Rainbow Trout Fishing

RAINBOW TROUT FISHING IN ALASKA

Rainbow Trout in our part of Alaska are catch-and-release and one of the most sought after fish species in the state. Ever since the early 70’s, fishermen have been catching these “leopard-spotted” beauties and then saying a long tearful goodbye. And because they’re catch-and-release, there are many monsters in our waters, which is why our only bit of advice for trout-hungry-fishermen is this:

Bring a friend. Otherwise who is going to believe you when you catch a 23-incher that’s so fat you can’t wrap your hands around it?

Another big thing you’ll need to know about our rainbow are they’re athletes. They are natural predators born in wild rivers. Our waters are not dam regulated fisheries, so these fish don’t vacation for half the season in slow running waters and munch on McDonald’s. Our rainbow trout spawn and die in our tributaries and live to be 7 to 8 years old. That’s eight years of swimming upstream in fast, wild running waters. So do your push ups before arriving at Talaheim, because our rainbow trout will take you for quite a ride.

By August our rainbow trout have gained at least 30% of their total spring body weight. So normal bows that might’ve been 18-20 inches and 4 lbs at the beginning of the season are now 5-6 lbs, and our grandpa once-in-a-lifetime-bows might range from 23 inches and 6-7 lbs.

If you want to catch these rainbow trout during high season, anything goes: mice, dry flies, egg sucking leaches. They’re used to seeing it all, and they’re hitting it all. So you might find yourself changing it up a bit more often than you would if you were at Talaheim in July, but the trouble will be worth it.

The biggest difference between our “Leopard” trout and trout you might catch elsewhere is their brightly colored spots and pink underbelly. Even their eyes have spots.

The biggest difference in catching these trout versus catching them in other places is that we’re a single-hook fishery. Believe me, one hook will do the trick and you’ll definitely know when they bite.

Helicopter-rainbow

THERE ARE SOME HOGS IN OUR WATERS

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RAINBOW TROUT FUN FACTS

Our rainbow trout come to life in June. The hatch we’re following is anything that comes to the surface: mosquitoes, mice, may flies and any dry flies. Under the surface salmon fry fill the trout’s bellies. These fish are hungry and eager. Even the seven-year-old-grandpa rainbows, they might be skinny but they’re still long, eager, and put up a good fight.
In July the salmon arrive and “following the hatch” means we switch to egg sucking leaches, flesh flies, and bunny bugs, because the rainbows can be found hiding behind the spawning salmon.
Mid-August to early September. By that time our rainbow trout have gained 30% of their total spring body weight. Plus, these fish are wild as the terrain. So they’re not spooked by 6 weight rods and 10 lb monofilament with split shot. If you cast with a splash, it’s ok. These fish don’t expect danger. They’ve never seen humans. So these wild-virgin-fish won’t just bite, they’ll take you for a ride. So our only advice is this: do your push ups.

TESTIMONIALS

I had the best rainbow fishing I’ve ever had (in 60 years of fishing). The stay was made particularly memorable because of Mark’s hospitality and humor. The staff made this vacation outstanding.
Jim Baird
Bellevue
Awesome week. Mousing for rainbows the best ever. Great staff and food. Enjoyed the music and all the stories. Keep the helicopters warm cause I’ll be back!!
Ray Wilson