Alaska

While I did mention fish can be found the majority of the year, there are really two main seasons to focus on – Spring and Fall.

Spring Run

Where we are located (southeast Alaska), the spring run is king. Steelhead are the first anadromous species to return after winter, which for us just adds to the appeal. The exact timing will depend on many different factors such as local weather conditions.

April and May are generally the two best months for spring steelhead in Alaska. That said, in certain areas fish will begin to arrive in March and can stay as late as June. The exact timing is very location specific and can vary from year to year.

It’s a great time to plan a trip to Alaska, watching everything come back to life is a very special experience. The mountains are still snowcapped leading to some gorgeous views and the weather is starting to improve. Of course there will be storms and reminders we aren’t fully out of winter’s grip, but it’s trending in the right direction.

Fall Run

While there are fall run steelhead in southeast Alaska, the majority of fall fishing is done in other locations such as the Kenai peninsula or Kodiak island. These areas have some great rivers to fish, and can vary significantly as far as how easy or hard they are to access.

The fall run fishing will start in earnest in September and go into November. Unlike the spring run, the weather is beginning to move in the other direction. This means that anglers can see a variety of temperatures and conditions, but also can see the fall colors begin to show…and possibly even disappear.

There will also be other species sharing the river at these times. Coho (silvers) and in some systems sockeye might be present. Both will take a fly, so anglers may have a higher by-catch percentage. This is a double edged sword, more action, but not everything will be a steelhead!

Gear and Tackle for Alaska Steelhead Fishing

Steelhead are notoriously picky and difficult to catch, and just as notorious for their hard fighting. Alaskan steelhead are no different.

Rods, Reels, and Lines

There is a wide range of rods that can be used when steelhead fishing in Alaska. A good starting place is a single hand 9 foot 8 weight. Something with some backbone to fight these strong fish as well as cast larger flies. This setup can be used to fish using an indicator or swing flies.

To specialize a little more, but still maintain some versatility, we really enjoy an 11’7″ 7 weight switch rod. This is a perfect indicator rod, and by simply switching a spool or reel, you also have a great rod to swing with. The switch rod can be easier to cast a heavy indicator setup, especially when needing to roll cast.

If you’re looking to focus on swinging flies, a 12’6″ 6 weight is an excellent choice. Most of these rivers aren’t enormous, we’re not talking about the PNW or British Columbia, so the 13 and 14 footers are going to be massive overkill.

On your reels, you’ll want one with a large arbor and good drag. When we say good, it’s not just about being able to clamp down, it’s just as important that it is smooth so when the steelhead you’re fighting goes on a blistering run, the reel can handle it.

For lines, something with an aggressive shooting head is very effective. This will help you cast larger flies and allows anglers to get more distance on roll casts – which is an important skill, especially in southeast Alaska.

Flies for steelhead in Alaska

The truth is, specific favorite or “best” flies are typically a result of personal preference and tend to be a self fulfilling prophecy. The more confidence someone has in a fly, the more they fish it, and the more fish they catch. For us, this happens to be the volcano, which made its way onto our logo.

That said, there are some good suggestions to start with until you find your own favorite.

Nymphs (Dead Drifting)

• Egg Sucking Leech (Black and Blue)
• Prince Nymphs (natural and bright colors)
• Eggs/Beads
• Brightly colored jigheads

Swing Flies and Streamers

• Conehead Eggabou Volcano
• Conehead Eggabou Popsicle
• Hoh Bo Spey (Black and blue, Cherise and black)
• Dolly Llama

Most of these flies will be in the size 2-6 range. Something will a good profile but not too large is the ticket. A variety of colors from dark to bright pink and orange is recommended, and don’t be afraid to try both light and dark flies on the same day with either sunny or cloudy conditions.

Waders and Clothing for Steelhead Fishing

Once your fishing gear is dialed in, it’s important to make sure you are prepared with the right clothing and other clothes before stepping into the river.

As we’ve discussed, the prime seasons for steelhead in Alaska are when the weather can be the most variable. One day it can feel like summer, and the next like we’ve stepped back (or forward) into winter. It doesn’t matter if you’re on Kodiak or in southeast Alaska, you’ll want to have layers and good rain gear.

Waders and Rain Gear

It all starts with your waders. Making sure you have a pair that doesn’t leak is ideal, so if you have an old pair do what you can to repair any pinholes or small leaks before your trip. We also recommend having some aquaseal and patches if you are heading out on a multi day trip. In southeast especially there is a lot of hiking and bushwacking and a pair of waders that can handle this is critical. You’ll be battling downed trees and devil’s club which can be rough on waders.

