Search Results for: houska

Greg Houska’s ‘Kriller’ at the Fly Fishing Shop

November 29, 2017 Leave a Comment

Greg Houskas Kriller fly pattern for salmon and steelhead — *The ‘Killer Krill’ killin’ it. Photo: Tom Houska.*

A while back we told you that our friends at Aqua Flies had begun producing a commercial version of the ‘Kriller‘ – a salmon/steelhead fly developed by Alaska West guide, Greg Houska, that certainly proved itself last season on our Kanektok king, chum, and silver salmon populations.

We’re happy to report that the good folks at The Fly Fishing Shop are now carrying the Kriller, and they put together a great writeup for their website on why they found it to be a great addition to their fly inventory. It’s a great read for anyone who enjoys swinging flies for steelhead and/or salmon, and we think you should check it out.

The Kriller is now available online at The Fly Fishing Shop’s website. In fact, you can pick up a full set of krillers in a super sexy Plan-D Articulated Fly Box (ahem, not a bad Christmas gift for that steelhead bum in your life) by clicking right here.

Greg Houska’s ‘Kriller’ Available at a Fly Shop Near You

September 1, 2017 Leave a Comment

Greg Houska's kriller fly pattern for steelhead and salmon — *‘Krillin’ it. Photo: Greg Houska.*

We’re proud of the number of popular commercial fly patterns that have been developed over the years from our guides at Alaska West. We think its a testament to not only our incredible fishery, but also a long-standing fraternity of great (and incomparably nerdy) fishing guides.

Well, we’re happy to report that another one of our team members, Alaska West guide, Greg Houska, has designed a new salmon/steelhead pattern, that is now being distributed by the fine folks at Aqua Flies. It’s called the ‘Kriller‘ and is now available at a fly shop near you!

Easy to cast, with lead eyes positioned towards the back of the fly for a more downward/diagonal profile while under tension, and available in four deadly color combinations, the Kriller is bound to crush wherever anadramous fish are found..

What are you waiting for? Hit up your local fly shop for some today!

Alaska West Mini Gallery – Greg Houska Edition

November 23, 2016 Leave a Comment

Fly fishing at Alaska West by Greg Houska. — *Worth more than a thousand words.. Photos: Greg Houska.*

When Alaska West guide, Greg Houska’s not kickin’ tail on the Kanektok, odds are he’s behind the lens taking some pretty stunning photos..

He just finished editing an impressive batch from this past summer, and today we share a few of his photos with you.

Enjoy!

More Pretty Pictures from Alaska West

Alaska West Fishing, Education and Fun

January 22, 2020 Leave a Comment

Have you toyed with the idea of wanting to go fish in Alaska but afraid that you’re not skilled enough? Perhaps, you want to include your significant other on your fishing adventure but don’t have the time to help them get prepared? Or does two handed fishing intrigue you but you don’t know where to start?

Join Heather Hodson, founder of United Women on the Fly for 7 nights/6 days fishing the “Chosen” Kanektok River on 7/19/20 – 7/26/20 at Alaska West. The iconic Kanektok River is well known and fabled for the opportunity to catch 5 species of Pacific Salmon as well as the ability to fish for resident Leopard Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden and Grayling. Be prepared for a week of fishing, education and fun!

Singles, couples, friends and families welcomed!

We’ve chosen these dates as the fishing can be insane! It’s a great time for all skills levels to challenge themselves and catch fish. Not only will you catch leopard rainbow trout, dolly varden and grayling; you also have a chance at the Salmon Grand Slam. 2020 is a pink salmon year and you have the chance catching all five species of Pacific salmon, all on flies, all on the same day. We use a variety of fly fishing techniques when we’re going for the Grand Slam, and that’s a big part of the fun – lots of techniques, lots of fish, lots of different water.

If you want to catch fish on a two handed rod, this is the week of fishing for you!

Everyday there will be optional education and fly tying after dinner in the Lounge Tent. Education will include different casting and fishing techniques specific to the Alaska Fishery. The afternoon we arrive, Heather will help anyone who wants their fly cast fine tuned. There can also be an on the water “Intro to Trout Spey” demo and practice.

WHY FISH with United Women on the Fly? These trips are so much more than a fishing adventure. Anglers of different ages, professions, backgrounds and fishing abilities come together to experience a trip of a lifetime. It’s a scary thing to step out of their comfort zone and join other anglers. The energy, laughter, smiles and friendships are like no other. We came as strangers and leave UNITED as friends.

Don’t have the needed equipment? No problem!!! Alaska West has loaner gear at no charge to guests.

Check out the Alaska West Photo Essay including information on the discounted price, dates and logistics.

More From Alaska West:

RIO’s “How To” Video on Selecting a Sink Tip

January 21, 2020 Leave a Comment

Our friends at RIO products put together a great video going over selecting a sink tip and how to correctly match it with the type of fishing you will be doing. Brand Manager Simon Gawesworth is a fantastic teacher and is very passionate about the subject. He begins explaining the specs behind Rio’s various available tips and how the weights of sink tips are determined. He follows this up by discussing the different situations that each sink tip is designed to be used. If you have ever had questions about topics such as pairing a sink tip with different flies, skagit vs scandi, or what a MOW tip is, we highly recommend taking the time to watch this video. Simon takes a rather complicated subject and simplifies it incredibly well. RIO has been designing some of the best fly lines on the planet for years and recently began producing a “How To” series of videos that we are big fans of. Even the most seasoned 2 handed fishermen would take something away from this video. Thanks for sharing Simon and RIO!

