Another Great alaska fly fishing Article
Fly Fishing on the Snake River

If you are a fly fishing enthusiast, you are always looking for that perfect trip. The Snake River offers plenty of spots you will find simply incredible.

The Snake River runs over 1,000 miles and is the main tributary to the Columbia River. It originates near the continental divide in Yellowstone Park in Wyoming and runs down into Idaho. The river is simply beautiful on its own right, but is also known for two odd things. Evil Knievel attempted to jump it [and failed] and Lewis and Clark were the first to explore the river.

For fly fishing, the Snake has a lot to offer. The best time to hit the river is after the melt off. Since the seasons range in dates, it is often difficult to plan ahead since nobody can really predict when things warm up. In general, you want to look to June and July each year. The river is a mass of debris and dirt as the snow pack melts through late April. After that, the water clears and it is time for some fun until October when winter starts to spread its wings again.

If you are thinking about hitting the Snake this year, the fish of choice is the Spotted Cutthroat Trout. It is a dry fly fish, which makes the Snake a paradise for those who prefer to cast the dry fly. In June and July, the fishing is not particularly challenging. The trout are hungry and strike just about anything. If you are a novice, this means you may be in for the time of your life. Just about any large dry fly is going to get action like you would not believe.

So, where do you fish. If you are looking for shore spots, there are plenty. The best are Jackson Lake Dam, Pacific Creek and Deadmans Bar. If you prefer to get in and float, you probably want to go with a guide. The Snake River is a volatile piece of water. It will run from serene and quiet into vicious, churning rapids and back before you know what threw you into the water.

If you are looking for some excellent fishing in a beautiful area, it is hard to go wrong with a trip to the Snake River. If you are married, the upper sections of the lake provide many other attractions such as Yellowstone for a spouse that isn't as excited about the fishing prospects.

About the Author

Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals - makers of fly fishing journals to preserve your fly fishing trips.

Do You Really Need A Fishing Guide?

"Do I really need a guide?" is one of the most frequently asked questions from anglers going on their first fishing trip to a remote lake. It's impossible to accurately answer that question with a "yes" or a "no", but we can give you the information you need to know to answer the question yourself.

Guides can frequently be worth having as long as you know just exactly what you're getting.

For example, hiring a guide is no guarantee that you're going to catch a ton of trophy fish. The guide will take you to the places known to have fish, but catching them is still up to you.

If you don't know what you're doing, the guide can only help you so much. But, that said, if that's the case, a guide may be well worth it to you.

Since you will be arriving at a lake you've never been on before, and you only have a few days to catch fish... a guide can really be a big help. Without a guide, you could spend several days just trying to find out where the fish are.

Also, keep in mind that most guides are great anglers themselves. They spend all spring and summer on the lake and surely know what works and what doesn't.

Here are some things to discuss with any potential guide to give you a feel for whether or not you might want to hire him:

-The type of fish you want to catch -Whether you're looking to catch lots of fish, or just trophy sized fish -Has the guide ever fished for the species you're after? -What technique will the guide expect you to use?

This is what you'll typically get when you hire a guide:

-Expert advice on the best locations to fish -Expert tips on how to best catch your fish -A deftly prepared, delicious shore lunch

You must decide if the above is worth paying the price for a guide.

But another option to consider is that you can hire a guide for just a day or two (be up front about this) and then use his (or her) advice on what to do the rest of your fishing trip. This will save you some money and still get you that expert advice you're looking for.

Now, if you're going on a fly-in fishing trip to a lake that you know (from your research and talking to others) is chock full of fish... you probably don't need a guide! There, I even answered your original question for you.

That's because many of the remote lakes have so many fish that even a beginner couldn't help catching all they want.

How much does a guide cost?

You can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $200 per day plus a tip of around $25 per person.

So, it simply becomes a matter of how much help a guide can be to you, and whether you're willing to pay for the service.

There, now you can decide if you want to hire a fishing guide.

alaska fly fishing Products we recommend
Trout Eyes: True Tales of Adventure, Travel, and Fly-Fishing

Trout Eyes: True Tales of Adventure, Travel, and Fly-Fishing

Fly fishermen everywhere will enjoy these varied, witty, and engaging adventures by one of America’s finest outdoor writers. There is a long section on trout fishing called “Brookies, Browns, and Bows,” and another on the challenges and excitement of saltwater fly fishing, and an exciting group of memoirs about fishing near home and in far-flung and often exotic places—like the Minipi, Bighorn, and Norfolk rivers, where the trout can beggar the imagination, and where frustration can be the occupational hazard. Trout Eyes is a love letter to the fish we pursue and insects they eat and the waters in which they live.

New Zealands Top Trout Fishing Waters

New Zealands Top Trout Fishing Waters
This new edition introduces the best New Zealand trout fishing spots and is packed with the latest on access, season, and bag limits. The book lists professional fishing guides and tackle shops, and local attractions for non-fishing days. This comprehensive guide to locations and techniques covers a range of rivers and lakes organized by region for easy reference. The authors have years of experience fishing throughout New Zealand.

The L.L. Bean Ultimate Book of Fly Fishing (L. L. Bean)

The Lyons Press is proud to present The L.L. Bean Ultimate Book of Fly Fishing, an exciting full-color book for beginning and expert fly anglers alike. Brought to you in conjunction with L.L. Bean, America's most trusted name in outdoor apparel, and written by unquestioned experts in the field, this book is divided into four essential parts--General Fly Fishing, Fly Fishing for Bass, Fly Casting, and Fly Tying--and covers each with in-depth analysis in clear, easy-to-follow language. Learn about assembly of fly tackle; the biology of fish; natural fish foods and how to imitate them; safety techniques; bass flies; where to find bass; the eleven habits of highly effective fly casters; the basic four-part cast; the roll cast; the basics of fly tying; types of flies; the top ten most popular and successful fly patterns; and much more. The L.L. Bean Ultimate Book of Fly Fishing is the perfect gift for seasoned anglers looking to improve their skills, novices picking up a fly rod for the first time, and for all those who have ever dreamed of trading in their suits for a pair of waders.