Silver (Coho) season is upon us. Not unlike Sockeye (Red) salmon, Silver salmon are abundant in numbers but are more aggressive and will strike a variety of flies. The take by a Silver is, simply put awesome. That makes them one of the more fun fish to target for fly anglers. Larger than their brethren Red Salmon, Silvers usually weigh between 8-12 pounds and are between 24 to 30 inches in length, and the fight is intense.
Silvers can be caught in a variety of fly styles. Streamer leech patterns and topwater wog patterns that create a huge wake are preferred flies. As for colors, pink is our favorite, but purple and black are also very effective. Click here for a look at some of our favorite flies. Silvers resemble a shark breaching as it strikes its prey. When you get one to strike, it is one hootn’ ‘n’ hollerin’ of a rodeo. 8 – 9 weights with matching reels with a good drag are the recommended setup. Yes, you can catch silvers on the swing. If you’re using a two-hand rod, you can get away with a 7 or 8 weight, Skagit line, and an assortment of tips to match the depth.
Silvers can be finicky and particular about what they will strike. Click here to get some tips on fishing for slivers.
If you are taking fish home, we encourage you to try one of our favorite recipes. The Deneki Chinese Style Salmon is a wonderful recipe that is a myriad of flavors but is simple to make. It is a crowd-pleaser that will impress. Click here for the Deneki Chinese Style Salmon recipe. Let us know how it goes, and send us pictures!
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