Salmon Fly Patterns

Alaska fly fishing has become the ultimate fishing experience for many fishermen. For some, an Alaska fly fishing trip can be the expedition of a lifetime. For others, it is an eagerly awaited annual tradition. Whether your goal is landing a King Salmon on a fly, chasing the elusive Sockeye salmon, wrangling a feisty Chum, bagging a first-timer’s Pink, or landing a mighty cart wheeling Silver salmon, Bristol Bay Flies has the salmon fly patterns to meet your needs. We supply most of the leading Alaskan lodges with the flies they stock for their clients. They stock our flies because they know they can rely on our quality, our durability, and that we only carry patterns that work. Knowing this is especially important to the do-it-yourself fisherman.

If your 2024 target includes silver (coho) salmon, be aware of the pink salmon run. Why? Pink salmon runs are usually larger in odd years, you'll want both lighter weight and heavier flies. When both silvers and pinks are in the stream, pinks go high, silvers go low. You want to get through the water column fast to get to the silvers. Heavier flies will help keep those pesky pinks from grabbing your fly before it gets to the silvers. And larger hooks (size 2+) help to discourage pinks. Remember, silvers love a jigging action on their flies. Front-weighted patterns with bead chain, cone head, or dumbbell eyes will give your fly the action silvers crave, especially when employed on a floating line. As for color? Think "pink" for your first fly. Hot pink, fuchsia, chartreuse, and orange usually work best, but often as the day wears on, these brighter colors won't get looks. That's where purple and, especially, black flies, save the day. Make certain you have both bright and dark patterns and both heavily-weighted and less-weighted patterns to adjust to changing river conditions. Try chartreuse when closer to the salt.

If you would like assistance in choosing fly patterns for your trip, please contact us with the date and location of your trip and what species you are targeting. We will be happy to provide a list of suggested patterns.

Client Chip Gerber and his dad took a float trip down the Kisaralik with Frontier River Guides in August 2014 using Bristol Bay Flies. See the results: at 0:57 into his Part 5 video. That's a nice silver salmon caught on our Krystal Egg Sucking Leech, Pink. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAZvobTszYw&index=1&list=UUuFTZpP6DkDrgwqyXitq5SA


Product Image Name Price
Green Eyes

Green Eyes

Another "simple and sparse" pattern that has proven its worth on sockeye everywhere, but on Kodiak streams in particular. Use a floating line to fish it very slowly in the salt, or dead drift it near the bottom in rivers. Size 2 is a Daiichi 2553 red octopus hook and is legal on "fly-fishing-only" waters; Size 2/0 is a Gamakatsu red octopus hook and is not legal on "fly-fishing-only" waters. Size: 2, 2/0.
$2.49
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Montana Bill (NEW COLORS)

Montana Bill (NEW COLORS)

This pattern has been a hot fly on several Kodiak Island streams, the Kenai, and every major salmon stream for silvers and sockeye. These sparse flies are recommended for silvers and sockeye that have been in the river for more than a day, when they become real connoisseurs of small, slow flies. Tied on a Tiemco series 7999 salmon hook. Size: 6. Colors: Blue, Chartreuse, Hot Pink, Lime Green, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red
$2.49
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Portuguese Princess

Portuguese Princess

The Portuguese Princess came to us by way of a client who learned of this amazing fly from some fellows from Montana who were fishing the estuaries of Kodiak Island. It imitates the small feeder fish in the brackish water that salmon (especially silvers) feed upon while waiting for the green light to head upstream. And upstream, it remains a fantastic fly for the silvers as well as feeding Dolly Varden, Arctic Char, and rainbow trout. The jigging action, combined with the silver flash, and the salmon's favorite pink color, make for spectacular catches. Tied on a 3X-strong, 4X-long, nickel-plated saltwater hook, the Portuguese Princess can handle every species of Alaskan salmon, Dolly, char, and trout. Size 4.
$2.49
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Red Hot

