Salmon essential kit rod/reel with floating line spare rod/reel with medium sinking line spare reels/spools with other lines: fast sink; extra fast sink, etc. eye protection (polarized glasses) life jacket (halter kind) wading jacket chest waders wading staff tackle bag (for extra/spare items left back in the car or fishing hut) rod case (to protect rods while travelling) In the pockets of your wading jacket: nylon, fly boxes, sinking tips, priest, scissors, pliers, hook sharpener (a good multi-tool covers many of these)

General Salmon Fly Fishing Advice

Salmon Leaders - The make-up of the leader depends upon the size/weight of fly.

Where to fish?

Study the river and consider the places where salmon can run and rest. They like a steady flow of water, but not too strong or they waste energy trying to maintain position. When running, salmon tend to take the line of least resistance and will often rest before and after tackling a serious obstacle.

Concentrate your efforts immediately above and below rapids or falls, or where salmon might have to pass close to your bank.

• In high water, fish the slack water; in low water, fish the main current.
• Choose the densest (fastest) of your sinking lines that still fishes right round to your own bank without snagging bottom.
• Cast at approx. 45 degrees downstream, or wider in slower current.
• Always let the fly swing right round and pull in 2 to 3 yards when the line is ‘on the dangle’ before re-casting.
• Keep the rod tip upstream of the line so that the fly always hangs under tension.
• As soon as you feel the weight of a fish on the end, lift the rod deliberately and bend in to it.

Finally, have a discrete chat with your host re. normal customs for tipping your gillie.