CAMP STORIES:

What is the Salmonfly Hatch and Why Does it matter? 

Salmonflies are large stoneflies that emerge in late spring and early summer across many Western rivers. Growing up to three inches long, these bugs have a dark, armored look with bright orange underbellies, making them easy prey for hungry trout. When the Salmonfly hatch starts, usually between late May and early July depending on elevation and runoff, trout feed aggressively on the surface. It’s a high-calorie opportunity they can't ignore and neither should you if you love dry fly fishing in Western waters.

Why Choose Dry Flies During the Hatch?

While nymphing before the hatch has its place, fishing dry flies during a Salmonfly hatch connects you directly with the surface action. Trout hit these massive bugs with ferocity, creating visual strikes that feel more like explosions than sips.

Using dry flies during this hatch is about matching behavior: adult salmonflies return to the water to lay eggs, clumsily fluttering and sometimes crash-landing. This is your moment to present an imitation that looks vulnerable, alive, and just plain tasty.

Selecting the Right Dry Fly PatternMatch Size, Shape, and Color

What are the best Salmonfly patterns for dry fly fishing in Western rivers?

Salmonflies are big. Your fly needs to match their silhouette and buoyancy. Patterns in sizes 4 to 8 are the standard. Choose patterns with orange bellies, foam bodies, and good flotation for high visibility and lifelike presentation.

Recommended Salmonfly fly patterns:

• Chubby Chernobyl (in salmon or orange)

• Henry’s Fork Salmonfly

• Sofa Pillow

• Water Walker

• Clark’s Stone

Foam-bodied flies work well because they ride high and stay visible in fast water.

Dry Fly Rigging Tips: Leader, Tippet, and Setup

Using large flies calls for stronger tippet, think 0X to 2X. You’re not going for finesse here; you want turnover power and the ability to steer big trout away from structure. Stick with a 9-foot leader unless you're in tight quarters along a brushy bank, where a shorter 7.5-foot leader helps with precision casts.

Add floatant to your fly before every session and dry it off frequently. You can also experiment with a dry-dropper rig in the mornings. Drop a salmonfly nymph 12–24 inches below your dry to double your odds of catching trout.

Where and How to Fish the Hatch

Where are the best places to fish during the Salmonfly hatch?

Focus on Prime Holding Water

Trout often stage near rocky banks, overhanging brush, grassy ledges, and foam lines the places adult salmonflies tend to fall or land when returning to lay eggs.

Fish the Bank First

Trout hunting salmonflies are frequently tight to shore. Cast within inches of the riverbank, especially on the shady side during midday. Don’t be afraid to make repeated casts if the water looks “too good not to.”

Cover Water Efficiently

Not every fish is feeding, and the hatch can move quickly upriver day by day. Work steadily, covering water and changing flies if needed. If you don’t get a strike in a likely spot within 4–6 casts, move upstream.

Timing the Hatch: Understanding Feeding Windows

What time of day is best to fish the Salmonfly hatch?

Salmonflies tend to hatch in pulses throughout the day. Mornings may be slower, especially if temperatures are cool. Once the air warms and adults return to the water, midday to early evening becomes prime time for surface takes.

Watch for:

• Shucks on rocks (a sign of recent emergence)

• Bird activity (they’ll feast on flying adults)

• Fluttering salmonflies over the water

  
  

Hooksets, Mistakes, and Pro Tips

Hooksets: Let the Fish Eat

It’s tempting to set  immediately when you see that toilet-flush of a take. Don’t. Pause just a beat then set. These are big flies, and trout need a moment to get them fully in their mouths.

Keep an Eye on Visibility

Salmonfly imitations are large, but in rough water, they can disappear quickly. Use patterns with visible wings or indicators.

Pro Tip: Stick Around After the Peak

Even after the “main event” seems over, trout remember the hatch. Late-season stragglers or egg-laying females can keep the dry-fly bite going for days after the primary emergence ends.

A Hatch Worth Chasing

Fishing a salmonfly hatch isn’t just about catching it’s about watching the river come alive. These bugs don’t hatch everywhere, and they don’t hatch for long. But when it happens, it’s a front-row seat to the drama of predator and prey. Armed with the right flies, rigging, and a little patience, you can experience dry fly fishing at its most dramatic. So pack your foam patterns, lace up your boots, and get to the river before the hatch moves upstream without you.