Fly Tying: Fishaholic

Whether on the Kanektoke River at Alaska West Lodge or the Nushagak River at Rapids Camp Lodge, swinging flies is the most popular ways to catch King Salmon. The shear power these regal game fish possess puts you in awe and you can’t help but get exhuberant when you hook one.

There are quiet a few styles when it comes to King Salmon files, but the two most important elements that make up a good King Salmon fly is the color chartreuse and having the best hooks. Chartreuse always works with King Salmon. Blend it with White, Blue or even Kelly Green, but Chartruse must be the staple color followed by the best and strongest hooks. These fish can flat straighten a hook with ease. The last place you need to cut corners is on your hooks. Go for the best.

The Fishaholic was created by Keith Graham of the former World Wide Angler fly shop in Anchorage, Alaska. Attributes include minimal weight, a great profile, and fishy movement in the water. Not only does this fly work well for King Salmon but other salmon and will strike it also.

Originator: Keith Graham

Photos and tying instruction by Mike Brown. Mike Brown is the owner of Mossy’s Fly Shop in Anchorage, Alaska.

Material List:

Hook: OPST Swing Hook Size 1/0 other good options include AquaTalon Swing Hook Size 1, or Tiemco TMC600SP in size 1 or 2
Thread: Veevus 140 Fl Chartreuse
Shank: 51mm Aqua Return Eye Shank
Stinger Wire: Chartreuse Intruder Wire
Dumbell Eyes: 3/16” Chartreuse Aqua Intruder Eyes
Body: Fl Green Everglow Tubing
Prop: Large Pearl Cactus Chenille
Collar: King Fisher Blue Fox Tail
Flash: Glow in The Dark Chartreuse Flashabou
Head: EP Anadromous Brush Chartreuse

Step 1. Using appx 9” of your wire, make a loop and tie-down to the shank. Your overall length from hook eye to the back of the loop should be 3-1/2” long. Secure the wire down well and fold over and return wrap your thread. You can even glue this afterward. Put a few whip finishes and cut your thread.

Step 2. Using appx. a 2-1/2” piece of Everglow tubing, slide the tubing on from the front. Using your bodkin, pick out the strands long enough to cover the stinger loop. Restart your thread at the base of the loop and tie down the tubing. This will require you to hold the tubing as you wrap thread, not allowing the tube to spin. Whip finish. Restart your thread at the front and tie down the tubing in the front.

Step 3. Tie in your Cactus Chenille.

Step 4. Wrap your cactus chenille, you want to make a ball, this will create a prop for the fox hair.

Step 5. Make a dubbing loop. Use a decent clump of fox hair and place it in the dubbing loop. Spread out across the loop.

Step 6. Spin your fox hair. It’s a good practice to pick at your fox hair as you spin to help reduce trapping. Brush and pick out trapped hairs till you have a thing center core.

Step 7. Wrap 2-4 turns of your fox, creating a nice full collar.

Step 8. Place your dumbbell eyes appx 1 hook eye width back of shank eye on the bottom side of the shank. Using figure 8 wraps, tie in your dumbbell eyes.

Step 9. Using 8 to 12 strands of your flash, tie in on the top of the shank, repeat this step on the bottom side. Trim your flash slightly longer than the back of your stinger loop.

Step 10. Tie in your Anadromous brush.

Step 11. Wrap your brush forward, using figure 8 wraps around your eyes, finish with one or two turns in front of the dumbbell eyes. Brush out the fibers, creating a nice swept head.