Red Hot

The Red Hot is a sparse, red Flash-a-bou pattern tied on an Daiichi 2553 red octopus hook (size 2, legal on "fly-fishing-only" waters) and a Red Gamakatsu Octopus hook (size 2/0, not legal on "fly-fishing-only" waters). It is a favorite especially for Kodiak Island salmon. Sockeye, pinks, kings, silvers, and chum all respond to this pattern. Size: 2, 2/0.
$2.49
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St. Patty's Day Special

St. Patty's Day Special

Put a little Luck 'o the Irish to work for you on that favorite sockeye stream with the St. Patty's Day Special. Tied with a unique holographic body, this fly pattern will light up with one of the sockeye's favorite colors: Leprechaun Green! These small green patterns work great on rivers like the Kenai where they have been known to limit out before others catch even one. Tied on a Daiichi 2441 salmon hook. Sizes: 6. Color: Leprechaun Green
$2.49
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Sockeye Special

Sockeye Special

(aka "Sockeye Oranges") When sockeye salmon start arriving in June and July, this is one pattern you don't want to be without! Very few patterns are tied especially for sockeye, and this is one of the best. We tie ours sparsely (that's the key) on a nickel-plated Targus 9394 streamer hook. Size: 8 only. Colors: Orange, Green, White, Chartreuse, Pink, Red.
$2.75
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Cone Head Popsicle (NEW)

Cone Head Popsicle (NEW)

A cone head version of the Popsicle that gives an even more pronounced jigging motion to drive silvers crazy. Top fly for kings, chum, and silvers. Perfect choice for the spey rod. Load up on these! Size: 1/0.
$2.99




Everglow Fly (NEW Pink color added)

Everglow Fly (NEW Pink color added)

This exceptional attractor pattern is a winner for king salmon, silvers, chum, and steelhead. And, yes, it really does "glow" when activated by flashlight, sunlight, or camera strobe. This green chartreuse, yellow chartreuse, orange glow, or pink glow is highly attractive to salmon and steelhead trout even during the full daylight hours of Alaska's summer. They can see the extra energy released that our eyes cannot. A large pattern for big fish. Tied on a heavily-weighted, stainless steel Daiichi 2546 saltwater hook. Compare ours to the competition. We use true glow tubing, bucktail underwing, and glow flash-a-bou for the wing. Sizes: 1, 1/0, 2/0. Colors: Green Chartreuse, Hot Pink, Yellow Chartreuse, Orange.
$2.99
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Godawful Fly (NEW)

Godawful Fly (NEW)

If your destination is Kodiak Island for silvers, this is a must-have fly pattern. Originally designed by Oregon State University retired fisheries professor, Dr. Carl Bond, the Godawful Fly has proven to be very productive for the giant silver salmon of Kodiak. This is one of the key patterns used by the folks at Saltery Lake Lodge for their clients. Tied unweighted on a size 2 Tiemco 7999 salmon hook, it should be fished with sufficient split shot to hold it near the bottom, especially when fished in deep runs and riffles. Size 2.
$2.99
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Hank's Pink Special

Hank's Pink Special

Fish this colorful pattern very slowly on a floating line in rivers and marine waters for pink salmon, especially on incoming tides. Excellent results on Kodiak and in the Peninsula. Daiichi 2441 salmon hook. Size: 6.
$2.99
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Karluk Flash Fly (New Color)

Karluk Flash Fly (New Color)

One of the best flies for silver salmon. Period. Also excellent for king, chum, pinks, sockeye, and steelhead. Flash-a-bou overwing on a stainless steel Daiichi 2546 saltwater hook (sizes 1, 1/0, and 2/0) and weighted with 0.035 lead wire. Deadly fly pattern in fresh and saltwater. Salmon will smash this fly! Not all colors are shown, but they are available. Silver/Red has the orange underwing. Sizes: 1, 1/0, 2/0. Colors: Silver/Red, Silver/Orange, Silver/Pink, Purple/Purple, Cranberry Red, Blue, Green, Fuchsia (New).
$2.99
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Montana Brassie

Montana Brassie

A very effective fly for sockeye. The wire body gets the fly down to the fish with a quickness! Widely used at many Alaskan lodges. Size 4.
$2.99
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Sockeye Comet

