Target Species - Alaskan Salmon
Names
Chinook Salmon: Also known as King, Quinnat, Spring Sockeye Salmon: Also known as Red, Blueback Chum Salmon: Also known as Dog Coho Salmon: Also known as Silver Habitat
The Chinook, Sockeye,Chum and Coho salmon are amongst the most popular sports fish on the Alaskan coast. They can be found in all coastal waters from the artic down to the US Mainland and in most associated freshwater systems.
Size - The Chinook salmon is the largest of all Pacific Salmon having been found weighting up to 57kg. It is common to catch the Chinook today weighting up to13kg. The Chum is generally the next biggest averaging around 5 to6kg with the Coho Salmon following with average weights around 4 to 5kg. The Sockeye is the smallest of the four species averaging around 3kg. The averages above can vary in different areas and between males and females of different species.
Feeding - All Pacific Salmon feed on insects, small fish such as herring, Salmon eggs and plankton.
Seasons - Fly Fishermen in Alaska generally target Salmon during the spawning runs in spring, summer and autumn. At this time millions of Pacific Salmon return to the freshwater lakes and streams of their birth to fertilize and lay their eggs. It is quite a sight to see many broad rivers literally clogged with Salmon trying to migrate up stream. Chinook generally run in June and July, Chum in July and August, Coho in August and September and Sockeye Salmon migrate in July. This can vary slightly in different areas of the Alaskan coast.
Description - It is often very difficult to distinguish one species of Pacific Salmon from another as they can be similar in color and size and their colours can change according to habitat and breeding cycles. Chinook are generally the largest species and are normally blue/green in color. Chum are metallic green/blue developing vertical bars of green and purple during spawning. Coho are generally bright silver with black spots over the back and develop maroon to reddish sides during spawning whilst the Sockeye Salmon is normally metallic blue/black. All tend to have silvery sides with a white belly.
How to catch them - Most Pacific Salmon can be caught on fly tackle in streams and lakes from June to September.
Chinook or King Salmon are the smallest in numbers but the largest fish in size. They are generally found in deeper waters and best fished by drift boating.
The Chum is the least flavorful of the salmon but it is a great fighting fish. It is very aggressive when it first enters its native streams returning to spawning beds. These fish aggressively attack a bright colored fly that is presented in an erratic stripping motion.
The Coho Salmon could be billed as the most exciting and acrobatic Pacific Salmon to catch. The aggressiveness of this fish is amazing. While sight casting to pools of these fish in crystal clear streams you will see two, three, and even four fish move towards your fly. Once hooked, these brutes of the Pacific will make run after run trying to loose the hook.
Sockeye Salmon use river and lake banks for navigation so they will generally be swimming just a few meters from the bank. They migrate in massive numbers and are a great tasting fish.
Hot Spots - Alaska Equipment This is a general list covering Rainbow Trout and the four types of Salmon mentioned above. A more specific list of equipment and flies can be emailed on request.
9 foot, 6 to 10 weight rods Large Arbor, heavy drag reel, 200 m backing Floating line, some with sink tips 9 -12 foot leader, 3-5 ft for King Salmon Tippet 4 to 10kg
Popular Flies Again this will very depending on application. Some possibilities may include. - Elk hair - Caddis - Royal wolf - Stimulator - Calf hair - stonefly - Pink - deer hair - Pollywog - Foam pollywogs - Crystal Buggers - Egg patterns - Wooly bugger - streamers - Green headed leech - JW Enticer - Salmon - Bunny Bug - King Kong
