FLY FISHING FOR SALMON IN ALASKA
Eager anglers planning their fishing trips to Alaska will be glad to know that fly fishing for salmon is available from the middle of May all the way through the end of October. This makes for a good selection of when to fish for salmon, what species to fish for and how you can catch them on a fly rod in Alaska.
KING SALMON FLY FISHING SEASON
Fly fishing for King Salmon is probably the hardest, yet most rewarding Alaska fishing trip you can take.
Known in some circles as “the fish of 10,000 casts,” King Salmon (also known as Chinook Salmon) are big, they fight hard and they aren’t easy to land! Our river systems, the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers, Kings can average between 15 - 35 lbs for the first run and 40 - 70lbs and all the way up to 90lbs in the second run (depending on where and what time of year you are fishing).
FLY FISHING TECHNIQUES FOR KING SALMON
Our favorite way to fish for Chinook Salmon (Kings) is with a 2-handed fly rod, also known as a spey rod. Using Spey fishing techniques ensures that we are covering as much water as possible and allows you to fish the deep, slow presentation that King Salmon require.
Not only spey casting and swinging flies for Kings easy to learn, it is also a relaxing way to target these fish. Anglers immerse themselves in the beautiful surroundings as they work down classic salmon runs, only to be interrupted by violent strikes, viscous head shakes and long, powerful runs of our world-famous kings.
BEST TIME FOR KING SALMON FISHING TRIPS IN ALASKA
The best time to fly fish for king salmon in Alaska usually occurs during the first run of kings and just as the 2nd run is starting. The window between May 15th and June 25th can be very good and sometimes extends all the way into the first week of July.
River conditions are ideal for fly fishing during this earlier time frame. Any time after July starts can make wading conditions very difficult and hard to fly fish the right way for kings due to faster and deeper glacial flows.
We spend most our efforts fly fishing for King Salmon on the Kasilof River; however, we do put in a good amount of time swinging for Kings on the Kenai River as well.
BEST FLIES FOR KING SALMON
The best flies for King Salmon often resemble flies used for west coast steelhead. Some King Flies can be huge, while others are more subtle. We really like to use “Dave’s Chrome Magnum” fly in a variety of colors and sizes. This is a great all-around salmon fly and also works well for trout on the Kenai River.
SILVER SALMON FLY FISHING
Silver Salmon enter the Kenai and Kasilof River starting in late - July/early - August. Most realistic chances for catching Silvers on the fly occur from the middle of August through October 31st when the season closes.
Silvers generally average between 8-12 lbs with some fish reaching near the 18/20lb mark. Silver Salmon, also called Coho Salmon, are very aggressive when it comes to striking flies. They are also fast and very acrobatic, making battles with Silvers quite entertaining! Silvers are quite possibly the most popular salmon that fly anglers choose to chase with fly rods in Alaska.
FLY FISHING TECHNIQUES FOR SILVER SALMON
There are multiple fly fishing techniques you can use to catch Silver Salmon in Alaska. Everything from dead drifting egg patterns, swinging flies with 2 handed rods, casting and stripping flies across the current and even using poppers on the surface have been known to fool Coho on a regular basis.
The most popular way to fish for Silvers is with a single hand fly rod, usually a 9’ 8 or 9wt rod with floating line or with sink tips casting and stripping flies across the current or in slack water.
best time FOR SILVER SALMON FISHING TRIPS in alaska
The best time to take an Alaskan fishing trip for Silver Salmon is generally the month of September; however, late August and even the entire month of October can be great as well.
September is usually the time of year when most first run of Silvers have entered the system and the second run of fish is steadily coming into the Kenai or Kasilof River each tide (bringing lots of new, fresh and often bigger fish in).
best flies for silver salmon
Silvers will bite a wide variety of flies. There are specific flies made for Silver Salmon; however, most flies for other salmon species, steelhead and trout will work for them.
Carrying a variety of weighted and unweighted flies in a variety of colors (Pink, Chartreuse, Black, Purple and combos of these colors) will ensure that you have plenty to try when you come across notoriously picky fish.
