Pink Salmon Fishing in Alaska
Pink salmon run only in even years on the Alagnak River. They typically start running by the fourth week of July and end the third week of August. This is the smallest of the salmon species, typically weighing in at an average of 3-5 pounds, but also the most numerous - it's also a very aggressive fish. Pinks eagerly attack a striped fly with reckless abandon. Like chum salmon and silver salmon, pink salmon will hit dry flies and are a great fighting fish for their size; often looking like big trout and jumping several times after being hooked.
It is not uncommon to catch and land 50 plus pink salmon a day on the fly. This is such an incredible fishery that we call it catching, not fishing!
It is not uncommon to catch and land 50 plus pink salmon a day on the fly. This is such an incredible fishery that we call it catching, not fishing!
Suggested Fishing Gear
A 7 or 8 wt. rod is perfect for targeting pink salmon. The situation will arise though where you are catching pink after pink on the fly then all of a sudden a silver salmon smokes the fly and is air born! This is more suited for a 8 or 9 wt. fly rod so we recommend using at least an 8 wt. rod when targeting pink salmon. A 12 pound chrome chum salmon could also hit the fly, and this is not something one would want to tango with using a 7wt. fly rod.
Pink Salmon Fly Patterns on the Alagnak River
The pink salmon are another very underrated salmon species. They fight just like a nice Alaska rainbow trout, yet have that little extra fight for their size because they came straight from the ocean. They hit flies in the pink spectrum very well, and will hit any presentation including top water flies!
The following pink salmon flies work very well, because the pinks have a habit of short striking flies. Therefore, we cut the material just short of the bend of the hook, allowing very few missed-strikes. You can find these flies at Alaska Fly Fishing Goods.
Please note that Angler’s Alibi supplies all flies and tackle at no extra charge.
The following pink salmon flies work very well, because the pinks have a habit of short striking flies. Therefore, we cut the material just short of the bend of the hook, allowing very few missed-strikes. You can find these flies at Alaska Fly Fishing Goods.
Please note that Angler’s Alibi supplies all flies and tackle at no extra charge.
