608 | The Best Fly Lines for Atlantic Salmon Fishing with Topher Browne

Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/608

Presented By: Togens Fly Shop, Waters West, Skwala

Do you want to know the best fly lines for Atlantic salmon fishing? Have you ever wondered when to use a longer leader with a sinking line for that perfect fly presentation? Topher Browne is back on the show to break down spey lines, fish physiology, and all the good stuff in his Atlantic salmon books.

Find out how to tell when your fly is in the fishing zone and why he uses an out-of-production Scandinavian line. Plus, get to know the guy who's caught more steelheads than anyone on the planet!

Show Notes with Topher Browne on Atlantic Salmon Fishing.

01:50 - We had Topher on Episode 464 about a year ago, and it was a hit! We're bringing him back for round two to dive deeper into his Atlantic salmon books and more. But before that, I asked Topher what he's been up to since we last talked.

02:26 - Topher had his toughest June ever last year due to climate change. He spent 17 days on the Quebec and New Brunswick rivers without catching fish.

06:04 - Topher is a field editor for Chasing Silver, an Atlantic salmon and steelhead-specific magazine. He mentions that the Norwegian and Icelandic salmon reports were bad.

09:26 -  Topher shares his fishing experiences with his friend Greg Pearson. He and Greg worked on a spey DVD for Scientific Anglers in 2005 called Spey to Z.

16:09 - Topher uses a Seaguar Blue Label fluorocarbon leader for its durability. He typically starts with a 20-pound tippet for early-season fish.

20:18 - Topher's advice: tweak your fishing techniques based on water flow, temperature, clarity, and fish behavior. Here are some key takeaways:

Early-run fish are more aggressive and likely to move longer distances for a fly.
Topher suggests using a floater in low, clear water to make it easier to speed up your fly.
Use longer leaders in clear water to avoid spooking fish.
Select fly colors more visible in dirty water, like black, orange, and red.
Quicker movements in clear water prevent fish from losing interest in the fly.

36:14 - Topher talks about the advantages of using Scandinavian lines for salmon fishing.

46:06 - Topher did several experiments to compare depths using different techniques. He found that the angler's techniques matter more than the sinking rate of the fly line.

Topher notes that while precision isn't necessary, knowing your fly's depth can greatly improve your fishing success.

53:45 - Topher recalls fishing with Jim Adams. He said that Jim has probably caught more steelhead than anyone. Jim's strategy involved targeting the fish in shallow, quiet spots along the river's edges.

57:00—For Topher, the Triple D line from Guideline is the best line for Atlantic salmon. These triple-density lines are customizable in length and weight but were later discontinued.

Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/608