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Chinook/King Salmon

Chinook/King Salmon

General Info: Chinook, or King Salmon are the most iconic fish of Big Y's home waters. They are a symbol of the Pacific Northwest that reaches far beyond anglers. People across the world know about the Chinook salmon of Oregon and Washington. These fish can reach huge sizes and can range from extremely challenging to fairly easy to catch.
In Oregon, we have two runs of Kings. Spring Chinook salmon come in when the water is high and dirty during spring runoff/snowmelt. The fish stay in the deepest, fastest water that they can find. Not ideal for fly anglers, but they can be caught with a lot of patience skill and luck. However, a fall Chinook run brings in much bigger numbers of snappy fish that are more than willing to play in shallower water.
Headed North towards Alaska, their singular Chinook run peaks in July, and the Alaskan Kings are usually a bit easier to catch than our Oregon Spring salmon.
Most folks use a sink tip and heavy flies on an 8wt or larger spey/switch rod, but plenty of folks still use their trusty 9'0" single hand rod. The Great Lakes also host a nice run of Chinook salmon. The Great Lakes salmon are known to snap at smaller flies a little more than their Pacific cousins. The Great Lakes fish tend to deteriorate a bit more before heading upstream vs their pacific brethren, so they are not as prized as the coastal salmon.
Preferred Gear
Rods: 8-10 wt. rods. Many prefer a 13' or longer two-handed rod, but a 9' rod will suffice. An 8wt is the most popular, but it is as light as one should use to target Chinook. A 9wt is more suitable for a Chinook rod. An 8wt is a great all-arounder if you are going to target steelhead later.
Reels: Large arbor, heavy drag.
Lines: Dependent on fishery and timing. Heavy sink tips on two-handed Skagit setups are very common, but fall fish can be caught on a floating line and a lightly weighted fly... strange fish indeed.
Favorites: Airflo F.I.S.T Skagit, RIO Gamechanger, RIO Premier 24' Sink Tip, Scientific Anglers Amplitude Anadro
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  • 1244 in stock

    Dolly Llama

    $2.49
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    $2.49

    Articulated version of the Conehead Double Bunny. Very highly recommended for Alaska Silvers, and Rainbows.

    $2.49
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    $2.49
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
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    260 in stock

    Articulated Leech

    $2.49
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    $2.49

    A pattern that rocketed into classic status within a few years after it hit the public. Almost all hits on leech come from the head. The action wi...

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    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
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    504 in stock

    Dolly Llama Tandem

    $2.79
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    $2.79

    Tandem version comes with two hooks. Articulated version of the Conehead Double Bunny. Very highly recommended for Alaska Silvers, and Rainbows.

    $2.79
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    $2.79
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
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    356 in stock

    Dolly Llama Gold Cone

    $2.79
    $2.79 - $2.79
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    $2.79

    Articulated version of the Conehead Double Bunny. Very highly recommended for Alaska Silvers, and Rainbows. Now, due to popular demand, with a g...

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    $2.79
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    $2.79
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
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    52 in stock

    Dolly Llama Crosscone

    $2.79
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    $2.79 - $2.79
    $2.79

    Articulated version of the Conehead Double Bunny. Very highly recommended for Alaska Silvers, and Rainbows. Now with a crosscone, which allow ey...

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    $2.79
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
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    212 in stock

    Hare Ball Leech

    $1.50
    $1.50 - $1.50
    $1.50 - $1.50
    $1.50

    One of the best patterns to attract silvers, sockeye, kings, pinks, steelies you name it. Is now Alaska's most popular pattern. Attracts everythi...

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    24 in stock

    Bjorn's Super Prawn

    $1.50
    $1.50 - $1.50
    $1.50 - $1.50
    $1.50

    Big silhouette pattern perfect for moving big fish to strikes. Popular Alaska and cold water pattern. Attracts everything-Chinooks, silvers, steel...

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    $1.50
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    64 in stock

    Showgirl

    $1.50
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    $1.50

    Famous in Alaska, Canada and the West Coast Attracts everything-Chinooks, silvers, steelhead, even sea-run cutthroats. Vibrate colors and that mag...

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    49 in stock

    Strung Out Leech Crosscone

    $2.50
    $2.50 - $2.50
    $2.50 - $2.50
    $2.50

    Nice leech pattern with tons of articulation. Very highly recommended for Alaska Silvers, and Rainbows. With a crosscone, which allow eyes to ...

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    $2.50
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
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    52 in stock

    Strung Out Leech Masked

    $2.50
    $2.50 - $2.50
    $2.50 - $2.50
    $2.50

    Nice leech pattern with tons of articulation. Very highly recommended for Alaska Silvers, and Rainbows. With a mask, making this pattern much ...

