Ah…King Salmon season. We love King Salmon season. The might King or Chinook Salmon is one of the most sought-after game fish across the world. When it comes to King flies, materials, colors, profile, and movement are the most attributes in a productive King Salmon fly. Does size matter? Sure, depending on conditions. Just because King Salmon are big fish doesn’t necessarily mean they want big flies.
Intruder-style flies have been a go-to for King Salmon for a hot minute. Intruders have a good profile and movement, and you can use a variety of materials. A composite loop method allows you to try a variety of different materials synthetic with furs and feathers. The composite loop allows you to get really creative with material combinations for that super groovy and vibrant fly.
In this fly, we use a go-to color combination of chartreuse and blue for King Salmon. But don’t hesitate to try a variety of colors, and mix materials; blacks, purples, reds, pinks, and even oranges. Experiment and have fun with it then show us what you got! Even better, send us a picture of the fish you hooked with it.
Tied By: Brian Davenport. Brian Davenport is a customer service representative & manager at Mossy’s Fly Shop. He is a die-hard swing fisherman, father, and fly tier.
Photos: Mike Brown of Mossy’s Fly Shop.
Materials
- Shank – Aqua Fly 43mm Return Eye
- Dumbbell Eyes – Aqua Fly 3/16 Fl Chartreuse
- Stinger Thread – 30lb Fireline or Intruder Wire. Wire supports a heavier hook better than the Fireline.
- Hook – OPST 1/0 Swing Hook (Tiemco 600SP sz 1 or 2, is another great option for Kings)
- Rear Shoulder – King Fisher Blue Ice Dub-Sky Fusion Dub Blended & Chartreuse Ice Dub, Nuked Green Bean Aqua Veil, Chartreuse Bait Fish Emulator, Pale Olive Pearl Polar Flash
- Twin Tails – Chartreuse Rhea or Ostrich
- Body – Veevus Mini Flat Braid Chartreuse
- Front Shoulder – Chartreuse Ice Dub, King Fisher Blue-Sky Fusion Dub blended, Aqua Rainbow Polar Flash, Popsicle Aqua Veil, Steelie Blue Ice Dub, Clearwater Blue Angel Hair and King Fisher Blue Ostrich
- Thread: Veevus 140 White or Chartreuse
Step 1: Secure in your dumbbell eyes right behind the shank eye, then secure your stinger material down the shank. Make your stinger loop long enough to change out the hook you are using.
Step 2 Base Layer: Take a pinch of the King Fisher Blue Ice dub and Sky Fusion Dub, blend them to together. You will want a ½” amount for the top of your first loop. Lay out a 1” of Chartreuse Ice Dub.
Step 3 Support Layer: Take a few strands of Pale Olive Polar Flash over the top of the chartreuse base layer, you want the flash to stick past each side of the base layer equally. Now take a few strands of Chartreuse Bait Fish Emulator and repeat the same as the polar flash. Using your Nuked Green Bean Aqua Veil, cut a few strands from the core and repeat the previous. Lay a thin layer of Chartreuse Ice Dub over the top.
Step 4: Create a dubbing loop and place your material in the loop. You will be able to pick the material up very easily, as the ice dub binds the materials together like Velcro. Using your bodkin, spread your material out and situate as needed.
Step 5: Spin your loop up tight. Using your bodkin and a stiff bristle brush, pick and comb your loop. You want to create a thin, rope like, core. This may take a little bit to accomplish, but you want the thin core so that you don’t get to much bulk when you wrap.
Step 6: Using some water, wet you fingers and sweep all your materials back. By wetting this material, it will compress everything, allowing for good tight wraps.
Step 7: Wrap your loop, you should get 3 turns. Brush out your material to dry.
Step 8: Tie in 3-4 strands of your Chartreuse Rhea or Ostrich on each side of the shank. You want these feathers to extend back to the end of your stinger material. Now tie in your flat braid and wrap it to appx 2 hook eye widths back of your dumbbells.
Step 9 Front Shoulder: Lay out ½” Chartreuse Ice. Blend a pinch of King Fisher Blue Ice Dub and Sky Fusion Dub, lay down appx 1.5” for your base. Take a few strands of Aqua Rainbow Polar Flash, Popsicle Aqua Veil and Clearwater Blue Angel hair, place these materials centered at the top of your chartreuse base layer. Take 15-20 strands of your ostrich and place on the bottom end of your base layer. You want the base end of these feathers to barely be past center, just enough to catch in the loop when you spin it. You want your ostrich to be appx double the length of the three flash materials at the top. Use another pinch of your blended Ice Dub and Fusion Dub to top off your shoulder.
Step 10: Place your front shoulder in the loop. Spread material out to even it up and spin. Using your bodkin and brush, pick and comb out your material. Again, you want to create a thin rope core. Using wet fingers, like in step 6, sweep your material back.
Step 11: Wrap your loop up to the eyes, making sure each wrap is nice and tight to each other. Whip finish and brush out material to dry. Loop on your hook and you are done.
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