The Top Flies for Pacific Salmon

Pacific Salmon are loads of fun to catch on a fly rod. Whether you're targeting Silvers in Alaska or King Salmon on a Great Lakes Tributary, these fish are incredibly strong and can be tricky to fool. Many anglers adopt a swinging approach when targeting Salmon with a fly rod and two-handed Spey fishing is a great tactic. A lot of the flies listed below are streamers that are particularly productive when swung. That being said, Salmon can also be fooled using dead-drift techniques so we've included some egg flies, too.

If you're trying to build a Pacific Salmon setup, starting with the right fly rod and reel will go a long way. We've already covered how to choose the best fly rod for Pacific Salmon here. Plus, which fly reel is best and which fly line is best. Partner those posts with this one and you'll have all the information needed to successfully target these entertaining fish.

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The Flies

As we mentioned above, most Pacific Salmon can be fooled with streamers. Swinging streamers is our preferred approach when targeting these fish but there are times when a dead-drifted egg can be productive, too, especially in the Great Lakes Region. Here are our top flies for Pacific Salmon. If we've left your favorite Salmon fly off the list, leave us a comment below!

Egg Sucking Crystal Leech

The Egg Sucking Leech is a classic pattern, ideal for targeting Salmon during the spawn. This fly can be dead-drifted or swung and triggers defensive strikes by Salmon protecting their reds.

Starlight Leach Fly

The Starlight Leach is a quintessential silver salmon pattern responsible for putting countless numbers of coho in the net. Lead eyes get the fly down, and its bunny strip tail creates pulsating movement. the Starlight Leach is available in various colors, but pink is the go-to; it is deadly!

Dirty Hoh Fly

The Dirty Hoh is a cross between an intruder-style fly and a string leach pattern. Initially tied with steelhead in mind, the Dirty Hoh has been adapted for pacific salmon and is now offered in a 4-inch ‘Chinook’ version. Great on the swing and designed specifically with high hook-up rates in mind, you will not want to leave without several colors ranging from pink, purple, and black to chartreuse and blue.

Hairball Leach Fly

Silvers, kings, and steelhead all love the Hairball Leach, especially on the swing! We reach for the Hairball Leach when situations call for a pattern that gets down fast. Once more, the fly utilizes a few key ingredients, including schlappen, rabbit fur strips, and crystal chenille, making for an easy-to-tie fly.

Todd’s Wiggle Wog

Midwest smallmouth anglers will be familiar with the Wiggle Wog, but it holds a spot in the Pacific salmon angler’s fly box. The Wiggle Wog creates a ruckus near the surface film, regardless of whether you are swinging or stripping erratically. Have these guys tied up in pink for explosive coho action.

Dolly Llama Streamer

If you are even slightly interested in fly fishing for Pacific salmon, there is a good chance you have heard of the Dolly Llama. This classic Alaska pattern has inspired dozens of knockoffs and variations. Still, the original with the big brass cone, rabbit strip fur, Lateral Scale, and an articulated shank stands out in a sea of imitations. The sizes and colors for pacific salmon will slightly differ from the dollys in your trout box. For salmon, opt for sizes 2-4 in pink, purple, and black variations.

Stu’s Chinook Intruder Fly

If you plan on going dancing with the king in Alaska, be sure your fly box has room for these Intruders. Essentially a standard Intruder on steroids, the combination of flash, bright colors, and movement will piss off the biggest anadromous species swimming in the Pacific Northwest. Prepare yourself for aggressive, predatory strikes while swinging the Chinook Intruder through large rifles.

Stinger Prawn Fly

The Stinger Prawn is another excellent option for the king salmon angler. Tied in bright colors with a ton of flash, this is one streamer sure to attract fresh kings. The Stinger Prawn has a slimmer profile than other patterns, making it an excellent choice for swinging in shallow water. Another benefit is the lighter weight makes it easier to cast for less-experienced Spey anglers.

Jumbo Critter Fly

The Jumbo Critter is another sparsely tied pattern. Thanks to its thoughtful profile design, it is dangerous as any on our list. The Jumbo Criter’s original tier created the fly to ride in the same position regardless of the cast’s angle. We like this pattern in blue/chartreuse for kings.

Questions?

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