Fly fishing for salmon is more than just a way to cast a line. Indeed, for many anglers, it is a way of life. One of the oldest forms of fishing, what attracts many fishermen and women to salmon fishing is the enthusiasm, tradition, and pure challenge that surrounds it.
Virtually any salmon species can be caught on the fly, although which varieties are available depends to a large extent on the body of water being fished. In North America, on the Great Lakes like Lake Michigan and Lake Ontario, chinook and coho varieties are abundant, while the Kenai River in Alaska is famous for its sockeye salmon. Over in Canada, the rivers of British Columbia boast all five varieties of Pacific salmon, while the rarer Atlantic salmon is found in Eastern Canada, particularly Labrador and Newfoundland.
From the River Spey in Scotland to Bristol Bay, Alaska, we provide an overview of some of the world’s greatest salmon-fishing destinations and the subspecies that can be found there.
1. Laxá – Aðaldal, Iceland
One of Iceland’s leading fly fishing destinations, Laxá in Aðaldal lies a stone’s throw from the small town of Húsavík, an hour’s drive from Akureyri. This exciting Atlantic salmon fishing destination presents opportunities to land a true giant.
Laxá is world famous for its large “multi-wintered” salmon, with around 1,600 fish landed each year. Visiting fly-fishers can try their hand at catching some of the country’s largest Atlantic salmon, with more 20 pound specimens found in Laxá than other Icelandic rivers combined.
Enormous examples weighing more than 30 pounds are regularly landed here, attracting vacationing anglers from all over the world. In the summer of 2016 alone, more than 100 salmon measuring 39 inches plus were landed in these stunning surroundings.
When fishing for some of Iceland’s largest salmon, a double-handed rod measuring between 13 and 15 feet is required, along with a quality reel, and Skagit or Spey Heads. In terms of flies, Laxa Blues, Night Hawks, Green Highlanders, Metallicas, Dimmblás, Hitch Tubes, and Sunray Shadows are all recommended.
2. River Bonaventure – Quebec, Canada
Located on the east coast of Canada in Quebec’s Gaspé peninsula, Camp Bonaventure sits in a natural glade, on the bank of Bonaventure River. In addition to the Bonaventure, the venue is also ideally located to fish the Grand Cascapedia and Petit Rivers. This premier Atlantic salmon lodge caters to discerning fly-fishers, offering some of the most renowned Atlantic salmon fishing in the world.
Starting its journey high in the Chic Choc mountain range, the River Bonaventure winds its way through more than 62 miles of breathtaking Canadian countryside. Best known for its unbelievably clear water, with underwater visibility frequently exceeding 100ft, the River Bonaventure presents impressive salmon fishing opportunities, even when fishing on the Grand Cascapedia and Petit River is marred by high temperatures or low water conditions.
Of the three rivers, the Bonaventure enjoys the most significant runs of Atlantic Salmon, which start working their way up the waterway in vast numbers in late May. Typically, these impressive fish average around 10 pounds in weight, although trophy fish of more than 40 pounds are occasionally landed.
3. River Spey – Highlands, Scotland
One of the world’s most celebrated salmon fishing rivers, the River Spey spans more than 107 miles in total. Starting 1,000 feet above sea level at Loch Spey in the Corrieyairack Forest, the Spey meanders through north east Scotland, emptying into the North Sea in the Moray Firth. The River Spey has many tributaries, including the Rivers Tromie, Truim, Druie, Nethy, and Fiddich, increasing in speed as it advances towards the North Sea, making it Scotland’s fastest-flowing river.
The Spey salmon and sea trout fishing season runs from February 11 to September 30 each year. A fly fishing only river, it is the birthplace of the renowned Speycast, one of the most widely used salmon fishing casts in the world.
In late spring, large runs of Spey Spring salmon appear as the water temperatures rise, with specimens weighing 20 pounds upwards regularly caught from May onwards. Effective fly patterns for the River Spey include the Cascade, Orange Flamethrower, Gold Bodied Willie Gunn, Arndily Fancy, Blue Charm, Sunray Shadow, and the Stinchar Stoat.
4. The Togiak River – Alaska, United States
Home to the largest known run of sockeye salmon in the world, Bristol Bay in Alaska is incredibly difficult to access, requiring a flight to get there. However, for those who are up to the challenge, vast numbers of sockeye, coho, and chinook salmon await.
The Togiak River boasts impressive runs of all five species of Pacific salmon, as well as offering outstanding pike, dolly, and trout fishing, with most of its species running on the large side. King salmon are undeniably the stars of the show, the river producing plenty of 25 to 35 pound class kings, as well as the occasional specimen weighing 50 pounds plus. Other species frequently caught here include silver salmon, rainbow trout, sockeye, and pike.