What type of flies to use for migrating sockeye

[fishkiller13]

Hey guys,
I've just been getting back into fly fishing/tying and I was wondering if anyone could help me with this, you see I've been fly fishing off shore and you can see the fish jumping so close you could damn near net one but no matter what fly I've been throwing at them they just won't bite.
So my question is, am I doing something wrong or could it be I'm not using the right fly pattern/colour or what but advice and/or pictures would be appreciated

 

[UkeeDreamin]

Unfortunately, Fraser sockeye rarely bite while migrating in freshwater, thus it's a meat fishery where the fish are snagged in the face, called "flossing" - line goes through mouth/across face and hooks fish in cheek or outside of jaw. Flossing with a fly rod can be every bit as effective, if you're ok with flossing.

Best set up is to spool up a cheap floating line over 100-150yds backing and then make your self some sinking tips out of lead core trolling line - 5ft length, 8ft length, 10ft length, 12ft length, etc. Different lengths for different run depths /speeds. Use a loop to loop connection to attach them to your floating, running, line and allows quick change out to find the right amount of lead core. You want enough lead core so that when you cast a bit up stream and mend some line out, the lead core is just ticking bottom on the swing. You want to use a 10-12 foot leader down to about 12-15lb test and a yarn fly tied on a size 2-2/0 octopus salmon hook.

Cast a little upstream of 90degrees straight out, mend some extra line out if needed to get the lead core down and, as the line swings downstream start a very slow hand twist retrieve. The hand twist is key, not so much for the retrieve but to keep slack and coils out of the line so you feel the fish when your line or hook touches a fish. Set up on any pause in your drift or any weight or resistance you feel by stripping hard and pulling your rod towards the shore.

Good luck!!

Ukee

 

[fishkiller13]

Ok but I'm fishing in salt water, is there any difference in feeding that would make them bite?

 

[Karma-Kazi]

I would try a floating line a long leader and any fly that looks like a small pink,red,orange shrimp. Vary you retrieve till one works. I would try somthing like 10-12 fast 4" strips then let it sink down and repeat. Might even nail some cutties doing that in the same areas.

-KK

 

[Bait Ban]

Handle Bars.. size 10, on tiemco tmc777sp. Keep the krystal flash short (3/8") and dead drift with the odd twitch.

 

[Big Green Machine]

Unfortunately, Fraser sockeye rarely bite while migrating in freshwater, thus it's a meat fishery where the fish are snagged in the face, called "flossing" - line goes through mouth/across face and hooks fish in cheek or outside of jaw. Flossing with a fly rod can be every bit as effective, if you're ok with flossing.

Best set up is to spool up a cheap floating line over 100-150yds backing and then make your self some sinking tips out of lead core trolling line - 5ft length, 8ft length, 10ft length, 12ft length, etc. Different lengths for different run depths /speeds. Use a loop to loop connection to attach them to your floating, running, line and allows quick change out to find the right amount of lead core. You want enough lead core so that when you cast a bit up stream and mend some line out, the lead core is just ticking bottom on the swing. You want to use a 10-12 foot leader down to about 12-15lb test and a yarn fly tied on a size 2-2/0 octopus salmon hook.

Cast a little upstream of 90degrees straight out, mend some extra line out if needed to get the lead core down and, as the line swings downstream start a very slow hand twist retrieve. The hand twist is key, not so much for the retrieve but to keep slack and coils out of the line so you feel the fish when your line or hook touches a fish. Set up on any pause in your drift or any weight or resistance you feel by stripping hard and pulling your rod towards the shore.

Good luck!!

Ukee

Salt section Ukee. With Sockeye in salt, tough to catch on fly gear unless you use a fly rod and reel spooled with braid or mono or both and clip it in the downrigger.

 

[fishkiller13]

How about this would this work?

 

[fishkiller13]

Sorry for the crappy pic

 

[fishkiller13]

Here's a better one

 

[Big Green Machine]

For a Sockeye, sparsely tied flies would work, very sparse, pink or orange.

 

[fishkiller13]

So basically like a piece of orange wool tied on a hook?

 

[Big Green Machine]

UV Orange patterns, streamers, sparse, wool on a hook is best saved for flossing, although it could work.

 

[Big Green Machine]

Fishkiller13, those flies in the photos could work, but IMO, they are not sparse, meaning they are too bushy. Example

 

[fishkiller13]

Ok


I'm Hooked on fishin', reel me in!

 

[fishkiller13]

So make them skinny


I'm Hooked on fishin', reel me in!

 

[Big Green Machine]

You will get a lot of ideas off of Google, here's another one I like