Every spring while I’m out KENAI RIVER FLY FISHING I look for Terns gathering on the river. Finding terns hoovering over the river more than likely means Parr Salmon have made the transformation to smolt and are heading out to sea. In the spring Parr salmon undergo a chemical change that lets them adapt from freshwater to the saltwater where they will spend the next few years of their life. These large moving balls of smolt trigger feeding frenzies for fish and birds too. Look for smolt in April, May, and early June and get ready for some exciting Rainbow trout fishing experiences.
For Salmon Parr I like to use a small white deceiver in a size 6 or 8 streamer hook and for the smolt I like to use a blue and white deceiver in tied on a 4 or 6 streamer hook.
This pattern works well for Parr imitations.
Tied with:
4 small white saddle hackles tied in first.
White buck tail tied in on the top side of the shank
2 strands of copper flash on each side of the body
4 pieces of peacock tied in on top of that
A black sharpie will give you the parr markings that you want on the body
I chose to give this fly an epoxy head with big silver eyes.
If you have any questions or would like to book an KENAI RIVER fly fishing guide trip feel free to contact me at www.driftingonthefly.com