Our favorite flies for Silvers are lightly weighted Dolly Llamas in black/white, pink/purple and black/purple. We also are big fans of “prom dresses” and other similar steelhead flies. The fun part about fishing for silvers on the fly is there is no one “silver bullet,” lots of flies work often, so you’ll find that you have several favorite Silver flies for Alaska.
CHECK OUT SOME OF THE MOST POPULAR SILVER SALMON FLIES.
SOCKEYE SALMON FLY FISHING
No salmon drive eager anglers crazy like Sockeye Salmon. Sockeye or “Red Salmon,” are by far the most targeted salmon in Alaska. They are best known as a very good salmon to eat and they often run in blistering numbers (sometimes 50,000 fish per tide or more!). People flock from around the globe, planning their Alaska fishing trip around the peaks of the two Sockeye Runs.
Sockeye are pound-for-pound the hardest fighting salmon we have in Alaska. They are known to break rods and reels and leave anglers sore with busted knuckles as a souvenir.
TECHNIQUES FOR SOCKEYE SALMON FISHING
The gear associated with fly fishing for Sockeye is quite simple. Technically speaking, we use fly rods and reels for the short casts and fighting versatility. Essentially when targeting Sockeye, you really aren’t “fly fishing.”
You are basically using a “harvesting technique” where you basically force feed them with a fly. Sadly, it isn’t fly fishing, but it does give you a chance to fight a fast, powerful fish on a fly rod.
Make sure you pick a very stout reel for Sockeye. They can blow inferior drag systems apart with powerful runs. You will also want to use 8 or 9 wt 9 foot rods and floating line.
BEST TIME FOR A SOCKEYE TRIP TO ALASKA
A really good time to fish for Sockeye in Alaska is during the months of June and July. Generally speaking, later in July (from July 15th through the first week of August) is the absolute best time to fish for Sockeye.
The earlier run on the Russian River is relatively small, but concentrated. The window to fish this run is only from June 11th through the end of June - it is also a very busy location and time where you have to be to fish for them (near the confluence of the Russian and Kenai or on the Russian River itself).
FLY SELECTION FOR SOCKEYE SALMON
When fly fishing for Sockeye Salmon, the main thing to think about is to have a very stout, shorter-shanked hook and minimal materials in your fly.
The key to successfully hooking Sockeye is to present the fly a little above the fish at about eye level. If you have too much material on your hook, the fly might be too buoyant. If you are using “Russian River Coho Flies,” as most anglers do, make sure you cut off a good bit of material prior to fishing.
CHECK OUT POPULAR SOCKEYE SALMON FLIES FOR YOUR TRIP TO ALASKA.
PINK SALMON FLY FISHING
Pinks fill the rivers of the Kenai Peninsula in “Even-Numbered” years (2020, 2022, etc…). Not known as great salmon for eating, they migrate upstream in huge numbers, literally blanketing the bottom of the river in some areas.
Pink Salmon or “Humpies/Humpback” Salmon are excellent for kids, new anglers and for anyone wanting lots and lots of action. They aggressively bite most flies presented to them. They average 4-6lbs, so a fight with them can be tons of fun!
techniques FOR PINK SALMON FLY FISHING
Pinks can be caught with single hand rods and double hand (spey) rods with a variety of techniques. Since they are a bit on the large side, it is best to use 8 and 9wt rods (especially on the Kenai River).
Most fly anglers will cast across stream and strip flies while others will choose to swing flies on two handed (spey) rods. They make for great practice for any fly angler, with lots of fish hooked, you’ll be ready to tackle any fish on the fly!
BEST TIME FOR A PINK SALMON FISHING TRIP TO ALASKA
Since Pink Salmon migrate in even-numbered years on the Kenai Peninsula, you’ll first, want to be here during those years. The months of August and September, usually starting with the 3rd week of August.
FLY SELECTION FOR PINK SALMON
Pinks absolutely love pink. It’s probably the easiest thing to remember when targeting them on the fly rod. They will attack most anything thrown at them, beads, woolly buggers, streamers, etc…
There’s no need to get too creative when picking flies for pink fishing, just put something on, present it well and hang on!
David Lisi is the owner and head guide for Cooper Landing Fishing Guide, LLC in Cooper Landing, Alaska, guiding on the Kenai River and Kasilof River on the Kenai Peninsula.