Coho Fly Primer

With the first few extended periods of rain each September the coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) start returning in earnest to the lower mainland rivers.

Described bellow are the three basic patterns that I would never be without when targeting coho in freshwater:

Olive Palmer Chenille Bugger
Hook: Tiemco 5262 size 6-12
Thread: Red Uni 8/0
Bead: 1/8 gold or smaller
Tail: Webby olive marabou with 4-8 strands of pearl midge flash
Body: Olive Palmer chenille wrapped forward with all fibers facing backwards
Alternatives: This fly tied with a silver bead,  straight pearl midge flash tail, and pearl palmer chenille has been extremely effective for coho jacks.

Olive Rolled Muddler
Hook: Tiemco 5263 Size 6-12
Thread: Red Uni 8/0
Bead: 1/8 gold or smaller (bead optional)
Tail: Olive barred mallard flank
Body: Medium gold tinsel with medium gold wire counterwrapped over tinsel
Underwing: 4-6 strands of pearly midge flash
Overwing: Olive barred mallard flank
Head: Spun olive deer hair
Alternatives: Natural mallard and deer hair or brown mallard and deer hair can be substituted

Sparse Christmas Tree
Hook: Tiemco 5263 size 6-10
Thread: Red Uni 8/0
Bead: Silver 1/8 or smaller (bead optional)
Body: Medium silver tinsel counterwrapped with medium silver wire
Underwing: Blue crystal flash
Overwing: Blue/silver Flashabou
Alternatives: Various Flashabou blends can be used including gold/green, silver/green/blue etc.


My advice for targeting these fish on the fly is keep the fly selection simple and invest your time in getting to sleep early so those 5:00 AM alarms are a little less jarring :)

Cheers,

Jordan