Fly Fishing for Chinook Salmon (King Salmon)
Chinook salmon, also called King salmon, are known for making their famous fall spawning runs. In some places in Alaska, Chinook will make their spawning run in the summer. Chinook salmon will swim up rivers to make their annual spawning run and these rivers make it possible for anglers to catch these fish on a fly rod. Hooking a 20 to 50 pound salmon on a fly rod is an experience that you will remember for a long time. It is common to catch 15 to 20 pound Chinook salmon in the Great Lakes’ tributaries as well as on the west coast. In Alaska, you have a chance of landing a 50 pound fish with many fish in the 25 to 35 pound range.
When Chinook make their spawning run, they are in the river to get upstream and spawn. They will not feed once they enter the river. Many anglers disagree with the reason why they will hit a fly, egg or even some small lures in the river, but it doesn’t really matter why they hit these lures. It’s just important to know that these are the types of lures that they will still bite once they get into the river. Most fly fishermen have success with a single egg pattern, black flies, woolly buggers and a variety of others flies. You can catch Chinook in slack water as well as faster-moving currents. Once fish get into the river, they keep moving upstream and they will only stop to rest. Many fish are caught in the main river current as well as in the slack areas or pools near the main currents. One of the best spots to catch Chinook in the river is in a pool just above current. They will use this as a resting place.
Resources:
