Salmon are curious creatures, no doubt. One look at a salmon fisherman’s fly boxes will tell all about how they have spawned a plethora of creations in form, style and color.
It seems that color is one of the primary determiners in salmon fly design and it has recently undergone quite a transformation with new synthetic and natural fluorescent shades popping up every year. These bright, flashy beasties all seem quite a bit much to these aging eyes and I find myself reaching for the more subtle patterns of the New Brunswick and Gaspesian tyers, where flash is more confined and acting as a proof of life.
By Steve Silverio
One productive, though little used color, especially in Spring evenings on the Restigouche, has been white.
Often the water can be high and off-colored, however with our current conditions of relatively low, clear water, the timing was perfect for the white fly to make its appearance, although only until Denis actively suggested the pattern.
The amazing view from the Restigouche River Lodge.
The steep stair to the river from the Larry’s Gulch Lodge – what a way to start the day.
It was early June and Marcel and I had planned to fish two lodges on the Restigouche, The Restigouche River Lodge and Pavilion Larry’s Gulch.
Early season brings fresh chromers that, while not numerous, are strong, active and savage in their attacks of the fly. Due to many factors, the returns of salmon globally have been dismal. As a result, no-kill, barbless and in New Brunswick, single hook regulations are strictly enforced. Though we had not high expectations, the thought of meeting up with friends and experiencing new ones, is always a positive on salmon trips, and we were keen to meet our guides and take to our canoes.
My first salmon came on a white Vevus Spey, originated and tied by Denis Boudreau, the Regal liaison in Eastern Canada, as well as our guide that evening at Restigouche River Lodge. Denis is an excellent tyer and his company JAX Flies is well known for quality offerings both in salmon and saltwater flies.
Denis’ Veevus Spey
The second fish, also in the 20lb (9kg) range, came at Larry’s Gulch Home Pool on a clear evening, to a White Rat, a fly I had designed and which had sat quietly in my box for two years without a look.
The urging from Denis to try white in these special evenings was the reason I searched my boxes while Marcel took his drop, and I found the fly that proved itself that night.
The White Rat
Historically, there have been a smattering of white wet fly patterns in salmon tying, however white has always been a sort of least favored option. The Alaska Maryanne, was a famous “transitional “ fly that enjoyed early popularity before fading into relative obscurity.
Charles De Feo was also a believer in the white fly, as was Lee Wulff. His White Wulff remains a timeless classic.
The White Wulff
The White Muddler is another a pattern that has had a popular following among trout and smallmouth fishermen prior to emerging as a Spring salmon fly for big water.
Though white, wet fly patterns like The Priest, have faded a bit, giving way to flashier and banana-like creations, they are, like an evening moth, a constant on the water and something to make space for in your box. Next time you find yourself in a salmon river on a quiet evening, might I suggest a white fly to pass on your next drop.
Tight lines Steve Silverio
