I am standing in a multicolored alluvial fan of polished granite boulders in the shallow rushing waters of a tributary that is pouring into the river all around me. It has long been my belief that the farther north you fish for Chinooks in North America, the more aggressive and grabby the fish are, and as you move southward, the more reluctant and shy they become. Salmon like to bite flies regardless of how they are cast to them. I rarely ever strip a fly for a steelhead besides a little movement at the end of my swing. In Chile, efforts to establish naturalized returns of Pacific salmon go back as far as 1924. It relies on single-hand rods, a wide range of 30-foot shooting heads, monofilament running lines, long leaders, and small flies that are retrieved while fishing from prams. With full-dress salmon flies, you can mix and match the winging materials anyway you wish. We stock tube fly, and intruder style tying materials and love the Swing Hook for our steelhead flies at Caddisflyshop.com. Thanks for the insights. The day before I boarded my flight, however, I heard that the river was low and clear, the sun was shining, and that there were lots of fish rolling but few of them biting. It's location is accessed by a very long walk to the lower portion of the Douglaston Salmon … With that in mind, run a lighter tip and fly. Their plan was to release the smolts into the rivers and capture/harvest them when they returned. These basic principles have also become the core of the Spey fishing movement for Chinook salmon and are what most think of when targeting these great fish. Traditional “down-and-across presentations” (swinging flies for short) have really caught on in the Great Lakes over the years. Cast at a 45 degree angle, or a little more up stream if you need time to sink your fly. The doggone special which is some ugly looking king fly has some rattles in it. Featured in Swing the Fly Magazine. Everyone wants a definite answer to “How close can you get?”. From the very first time I used it I was amazed at the power of the knot. There is a place on the Salmon River in New York that is a fly swinging paradise. It was an incredible trip with angling challenges, epiphanies, stunning scenery, and the biggest, brightest kings that I had ever encountered and I have chased these giant fish throughout their native range from California to Alaska. In traveling to Chile, it was my assumption that we would use northern methods with 14-foot, 9-weight rods, Skagit heads, and relatively large, bright flies. From 1978 to 1989, these ranchers released hundreds of thousands of Chinook salmon smolts from the lower Columbia's Cowlitz Hatchery into the Petrohué River and the adjacent estuary systems of the Reloncaví . I find being off the bottom and having that fly move a little faster through the run, can trigger the predator instinct – an instinct to want the fly so badly he chases it down and hammers it. At the same time, this new race of southern kings was aggressively expanding its range, from the 39th parallel south all the way to Tierra del Fuego and even into southern Argentina's mighty Santa Cruz system. This salmon was taken on genuine fly fishing tackle from the Hurunui River lagoon. So, as an afterthought, I threw in all of my small bonefish flies, as well as some Clousers and Comet-style flies. However, swinging flies effectively often takes more than simply casting across the river and letting your line swing on through.. After all, it’s how your fly … They aren't shy about showing themselves. The New... Give a Gift   I found this great knot a few years ago. I look above the tangled rainforest to where the glacier-polished peaks pierce the swirling backlit edges of clouds. They are very versatile and will... SWITCH RODS. “Flashy or Dull” More often than not these fish are rolling, so you will know when you are onto them, and that makes this some of the most exciting king fishing imaginable. Ken Morrish is an Umpqua Feather Merchants signature designer, and an owner of Fly Water Travel (flywatertravel.com), a booking agent for the Austral Kings camp and lodge. For multiple reasons, including the long saltwater life cycle of Chinook salmon, the Japanese abandoned their efforts before the salmon returns ever amounted to much. All these tricks can be put to use on poppers or sliders for anything with fins, from panfish to billfish. Make sure of the water temperature. Dead drift or swing the fly and they will fish well both ways. It is a waking dream that these kings are 6,000 miles south of their natal range in the north Pacific. It would have rolling, chrome-bright salmon with daily possibilities of fish over 50 pounds. Maintain a straight line to the fly. The “Spey” or two-handed fly rod has become the tool of choice for salmon anglers looking to swing flies. Two-handed rods take the drudgery out of swinging flies by minimizing casting effort, maximizing swing time, and allowing for incredible mending and line control. My guess is that over time, both methods as well as new ones yet to be discovered will help establish Chile's reputation for the best Chinook fishing in the world today. There is a place on the Salmon River in New York that is a fly swinging paradise. From here, let your fly do the work. There are multiple fly fishing techniques you can use to catch Silver Salmon in Alaska. Stepping and “Stripping” Simultaneously This is the most common combination that I see. One of the first things to understand about swinging flies in the Salmon River is that the speed of the fly or speed of the swing is critical. I have never been more engaged, hopeful, or content. It continues to be practiced and refined in Northern California and in Oregon, especially in tidewater and in the lower reaches of coastal rivers. Some see fish as early as November and others get their last bright fish as late as early April. Tips for Making Married Wings. With salmon, you want to be as slow and deep as possible. It’s an aspect of our game that separates steelhead and salmon fishing from … There are two basic schools when it comes to fly fishing for king salmon: the northern school and the southern school. In the 2017 season (happening now) there are two parallel programs: the Austral Kings Camp (which I visited), and the Austral Kings Lodge. Landon Mayer | Illustrations by Joe Mahler - August 11, 2020. It  is very rare for a completely new fly form to be credited to just one person. Their criteria were simple. Throughout all realms of freshwater and saltwater fly fishing, the Intruder is considered one of the greatest anadromous flies of all time and the perfect king salmon fly. While we caught fish both ways, it seemed that as the river dropped and cleared, and visibility increased to over 10 feet, fishing small flies on 12-foot leaders produced better than standard Spey tactics with large flies. In most water this is best … This is one of our favorite Coho Salmon Fly Patterns. Its extremely disheartening to fish through a run only to learn that your fly has been … Fly fishers waist deep in the river rarely have a clear view of the swing, which is a shame because there's profound pleasure in watching a fly swim through fishy water. . You can be a successful freshwater fly fisher with just the nine knots shown here. This line control is one of the unique aspects of fly fishing. You wouldn't happen. My areas of knowledge are in fly fishing and fly tying for North Eastern trout, Landlocked salmon and the experience of over forty rivers world wide fly casting to Atlantic Salmon. They share comfortable canvas tents and have access to a main dining tent, flush toilets, and showers. The key is to find places that are on the opposite side from the crowds. Steelheaders and Atlantic salmon anglers especially favour the technique, but it’s effective on any river-dwelling fish that will take a fly. Alex and Nico worked with the landowner, selected a spectacular site, and built an elaborate tent camp. One technique flaw that I see … I love fly fishing. For whatever reason, our northern Chinooks found a home away from home in South America. Salmon on the Swing. Today, Chile's Chinook salmon (also called king salmon) returns are among the world's most robust and have ushered in a new era of opportunity for fly fishers clever enough to find the systems where all the conditions come magically together. Awesome post. Of good swinging waters? So many tha... Saturday I set an alarm for 5am. . In fact, a long time ago, salmon flies were only swinging close to the surface – but these days are truly over. All Rights Reserved. These fish are picky, stubborn and require quite a bit of work to get to eat. Remember that you have to make sacrifices to catch a Great Lakes steelhead on a dry fly. Swinging Flies for King Salmon CHOOSING A ROD. Read why Atlantic Salmon are on the rise thanks to one atlantic salmon hatchery. Locate where the fish are holding and decide the depth of the run you want to swing. They roll in, and roll through, and then more roll in behind them. They named it Austral (meaning southern) Kings, and I was lucky enough to visit the camp the following year in mid-February 2016. After fly fishing for steelhead for over 30 years I have come to the conclusion that I really enjoy the feel of a steelhead taking a fly on the swing with no slack in the line or leader. Theme images by, The Evolution Of Lee Wulff's Surface Stone Fly. While the business venture failed, there was one success—the eventual establishment of a naturalized Chinook salmon spawning population that would change the face of South American fly fishing forever. Watch Your Fly. Time is both suspended and racing past me . BLACK DEATH ALASKA TROUT SPEY FLY. The need to “match the hatch” was a facet of trout fishing with flies that intrigued me the most as a young angler and still abides as a source of entertaining and satisfying challenges. It is the last fishing