The Fry game

Before the eggs, before the bugs, before the flesh, there’s a favorite meal for Alaska trout shaking off the winter doldrums.

Most Alaska trout and char fishermen know the connection between salmon and the trout that grow fat on their eggs all summer and their flesh until winter locks up everything solid.

What’s less known, or perhaps appreciated, is the feeding frenzy that is set off right after ice-out, as young salmon fry begin to leave the rivers and head for saltwater.

That time is right now and will continue until the fry have fled to the salt and returning salmon begin the first spawns in late June.

This applies from MatSu streams, to lower Inlet rivers, to Southeast tidewaters.

The most incredible feeding frenzy I’ve ever seen is directly north of Juneau’s DIPAC hatchery, as millions of chum fry are released into the Gastineau Canal and big Dolly Vardens converge, as do sea birds hitting the schools of scared fry from above.  This is usually a sure thing by mid- to late-May.  Juneau Flyfishing Goods is usually a good source for status of the fry release.  But the same applies to every Southeast stream at low tide—start fishing at low tide as the fry fall out and work upstream with the tide as the Dollies chase them back up with the rising water.

Fry flies should be tiny streamers 1-1.5 inches long, tied sparse and sparkly.  Fishing is simple, attempting to imitate the baby salmon riding the current toward the saltwater. Swinging or dead-drifting the little streamer across, then retrieving with tiny switches usually does the trick.  Tiny Clousers work fine, but I’ve had great with a simple tuff of Flashabou and bead eyes on a #6 hook.

Forget the subtle—the takes will be vicious. Do keep rod tip and line straight with the drifting line, and set the hook with a quick strip.

Before you go, check the regulations for your local stream.  No all are open to trout fishing.  But where it’s legal, it’s a great time to start frying.