Fly Fishing in Alaska

When I planned our family trip to Alaska, I knew we'd be having some experiences that were "firsts" for us. I had reserved a guided fishing trip in Willow that was family-friendly, from the shore, with multiple guides to help our family of 7. Little did I know, it would be an adventure of a lifetime!

The rainfall in Central Alaska had been higher than normal the week before our trip, so when we met our guides in Willow they let us know that the rivers and creeks were higher than usual, thus more cloudy and with more current than usual. But that they were going to do their best to help us have a great time!

Then we started our walk into a fishing spot on Willow Creek. Now, this was no fishing spot for the average Joe coming into the Willow Creek Recreational site. Our guides know where the best spots on the creek are, and to get to them we had to slog through the flooded bush! We walked through thigh deep streams, and walked along normally dry paths with shin-deep water, boot-sucking mud, and shoulder-high cow parsnip that can cause rashes! Thank goodness we were in waterproof waders and boots!

And, when we got to the creek, we were the only ones there!

We were instructed on how to fly-fish, a first for all of us! It was so much fun once we got the hand of it! The creek was really cloudy and swift, so other than my youngest having hooked 2 fish, which we lost, we didn't have any fish to take back to our rental with us!

Even though we didn't catch much, our experience was amazing! We will never forget the memories we made in Willow, Alaska!

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