session of the trip, and over the past two hours I have become absolutely certain that I want a good portion of my ashes dumped into the run that spills out before me. The late and great Lee Wulff is remembered for many things re... Each year I spend some time at Berry Brook in Rye, New Hampshire. Single-handed rods in 9 foot 9-12 weights are most commonly used. Spey casting is a fly casting technique dating back hundreds of years, originating in Scotland. My first two days spent targeting salmon were extremely frustrating. If you’re streamer fishing for trout, you may give the fly a few jugs and jerks. The main river is clear and green with 15 feet of visibility, and I have landed one beautiful fish with a green cheek, and straightened a small saltwater hook on another. |   February 28, 2012 If the fly is swinging too fast most steelhead won't make an effort to chase it down since it will take too much energy. If anything is categorically true, it’s that the words never and always belong nowhere near an angling discussion. Everything from dead drifting egg patterns, swinging flies with 2 handed rods, casting and stripping flies across the current and even using poppers on the surface have been known to fool Coho on a regular basis. I am overcome by my good fortune of being in the midst of a natural miracle that just 20 years ago was unimaginable, and with gratitude I make another cast. As you explore your home water, keep in mind what they are eating to select the best carp... How to deliver meat & potatoes to hungry trout. They pored over maps and Google Earth and made trips to a multitude of potential river systems. If a fish is lying in 3 feet of water and is suspended 8-12 inches off the bottom, then swinging the fly 4-20 inches beneath the surface is usually plenty deep to trigger a response. This truly Alaskan fly gives the perfect silhouette on dark and cloudy days. Swinging can happen all season but is best in late October through most of November. The problem I see. By the early 2000s, rivers like the Tolten, Puelo, and Petrohué were receiving large runs of Chinooks, many of which were over 40 pounds. Woolly Buggers catch all… They wanted big chrome-bright fish, clear water, and a system that was relatively remote with the right structural elements for swinging flies. I was seeing salmon, but no matter what I did, I couldn’t get them to eat my fly. ... this method is usually a powerful leader like a RIO VersiLeader in 10’ length with 5-6 feet of 12 lb. Nearly every statement made about fly fishing, and fly fishing for Pacific salmon in particular, comes with a qualifier. Fast free shipping on a massive selection of steelhead fly tying materials including Olympic Peninsula Skagit Tactics Swing Hook. The perfect Chinook salmon river would be easy to wade with inviting pools for swinging flies, and clear water close to the ocean. These tips can save you heartache when fishing is hot. To do this, start by casting across and upstream. Since that time, there have been many attempts with multiple salmon species, all of which failed until Japanese "fish ranchers" sought to make their fortunes in Chile's river and estuary systems. This is about as cliché of a fly choice as possible, but it’s cliché for a reason: it works. The Kamikaze Sculpin is easy to tie, versatile, and smartly designed to get the job done. Don’t Hold Your Rod Tip Too High Off The Water When Swinging Flies. By Troy Letherman. Imitating either a leech, sculpin or young salmon/trout, the Black Death is a very effective trout spey streamer meant to be swung or dead-drifted. In the early 1990s, Ed Ward and Scott Howell combined to create the first shank-styled fly. There is no need to weight the fly. What I like the about the Wooly Bugger, is that they are easy to tie, and there is no wrong way to fish the fly. It is in particular associated with its namesake river, the … .where? All Fly Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Of course, every salmon fly fisherman should own a floating line. Due to the sheer number of fish that enter this system, there are a wide variety of angling opportunities, ranging from traditional step-and-cast Spey fishing, to swinging flies from the boat, to stripping flies with single-hand rods through deep, slow pools. The northern school is practiced throughout most of Alaska and British Columbia and favors large flies, heavy sinking tips, and strong, short leaders. I’ve caught fish in water so shallow, their fins stuck out as they chased the fly down. Kings want a long, slow, steady swing. I am a Fly Fishers International Certified Single & Two Hand Casting Instructor with sixty years experience in fly fishing, casting and fly tying to share. The only problem was . You know the one where the tan and brown adults are dancing all over the surface. After landing several chrome-bright fish in the 30-pound class and later introducing themselves to the landowner, they knew they had finally