Note: If you’re viewing this in a newsletter or a reader, click here to be redirected to the video on our website.

More On Sink Tips:

Take a Kid Fishing!

November 11, 2019 Leave a Comment

Millburn Family Week 4 Alaska West. Photo: Gregory Houska

One of the greatest joys in fly fishing is passing along the sport to the next generation. The river is a classroom which can teach lessons that cannot be learned in other venues. There is no specific age when you are supposed to take your child fishing but when you feel the time is right, here are 7 things to teach your kid on their first fishing trip.

Proper catch and release, fish handling. Treat all fish with respect, we are lucky to have wild fish to chase and need to take care of them. It may seem far off but someday he will want to take his own kids fishing in likely the same exact spot.
Walk slow out there. Don’t be in such a hurry to jump right in the water. Fish sit in close and do not like shadows or noises. Everything on the river should be done slowly.
Proper stream etiquette. This obviously varies based on the river and how crowded it typically is but you don’t want your child to be the one that thinks it is okay to low hole someone swinging flies on his first day out by himself.
How to tie knots. This one is really just important so that you will have some time to fish for yourself 🙂
The importance of taking care of a fishery. Following up on point 1 because it is that big of a deal. We are lucky to have self sustaining fisheries and need to protect them. I have always passed along the message to new anglers that if we take care of our fisheries, the fishing will take care of itself.
Hook removal from your skin. Prepare for the worst here, just incase..
Be proud that you are fishing. Fly fishing is something that we are lucky to be able to enjoy. Be grateful for any time that you get to spend on the water and the lessons it can teach.

We offer great Alaskan packages specifically designed for the entire family. Reach out here for more information!

More On Taking Kids Fishing:

5 Reasons Why Closing Week at AK West is the Best

October 30, 2019 Leave a Comment

The author, Matt Vaughn, practicing what he preaches..Photo: Greg Houska

Earlier this year we did a post from Alaska West alumni Zac Cassil on why the opening week at AK West was his favorite. When you have a fishery like the Kanektok River outside your front door, there really is no bad part of the season to be there. Our good friend and regular guest, Matt Vaughn, has been fishing Alaska West with us during closing week for 3 straight years. He put together a great article explaining why the last week of our season is his favorite. Take it away Matt!

“Closing week at Alaska West is somewhat bittersweet for everyone that is part of it. From the pick up at the airport to the last evening bonfire, this week always produces some great stories and even better fishing. I was told on my first trip this was always known as Walter or Big Jerry week as the largest trout of the season generally are landed during the final week, and that is precisely the reason I choose this week because I have seen it play out that way several times. In contrast to why former guide alumni Zac Cassill loves week 1 of the season, Here is why I love the final week of the season.

Rainbow trout are at their largest size and looking to pack on some mega weight as the cooler temperatures in August are a harsh reminder that winter is coming. With the short growing season coming to a close, these trout tend to feed more aggressively and more often the closer it gets to the colder months. Fishing the lower river AKA Low-Bowing for Big Jerry tends to be exceptional each year in the final week.
Mousing: Don’t be fooled by the time of year and thinking that trout and Arctic Grayling are focused solely on eggs and flesh. The critters in the back channels have a serious sweet tooth for keeping the local mammal population in check as they attempt to swim across to the far bank.
Silver salmon are increasing in numbers daily. With so many silvers in the water, the opportunity to fish topwater is greatly enhanced as fresh fish are entering sloughs sometimes every few minutes. Additionally, casting to them in the lower portions of the river as they create wakes as they move out of the Bering Sea is my favorite way to fish them. These are the hottest chrome fish and get even more aggressive towards flies when this is happening.
Clowned-up Dolly Varden are getting more and more vibrant as they turn into their spawning colors. Whether it be in the back channels or the main stem of the river, these fish put on a show and tend to produce the best photos from your trip.
Techniques: The final week opens up with a simple question each day: “How do you want to fish today?” Stripping streamers to salmon and trout, drifting flesh and eggs, topwater for silvers, trout spey, hiking back channels, or mousing; everything is at your fingertips, and it fishes really well no matter how you choose to target the fish for that day.”

Matt doubles as a talented photographer and has shared with us many photos that we have used on previous blog posts as well. For more of Matt’s fishing adventures, follow his instagram account @mattvaughnphoto

More From Matt Vaughn:

Timeless Tips // Follow Through on Your Hook Set!

August 20, 2019 Leave a Comment

Set in the right direction and you will be rewarded! Photo by Gregory Houska

Whether you’re following an indicator or dry fly with your rod tip, or swinging flies, you do not want to set the hook in an upwards direction, instead, set in the direction that the fly is moving. To aid in remembering this, I encourage clients to really follow their drift with the rod tip, that way when they need to set, they can just continue the motion with the direction the rod is already moving and quickly eliminate the slack.

When fishing for trout, salmon, or steelhead in moving bodies of water, there is one thing every fish has in common and that is they are all facing upstream. If you set with the current, towards the inside bank, you are helping pull that fly into the fish’s mouth. If you set straight up, or even worse, set in the upstream direction, you are pulling the fly out of the fish’s mouth. Just remember, always set with the current!

More on Hook Sets:

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Search Results for: houska

Greg Houska’s ‘Kriller’ at the Fly Fishing Shop

More on Salmon/Steellhead Flies

Greg Houska’s ‘Kriller’ Available at a Fly Shop Near You

More on Salmon/Steelhead Flies