Fish Types for Great Fly Fishing in Alaskan Waters

Fish Types for Great Fly Fishing in Alaskan Waters

by Trevor Price

So, you're planning on fly fishing in Alaska? Do you know the area's different species? What types of fish you can expect to encounter? If not, keep reading for an overview of the area's most abundant fish species. Pacific Salmon
There are four major species of Pacific salmon in Alaska: Chinook salmon (also known as king salmon), pink salmon, silver salmon and sockeye salmon or reds. They're a great game fish, but usually less popular with cold water fly fishers than, say, trout or Arctic char.
It's important to note that while Pacific salmon won't eat after returning to fresh waters, they will still strike subsurface and surface flies. However, fly fishers need to be ready to take in what are a large and aggressive fish species. The king salmon in Alaska can weigh close to or over one hundred pounds.
The Steelhead (Trout Family)
The steelhead is actually a type of rainbow trout, named for its beautiful silver body and steely color. Like salmon, they like to swim in open ocean or bigger lakes, however they'll spawn in nearby rivers. The steelhead will spawn multiple times in its lifetime.
The steelhead is strong, large, high-leaping and long-running, making it highly prized among experience fly fishers. It's also a great catch for the dinner table and an overall tasty fish. The fish averages between 4 and 12 pounds, but can often exceed 20 pounds, particularly in Alaska.
Grayling
The graying is a unique fish, easily identifiable by its high and broad dorsal fin and almost neon blue color on its body and fins. For fly fishing, Alaska graylings are both prized and easy to catch. The fish aren't very discriminating and tend to go for almost any fly.
Graylings mostly feed on live and active insects, but will sometimes eat crustaceans or small minnows. The most effective flies tend to be smaller or dry flies.
An Alaskan grayling will typically grow to about 4 pounds, but they're a tasty catch and well suited to the dinner table.
Arctic Char
As a trout, the Arctic char lives for the pure and cold waters of Alaskan lakes and streams. The fish makes a great catch that's lively and strong, though willing to fall for more flies and slightly easier to trick than the rainbow trout. For fly fishing, Alaskan arctic char is an easy lure, but a fantastic catch.