The Alaska Fly Fishers (AFF) first came together in February of 1973. Officially the Club was formed “to improve and increase the sport of fly fishing in Alaska,” especially fly fishing for trout. It adopted the Alaska Mary Ann – a streamer derived from an Eskimo Lure – as its official club fly. One of the noteworthy events held by the AFF is its Annual Spring Seminar. Four consecutive Monday even
ings in April are dedicated to teaching fly fishing fundamentals. Presentations dealing with equipment, the how – where and when of fly fishing South Central Alaska, fly tying and casting are presented by club members. Since its beginning, this educational opportunity open to the public has provided a basic fly fishing orientation to more than 2,200 Alaskans and plans for next year are already being put together. Socializing is something most fly fishers enjoy and Alaskans are no exception. Several times a year, club members get together and share the same water. Mid Summer brings Alaska Fly Fishers together on the world famous Russian River, looking for those large rainbows feeding on Sockeye salmon eggs. In the Fall, the Club hosts a potluck picnic, again at a location where water and experiences can be shared by those attending. Recently, with the advent of the Kenai River Clean-up project, AFF members have found another opportunity to share time together. The Alaska Fly Fishers have been involved in conservation projects throughout the state of Alaska. Visibility is necessary if credibility is to be established. Within the city of Anchorage, stream bank stabilization has been accomplished in a joint project involving the AFF and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Elsewhere, salmon, trout and steelhead fisheries have been positively impacted by the involvement of the Club working to balance use and maintenance of our precious resources. An example is the annual Kenai River Clean-up, organized and run by the Alaska Fly Fishers and attended by many people interested in the future of Alaska’s most popular fishery. Participants include non-fly fishing community leaders and private business owners, hard core fly fishers to families taking an interest in keeping a world class fishery available for their children, the Kenai River Clean-up has become a significant event in South Central Alaska. As with all organizations, communication among its membership is of significant importance to the Alaska fly Fishers. Monthly, general membership meetings are held at the Elks Lodge in Anchorage. A schedule of club events including meetings is published in the club’s newsletter, also available monthly. The newsletter known as the Fly Lines has generated a great deal of interest, not only from the clubs membership but also from visitors to Alaska as it contains articles of interest to all fly fishers. If fact, it has been judged by the national organization, Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF) to be one of the best newsletters in the Nation. In-state, the Fly Lines goes out to members in 30 different communities – from Barrow on the North Slope to Juneau in Southeast Alaska. It is also delivered outside Alaska, to Club members in 18 different states and three foreign countries.