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    $2.50
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
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    69 in stock

    Animal - RIO

    $5.96
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    $5.96

    Intruder style flies are a popular choice for many fall and winter steelhead anglers.  These flies offer a large profile in the water and weighted ...

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    $5.96
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
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    108 in stock

    Shawback Stinger Masked

    $3.15
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    $3.15

    Nice leech pattern with tons of articulation. Great for aggressive and anadromous fish. Strip it, swing it, and dead drift it. With a mask, ...

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    $3.15
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    $3.15
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
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    14 in stock

    Lil Monster-Tube Fly

    $1.99
    $1.99 - $1.99
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    $1.99

    Tube flies are great for those who want more options out of their flies. Excellent winter steelhead fly that works well on fish fresh. Especiall...

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    $1.99
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
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    48 in stock

    Prom Dress

    $1.59
    $1.59 - $1.59
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    $1.59

    On the shortcut path to legendary status. Great for Winter Steelies, Summer ones too.  Excellent in Alaska as well.

    $1.59
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    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
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    30 in stock

    Moal Leech

    $2.39
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    $2.39

    A great Alaska and anywhere pattern. Great for skinny water where wiggle action is desired.  Excellent for swinging. 

    $2.39
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    $2.39
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
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    22 in stock

    Guide Intruder - Solitude

    $3.95
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    $3.95

    This is a "local's favorite" pattern for Winter Steelhead here in Oregon. Deadly effective on the swing. It has great movement and isn't too bul...

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    $3.95
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
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    15 in stock

    Foxee Dog - Solitude

    $2.96
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    $2.96 - $3.96
    $2.96

    The Foxee Dog is a fly pattern created by Charles St. Pierre of Northwest Speycasting. A mixture of natural and synthetic materials the Foxee Dog...

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    51 in stock

    Bjorn's Stinger Prawn - Solitude

    $2.96
    $2.96 - $3.96
    $2.96 - $3.96
    $2.96

    Designed to catch Kings in Alaska and throughout the Pacific Northwest. Great for swinging flies for steelhead or salmon. Pink is the most popular...

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    $2.96
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    $2.96
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
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    33 in stock

    Checkmate - RIO

    $7.50
    $7.50 - $7.50
    $7.50 - $7.50
    $7.50

    RIO’s Checkmate is a 4" long fly designed specifically for Kings/Chinooks; The fly sinks well, has great movement and invokes hard, positive strike...

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    $7.50
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  • Coming soon
    Out of stock

    Dirk Wiggler - Solitude

    $3.96
    $3.96 - $3.96
    $3.96 - $3.96
    $3.96

    Great for swinging flies for steelhead or salmon. Extremely popular with spey fishermen in the Pacific Northwest. Eyes get this pattern down, wh...

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    $3.96
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    $3.96
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  •
    22 in stock

    Squidro - Solitude

    $3.96
    $3.96 - $3.96
    $3.96 - $3.96
    $3.96

    This is a fly with tons of attractant. It fishes extremely well for both Steelhead and Kings. Great winter fly because it is heavy and gets do...

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    $3.96
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  • Coming soon
    Out of stock

    Dolly Llama With Egg - Umpqua

    $5.50
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    $5.50

    An iconic pattern that was developed for fishing in AK. Now with an bead in front of it for extra attraction. A must have when chasing large trout,...

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    $5.50
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    47 in stock

    Tractor Trailer - RIO

    $4.79
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    $4.79

    This streamer is an excellent fall pattern for big trout. We used Marabou, chenille, and wire twisted together then palmered on the hook, which all...

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    $4.79
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    $4.79
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  • Coming soon
    Out of stock

    Jumbo Critter - Solitude

    $3.96
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    $3.96

    Designed to catch Kings in Alaska and throughout the Pacific Northwest. Great for swinging flies for steelhead or salmon. Total length is 4 inches...

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    $3.96
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    $3.96
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    Out of stock

    Alaska Guide Selection - 42 Flies - Umpqua

    $144.95
    $144.95 - $144.95
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    $144.95

    A selection of Umpqua's finest Alaskan flies.   These 42 flies will cover all of the bases for your next Alaska trip. Proven patterns that produce...

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    $144.95
    $144.95 - $144.95
    $144.95 - $144.95
    $144.95
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    2 Low on stock

    RIO Alaska Salmon Assortment - 10 Flies

    $44.99
    $44.99 - $44.99
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    $44.99

    Throwing large flies for ultra-fresh salmon as they make their way upstream is, for some anglers, the ultimate sport. Whether targeting Kings, Chu...

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    $44.99
    $44.99 - $44.99
    $44.99 - $44.99
    $44.99
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.