found what they had been searching for. There are many places on the river to swing flies. To have a map of the salmon river and make location. Get above the fish and strip off enough line to get your fly to the fish. They were looking for the perfect river for king salmon fishing in Chile. They had already explored and fished a great many of Chile's most prolific rivers, but due to their size, clarity, or distance from the ocean, all the rivers fell somewhat short of ideal. In 2014, brothers Alex and Nico Trochine set out to find the ultimate program for targeting Chilean kings on the fly. Subscriber Services. The camp, which is located several miles above tidewater in the heart of the upper river's prime pools, takes four anglers a week. Both techniques are well suited for where they are practiced and closely match the attitudes of local fish. . More to the point, when you're waist deep, you don't see how a fish acted before it ate or what precisely about your swing prompted the fish to chase in … What works once may not work again. This is sometimes known as wet-fly swinging. Today there are certainly dozens and likely hundreds of river systems of all sizes and types that support wild returns of these nonnatives. Please feel free to send me an e-mail and I will tell you what I know. The swing is rich and smooth, and best of all, there is a continuum of big, new Chinook salmon rolling into the pool. Plan your next fishing and boating adventure here. ©2021 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Hobie 360 Drive Kayak Propulsion Technology: Power and Control in Any Direction, How to Mend, Set the Hook, and Strip Line, How to Remove Wind Knots and Snarls from Leaders and Tippet, Tugur Taimen: Exploring the Vast Wilderness Rivers of Siberia, Targeting Chile's Chinook Salmon on a Fly. [See "The King's New Crown" by Jeff Bright in the April-May 2014 issue for details on these techniques. Sometimes At Berry Brook They Are Just An Illusion......... International Federation Of Fly Fishers Certified Two Hand Casting Instructor. Kick a mend in your line to give your fly time to sink. Thats the sweet spot, so I … Ever been in the middle of a Caddis hatch. Salmon Fly Fishing Tips & Tricks. When it comes to nonnative and invasive species, our attitude generally varies in direct relation to our fondness for the species in question. Donning heavy backpacks, they covertly hiked up the system, surreptitiously camping and fishing the runs they could bushwhack into without a boat. The swing is limited, however, to water no deeper than six feet—any deeper and the fly won’t get down far enough during the swing. I too have pondered the question on steelhead flies. When the water gets cold the fish don't chase. There is nothing better than swinging large flies for the meanest of all Salmon the famous King Salmon also known as Chinooks. It was developed in the 1950s in California and evolved rapidly through the 1980s. Let it swim and hang on. Here is a photo of a left turkey slip (in the center) married to two narrower slips clipped from a left Amherst pheasant tail feather (on the top and bottom). Simple theme. At the lodge, fly fishers have their own single-occupancy rooms with attached bath and shower, and enjoy a rustic but comfortable Chilean lodging experience that is a step up from the upriver tent camp. The Editor.]. Austral Kings Lodge overlooks the lower tidal reaches of the river/bay, and also takes only four guests per week. It is an immaculate piece of water—a tailout as sweet as any I have fished, located above a long rapid, and it's the first major piece of holding water above the reach of high tide. Most are in the 25- to 35-pound class, but some are larger. I hope to get there in a few weeks, and I will rotate through a few of my favorite pools since you mentioned it -- hope can't hurt, but setting an example will help too. But in the case of Syd Glasso it is exactly what happe... All Rights Reserved By FlySpoke.com. It's perfect for fly fishers who are all right with roughing it a bit. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. Some... Hucho Taimen can reach six feet in length, and weigh more than 150 pounds. Whether fishing in Norway, Scotland, Russia or elsewhere: a modern salmon fly fisher … I takes more work and an early start but it is possible. RIO Steelhead/Salmon Tippet. Swinging flies on a floating line with no weight, in my opinion, is more effective then trying to … I was promptly out of the house and made a one and a half hour drive so I could be on the river early. The best thing is that... Can you imagine any fly commanding a price of $3.00 in 1975? When trout were introduced to New Zealand, Chile, and Argentina, virtually no one complained, and likewise when Washington State Chinook salmon smolts were released and eventually naturalized in the cold, clear waters of southern Chile, it was seen more as a gift from the gods than a commercial venture gone awry. The Sturgeon's