I am really pleased with this seatrout tube fly I tied during the week. For me flies with blue and silver in them are my first choice for fresh sea trout. It is also a great combination for fresh salmon too. This pattern uses electric blue dubbing and that is where it gets its name.
Having recently experimented with trout snake flies I had an idea for some salmon and sea trout ones. These are not the traditional snakes tied with a long mylar body over braid and a hair wing. Mine are tied with rabbit zonker strips. A treble right in the tail and a salar double up front. I have seen a few salmon flies tied with zonker strips out back as a sort of long flowing tail. I could just see sea trout nipping at the tails of these with little or no hook ups. Take a look at these!!
Red salmon snake
The treble right in the tail will sort out any short takers.
Cascade Salmon Snake
The hooks are connected by a uv straggle twisted into a rope which forms the body.
Silver & Blue Sea Trout Snake
This facilitates lots of movement in the water. Blue and silver is a great combination for sea trout. The flies are finished off with some arctic fox and a little bling. They have a super profile!!
Salmon/sea trout snakes
Here are a few salmon flies for the Spring. Some Irish rivers will be open very soon and of course the Munster Blackwater will open on February 1st. Experience says the best fishing will be between Ballyduff and Fermoy. Some cold weather with low clear water would be ideal.
Black & Green Double
Black and green can be a good combination in the spring. It is worth noting that when the water is low and clear you don’t always have to fish really big heavy flies. I also like flies with some yellow in them in the spring.
Yellow&Orange
Of course any combination of yellow, orange and black is great for salmon. The profile of flies tied with arctic fox always looks good.
Arctic Fox Profile
If you are faced with high coloured water then some big bright tube flies are worth a go.
So if the river is good order it will surely be worth a try. However, always be mindful of kelts and baggots at this time of year!
Game Fishing Ireland 