March 2020

Description

Gear Guide 2020

Departments

Creel 6
Fishing for a Compliment 24
Salmon Sense 26
Fly 28
Boats 30
Saltwater 38
Stillwater 40
Conservation 42
Fish For the Future 44
Recipe 100
Advertiser Index 103
Online 104
Final Drift 106

Features

2020 Editors’ Choice Awards
by Fish Alaska Staff 46

Fish Alaska editors test gear throughout the year in a variety of fisheries to identify the cream of the crop in a wide range of categories including: Rods; Reels; Tackle; Line; Field Accessories; Watercraft and Accessories; Waders, Wading Jackets and Boots; Apparel: Jackets and Pants; Apparel: Layering; Apparel: Accessories; Apparel: Footwear; Polarized Sunglasses; Kids’ Gear; Luggage, Packs and Cases; Camping; GPS; and Cooking. If you’re in the market for items in these categories, be sure to check these out before you buy.

2020 New Gear
by Fish Alaska Staff 80

Every year, new gear is launched in a wide variety of categories. We’ve gathered information on some of the most promising new products to hit the market in the last several months and some that will be available soon. Several of these will likely garner ECAs in next year’s gear review issue. Be sure to check them out!

2020 Retailers’ Choice Awards
by Fish Alaska Staff 94

Select Alaska retailers know what Alaskan angling demands, and what Alaska anglers want. As such, their recommendations carry a lot of weight. See their best picks for the year here.

Tarpon of the North
by Stan Martin 96

Stan and Vicki Martin spent a week last summer fishing with Alaskan Adventures on the Holitna River for sheefish. The fishing was spectacular, not only for sheefish, but also chum salmon and northern pike. Vicki racked up an astonishing 12 new IGFA world records during the trip.

SPECIAL SECTION

2020 Great Alaska Sportsman Show
by Melissa Norris 8

The one and only Great Alaska Sportsman Show is April 3–5 at the Sullivan and Ben Boeke arenas. The biggest sportsman’s show in Alaska has almost everything you might need related to fishing, hunting or adventuring in the Great Land. Melissa Norris highlights some of the key brands that will be present, including information on some who are offering special show deals.

COVER / Brian Woobank holds a solid, Tsiu River coho buck. © Marcus Weiner