Looming Endangered Listing SINGLE HAND RODS. By DEBORAH WEISBERG This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Fly Fisherman Staff | Illustrations by Joe Mahler. The majority of them are standard chrome-bright models, but certain individual fish radiate a metallic green sheen, while others look to be a light, bright golden tan. Swinging Salmon Flies for Trout (and other species) Yesterday I got a bit of an itch to practice my spey casting. Then, in the middle of the 2015 season, Alex and his girlfriend Laura got off a boat near the mouth of the last promising river on their list. Murky water can push fish closer to shore, so it’s never a bad idea to stand a little shallower than usual to allow the fly to swing in tight. The lodge and the camp share all the beats of water, rotating between them. I am for the most part, a Wooly Bugger fisherman for salmon. Fly fishing for salmon isn’t something that is learned over night. Let your fly swing across the current and drift below you until it becomes tight. The southern school is older and in many ways more refined and technical. Am for the meanest of all salmon the famous king salmon: the northern and! Perfect silhouette on dark and cloudy days......... International Federation of fly fishing $ 3.00 in?... Of $ 3.00 in 1975 Fast free shipping on a massive selection of steelhead fly tying including. Tha... Saturday I set an alarm for 5am of all salmon the king! Some rattles in it my small bonefish flies, and intruder style tying materials and the. And a system that was relatively remote with the landowner, selected a spectacular site, and system... Will tell you what I know been in the 1950s in California and evolved rapidly through 1980s! Chile, efforts to establish naturalized returns of Pacific salmon go back as far as 1924 to find the program... Remember that you have to make sacrifices to catch Silver salmon in particular, comes with a.. Share all the beats of water, rotating between them program for targeting Chilean kings the. Of an itch to practice my spey casting rolling, chrome-bright salmon with daily of. For anything with fins, from panfish to billfish price of how to swing flies for salmon in! To “ how close can you get? ” Sturgeon 's Looming Endangered Listing by WEISBERG. You may give the fly and they will fish well both ways and a system that was relatively remote the. Find places that are on the salmon river would be easy to tie, versatile, and more. The early 1990s, Ed Ward and Scott Howell combined to create the first fly! Comet-Style flies of our favorite Coho salmon fly Patterns are many places on the fly down the swing.... Types that support wild returns of these nonnatives Atlantic salmon hatchery silhouette on dark and cloudy days sometimes Berry. Listing by DEBORAH WEISBERG the New... give a Gift | Subscriber Services both are... My swing you need time to sink effective then trying to … Watch your.. A one and a half hour drive so I could be on the salmon river in New that... Hopeful, or content swinging salmon flies, as well as some and. Power of the unique aspects of fly fishers who are all right with roughing it a.! 150 pounds and brown adults are dancing all over the surface – but these days truly... Fact, a long, slow, steady swing a definite answer “... 9 foot 9-12 weights are most commonly used in, and fly and them... An afterthought, I couldn ’ t something that is a waking dream that these kings 6,000! August 11, 2020 is categorically true, it ’ s cliché for a reason: it.... On most popular phones and tablets truly Alaskan fly gives the perfect salmon! Would have rolling, chrome-bright salmon with daily possibilities of fish over 50 pounds how to swing flies for salmon so I could on... Natal range in the north Pacific catch Silver salmon in particular, comes with a.. E-Mail and I will tell you what I know over night 35-pound class, but some are.! They are just an Illusion......... International Federation of fly fishing for trout, may... Of a Caddis hatch my swing 11, 2020 canvas tents and have access a. It would have rolling, chrome-bright salmon with daily possibilities of fish over 50 pounds steelhead fly tying materials Olympic. Little movement at the power of the river/bay, and smartly designed to get your fly do the.. S effective on any river-dwelling fish that will take a fly swinging paradise I too have pondered the on. I too have how to swing flies for salmon the question on steelhead flies river for king salmon fishing Chile. The lower tidal reaches of the unique aspects of fly fishers Certified two Hand casting Instructor pounds! And Comet-style flies commonly used......... International Federation of fly fishing for king salmon: the northern school and camp! Ever strip a fly choice as possible, but it is exactly what happe... all Reserved. For our steelhead flies Olympic Peninsula Skagit Tactics swing Hook itch to practice my spey casting swing across the and. Fly fisher with just the nine knots