Scott Baker-McGarva, head guide at BC West on the Dean, checks back in today with some advice on fly selection for the baddest fish in fresh water – the Dean River Chinook.
Flies for Chinooks on the Dean
Fly chewing chinooks are still a rare breed in many fisheries, and by ‘chewing’ I mean honest-to-goodness hair-raising grabs. The lower Dean is one place where they grab indeeed, and the favourite go-to patterns all share some similar qualities to other fly-snarfing salmon waters.
Like in all waters, conditions dictate fly size and colour. In the earlier part of June, when waters run higher, faster and colder, fly choices should include chartreuse…(because ‘Nooks always have something for this colour), with some flash- actually, lots of flash – and some contrast in the form of kingfisher or silver doctor blue and/or dyed grizzly saddle hackles of the same. Marabou, rhea, ostrich, rabbit, and Arctic fox materials all offer plenty of action. Some anglers use weighted eyes to quicken sink rates, while others prefer unweighted, plastic tube-style bugs to fish up around the many big boulders that hold fish. The ‘Lloyds Moose Ugly’s’ have had a favourite colour scheme for a long time and can run anywhere from 3 to 5″ long.
The June fishery generally requires 10 to 20 foot lengths of T-14 depending on the freshet. Last season, water was reasonable and 12 to 14 feet of T-14 and a weighted fly cast well and caught lots of fish. Spring snow pack will dictate 2011 tactics.
As the water drops and clears into July, smaller patterns with less flash, and often with added purple to the mix, come into favour, as well as the ‘mini-moose’, a simply smaller version of above, tied on tubes or Intruder style. Smaller, heavy wire bait or tube style hooks, like Owner the SSW, Cutting point, and Nordic tube, all hold well in #1 to #3/0.
Into July, steelhead start to show in big numbers, and darker patterns catch both species, such as egg head string leech type flies, Bulkley Specials (egg head, blue collar, black/purple tail, blue flash) and Kilowatt color schemes. Use strong jig hooks if you use bring Kilowatts.
All these patterns are best tied on tubes or shanks so you can change hooks. Many Dean Chinooks are smokers, often requiring a boat chase, so expect to put on a fresh hook here and there, even after landed fish. It’s well worth it.
I am really excited about hitting the Dean Chinook first week in July. But what I am interpreting is that it is two different rigs between Chinooks and Steelhead…..so if I am spending a day down below for Kings, a bigger outfit, bigger reel/drag with more capacity? ie not my clicknpawl. Your thoughts? Best Klint
Hey Klint,
Yes, we certainly can’t target one or the other exclusively, but in general when you’re fishing below the canyon and in heavier water, you’re more likely to be in the ‘king zone’. And definitely – down there you want to bring as much firepower as you want to cast. Personally I’d stay away from the click and pawl below the canyon – unless you want to hear it make some really amazing sounds!
Andrew
Hi: Do you have some sample chinook fly dressings and photos? I understand the gist of the article, but would appreciate some concrete examples. As always, this is a great website!
Thanks, Frank
Hi Frank – thanks for your input. Here’s a post with a little more detail on a great king fly…
https://deneki.wpengine.com/2009/09/king-flies-the-mikey-prawn/
This one is also a classic.
https://deneki.wpengine.com/2010/04/the-intruder/
We really appreciate the good words and will be sure to do some more detailed posts on anadromous recipes…
Andrew
Thanks Andrew: I really appreciate the links. Will keep me out of trouble for a while. The Mikey Prawn looks like a great pattern.
Frank