Atlantic Salmon · Fly Guide · Fly of the Month · Streamers · Mar 06, 2025

Fly of the Month: Essential Flies for the Atlantic Salmon Run

As the chill of winter fades and rivers swell with fresh snowmelt, March marks the beginning of peak season for Atlantic salmon anglers. These majestic fish are known for their strength, acrobatics, and selective feeding habits, making them a prized catch for fly fishermen. Early spring offers a prime opportunity to target Atlantic salmon, as they become more active with rising water temperatures and increased insect activity.

For this month’s Fly of the Month feature, we’re highlighting some of the most effective and time-honored Atlantic salmon fly patterns. These classic streamer and wet fly designs have proven their worth across generations and continue to be go-to choices for anglers chasing spring-run salmon.

Features of Atlantic Salmon Flies

Atlantic salmon flies are designed with a mix of tradition and functionality, reflecting the long history of salmon fishing across North America and Europe. These flies come in a variety of styles, including classic wet flies, streamers, and modern tube flies, each serving a specific purpose in different water conditions. Many traditional patterns date back to the 19th century, developed by renowned fly tyers from Scotland, Ireland, and Eastern Canada, where Atlantic salmon fishing has deep roots. These flies are often tied with vibrant feathers, silk bodies, and intricate wing structures, giving them a distinct appearance that entices salmon even when they are not actively feeding. Streamer patterns like the Grey Ghost emerged in the early 20th century as effective smelt imitations, while wet flies such as the Governor Aiken showcase the elegance and effectiveness of classic Atlantic salmon flies.

Today, many anglers favor tandem flies and modern synthetic materials to improve durability and lifelike movement, but the time-tested patterns remain just as effective. Understanding the history and purpose of these flies adds to the appreciation of the sport and helps anglers make informed choices on the water.

Why Spring Is Prime for Atlantic Salmon

Spring is a dynamic and exciting time for Atlantic salmon anglers, as it marks a crucial transitional period in the salmon’s life cycle. Post-spawn salmon, known as kelts, are emerging from their winter lethargy, seeking to regain strength before migrating back to the ocean. The increase in daylight hours, warming water temperatures, and snowmelt-induced flows create optimal conditions for salmon to become more active, making them more likely to take a well-presented fly. Additionally, spring marks the return of various baitfish species to the rivers, providing an abundant food source that salmon often target aggressively. As the season progresses, salmon move out of their deep wintering pools and into faster currents, where they hold and feed, creating excellent fishing opportunities for anglers willing to adapt their techniques to match these changing conditions.

March and early spring are excellent times to target Atlantic salmon due to several key factors:

Warmer Water Temperatures – As the water begins to warm, kelts become more active, moving from their winter holding lies into feeding lanes where they aggressively take flies.
Higher Water Levels – Spring runoff increases river flows, creating new holding spots and allowing salmon to migrate more freely toward the ocean.
Aggressive Feeding Behavior – After months of fasting, post-spawn salmon may strike out of hunger or reflex as they regain strength before returning to saltwater.
Early Season Insect Hatches – Salmon may respond to nymph and wet fly imitations as insect life becomes more abundant.

When and How to Use Tandem Rigs

Many of the top fly patterns for Atlantic salmon are available in tandem rigs, which offer several advantages for anglers. Tandem streamers increase visibility, provide a more lifelike swimming action, and improve hook-up ratios, especially when targeting aggressive, post-spawn fish. The trailing hook in a tandem fly often results in more secure hook sets, making them an essential choice for spring-run salmon. Using a tandem setup can be particularly effective in high water or when salmon are actively chasing baitfish.

When to Use a Tandem Rig

In high water conditions, when visibility is reduced, a larger tandem presentation helps attract attention.
When salmon are feeding on smelt or other baitfish, the tandem setup better mimics a natural swimming motion.
When targeting aggressive fish, as the trailing hook often results in more secure hook-ups.

How to Fish a Tandem Rig

Use a sink-tip or full sinking line to get the flies down into the strike zone.
Employ a steady swing or strip retrieve to create an enticing motion in the water.
Adjust leader length based on current speed—shorter leaders for fast-moving water, longer leaders for slower pools.

Tandem flies are an essential tool in early-season Atlantic salmon fishing, improving both presentation and strike conversion.

Top Atlantic Salmon Fly Patterns for the Spring Run

As post-spawn salmon regain their strength and begin their migration, selecting the right fly pattern is essential for success. The following eight classic patterns have consistently produced results for anglers during the spring run.


