Hi Everyone,

I was wondering if anyone could give me some help in trying to get my first salmon. This is my 3rd year chasing them and I'm determined to get one before the seasons out. I fish the river Irvine in East Ayrshire, Scotland. It has a very good head of salmon running the river just now - a 18lb salmon taken at the hurlford beat on the fly!

If you could, can you tell me what flies to use and when. As well as how to fish them. I have been casting down and across, when doing this, should you move the fly at all? Figure of eight or strip line? Also when your line swings right round and the fly just hangs in the water, should you leave it or re-cast?

I use a 10' 7/8wt rod with a Rio Gold fly line.

You have no idea how great full I would be of any advice!

Many, many thanks!
Best Regards,
~David Strawhorn

Down and across is fine.flamethrower/allies/cascade in orange or red. if good flow do not retrieve until on the dangle then hold for a few second then retrieve a few feet..have a good selection of polyleaders to vary the depth your fishing.start with an intermediate as youre standard setup.the 5' ones are fine but in a bigger water 10' is better.when using the faster versions in fastish water shorten your leader to 3'-4'.
Look for places wher running fish stop for a bit.and fish there.(bends ,slower water after a fast run).get the idea.

Jim

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The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.

Standard Spring and Back-end tactics...deep and slow fishing bigger flies.
Go with Jim's advice as how to retrieve.
'Jock Scott' 'Thunder and Lightning' Munro Killer' and 'Willie Gunn' type standard patterns are always a good choice back end fished either as doubles or on brass tubes which are my personal preference..
Depending on the depth of the pools you are fishing be prepared to use a sinking / sink tip line to get down to them..

JOHN

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