John Perry of Angler’s Alibi guides on some of the most prized waters in Alaska. Perry recently sat down to take on some questions for the Venturing Angler:
1. Why do you guide where you do?
I guide in Alaska because it has always been the most consistent fishery in the world. The salmon and trout are always there, and the fishing is just incredible.
2. What is your favorite fish specie?
My favorite fish species is the silver salmon. They come up in good numbers but are not overwhelming. They are very aggressive at times and love to get air born once hooked. This aerial display is what I like best about the silvers.
3. What is your favorite thing about guiding?
My favorite thing about guiding is getting the chance to meet so many interesting people, as well as show them the time of their lives in an environment that I am so passionate about.
4. What is the most memorable trip you’ve guided and why?
My most memorable trip that I ever guided was a trip to Brooks River. The trip started out with great success in the upper river followed up by incredible fishing in the lower river. The catch was that the winds kept building all day. Despite the strong winds, we managed to keep catching really nice rainbows that normally would have been very spooky. The winds and waves on the river put their guard down and we just had a ball. At the end of the day, we found out that there were no planes coming in to the lake for pick ups, and that we would have to spend the night. My guests were not a bit worried with a roof over our heads and a nice dinner to eat at Brooks lodge. After dinner, we went back out on the lower river and battled the winds for some incredible rainbow fishing til late at night. It was definitely a trip that I will never forget!
5. What is the funniest thing you’ve experienced while guiding?
The funniest thing I experienced while guiding was having my Aunt ask me, “what the bears’ breath smelled like with all the salmon they are eating?” I replied that I would not want to know because I did not want to be that close to one. Well, about 20 minutes later, we were walking out of the river only to have a bear stick his head out of the grass only 4 feet from my Aunt! She did the moon walk back into the river with me yelling at the bear and holding on to her waders…..needless to say, she did not like the smell of the bears breath!
6. What makes your guide service great?
Our guide service offers guests a small group atmosphere with great camaraderie. We do a 2 to 1 guest to guide ratio, and rotate the guides daily amongst the guests to keep things fresh for everyone. Our fishing is second to none, and we allow our guests to dictate how much they want to fish for the day. We offer 9 hours of guided fishing plus an option to go out after dinner for more. Our food and menu are top shelf, with all items home made and delicious. Our fishing is right near our location, with very limited boat rides for world class fishing, or short fly-outs to famous Bristol Bay rivers for trophy trout.
7. If you had only one day off all year, where would you fish and what fish would you target?
Now, this is a tough one. I would like to target something I have never caught before. I lived in FL for 4 years and have caught most saltwater species on fly, so I would have to say that I would target a true wild steelhead in Alaska or BC.
8. What are your favorite three flies?
Para Adams, F.B. Pheasant Tail, Dolly Llama
9. What is the one piece of gear you couldn’t bear to leave at home?
Polarized glasses – Smith are my favorite
10. Do you have any other passions?
Waterfowl hunting, skiing, and time with my wife and boys
To check out more from John Perry and Angler’s Alibi, please click here.
–
Disclosure: Angler’s Alibi is in a professional relationship with the Fly Fishing Guide Directory, LLC and the Venturing Angler. Though potentially benefiting from this relationship, we do not post what we do not believe to be true. To read more, click here.