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Chapter 6: Silver Salmon
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On one hand what can compare to the initial excitement of a King taking your line, racing back and forth under the water, as you wait to see how large it is. Is it 20 lbs., 30 lbs., 40 lbs.,...maybe even 50 or 60 lbs.? On the other hand what can truly compare to catching dime-bright acrobatic Alaska Silver Salmon (Coho Salmon)? These fighting Silver Salmon are only 1/3 the size of a King, but there are over 10 times as many, eagerly attacking your flies, lures, or bait. They literally choke the mouths of many small streams by massing together in one constantly milling school. |
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They also spread out in one long winding column, laying in horizontal layers as deep as the creek .This column will extend up the creek and around many bends.
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It can be from only several fish wide and deep to over 6 ft. wide and 6 ft. deep, one solid mass of fish. These fish appear to just be resting in the water, regaining strength, and can stay several days and then disappear overnight, apparently heading up the creek or back up the main river. |
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Silver Salmon average 8-10 lbs., with larger ones around 14 lbs., and an occasional one approaching 20 lbs. |
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Silver Salmon aggressively attack flies, spinners, or bait, and are known for acrobatic jumping and superior fighting ability.
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Spin Fishing
Silver Salmon are very aggressive and will bite many different types of spinners and spoons. We usually stick with the small to medium size lures, but the larger ones will still work. We don't have as much luck with the diving lures such as the wiggle wart. Silver Salmon also bite very well on salmon eggs and this comes in handy if you wish to fish several of the sloughs along the cloudy glacier fed rivers. The silvers pull into these sloughs to rest and the salmon eggs work well in the cloudy water.
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Most of your fishing, though, will be in clear water where you will be able the see either the large schools of the silver salmon, or individual fish holding or swimming in the stream. |
| You should cast in front of the silvers and present your lure several feet ahead the school. A few Silver Salmon will shoot forward to investigate and one usually takes it and immediately erupts out of the water. Silver Salmon, also known as Coho, are famous for their acrobatic leaps and fighting ability. |
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Fly Fishing for Silver Salmon
Catching Silver Salmon on the fly is considered by most to be one of the ultimates in the sport of fly fishing. Not many species can compare to the acrobatic silver salmon as he dances across the water trying to escape. The fight is usually long and exciting as the silver doesn't give up easy.
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Most of your fishing will be with wet flies, but in certain areas you will also be able to use flies on top, or better known as fly fishing with "surface flies."
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| Surface flies are floating flies that are used to create a visible wake in the water, allowing the silvers to see the fly and then rise up to the surface to take it in. There is nothing quite like seeing wakes from several Silver Salmon as they streak toward your fly. When fishing these flies, it is essential to cast in front of the Silvers' direction of travel and allow the fly to drift around to where it creates a wake. Do Not Mend Your Line! The fly has to have the V-wake if it is to work. There are a couple of great streams near Lake Marie Lodge where the conditions for surface fly fishing are excellent. One of the secrets in working the shallow pools is not being seen and spooking the fish. As you wade the streams, you should keep an eye out for small schools in the distance and approach them from downstream to minimize the chance of spooking. But if they do take off, and you switch to a wet fly, you chances for action are still good. Wet flies, such as the Pink Flash Fly, still attract spooked and nervous Silver Salmon. | ||
 We have found the Pink Popper and the Pink Wog to be the most highly successful surface flies for Silver Salmon. |
Click here to view a 20 second movie of what we mean by a silver salmon hitting a surface fly!
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When fly fishing for Silver Salmon there is one thing to remember about the type of flies an angler should have at hand and this is "have many different types of flies and have many of each." In fishing for silvers, a good fly is one that attracts their attention because Silver Salmon are very aggressive and will strike just about anything that flashes by in front of them. The key is the presentation. The fly angler needs to lay the fly out in front of the fish and strip it in with quick short strips.
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Silver Salmon typically are found in slower moving water, but not exclusively, so weighted flies work well or sink tip lines. Again, since the majority of the time the angler is sight fishing, presentation is the key to success. There are times when it is difficult to generate a strike, such as the middle of a sunny day and if this occurs, we suggest changing your fly to a completely different pattern. Sometimes just tying on something different will get a Silver Salmon to strike.
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The types of wet flies used for Silver Salmon range from Flash Flies to Egg-sucking Leeches to Egg patterns.
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There is not a single fly that is always better than the rest over the course of the season. There is, however, on occasion when one works better than another and this can vary from day to day so be sure to have a good variety in your fly box. See the Fly Pattern web page for the list of salmon flies and how to tie them.
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We have had one pattern work extremely well one day and then not even generate a single strike the next. This is why we stress the importance of staying flexible with your fly patterns when dealing with Silver Salmon.
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In the Yentna River drainage, which includes Lake Creek, the Kahiltna River, and the Talachulitna River, Silver Salmon fishing is so great that many anglers simply tire out during the long day. Wouldn't once in your life you like to say that you were forced to quit early, not because the fish weren't biting, not because it got dark, not because you were bored, but because you were physically worn out from catching Silver after Silver after Silver?
Your mind was willing, but your body said no!
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NOW GO FOR THE GIANT RAINBOW TROUT!
For more information on Fly Patterns, visit our Fly Pattern web page using the link below.
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