To accompany your waders, you will need a high quality rain jacket. We recommend a specifically. made wading jacket as they usually are dry, provide some warmth, and have good storage for fly boxes, leaders, etc. If you don’t have a wading jacket, something that at least will keep you dry and you still have mobility is what you should look for.

Layers

The forecast can help, but even if you have the ability to check before fishing, it’s not always correct…especially in the spring or fall in Alaska. Under your waders you will want a good pair of wool socks that are medium to heavy weight.

Under your waders we recommend a good moisture wicking base layer. Many times we will wear a pair of sweatpants over the base layer for additional warmth. Even if you’re staying dry, just being in the water for long stretches will become cold.

A similar baselayer is also recommended under any shirts or jackets. On top of the baselayer a good wool flannel is nice to have and will keep you warm. Over that you can have a jacket, and then your rain jacket. The lighter the better, as if it does warm up you’ll likely be stripping down and packing whatever layer you shed.

Hats and Gloves

Everyday on the water, steelhead season or not, we’ll have a hat on. It helps with the sun (if there is any) but a hat with a brim can also help keep your hood out of your face and provide some protection from driving rain. On top of that a good stocking cap should be kept for additional warmth if needed.

Gloves are another item that might be taken on and off throughout the day. Most fishing companies have gloves with fleece lining that are pretty good. It’s personal preference if you want full gloves or mittens with foldable tops. Important note: Don’t handle the fish with these gloves on.

In southeast Alaska, we wear rubber gloves for much of the time in the spring. They’re warm, and they provide good protection while hiking through the woods and pushing devil’s club aside.

Dry Bags

Again, you can expect rain during steelhead season in Alaska. A good dry bag is important to store your layers, lunch, and anything else you plan to bring with you for the day (or multi-day trip for that matter).

Dry bags all have their pros and cons. Roll tops or zippers, it’s really up to you what you like and can access the easiest.

Fly Fishing Techniques for Steelhead in Alaska

There are several ways to fly fish for steelhead in Alaska, and here we’ll discuss our philosophy and how we do it. Many times when out, we’ll take a couple of different rods for different purposes and techniques, this allows us to change tactics quickly and easily.

Swinging Flies for Steelhead

There really isn’t a much better feeling than the unmistakable grab of a steelhead as your fly swings through a perfect run. A lot of times that fish might be airborne or running back downstream before you have a chance to fully wrap your head around the situation.

As we touched on earlier, we aren’t using extremely long rods when we’re swinging, and even a single hand spey setup can be useful. Most of these rivers are not very large, and it can be tricky in some places to get a good swing (although it can be done with the right line control and setup)

A Skagit head with a variety of sinktips will help you feel confident in just about any situation. 5 to ten feet of T-8 and the same in T-11 will cover most areas you’ll want to fish. From the sink tip a short 2 or 3 foot leader tied directly to the fly will be a good set up.

Nymphing for Alaska Steelhead

This technique of nymphing, or dead drifting, can be extremely effective in many Alaska rivers and streams. There are places where it feels that this is the only way to fish a certain section due to current, or logjams.

The setup is fairly simple, running a 9 foot leader and placing an indicator, some weight, and then your fly. Adjustments on your indicator depth and weight will be needed from pool to pool. You will want your fly to be as close to the bottom as possible, which means you’ll lose some flies…but that’s in the zone.

The technique is the same for nymphs or beads, and sometimes even dead drifting a streamer can work very well. The hits will be subtle, so be ready to set on any movement of your indicator.

Sustainable Practices when Steelhead Fishing in Alaska

Steelhead in Alaska are still doing very well, and we want to do everything we can to make sure it stays this way. This is why we strongly encourage all anglers to strictly practice catch and release tactics with single, barbless hooks. Try to minimize the impact each interaction has on the fish.

When landing the fish, try to have a rubber net, handle the fish with wet hands, and keep it in the water. Don’t bring the fish to the bank or lay it on the grass for a picture. For more information about how to handle fish check out this resource, which also explains some of the science behind why it is so important.

Conclusion

Overall, fishing for steelhead in Alaska is an incredible experience. With healthy runs, beautiful fish, and locations that are unbeatable you’re guaranteed to have an unforgettable time.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us directly. These fish are why we live here.