Yakutat, Alaska - 2023

Our group of 10 guys was excited to get back to Alaska, and fish for coho salmon, around Yakutat.

The previous year we did not have the big 10-place Otter to shuttle us to the many rivers around Yakutat.  2024 was a new year, and a new Otter so we could all fish together, and explore rivers further from town.

The shallow lagoon, of the East River, was especially great this year, and the silvers came eagerly to Wog Gurglers.  The top water strikes were really amazing!

In addition to the gurglers, a flashy, pink fly, tied on a 60 deg. jig hook, was very effective, again, in 2023.

With the trees so close to the river, it was a bit spooky.  As you might guess, bears are everywhere at this time of year, and your never know when you might encounter a big brownie.

Fortunately, no bears came to visit, this day, but the big male cohos were there and ready to eat our flies.

God willing, Yakutat will be in my future, for 2024.

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Tarpon Cay Lodge-2023

 My hosted trip to Tarpon Cay Lodge was an amazing trip.  

The coastline west of Rio Lagartos

During our week at Tarpon Cay Lodge, we experienced large schools of tarpon feeding on baitfish, and then later, small shrimp.  In my many years fishing this area I have not seen this wide open bite, and the tarpon did not disappoint.  

 Larry was excited to fish tarpon for the first time, and with tarpon chasing bait all around us, it was just a matter of time before he was pulling on a high flying tarpon.

During these feeding frenzies, the casting deck was a "revolving door".  As soon as a tarpon was hooked I would step down off the deck, and fight the fish from the center of the panga.  This gave Jeff, my partner, a chance to quickly get up and make the cast!   This particular day, Jeff and I landed 17 tarpon!  Certainly the best day for me in 20 years, at TCL.

The big gins say it all!

Larry and Wayman were into the fish as well!

There were some larger "babies" in the mix, which was a nice bonus. 

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One of my objectives for this trip was to test a newly developed fly pattern, especially designed for the shallow, weedy flats.  During low light periods the tarpon feed on these flats but are extremely wary and difficult to catch.  

My LT Shrimp, designed to be very light, an neutrally buoyant, was an immediate success.  After 3 trips experimenting with various designs, it all came together in a big way, with many tarpon falling to this great new pattern.

One of many tarpon taken with the LT Shrimp

LT Shrimp

This fly is tied on a small, #2 hook, and is weedless...perfect for the shallow, grassy flats!!

Rio Lagartos is a beautiful area, and the sunrises and sunsets are breathtaking.  

...minutes before heading out.

The food at the lodge/hotel is very good, and the artistic features make it just that much better.  

Typical dessert:

We are already making plans to return to Tarpon Cay Lodge, in 2024!