Marty's Drift May 2002

Kings
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

The King Salmon is known by many names. What they are called depends on the particular area where they are fished. King salmon is the most widely used name for this largest species of Pacific salmon. Along the California coast and in the Sacramento River they are called kings. In Washington State especially around Puget Sound and on the Olympic Peninsula they are called kings. Throughout Alaska they are called kings. Along the Columbia River in both Oregon and Washington and on Oregon's Willamette, Rogue and Umpqua rivers they are generally called Chinook salmon. In British Columbia they go by several names, Spring and Tyee are two that come to mind.

Depending on area again there are spring run, summer run and fall run King Salmon. The Columbia River has all three runs of king or Chinook salmon. The Willamette and its major tributaries have a spring run and a fall run. In Alaska most of the King Salmon rivers see their runs peak from mid-June to mid-July. The Kenai and Kasilof rivers have an early run of kings.

King Salmon are great sport fish. They can be caught using a variety of fishing techniques. The most popular and successful way to fish for them is by using bait and diving plugs. Kwikfish, Flatfish, Wiggle Warts and large Hot Shots are some favorite diving plugs. In saltwater and large rivers such as the Columbia and Willamette many anglers troll with herring. Prawns are also a favorite bait. On many northwest coastal rivers a Kwikfish or Flatfish wrapped with a sardine filet is very effective.

When the King Salmon move further up the smaller tributary streams cured salmon roe becomes a preferred bait along with sand shrimp. Bait, however, is not the only way to catch King Salmon. I have seen several caught by anglers casting spinners and spoons. King salmon can also be caught by fly fishing. Every fall scores of boats with fly fishers form hog lines on the Chetco River in Oregon and the Smith River in California to cast for fall run King Salmon. Interestingly bait is not always the most effective way to catch King Salmon.

Last fall my wife, Joyce, and I were floating the Wilson River fishing for fall Chinook. We knew many of the guides who were out that day and every one we asked said the fishing had been slow. I don't recall one who had landed a fish. Most all of them were either fishing with sardine wrapped plugs or cured roe, as were Joyce and I. As we floated down river we caught up with an old friend, Guido Rahr.

Guido was in his ClackaCraft 10 ft. Coastal Drifter. He was anchored at the head of a pool fly fishing. As we drew abreast of him he invited us to drop anchor and fish alongside him. He said he had had several hits and he was sure there were salmon in the pool.

We let our sardine wrapped plugs out and settled back to relax with a cup of coffee. Guido was fishing a small Comet style fly, about a size six. He cast, let the slow sinking head settle and began a slow hand twist retrieve. During the hour and a half that we were anchored there we watched Guido hook three salmon and land two of them. Both of the fish he brought to net had the little fly fairly in the jaw.

I have caught King Salmon in Alaska by fly-fishing on the Kenai, Kasilof, Alagnak and Naknek rivers. The method that has worked best for me has been the wet fly swing. I cast slightly down stream, mend the line and let the current pull the line and fly around. On big rivers such as the Alagnak and Kenai I use fast sink shooting heads or Teeny Nymph type lines. The salmon normally hit the fly during the last part of the swing. The hits are usually very definite. Because these rivers are not extremely deep the fish generally run downstream, and often jump. By comparison, fish in Oregon and Washington rivers often hold in deep pools and fight a deep dogged type fight.

On the Kasilof, which is a much smaller river, I often fish with a 12 or 15-foot sink tip line. I use the same type fly patterns that I use on the other rivers. The flies I use are most often large rabbit strip or marabou patterns. Most of my flies, I make up myself. As for established patterns the Wiggle Tail is a good one. You can find it in the book Fly Patterns of Alaska. It is good in orange, red, black and chartreuse colors. Large Bunny Flies and Woolly Buggers will also catch kings in the same colors. Often the addition of Flashabou or Crystal Flash enhances the effectiveness of the patterns.

On big Alaskan rivers I will use a 12-weight rod. My favorite King Salmon rod is an Orvis 10 weight. You will always want a strong rod that can put sufficient pressure on the fish, and hold them as you prepare to land them.

From now through November you will find King Salmon showing up throughout Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. They are a great game fish to experience.

Give Marty a call at: (503) 655-9532

You can also call Idaho Falls at (800) 394-1345.