Ghost Patterns	Mickey Finn	Colonel Bates	Supervisor


Barnes Special	Pink Lady	Governor Aiken	Winnipesaukee

Ghost Patterns (Gray Ghost, Black Ghost, and Green Ghost): The Ghost series is one of the most effective streamer families for early-season Atlantic salmon, with Gray Ghost, Black Ghost, and Green Ghost standing out as top performers. These flies mimic smelt and other baitfish, making them highly effective for post-spawn salmon looking to regain energy.

Best Conditions: Gray Ghost excels in clear to slightly stained water, Black Ghost is ideal for darker or overcast conditions, and Green Ghost is effective in moderately stained water.
How to Fish It: Swing these flies through deep pools and along current seams, adjusting your retrieve speed based on salmon activity.

Mickey Finn: A bright and bold streamer, the Mickey Finn features red and yellow coloration that draws aggressive strikes, especially in high or stained water.

Best Conditions: Murky water, high flows, or overcast conditions.
How to Fish It: Use a steady strip retrieve or swing method to imitate a darting baitfish.

Colonel Bates: This elegant salmon streamer is a highly productive fly known for its vibrant blue and silver tones that imitate small forage fish.

Best Conditions: Clear water, sunny days.
How to Fish It: Fish it with a slow retrieve along current seams and drop-offs.

Supervisor: A highly effective classic salmon streamer, the Supervisor features a bright and contrasting color scheme that makes it stand out in various water conditions.

Best Conditions: Stained or high water, low-light conditions.
How to Fish It: Use a down-and-across swing presentation with short strips to imitate an escaping baitfish.

Barnes Special: A lesser-known but highly effective fly, the Barnes Special is a fantastic early-season streamer designed to imitate small baitfish and smelt.

Best Conditions: Clear or slightly stained water, moderate current.
How to Fish It: Fish it deep using a sink-tip line, allowing it to mimic a smelt working its way upstream.

Pink Lady: A striking wet fly, the Pink Lady features a bold pink body with a contrasting wing. This fly is particularly effective in cold water when salmon are looking for bright, attention-grabbing patterns.

Best Conditions: Cold water, overcast days.
How to Fish It: Swing it through runs and tail-outs, allowing the current to give it natural movement.

Governor Aiken: Named after Vermont’s former governor and avid fly fisherman, the Governor Aiken is a classic salmon fly that blends tradition with effectiveness.

Best Conditions: Moderate to clear water.
How to Fish It: Fish it on a floating or sink-tip line, allowing it to drift naturally before a slow retrieve.

Winnipesaukee: Another traditional streamer, the Winnipesaukee Smelt is designed to resemble the rainbow smelt—a favorite prey item of Atlantic salmon in many river systems.

Best Conditions: Clear water, bright days.
How to Fish It: Slow, steady retrieves near drop-offs and structure where salmon may be staging before exiting the river.

Tips for Fishing Atlantic Salmon Flies in the Spring Run

Successfully fishing for Atlantic salmon in the spring requires an understanding of their post-spawn behavior, water conditions, and fly presentation. By adjusting your approach based on river flow, temperature, and fish activity, you can maximize your chances of success. Here are some key strategies to help you make the most of your time on the water.

Use a Sink-Tip Line – Post-spawn salmon often hold in deeper pools, making a sink-tip line essential for getting flies to the right depth.
Experiment with Retrieve Speeds – While a slow swing is typically effective, some days a more aggressive strip can trigger reaction strikes.
Pay Attention to Water Temperature – Salmon tend to be more active as water temperatures rise above 40°F, so time your outings accordingly.
Vary Your Presentations – Don’t be afraid to switch between a traditional wet fly swing and a stripped streamer retrieve to see what works best.
Fish the Transitions – Focus on areas where deep pools meet faster currents, as salmon will often hold in these transitional zones.

Final Thoughts - Putting These Flies to the Test

Spring fly fishing for Atlantic salmon is an exciting and rewarding pursuit, and using classic fly patterns like the Grey Ghost, Supervisor, and Barnes Special can give you an edge on the water. These flies have stood the test of time, consistently producing results for anglers targeting salmon as they regain their strength before migrating back to sea.

So, as the rivers awaken from winter and salmon begin their seasonal movements, grab your fly box and gear up for an unforgettable start to the season.