Mend the fly through the current in short, erratic twitches. Fish will usually ignore strong-swimming baitfish and home in on any fly pattern that resembles a crippled or wounded forage species. A fly can be worked over the bar in short twitches on an incoming tide. I like to use herring patterns or streamers tied with plenty of mylar or tinsel. The more flash, the better.
Shallows usually call for a sink-tip or floating line with weighting fly and long leader.
Backing is always wise for that rampant silver that decides to inhale your fly before rocketing off to China. Other equipment includes polarized sunglasses for spotting schools of fish migrating along gravel bars. Since you'll be able to observe fish and strikes, be sure you don't set the hook too early and miss fish. When you feel the fish strike, set the hook with an upward sweep of the rod. Neoprene chest waders also provide greater wading comfort than hip boots in Alaska waters, which are quite cold even during the summer months.