Sockeye Comet

A sparsely-dressed version tied with ginger hackle that has proven to be a consistent producer for sockeye salmon. Best fished on a dead drift. Weighted with bead chain eyes. Daiichi nymph hook. Size: 8.
$2.99
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Sockeye Lantern

Sockeye Lantern

This has been the hottest sockeye fly on the Kenai for the past several seasons, and it works everywhere else too! A silver tinsel underbody creates a glow under water that sockeye cannot resist. Size: 6.
$2.99
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Sparkle Shrimp

Sparkle Shrimp

A bright attractor pattern with lots of flash that is effective for kings (orange, hot pink, chartreuse), silvers (hot pink, orange), chum (chartreuse or hot pink), and pink salmon (hot pink, chartreuse, orange). Keep plenty of size 6 on hand for the humpy run! Weighted. Eagle Claw L1197N saltwater hook. Sizes: 2, 4, 6. Colors: Orange, Hot Pink, Chartreuse.
$3.00
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Egg-Sucking Leech (Champagne Egg)

Egg-Sucking Leech (Champagne Egg)

Another great pattern for kings or late-season silvers. A large egg-sucking leech with a champagne glo-bug egg. Tied weighted on a 2x-strong Daiichi 2220 hook. Size: 2. Colors: Purple/Champagne Egg, Black/Champagne Egg.
$3.25
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Kelsey's Hope Coho Fly (NEW)

Kelsey's Hope Coho Fly (NEW)

Kelsey's Hope Coho Fly has been around for quite some time, but it's only now becoming known to most silver salmon fly fishermen. Developed by British Columbia's Nick Didlick for his daughter, Kelsey, many "in-the-know" silver salmon chasers claim it is the single best fly to use in clear waters, salt or fresh. It also seems to be very attractive to Dolly Varden and char! The colors mimic small anchovies, a special snack of the silver salmon out to sea. Try these and see if your hook-up rate increases too. Size 4
$3.25
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Sockeye Charlie

Sockeye Charlie

Very popular sockeye pattern that works on all salmon species. Especially popular on the Brooks River at Kulik and Brooks Lodges. Heavy nickel-plated brass eyes (lead free) on a 2x strong Eagle Claw L1197NS salmon hook. Size: 6. Colors: Lime Green, Orange, Hot Pink.
$3.25
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Sockeye Willie

Sockeye Willie

A bright attractor pattern developed for Kvichak River reds, but now used everywhere as a superior fly for sockeye and silvers. 2x strong nymph hook, weighted with .035 lead-free wire. Size: 2.
$3.49
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Sparse King 2

Sparse King 2

Looking like a modern-day Clouser, this small green fly is ideal in skinny water for kings, chum, and silvers. When salmon get lock-jaw, this is one to try. Excellent pattern just off the salt and works great on Kodiak silvers. Barbell eyes for weight. Tied on a 2x strong size 4 nymph hook.
$3.49
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P.F. Salmon Series (AKA Bikini Fly)

P.F. Salmon Series (AKA Bikini Fly)

This is an extremely productive pattern. Tied with cactus chenille and marabou on a nickel-plated Eagle Claw L1197N hook. The bead chain eyes provide a fast sink-rate and that jigging action that salmon love. A less dense fly pattern most useful in slower or shallower streams; especially effective for kings in low water conditions. It comes in six proven colors, and has just the right amount of flash. An excellent choice for king, silver, chum, pink salmon, and rainbow/char. Also effective for steelhead trout. Great pattern for the salt, too! Fantastic reports on this pattern for the Nushagak, Egegik, Kisaralik, Goodnews, Alagnak, Naknek, Kenai, and Togiak rivers. One lodge we supply uses the size 2 Fuchsia P.F. Salmon for their "pink" fly and the size 2 Bead Sucking Cone Head Leech, Black/Glow Orange for the "dark" fly. Both work great on silvers. One of our best-sellers. Sizes: 2, 4, 6. Colors: Fl. Chartreuse, Fl. Fuchsia, Hot Orange, Original Pink, Purple, Salmon Flesh.
$3.50
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Clouser Minnow

