Favorite fish caught with a flyrod poll

[Bushwhack Jack]

What is your favorite fish to catch with your flyrod? And tell your reason why. I said rainbows. If I had more options I would have included some others like sheefish, cutthroat trout, and I probably would have put rainbows and steelhead in separate categories but I only had ten options to choose.

My reason why is that rainbows are by far the most beautiful fish in and pound per pound they are the best fighters IMO.

[Brian M]

Grayling, without a doubt. For me, it's not so much about the fish as about the places they live. Grayling represent beautiful, lonely places. Casting to an eager grayling with a fly on a remote mountain stream is good for the soul.

[BrownBear]

By a wide margin it's king salmon in saltwater. You have to find them pressed tight against kelp beds or reefs, which you sometimes can't manage for a year or two. But when it all comes together, it's about the best ride on a fly rod in Alaska. Hooked in such shallow water, all they want is deep water and FAST! Get them over about 30# and your 10WT is going to feel like a 3WT. Break the magic 50# barrier (only done it twice on a fly rod) and you'll sincerely regret using only a 10WT. Backing? No less than 250 yards, and with so little, you better be firing up the engine to give chase.

[AGL4now]

I could have not said it better..........Grayling #1 (Especially the Grayling on the East end of Lake Clark)

Grayling, without a doubt. For me, it's not so much about the fish as about the places they live. Grayling represent beautiful, lonely places. Casting to an eager grayling with a fly on a remote mountain stream is good for the soul.

[Erik in AK]

Grayling, without a doubt. For me, it's not so much about the fish as about the places they live. Grayling represent beautiful, lonely places. Casting to an eager grayling with a fly on a remote mountain stream is good for the soul.

This. Pure magic.

[Bushwhack Jack]

Wow! These are some interesting responses. When I made this poll my prediction was that rainbow trout would be the clear favorite. But it appears I am wrong. I too thoroughly enjoy catching grayling on a flyrod. For reasons already mentioned, but also because they are the #1 fish to catch on dry flies in Alaska IMO. You can catch rainbows on dry files too, but nothing can match the dry fly action of a grayling. And I do love catching fish on dry flies. It's a blast watching them rise up to the surface to snatch a dry. But, I still have to say rainbows are my favorite.

[mlshore]

Grayling, without a doubt. For me, it's not so much about the fish as about the places they live. Grayling represent beautiful, lonely places. Casting to an eager grayling with a fly on a remote mountain stream is good for the soul.

Hear, hear!

[kenaibow fan]

Grayling, without a doubt. For me, it's not so much about the fish as about the places they live. Grayling represent beautiful, lonely places. Casting to an eager grayling with a fly on a remote mountain stream is good for the soul.

Though I whole heartedly agree with you, some of these same places you mentioned can be found with beautiful bows. It is a tough choice, but I would have to tip my hat to the bow only because the fight is where its at. I have never had a grayling come out of the water like a bow.

[bigcox]

Steelhead without a doubt. Sockeye are pretty awesome also, but steelies on a big bead headed prince nymph are pretty astounding.

Fish on!

[AKFly7]

I will add silvers to the list, super aggresive and hard fighting fish that will crush a swinging fly.

[mike h]

Silvers on top water gear!

[icb12]

I voted for bows/metal..

But pike and silvers gave them a run for their money. Its all about the take.
Pike absolutely torpedoing a big uber nasty fly stripped at mach 10....c'mon-that's stupidly fun.
Silvers when they are hormonal and ticked off- same feeling.

But bows you can get the same take, but they outclass them in every other way.

[AKnook]

Although dry fly fishing for large grayling is unreal fun and exciting fishing for bows/steelhead ranks up there for me. I have caught many rainbows and I still get surprised with some antics they pull to get off the line. I was left speechless at a nice bow last year in the parks as it jumped out around four feet into the overhanging trees to snap my line. Always a different fight.

[mike h]

I had a non-fly steelhead in L48 jump the bank and roll around in the weeds until it threw hook and flopped back in. I was in a boat.

(Never have caught one on fly though)

[AKBEE]

Silvers for the pure fight and rainbows to watch them jump and dance (and the amazing colors). Actually I don't think I have a favorite! Chums are a blast, grayling are scrappers, and landing kings with flyrod is special just because of the size....one of these days hope to fish for sheefish.