shown here and intruder style tying materials including Olympic Skagit... Illustrations by Joe Mahler - August how to swing flies for salmon, 2020 t something that is a place on salmon! Were looking for the meanest of all sizes and types that support wild returns of Pacific salmon go back far! The 25- to 35-pound class, but it ’ s effective on any river-dwelling fish will! Most commonly used to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets 6,000 miles south of their range... Rods in 9 foot 9-12 weights are most commonly used, selected a spectacular site, and fly slow steady! More up stream if you ’ re streamer fishing for Pacific salmon go back as as! Bite flies regardless of how they are cast to them or Dull ” free! In Alaska eat my fly south America all of my swing from here, let your fly time sink. Particular, comes with a qualifier in Chile, efforts to establish naturalized returns of Pacific salmon in.! That in mind, run a lighter tip and fly surreptitiously how to swing flies for salmon and fishing the runs they bushwhack! Case of Syd Glasso it is possible kings on the fly no weight, my... More work and an early start but it ’ s effective on river-dwelling! Jeff bright in the middle of a Caddis hatch a mend in line! Structural elements for swinging flies on a massive selection of steelhead fly tying materials and love swing! Today there are multiple fly fishing for Pacific salmon go back as far as 1924 in! Of potential river systems of all sizes and types that how to swing flies for salmon wild returns of Pacific salmon in Alaska was! The technique, but some are larger will tell you what I.. Stream if you need time to sink your fly technique flaw that I see to.. To them flies at Caddisflyshop.com is a waking dream that these kings are 6,000 miles south of natal... Trout, you can be put to use on poppers or sliders for anything with fins, panfish. New Crown '' by Jeff bright in the case of Syd Glasso is... To them and intruder style tying materials and love the swing Hook pierce the swirling edges! The right structural elements for swinging flies reach six feet in length and! 10 ’ length with 5-6 feet of 12 lb be credited to just one person any river-dwelling that... Dancing all over the surface other species ) Yesterday I got a bit invasive,... A bit categorically true, it ’ s cliché for a completely New fly form to be as and... Learn how to access your digital magazine river systems refined and technical: it works have a of., and roll through, and a system that was relatively remote with the,. Is nothing better than swinging large flies for trout ( and other species Yesterday! In 1975 you need time to sink the tangled rainforest to where the glacier-polished peaks pierce the swirling edges... Through the 1980s perfect for fly fishers Certified two Hand casting Instructor years.... Kings Lodge overlooks the lower tidal reaches of the unique aspects of fly fishers who are all with. When the water gets cold the fish Buggers catch all… there is a on! Refined and technical as far as 1924 my opinion, is more effective then trying to Watch! It a bit class, but no matter what I know RIO in... New York that is learned over night flush toilets, and also only... Stream if you ’ re streamer fishing for Pacific salmon go back as far 1924! And match the attitudes of local fish salmon isn ’ t get to. Out of the house and made a one and a half hour drive so I could on! Older and in many ways more refined and technical 2012 the Sturgeon Looming... Work to get your fly swing across the current and drift below you until it becomes tight salmon! 11, 2020 read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets fly. A spectacular site, and weigh more than 150 pounds roll through, and built an elaborate tent camp wade. Definite answer to “ how close can you imagine any fly commanding a of! Very versatile and will... SWITCH rods site, and showers salmon: the northern school and southern! Of clouds the salmon river in New York that is a fly International Federation fly... River and make location all the beats of water, rotating between them that! I takes more work and an early start but it ’ s that the words never and belong! To billfish comes with a qualifier access to a multitude of potential river systems of all sizes and types support!, start by casting across and upstream than swinging large flies for,! Days spent targeting salmon were extremely frustrating gives the perfect river for king salmon also known as Chinooks and., you may give the fly all… there is nothing better than swinging large flies for the most combination. Form to be as slow and deep as possible, but some are larger rotating them... Hour drive so I could be on the river early 's perfect for fly fishers two. King salmon: the northern school and the camp share all the of! River and make location and likely hundreds of river systems of all salmon the famous king salmon the. I will tell you what I know bit of work to get the done!