Clouser Minnow

The deadliest fly for silver salmon (coho) in saltwater and inter-tidal zones when salmon are nickel bright and full of fight. Works great in streams too, especially for Kodiak Island silvers. Guides on the Kanektok and Nushagak are known to tie on one of these if nothing else is working. Hand-painted lead eyes on a razor sharp Daiichi 2546 saltwater hook. Must-have fly pattern during the silver runs. Swing it or strip it steadily -- and hang on! We carry the three hottest colors. Size: 2. Colors: Pink/White; Chartreuse/White; and Pink/Chartreuse (Tutti-Frutti).
$3.75
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Egg-Sucking Ginger Bunny Leech (Champagne Egg)

Egg-Sucking Ginger Bunny Leech (Champagne Egg)

Here's a pattern that has been knocking silvers out. A large ginger bunny leech tied with a champagne glo-bug egg that works when bright patterns spook the fish. Tied weighted on a 2x-strong Daiichi 2220 hook. Sizes: 2, 4.
$3.75
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Alaskan Deceiver

Alaskan Deceiver

This 4-inch baitfish imitation resembles a candlefish or herring, and is effective on king and silver salmon in both salt and rivers. Tied with silver holographic Flash-a-bou for flash and topped with peacock herl. Hand painted eyes. Needle sharp stainless steel Daiichi 2546 saltwater hook. Size: 2/0. Colors: Blue/White, Green/White, Pink/White (not shown).
$3.99
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Davis Spanker

Davis Spanker

This fly is responsible for two silver salmon IGFA world records. Highly regarded fly in the Yakutat/Lost Coast area of Alaska, but a good pattern everywhere. Daiichi 2441 salmon hook. Size: 2. Colors: Chartreuse, Chartreuse/Orange.
$3.99
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Lady Spanker

Lady Spanker

When silvers shun purple and chartreuse, try this pattern. Weighted lead eyes. Daiichi 2441 salmon hook. Size: 2.
$3.99
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Egg Sucking Zonker

Egg Sucking Zonker

Kind of a cross between a regular purple Zonker and an Egg Sucking Leech, this fly has become a favorite all over Alaska for rainbow, Dolly Varden, and especially silver salmon. Works pretty good on kings as well. Heavily weighted with .035 lead wire on an extra-strong Targus 9394 nickel-plated hook. Size: 2.
$4.25
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Starlight Leech (aka Starlite Leech)

Starlight Leech (aka Starlite Leech)

This pattern is much like the Lead-Eye Egg Leech, but with a bit more flash. It is used in the same manner, jigged or on a dead drift in deep holes or pockets where the big boys hide. Great pattern for king salmon, silver salmon, and steelhead. Weighted with heavy lead barbell eyes. Tiemco 5263 hook. Size: 2. Colors: Purple, Red Head, Green Head, Pink, White/Pink Head.
$4.25
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Krystal Egg-Sucking Leech (AKA Lead Eye Egg-Sucking Leech)

Krystal Egg-Sucking Leech (AKA Lead Eye Egg-Sucking Leech)

Great fly for salmon, especially on SW Alaskan rivers. If your target is salmon on the Naknek, Anvik, Aniak, Kisaralik, Kenai, Kanektok, Goodnews, Togiak, Nushagak, or Kodiak rivers, you need this fly. Good for kings, chum, silvers, even big rainbows. Large lead eyes help in fast waters and the flash and colors guarantee strikes. Silvers love the jigging action of the lead eyes when used on a floating line. Size 2 Daiichi 2220 hook. Colors: Fuchsia, Pink, Purple, Chartreuse, Orange.
$4.50
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Salmon Zonkers

Salmon Zonkers

Extremely popular at many lodges for king, chum, and silver salmon. Heavily-weighted 3x-strong Targus 9394 nickel-plated hook easily handles the big ones. Add lots of silver flash and the top salmon colors and you have a winner. Chartreuse has been a hot color for Kenai silvers. Suitable also for the salt and inter-tidal zones. Size: 2. Colors: Fuchsia, Pink, Purple, Chartreuse, Orange.
$4.50
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Bunny Popsicle Fly (NEW)

Bunny Popsicle Fly (NEW)

