Flyfishing Tide Water for Silvers?

[deschutes2]

Anyone out there ever fished tidewater for silvers? I am heading to the Nehalem to fish with my dad and would like to try fly fishing for silvers in the tidewater after doing the tackle thing with my father for chinook. Any tips on where, how, when and with what?

Thanks,

Deschutes2

[skein]

I'll definitely be flyfishing for them at Reedsport this year. I've got my flies picked out and know where I'm going to start. I think it's going to be a cast-and-retrieve fishery though, so better get the arm in shape for throwing heavy line with that 8-wgt. :grin:

Skein

[Old Coot]

I used to fly fish for silvers, back when there were silvers to fly fish for. If you tie your own flies, try some scaled-down Pixie's Revenge, lighty weighted. I had success retreiving at a fairly brisk strip. To up your odds just a bit, make your own double hooks by removing the brazed-on third hook from a treble. You can scrunch down the barbs with your vise if so inclined. During a trip or two to Alaska I also had some luck with black marabout streamers on dark or rainy days. (that would prtty much be every day). I have generally encountered silvers in the upper water column when they have been active, so have never dredged for them with a 350 or 500 grain, but don't see why it couldn't be done. If you have not flyfished for salmon before, I suggest using a light tippet, like 10 pounds or so. That way if you commit a fatal error - tip wrap, butt wrap, reel wrap - maybe you can snap the fish off before you snap your gear. 12 pound will handle chinook, so... Depending upon the characteristics of the rod, 6-7-8 wt should be fun.

I hope you have a good time. Let us know.

[Old dog]

My first response on flies. I'm 62 and semi-retired, have fished on and off with fies for trout during the last 40 years (definitely no purist. Finally landed 2 summer-run Steehead (both on the Nestucca)and 2 fall Chinook (Salmon and Nestucca) last year due to help from Rich Younger in Salem. Three of these big guys took flash flies tied by Rich, and one went for a Purple Angel. I'm now anxious to go back to the Nestucca and Salmon tidewaters for the fall run and will certainly try the flash flies again. When do you folks think the Coho and Chinook will enter these 2 estuaries? Thanks for any advice.

[greenbuttskunk]

only in alaska. Popsicles with some silver flashabou tied in or all silver with a green
collar of hackle.

[Old Coot]

Dog, normally I wouldn't share such information, but from one old fert to another, and since nobody else is reading, the early fall chinook will be in about a month ago. Few, but some.

Silvers? If memory serves, which it rarely does any more, they should appear in numbers on one of those rivers in about 3 weeks.

Have you ever taken a chinook low enough in the estuary to be in brackish or salt water? Isn't that just incredible? Hemorrhaged fly line, screaming arthritic shoulders, shredded, bleeding flesh spattered all over the reel faceplate, bone fragments jutting out of what used to be fingers. Then easing that huge, cold slab of fish back into the bay...it just doesn't get any better. :dance:

[Old dog]

Coot, thanks for the info. Yes, my first Chinook on a fly was in brackish water on the Salmon last year using a 10# rod from my pontoon boat. It almost wrapped around my anchor, but the heavy rod and leader held up fine - talk about an adventure and burned hands. Fortunately, two guys in a driftboat netted it for me and I got a picture before I released it - probably 20 lbs. plus. Now I can't wait to try it again. Maybe this year I can fool one of those Silvers!

[Stew]

I've picked up some excellent krill patterns that I am anxious to try. Please keep us posted

[rpnsteelheadlps]

My son Jordan has tied up a pollywog / wog fly in pink and I can't wait to fish it on the Nehalem for Silvers. I can't even begin to comprehend hooking a Silver on a top water fly. Jordan also tied up a couple roe flies for me to try out on the Chinooks. If anyone is interested I'm sure Jordan would be more than glad to tie up a few of these flies for you.

[rpnsteelheadlps]

Hey Stew R U interested in selling a few of those Krill patterns ?

[BankMaggot4life8957]

silvers on the top. sounds fun!!!!!