Pink Fly (Pacific Salmon)
The Pink Fly is a simple but devastatingly effective pattern for Pacific pink salmon during their biennial runs in August and September on rivers from Alaska to Northern California. Pink salmon are highly aggressive when fresh from the sea and respond well to bright pink attractor patterns stripped through pools. Fish it on a full sink or intermediate line with fast, aggressive strips. Also effective for coho and chum salmon.
- Type
- wet fly (Atlantic Salmon)
- Hook sizes
- #4–8
- Target species
- salmon
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Best seasons
- summer, fall
Materials
- hook: Salmon/steelhead hook #4–8
- thread: Pink 6/0
- tail: Pink marabou or hackle fibers
- body: Hot pink floss or Antron dubbing
- hackle: Pink hen or saddle hackle
- wing: Pink bucktail or marabou with Flashabou
Tying steps
- Mount a size 4–8 hook; start pink thread.
- Tie in a short pink marabou or hackle fiber tail.
- Wind a short oval silver tinsel tag.
- Dub a hot pink Antron or floss body to the 2/3 mark.
- Tie in a pink hackle collar.
- Tie in a bright pink bucktail or marabou wing over the body.
- Add 4–6 strands of silver Flashabou to the wing.
- Build a neat head; whip finish and cement.