Summer Atlantic Salmon Flies

A page of low water classics

Summer Salmon fishing can be both frustrating & rewarding depending on what you make of your experience out on the water. Low, & warming water, with the constant fishing pressure over the spring & summer can really "put down" the fish. 
Choosing the right time to fish & the right equipment & techniques can bring rewards when the things that worked so well for us in spring fail.
I focus my efforts in the first & last few hours of daylight when conditions are unfavorable. These will be the times during the day that salmon will be less stressed & more willing to accept your offerings.
Finding feeder creeks or springs that spill into pools can also be productive.


A few wee doubles

Getting salmon to come to your fly is a challenge in itself & getting them to commit is even more difficult, but we can put some of the odds in our favor in these lean times. I typically will use sparsely tied flies between size 4 & 16 depending on the pool, depth, current, etc...I prefer doubles when smaller than size 10 & will fish flies tied in the low water style if bigger.



Good hitching or dry fly fishing water

Finding a presentation that will find you a player can also help your odds. Grease lining, hitching, stripping, dry fly fishing, & trying different speeds & angles of presentation will not only kill the monotony of the typical down & across presentation, but will sometimes wake up the "sleepers"!

To help fish survival, keep the battle as short as possible & keep em in the water

One of the most important things I do any time I fish, but specifically if conditions are tough is to rest the pool for as long as you can stand it. Tough to do in popular rotation pools, but if you are lucky enough to get a pool to yourself or your group, resting the pool will increase your odds dramatically!

Last but not least...
If you are lucky enough to hook a fish, please remember that these fish are already stressed from the warm water. Fighting them for too long WILL KILL THEM. Put pressure & keep changing angles to tire & disorient them. Keep them in the water at all times. You can get a great picture with them in the water.



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