Many of you have fished Alaska, many of you have not. I have the opportunity to revisit this incredible state some 20 years after my initial visit. 

20 years ago my wife and I floated the Talachalitna River for five days. Unfortunately the stream rainbows were not biting. All that way to nearly get skunked, in Alaska? We tripped over some spawning sockeyes that added some fun to the trip, but the main target was the beautiful native rainbows that must have been stuffed from a recent salmon run and wouldn't bite. We weren't the only party that got screwed that week.

Here we are in 2014! A good friend used to work at hunting camps around Alaska and I told him to pull a few strings and line up a fishing trip somewhere. He did and I'm leaving this afternoon!

Our destination is the Illiamna River which drains into Lake Illiamna then through the Kvichak River into Bristol Bay. We are expecting a potpourri of fish species to be present on this trip - something has to be biting - right?

Again, my main interest is resident rainbows and there should be a strong sockeye run going on right now. In addition, we might get into Dolly Varden, Char and God knows what else. 

I am bringing several assortments that I sell on FlyBass designed for Alaska by Rainys Flies and Supplies. I am bringing the Alaska Salmon Collection and the Alaska All Purpose Collection. In addition, I'm bringing my old steelhead yarn tying stuff, to tie various colors of egg patterns on-site. 

I am bringing only fly fishing equipment and my partner is going to spin fish. 

We are actually staying at a hunting camp that is gracious enough to put us up for the week at a much reduced rate compared to many of the big time fishing camps in Alaska. 

It's somewhat of a crapshoot once again and I'll keep you informed.