Rigging up for salmon

[Scales]

Hey guys

I never fished for salmon before and I want to make a trip up this fall to give it a shot. I have been reading the various threads that are popping up about fishing for them but I am not sure what i need as far as tackle to land one of these brutes.

I have a 9' 9 weight Abel, would this be enough rod? How about leader material, what pound test is typically used and also what pattern flies should i be using and in what size?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Ditchrat]

Here is what you need to catch salmon effectively. Although not some of our prefered methoed.

8-10wt rod, I prefer a 10ft 8wt,but your 9wt is fine.
A reel loaded with 8-15lb mono, or a running line. I prefer 8lb mono
Floro leader, cheap stuff like vanish in 8,10,12 if you run heavier lines
lots of lead, real lead when you can still use it. Im talking cannon balls here. In heavy water you need to get down fast.
Any bright colored fly works, but I prefer to use flies that take the occosional steelhead that you will run into early season. Try fleas,eztas egggs, 1/4lbders, and SR caddis's in size 6,8, and 10 or just get some jenson eggs and a sharp hook.

Run your line to a swivel, then drop a 6 inch piece of mono off it for your shot, add 4ft of leader (or what ever the longest lenth alound is this year) and your off

The three most important things are bring yellow or copper glasses(this time of year I call my glasses eye protection), a sence of humor and patience for stupidity

[woolybugger65]

your fly rod will do the trick, although i have found a big difference btwn. my 9ft. and my 10 1/2 ft. as far as muscling the fish. then again, when they decide to head for the hills it really doesn't matter.

ditch's line/weight setup is a good one.

make sure you have at least 150-200 yards of backing on that fly reel.

eye protection is key with all of that "lead" being flung.

don't forget to get your license!!

[Craydaddy]

Make sure youuse the backing cause the backing there also helps disipate the heat created by the drag when a big fish runs. You can warp your reel if you do not have it on.


I use a 9ft 10wt, running line, 15 or 20 pound maxima then a swivle and then a 4 foot 8 pound leader.

Swinging flies and spey fishing and all the at work great but Chuck and Duck is probably the easiest to learn.

[Scales]

Thanks guys, cant wait to hook one of those monsters...

[metalslayer]

I agree with Ditch till the lots of lead part.Look around you and use 1/2-1/4 what every one else has on.You might not hook as many but your foul hook % will drop.

[uncle-T]

Im trying to find a picture of a jenson fly . I never heard of it . I would like to try and tie a couple if I can get a pix of one Anyone know of a web site that shows one?

[metalslayer]

Jensen egg????????:confused:

[Ditchrat]

Jensen egg????????:confused:


http://tinypic.com/9r6bv6.jpg


Its a rubber egg guys:D :D :D

[Craydaddy]

And they stink!!!!!! :( :D

[uncle-T]

Oh Well thanks anyway. I thought it was a fly. Im always looking to tie new patterns

[woolybugger65]

you really don't need any fancy patterns for the salmon even though tying is fun. just get some estaz material, colors in red, chartreuse, black, and some hooks (size 8 or 10) and you're good to go. if you want some funky patterns fish-n-chip can hook you up.

[JStreamside]

Here's a few things that may also help make a difference...

Spray paint (or dip) your split shot flat black as they'll be less likely to spook fish.

Split shot in size 4, 5 & 7 are all you need unless the river is exceptionally high.

Jensen eggs in blood red or blue work best and get the smaller size 020. They are closer to the size of a real salmon egg and seem to drift better in the skinny / smaller water.

Some of the best "all around" hooks you can get are Mustad C67's 2X strong size 6 or 8. Size 6 would be the single first choice.

Try to go with someone that knows their way around the river and has fished it before. They'll save you a lot of time in trying to figure things out and how to deal with large numbers of fishermen in close quarters.

Avoid the big name holes like the plague...they attract the mobs...fish the transition water in between. Try to fish during the middle of the week...fishing pressure will be lower.

Don't forget stream cleats or wading shoes with spikes in the sole. This footgear, in my opinion, is NOT optional (especially if you're inexperienced on the SR).

Hope this helps!!!

[flyguy]

JS: Try the CO68, I think you'll like them better than the C67..they replace the 80200. I use the C49S for steelies (I only use streamers for kings) and have never had one bend, but if you like stout hooks, the CO68, debarbed, is the nuts.

Also, flatten the barbs. First, you get much,much better penetration (especially with stout hooks). The other reasons are obvious and well publicized.

[Craydaddy]

JS: Try the CO68, I think you'll like them better than the C67..they replace the 80200. I use the C49S for steelies (I only use streamers for kings) and have never had one bend, but if you like stout hooks, the CO68, debarbed, is the nuts.

Also, flatten the barbs. First, you get much,much better penetration (especially with stout hooks). The other reasons are obvious and well publicized.

Hey Fly I thought the C67S were replacing the 8200BR's??? I never heard of a CO68. Are they avaliable in a normal fly shop???

[CB1]

I dont think so Cray.. I have found them on the net, but all I could find were Stainless hooks, not bronze.. I personally dont like SS..

[woolybugger65]

[QUOTE=JStreamside]Spray paint (or dip) your split shot flat black as they'll be less likely to spook fish.QUOTE]

i tried this one time and all i got was a big mess because they didn't dry properly. how do you paint them?

[CB1]

[quote=JStreamside]Spray paint (or dip) your split shot flat black as they'll be less likely to spook fish.QUOTE]

i tried this one time and all i got was a big mess because they didn't dry properly. how do you paint them?

Wooly, I simply do this to my shot.. I buy big bags of Water Gremlins.. I take it outside and and find a puddle and put some of the water in the bag. Not fill it, just get the shot all wet.. It will eat into the shot a little ( because its only lead) and dull them up nicely......... Try it!

[woolybugger65]

what about non-lead weights. they are WAY too shiny!
i want to use/lose them as fast as possible so i can forget how much i paid for that crap.

[flyguy]

Hey Fly I thought the C67S were replacing the 8200BR's??? I never heard of a CO68. Are they avaliable in a normal fly shop???

The C67 is close but not exact. The CO68 is a tad longer and has the offset bend that the 80200 and 80250 had. I really like the offset with barbless hooks...the penetration of barbless and a bit more holding power with the offset.

Try Hook and Hackle for them...Bob carries the best line of Mustad hooks. Teh C)68 was new last year so I'm nto sure how available it is.

Yes, it does come in bronze finish..I have a few hundred that I am looking at.

[JStreamside]

WB...best way I can figure to get rid of the junk split-shot fast is to sneak up behind Cray and stuff 'em in the back of his chest pack...then run like hell!!! I went to using the non-toxic paint used on archery equipment. Take them outside and place on a platic bag...spray lightly and let dry. Grab edges of bag and let shot roll around exposing unpainted areas and repeat several times if needs be.

Crabdaddy...I saw the 68's in your other place of employment, buy they were like $6 for a box of 25 (yeah right). If you want, I'll see what I can get them for through my sources.

[Craydaddy]

Crabdaddy...I saw the 68's in your other place of employment, buy they were like $6 for a box of 25 (yeah right). If you want, I'll see what I can get them for through my sources.

Let me know. Give me a call and let me know what you find out.