Atlantic Salmon are one of the most sought after sports fish on the fly.
Dating back to at least 10,000 years on earth according to Wikipedia,
Atlantic salmon have been perused by fly anglers dating back to the late 1700's
These salmon can live two separate lives, the normal life would be born in the river as an Alevins in the gravel bottom, where they will live for their first 3 years of there life in there home waters learning to feed on insects and survival from other fish to preying birds and animals, further developing into a Fry, Parr, Smolt, at this stage they leave the river in spring high water and migrate to the ocean where they feed on mostly shrimp and rather grow quickly. It's also in the ocean where these two live or lets say genetics break apart, you see there's a difference between a grilse and a salmon other then there size.
Grilse will return to their spawning grounds after only one winter at sea, where salmon do a full migration to the Labrador Sea and Greenland & returning as a multi sea winter (MSW) fish ranging in the 8-20 pound range as a norm. Atlantic Salmon are also repeat spawners unlike their pacific cousins.
With that said let talk more on fly fishing for Atlantic Salmon, where to find them, tackle & methods used.
When planning an Atlantic salmon trip some of the things you may wish to consider are:
Sourcing a good strong region is a great foundation to target Atlantics, such as Atlantic Canada, in particular Newfoundland where 66% of North Americas Salmon rivers Flow and fill with these migrating fish each June-August in great annual runs in most rivers.
simply not many places like Newfoundland to fish for Wild Atlantic Salmon,
Newfoundland is an Absolut breathtaking place with mountains, river valleys, mixed boreal forest and a tremendous wildlife population as well as all water ways are public with plenty of accessible pools and areas to fish for all skill levels & abilities.
Once you've selected the area and river(s) you'll be fishing, gather as much information as possible on this are, prime seasons, water flows, key pools, local specific fly patterns, and local guides.
As a guide myself I may seem bias in say that having a local guide that knows the waters will increase your chance significantly for these migratory fish that are very susceptible to conditions.
Local flies are always key for me on my personal travels, and should always be on the top side of your priority list and will certainly show in your over all success if you do. Although there are hundreds of great salmon flies that will produce in many rivers even region to region, but there's never a substitute for location specifically developed & dialed in flies.
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