SAIL Blog

Choosing the right fly for salmon fishing

SAIL

July 25, 2024

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As an Atlantic salmon angler, few feats are more epic than coaxing a bite out of a fish that’s not currently feeding. Once salmon enter a river, they stop searching for food; what prompts them to attack our underwater displays remains a source of mystery and wonder. Each angler has their own theory about what makes salmon react in different situations – this abundance of opinions and lack of answers creates a space where creativity can thrive. As the salmon angler evolves, they invent their own theories and approaches. Ultimately, the sum of this knowledge is contained within a single piece of iconic fishing gear: the tackle box.

Salmon lures are unique in that they don’t try to mimic any part of the salmon’s diet. They don’t look like insects, fish, or crustaceans. Instead, they’re designed to be visible and distracting in a variety of contexts.

That’s why tackle boxes are filled with so many different shapes, sizes, and colours, and why each type is bound to have its moment in the sun. While uniqueness is key when you’re choosing a fly, there are certain ways to maximize your chances of picking the right one.

In this post

  1. Types of flies
  2. Right place, right time, right colour

Types of flies

Wet fly

First off, it’s important to differentiate between the two main families of salmon flies: dry flies and wet flies. A wet fly dips below the surface of the water, with an arcing movement guided by the tension of the line’s current. During this drift, commonly known as the “swing”, the fly must travel at a fast enough speed past the salmon to trigger a reaction bite.

Wet fly fishing consists of casting the fly downstream at an angle of 30 to 45 degrees to the bank, then letting it drift. With this approach, anglers can effectively criss-cross the pit, moving down one step with each cast. Wet flies are highly versatile, making them an ideal choice in fast-flowing, murky, or high water, as well as low-light environments.

As a general rule, use a large fly (#2, #4) when the water is high and murky, then go down in size as the water drops and clears.A wet fly must have a neat action underwater; it must remain entirely submerged and straight ; a fly that forms a V at the surface while it drifts is not efficient. The material it’s made of will significantly affect how it interacts with the water.

 

Dry fly

Watching a salmon breach the surface to grab a dry fly is one of the most thrilling moments you can experience as an Atlantic salmon angler. Dry flies float on top of the water and are fished with a natural drift. The fly is cast upstream of the current, then gradually continues to move upstream. To do its job properly, the dry fly should be clearly visible and remain on the surface of the water, free from any interference caused by the fly line and leader. It is therefore essential to use it in clear water conditions in a portion of the pool where the water’s surface isn’t being agitated by the current or wind. Just like with a wet fly, you can reduce your size as the water levels decrease – #4 or #6 is a good starting point. According to some theories, the water temperature should be above 12.5°C for the salmon to attempt to surface; others say it’s all about waiting until the water level is low enough for the salmon to see the fly. In either case, it’s important to remember that dry flies will become more effective as the season goes on!

Right place, right time, right colour

Salmon don’t prefer any particular colour, but some are more visible at certain times of day and in specific water conditions. The common wisdom is fairly simple: on a clear day, use light flies. On a darker day, use dark flies. Salmon’s eyes have cones that allow them to see colours, but low light and murky water make it more difficult for them to do so. The most important thing to do in these conditions is to use a high-contrast fly. Black is a classic pick, but white can also be a great choice. During the daytime, bright colours are best. In clear water, anglers typically prefer to use short-wavelength colours like blue, mauve, and green, while longer-wavelength colours like red and orange are better for murky water. Yellow is a versatile all-rounder. When the sun is shining, silver and gold can create enticing highlights for salmon.

The most important takeaway is that you shouldn’t get too bogged down by hard-and-fast rules for a hobby that defies logic. It’s all about fishing with a fly you trust. As you spend more time on the river, encounter more fish, and make more of your own observations, your tackle box will fill up with the exact types of memories and superstitions that make Atlantic salmon fishing so special. If you want to be ready for anything, we recommend checking out our tips for beginner salmon fishers and our guide for the best fly fishing destinations around the province.

If you’re planning to visit SAIL to stock up on flies, here are a few varieties we recommend adding to your cart:

  • The Picasse: Created by Marc Leblanc, the Picasse is an extremely versatile fly that can be used at any time of day and all season long.
  • Ally’s shrimp: An excellent fly for murky water!
  • Black Bear Green Butt: The perfect black fly for early mornings and late afternoons. 
  • Blue Charm: A tried and true British classic that’s particularly well-suited for cloudy days.
  • Bomber Labatt Bleue: A classic and timeless bomber.
  • Oiseau blanc: A dry fly that’s especially effective on sunny days.
  • Mickey finn: A timeless classic that has outwitted fish of all kinds. A super-visible fly that performs very well in murky water.
  • Pompier: An excellent green fly created by Michel Beaudin. Perfect for the clear rivers around the Gaspésie region.
  • Cosseboom: Several versions of this timeless fly have become a mainstay in Quebec anglers’ tackle boxes.
  • Canuel: Any tackle box worth its salt should include a few of these dry flies, created by Raynald Canuel from Matane.
  • Green machine: New Brunswick’s favorite fly can be fished both dry and wet, depending on how short you trim the deer hair.

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