Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Irideus Fly Fishing Etiquette and turning snag style fisherman into wiser more responsible stewards of salmon resources


NO SNAGGING SALMON THE SIGN READS
 You know the people who are catchers yet they know all to well they are golfing for salmon and steelhead with a hook. Then there are the folks mimicing this style in hopes of results. This brews a horrible event and actually teaches this as a fishing style. Some are expert anglers and some are people on vacation on the steward hwy. In any case we all seem to complain about this and words on the river have been exchanged over this topic.
We did a test study to see if we could turn the table for some of these people by teaching them about what is happing and trying to tune them into the salmon life cycle and fly fishing in and around it. Some actually believed these Chinook King salmon would not eat a fly. They were convinced that it was a lining or to us snagging technique that hooked these chrome sided fish up.
We have found a large attractor style fly with a good egg pattern fly trailer would stimulate some of these Kings. In clear water over the years fishing steelhead it is not uncommon to have a salmon attack a wooly bugger or even a large nymph style fly fishing fly. Its a numbers game. But at the end of the day you go home refreshed, in tune and even smarter than before about these amazing searun fish.
Not a King yet a Silver salmon that was fly caught and eaten at camp. Alaska resources are some of the best managed in the world. Thank you to all the people involved.
Giving up flies to these folks was fun and some have even sent some nice pictures. We see more fly rods in the hands of some of these people with bigger smiles. One thing is for sure snaggers eat beans. Its up to you to not be a snob and to teach. Do not complain bring a fly tying vice to the river and teach these guys how to pump out crazy egg patterns the salmon will eat. Yes tell them its ok to put the scent they live by on the fly. Do what you have to do. Like mentioned earlier this is fact. King salmon do eat flies and its worth your time.
Next time you see your home town run turn into a snagging circus take a stand. These amazing fish deserve respect.
If the salmon is not going to be killed do not take it out of the water. If you are going to eat it kill it in the water and bleed the fish. It should not suffer at the expense of your weeks worth of health food.
Best regards to the fly fishing community. Happy fall!
A custom Irideus GreenWater fly box with a few patterns that will turn a Chinook salmon's head. They may not all feed but when one attacks your fly out of aggression or to eliminate competition hang on to your fly rod.

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