Fly patterns for salmon.

[lcpl.allan]

This is going to be my first year of really trying to target salmon on the American and am looking for some pointers on what fly patterns I should be using.
Any input is greatly appreciated and thank you in advance!

[winxp_man]

Caught many on the chartreuse and black squid-ro fly, and big red popsicle marabou fly. The method I use to catch them is fish the tops of deep holes. And it’s on the dangle that I hook mine. Got one this past winter in Feb fishing for steelhead.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I heard some use a small egg imitation with a fast sink-tip and a short leader.



We had a really big run in Oct/Nov one year maybe 15 years ago.

American River veterans Andy Guibord, Joe Shirshac and Chuck Campana pounded them right below the walk over bridge at River

Bend access.

.

[lcpl.allan]

Thanks for the info guys.
I moved a mile away from ancil last year and really want to get to know that stretch of water this year. Seems like a couple good riffles through there.

[Darian]

lcpl.Allen,.... Arons' earlier post pointed out that he fishes the upper end of deep holes (not riffles). That's been my experience as well. Salmon hold in deeper holes until ready to spawn, then move onto riffles to spawn. If you'd like to catch Salmon in fairly good condition fish the holes. If you're planning on keeping a fish, they can still be caught on the riffles but usually will be dark, beat up won't fight as well and will not be good eating. Arons' choice of flies is probably best for Salmon.

As an alternative choice,when I was fishing flies for Salmon in the American Rvr (years ago), I used only two patterns. The Golden Goose (black tail, gold body, orange/yellow saddle hackle) and a Black Wooly Bugger (brown tail, black body ribbed with silver, brown hackle). Both tied in size 4 or 2. These flies caught Stripers in the same water as well.

[lcpl.allan]

Thank you Darian.
Hopefully having access to my buddy's drift boat this year will also help get to some spots I normally wouldn't be able to get to.

[Darian]

Looks like you're good to go. In my prior post, I forgot to add that the flies I used each had bead chain tied in and were heavily weighted.... Good luck!!