Salmon Patterns
Salmon patterns of our area are constructed using size 2 - 6 hooks and are weighted either through the use of medium chrome dumbbell eyes, bead chain eyes or with .030 lead wire wrapped around the shank of the hook one half inches in length. Brightly colored and flashy materials are chosen by our staff and are very popular throughout Alaska. Key colors to look for when buying materials would be chartreuse, fuchsia, fluorescents and standard pink, red, purple, yellow and orange. We construct numerous patterns using "Flashabou", a tinsel like material, which can be purchased as a single color or in mixed color combinations.

Trout Patterns
Patterns devised by our staff are based on the natural feed found in our brackish water systems, due to the fact that the majority of trout are fished in streams on tidal water estuaries. Their natural feed consists of small shrimp, salmon and trout fry, salmon eggs and the flesh of spawned salmon. Occasionally, they will rise to surface flies, but more often they settle for sweet flesh over crunchy bugs. Most of our patterns are constructed using the same materials as our salmon patterns, but on a smaller hook ranging from size 2 to 12. Again, the majority of our patterns are weighted with either small bead chain eyes or with lead wire.

Saltwater Patterns
Common saltwater patterns are constructed imitating herring, squid, crab and needle fish which are commonly found throughout our region. When tying these patterns you should consider three different weight options due to the depth variance per species. These patterns should be tied on stainless steel hooks ranging in size from 1 to 3/0.

Where to Locate Patterns & Materials The pattern books that we've found to be filled with attractive flies for our region are titled "Flies, The Best 1,000" by Randy Stelzer, "Fly Patterns of Alaska" by The Alaska Flyfishers and "Umpqua Fly Patterns" by Randall Kaufmann. All three of these books as well as tying materials can be purchased through your local fly fishing store as a special order or through the Angler's Workshop at (360) 225-8641.

More Fishing Options:
Saltwater Fishing | Freshwater Fishing | Alaska Salmon Fishing
Alaska Halibut Fishing | Cod Fish and Rockfish | Fishing Tackle
Fly Tying Patterns