Jan 24 2007
Pinks on the fly
PINKS on the fly Are a blast. I have had some of my best days fishing when targeting these small and powerful salmon. For more on pinks http://cybersalmon.fws.gov/pink.htm
The rod of choice for pink fishing on the fly is a 9′ 8-10 weight. I use a floating line with a sinking tip, the rate of sink I use depends on the depth of water and the speed of the current.
I have tried many different flies for catching these fish but have found one fly in particular works the best. I don’t have a picture of it but i’ll try to explain it.
The fly is on the small size for salmon, it is tied on a size 6-8 streamer hook, it is made of pink and silver tinsil with a pink weighted head that’s it nothing more to this fly.
Other good flies are:
Starlight pink leech
Kenai Special
Popsicle
Pollywog
I have found when using these flies for these fish in the river systems of BC, you will need to do a fast strip. I have tried slow, medium and fast strips and have found that the fast strip out fishes the others by at least 10 times.
As the pinks only run every second year, if you are fishing for these fiesty fish you will have a good day as long as you can locate them. To find them just keep an eye on the surface of the river you are fishing, if you don’t see them more than likely they are not there, at least not in large numbers.
I almost always go to a river mouth to fish for Pinks. In the local waters i go to the mouth of the vedder where it flows into the Fraser river. This area is very shallow and clear, this way you can see the fish as they cruise through. These fish fight hard so make sure you have plenty of line on your fly reel and make sure your backing is tied down. I have had pinks take me 3/4 of the way through my backing so be ready.
The upcomming year is a pink year so get ready to have some fun.
Good luck
Tight lines and fun times.