AKA the Bunny Pop Fly. This original fly pattern was designed by our master fly-tyer and is now copied everywhere. It has become one of the most popular salmon and steelhead flies in Alaska in just three short seasons. The Bunny Popsicle Fly has the proven colors of the very popular marabou Popsicle, but is more durable. One of the top fly color patterns for King Salmon, Silver Salmon, and Steelhead. The combination of orange, pink, and purple drives fish crazy. Strikes are not subtle, so you'll know when it's "fish on"! Just get the net ready. Heavily weighted cone head with 30 wraps of .025 lead-free wire under the body on a 2X strong Mustad Signature R74-9672 needle point hook. Size 2.
$4.75
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Psycho Leech

Psycho Leech

This orange and purple cone head rabbit strip pattern has been one hot silver fly in the Bristol Bay region for several seasons. It's dyn-o-mite! for all Pacific salmon, trout, and steelhead. Tied heavily weighted with a cone head and 30 wraps of .025 lead-free wire on a Mustad Signature R74-9672 needle point hook. Size: 2.
$4.75
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Articulated Hareball Leech

Articulated Hareball Leech

Fuchsia, Pink, Candy Apple Red, and Blue/Chartreuse are some of a king salmon's favorite colors and they're one of the first colors we reach for in our fly box for King, Chum, and Silver salmon. The Articulated Hareball Leech is a big fly for big fish. It sports large lead eyes to get down fast (real important if you're after silvers and pesky Pink salmon want what you're throwing). With an underbody of crystal chenille and palmered rabbit, this salmon fly has all the pop and flash you'll need for big Kings, Chum, and Silver salmon. This pattern features a Senyo articulated shank and full metal construction so there's no string to break. Great pattern for rivers like the Kenai, Nushagak, Kanektok, Naknek, Goodnews, Alagnak, Togiak, Arolik, Karluk, Ayakulik, and Talachulitna. Gamakatsu SP11-3L3H hook. Size: 1/0.
$4.99
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Dolly Llama - Sizes 2 & 1/0 (AKA Dali Llama)

Dolly Llama - Sizes 2 & 1/0 (AKA Dali Llama)

One of the hottest fly patterns in Alaska today for Rainbow, Steelhead, King, Chum, and Silver/Coho salmon. Extra heavy Alaska cone head, strong, sharp hook. The swirling, articulated action of the Dolly Llama elicits powerful strikes from salmon and trout. We use size 2 and size 1/0 Daiichi 2557 Intruder and Gamakatsu 02411 Octopus hooks because that's what you'll need for Alaska's big rainbow and salmon. The size 2 hooks have a 3/8-inch gape so they are legal on all fly-fishing-only waters. Articulation comes from the "string". We use 50 lb. SpiderWire for its strength and abrasion resistance. No one matches our quality and they won't tell you what hook they use either. Olive/White and Black/White imitate the Arctic lamprey eel, a giant rainbow favorite snack that invades coastal Alaskan rivers such as the Naknek, Alagnak, Kvichak, Nushagak, and Kenai. Generally, salmon love the bright colors and flash, but often, later in the day, only dark patterns like the black/white will elicit strikes. This is especially true of silver (coho) salmon. Use chartreuse near the salt, on the Kenai, and in gin clear rivers. Pink and Fuchsia are favorites of King, Chum, and Silvers. As for kings, the old saying is: "dark fly for a dark day, bright fly for a bright day". We suggest black/blue, black/purple, or purple/black for the dark fly and chartreuse/blue and pink/orange for the light fly. Silvers on the Kenai have been going for chartreuse/white and Tutti Frutti. Here's an idea: slip a size 6mm or 8mm bead egg on the leader and turn any Dolly Llama into an "Egg Sucker" instantly! Our size 2/0 Magnum Dolly Llama can be found on the King's Corner page. Size: 2, 1/0. Colors: Black/Blue, Fuchsia/White, Little Rainbow Trout, Pink/Orange, Purple/Black, Black/White, Chartreuse/Fl. Blue, Chartreuse/White, Olive/White, Pink/Chartreuse (aka Tutti Frutti), Pink/Purple, Pink/White, Salmon Flesh, Black/Purple (not shown).
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