Alaskan Adventure - Part 1 Steelhead

After a couple of days floating the mighty Kenai River, steelheading on the Alaskan peninsula was something I had been looking forward to. I had always thought of steelheading in the same manner as fishing for Atlantic Salmon. Traditional wetfly methods, skating dries, double handed rods and many casts between fish. How wrong was I on all counts!

My good friend John and I took the opportunity to fish for 3 days on the rivers running into Cook Inlet. As we drove to our first river around 6 in the morning, he regaled me with stories of "11 steelies from 17 hooked" and 36inch fish. John had already spent several days fihsing the run and was desperate to return! Even the passing moose and spectacular scenery could not draw my mind from the fishing possibilities which lay ahead.



To say we scored might be an understatement. We finally tallied out at around 60 sea run rainbows (steelhead!) between us, with almost twice that many hooked. Our fish ranged in size from an impressive 25inch (5lber) to an incredible 38 inch fish we estimate at well over 15lbs! We both landed many fish over 30 inches and I measured at least 3 that I landed over the magical 36.



We were using nymphing techniques as opposed to a more traditional swinging fly and did not stay rooted to any one pool but worked all the water we thought might hold fish. We found pockets of fish and timed the tide push to catch bright chrome fish, with sealice still attached.



I have fished the hard fighting rainbows of the Tongariro here in NZ for many years but bow to the strength of those fresh searunners. These are some of the most incredible fish I have caught and I now understand the addiction which they bring. I did not count lost fish in Alaska but for steelhead I made the exception. The very best day we had, we landed 29 from 40 hooked. Not in my wildest dreams do I believe I may emulate that feat again but I am surely going to try.



Flyodyssey is returning in September 2008 to Alaska. The trip will involve a host and fishing with a guide. Several days will be allocated to floating the Kenai for large rainbows and Dolly Varden. Places will be limited so please email me as soon as possible to express your interest and secure a place. Alaskan steelheading is something you must experience!

Fly Odyssey at the Denver Show 2007

I was fortunate enough to be at the Denver Flyfishing Retailers Show this year. An awesome event it encompasses everything to do with tackle and the fly industry. Watch out for new rods from all the major manufacturers and even some from reel manufacturers!

Associated with Sage, I got to cast all of the new ZXL range and can honestly say I have found several of my new favourite all time rods! These rods will cast at all ranges beautifully and with accuracy, ideal for New Zealand's spooky browns!

I was really pleased to catch up with Zach Mathews from the Itinerant Angler, with whom I podcast earlier this year on fly fishing opportunities in New Zealand.


Going to international events such as this and staying abreast of the most recent developments in the tackle industry, has allowed me to be better informed with best buys and top gear for all things flyfishing. Check out the American Angler magazine website who took the time to video all the stall holders to see all the latest developments.

New Zealand: Turangi August 2007

Once again, several good friends and I spent a week in Turangi, New Zealand, fishing for the winter running rainbows of the Tongariro.This year there was a lot of talk of smaller running fish but more of them and this seemed to be our experience over the week. Plenty of fish and right throughout the river!I fished a new rod this year. A 7 weight 11ft Sage Z Axis "switch rod". It was perfect for the weighted flies and long deep nymphing drifts essential for success on the river.


The Delta didn't fire for us, as it has in previous years, but of course up river made up for that and if was a pity we never made it to the Tauranga Taupo, but I understand it too was fishing extremely well.Over the period of the week, we caught plenty of rainbows and one brown. The best performing fly was the ubquitous "string fly" with a chartreuse head.

In 2008 we will be hosting a trip to Turangi, which will coincide with the annual Bledisloe cup rugby clash between Australia and New Zealand. Its going to be a great week of Rugby and running rainbows! Please contact me for more information on this trip, my thoughts on the new Z switch or tying instructions for the string fly. I look forward to hearing from you!

New Destination: Isla Holbox

Here at Fly Odyssey we are pleased to add Isla Holbox as an exciting new tarpon destination for fly fishermen in search of silver. Holbox is unique in that you can be fishing for 100lb migratory fish during the morning and chasing baby's in the mangroves in the afternoon. For those addicted to tarpon fishing this is one place you need to visit.



For moe information please visit our Isla Holbox webpage.

The trip of a lifetime - kingfish on fly in New Zealand

It took me four trips to New Zealand to finally discover the true gem of the country. I’ve fished a combined period of more than 6 months in the fresh in New Zealand and only 5 days in the salt. But my best memories and fly fishing experiences are definitely from my last trip in March 2007. I had the privileged to fish with my fellow Dane Nik Mathiesen who operates a successful guiding business out of Tauranga on the East coast of the North Island.
 
I was in New Zealand for 5 months with my family and in November 2007 we meet up with Nik and had 2 and a half days on the water just outside his new home in Tauranga. Nik showed me his local playground and I had the chance to play with his “toys” – that’s his collection of  #10-14 weight rods. Big guns that I only had seen in magazines previously. Nik did a brilliant job finding fish for me. It was a bit too early in the season for catching kingies but instead Nik put me on endless numbers of well fighting kahawai. A fish you just have to admire for the pure strength and stamina. Much faster and stronger than you would ever expect from a fish of that size – and on top of that – they are very beautiful too.
 
In March I had another shot and this time we were spot on for 3 full days. We still caught a good number of kahawai but this time the kingies showed up feasting on the poor kahawai. We landed fish up to 12 kg and was reefed a number of times with fish more than twice that size. It took me a few fish to get the hang of it. But once I’d put away my good manners and instead turned on the mean fighting machine in me  - then the kingies finally started to surface more frequently. Kingfish fight hard and dirty and if you want to bring them up you have to do the same and show them who the boss is. In my process of learning how to fight kingfish I had to suffer a broken #12 rod a couple of flylines lost and more than a few flies. But it was worth it all.  
 
Apart from all the kingfish and kahawai we also caught snapper, silver trevally and believe it or not a mako shark on fly - but thats another story...I have tons of  photo's on my lap top from the trip and I frequently look at them and they all remind me of the trip of my lifetime.
 
Am I going back for my fifth NZ-trip? You bet I am…and next time I'll leave my trout rods at home. I’m totally hooked on kahawai and kingfish on fly. Just bring’em on as the kiwis likes to say…
 
Claus Arnfeldt Andersen



For more information on saltwater fly fishing opportunities in New Zealand please email us at Fly Odyssey.

New Destination: Salmon and Trout in Iceland

We have just added our 2008 rates and dates for fly fishing in Iceland. The salmon, sea trout, brown trout and arctic char fishing on offer is some of the best in the world. Iceland offers a stunning setting of volcanoes, geysers, and rugged mountain backdrops in which to pursue salmon and trout. Rods on the salmon and sea trout beats book out well in advance so if you are interested in fishing Iceland in 2008 please email m.mchugh@flyodyssey.co.uk. or call +44 (0) 1621743711.



For information on rates and dates for 2008 please visit Fly Odyssey.