Badger Slough

Badger Slough is a small stream that runs through North Pole.  It is really nothing more than drainage of the permafrost in and around the Community.  Badger Slough passed within about 200 yards of my home in the Airway Subdivision. During the period that I lived in Airway, Badger Slough was the first spot I could find Arctic Grayling every Spring - usually about the last week of April.

Badger Slough is a pretty little stream.  In early Spring, it is host to many Ducks and other Waterfowl.  Typically, the Arctic Grayling begin to show up in the Slough to spawn while there is still ice along the edges. I thought this was a very beautiful scenic photo of the Badger Slough from under the remaining ice.

Arctic Grayling are such colorful fishes.  This 16 inch Grayling shows all the classic colors in the Dorsal that make it famous. When the sun is shining on them in the water like this, the colors are very irridescent.

Arctic Grayling are fairly aggressive to the Fly.  They are wonderfully cooperative for the novice Fly Fisherman.  However, on occasion (especially early in the Season), they can be quite finicky. Early in the Season, I find them quite willing to take a well-presented Nymph.  This fish has been deceived with one of my favorites, a Bead Head Pheasant-Tail Nymph.

Waterfowl are frequent visitors to the Interior in the Spring.  Though Ducks and Geese are fairly common on Badger Slough, it isn't often that Swans show up. This pair of Swans were feeding in the Slough right next to my house.  I love liviing around Nature like this.

This is a typical 10 inch Grayling on Badger Slough. I liked the color and composition of this photo.