King Salmon Fishing

Because of their size and fighting ability, King Salmon are always one of our most popular game fish. Early season fishing is generally done from boats and consists of casting plugs and spinners or back trolling plugs or spin-n-glos. Low run-off years can provide excellent opportunities for Kings on a fly rod.

By mid June, Kings have established themselves throughout the tributaries. We fish them over a broad range of water either by back trolling, bank fishing or sight fishing.

Late June and July the Kings are concentrated in the deeper pools where they will eventually spawn. At this time, almost all fishing is from the bank using strike indicators to detect the subtle takes.

While kings are large (15#-60#) they are not difficult to land with the proper techniques. Most anglers tend to use way too much pressure and try to force the fish into submission. With light but steady pressure (try to get downstream of the fish) they will normally remain in the hole where hooked. All salmon instinctively want to go upstream if possible, or at least remain where they are (it took them a lot of effort to get there). Putting on excessive pressure will make them mad and cause them to turn downstream and run. If you can’t chase by boat, the odds are now in the King’s favor.