The Kanektok River in western Alaska is legendary for her early June Kings. Devil-hot fish just moments from the Bering Sea, and willing to eat a swung fly on a two handed rod. Yet, early June can be fickle. And if you choose to adventure to the Alaska West camp, you best come prepared: a duffle bag loaded with assorted whiskey--AW is BYOB.

You’ll be joined in camp by ace sticks with familiar names: Ed Ward, Dec Hogan, Andrew Bennett, Jeff Hickman, Tom Larimer, Jason Koertge, and Jim Fowler.

One currency is supreme on the K-Tok and her name is whiskey. Concerned your fellow guests will step into the prime bucket ahead of you? No problemo. Grab the Old Potrero Rye and invite the fellas over to the screen porch for a little get-to-know-ya session. At 125-proof, they’ll never see it comin'. They’ll be lucky to make it to breakfast, much less to the best water.

With the competition out of the way, it’s time to win friends and influence the guides, since they do, in fact, know where the prime buckets are. Nothing sets the stage for a solid relationship better than a big bottle of Rich & Rare delivered to the guide tent on the first night.

As with any currency, you may be tempted to get greedy and spend too much on yourself. I can only offer you this advice: the brown liquor makes a mind soft, and if you find yourself contemplating the plight of the grayling, you’ll be just fine, fella.