Atlantic Salmon Flies for the Fall

Early fall salmon fishing is much like summer fishing except that biting insects and hot, sultry dog days are, thankfully, pretty much gone. Young people are off to school or university. Apples, blackberries and corn are ripening. The air seems fresher and bright fall colors are starting to paint the landscape. It’s a new beginning, a great time of year to be out and salmon fishing gives us a perfect opportunity to enjoy a wonderful experience in Nova Scotia. As for flies, salmon will still rise to summer dry flies like MacIntoshes and Bombers. Small, dark wet flies are also very effective.

In October, when long frosty nights and short days make the rivers icy cold, salmon fishing changes considerably. Salmon choose slower, deeper lies. With spawning time approaching, salmon, particularly males, claim and protect their territory. Larger, brighter wet flies trigger aggression and become very effective.  Dry flies have lost much of their appeal and are usually ignored except on sunny afternoons when the water temperature warms enough to make fish more active. More often, cold temperatures dictate a slower, deeper presentation of large wet flies.

Although these wet flies can be larger versions of summer flies, there are better fly designs for slow, deep salmon fishing. Flies that resemble shrimp, such as the orange Ally’s Shrimp and General Practitioner are effective, as are Spey and Dee flies, with their long, flowing hackle.  Streamer flies that imitate intruding fish like salmon parr are also effective, and these flies may be conservative patterns or brightly colored flies like the silver, red and yellow Mickey Finn. A favorite streamer of mine is a 4” version of Joe Brook’s Blond series called a Pink Panther, fashioned from silver tinsel with long pink bucktail for a wing and tail. Large, pulsating Butterflies work well, as do flies featuring long turkey marabou wings or hackle that come to life in the water.

Fluffy marabou flies have become increasingly popular in the last two decades with flies like Mike Crosby’s Grape for the Margaree River or outrageous color schemes like the yellow and fuchsia Cardinelle. Some scorn such wild designs, but they work in the fall. Here’s one from Frasers Mills’ veteran fly tyer, Damian Welsh. I’m not sure if it has an identity but I think Damian calls the fly type Slime Flies. Note that the photo shows the fly in its full naked glory as well as covered by a section of soda pop straw that keeps it neat in our fly box.

Slime Fly

Thread:                      Black

Hook:                       Daiichi 2271 black streamer hook with looped down eye, size 2

Body:                       None

Wing:                       8 strands of yellow Krystal Flash

Hackle:                       Yellow, then fuchsia, then purple turkey marabou

Head:                       Black coated with Angler’s Corner Wet Head Cement

Please stay on the line …