The Atlantic salmon is the third biggest species of the family Salmonidae. They are tasty and healthy. In many popular traditional cuisines, they are served at a very high price. As you can assume, their demand is pretty high all over the world. The fish hunters can earn good amounts of bucks by selling them. Eating delicious flesh is a bonus. However, Atlantic salmon fishing is not as simple as trouts or pacific salmon. It can be a little bit tricky. You have to pick the right spots and adapt the techniques well. Today, we will be sharing the top-rated places to capture Atlantic salmon with you. Before that, let’s check some quick details to identify them easily.
Identification
- A two-year-old Atlantic salmon usually becomes 28 to 32 inches long, weighing between 8 to 12 pounds. If they can stay for two more years, they get much bigger. The heaviest and longest specimens were 109 pounds and 63.25 inches, respectively.
- Their colors keep varying according to the life stage and surroundings. The freshwater ones generally feature dark-blue and red x-shaped or y-shaped markings.
- They lose those spots while growing up. As time passes, their body takes on a silver-blue layer along with dark markings over the lateral line. These spots can be visible on the tail fins, below the lateral line, and tail too. It is a great characteristic to identify them.
- The shades may turn into light green and red during reproduction.
- A pacific salmon typically has 10 to 13 anal-fin rays. On the other hand, an Atlantic one does not have more than 12.
- Atlantic salmon has a way shorter face, nose, eyes, and mouth compared to brown trout. A forked back is part of their slim, narrow figure. Another difference is, they have only one row of conical teeth where trout have two. You can also distinguish between them by the shape of their tongue. Unlike the salmon’s narrow tongue, the trout have a rectangular and wider one.
Atlantic Salmon Fishing Destinations
- Andakilsa River: It lies in the western coastal region of Iceland. Its water type and temperature promote the growth of salmon. It has a specific 6km area of the slow-flowing stream, which contains Atlantic salmon in abundance. You can try conventional reel fishing or fly-fishing methods. For fly fishing, size-six flies and strong floating lines will be effective. The smaller lures can perform well in only the shallow depth. Feel free to use size-8 colorful baits in the fall.
- Breiddalsa River: This is an average-size water reservoir situated in the eastern coastal part of Iceland. It is not only stunning but also an excellent salmon hunting spot. The authorities take enough measures to raise the amount of returning salmons. Two-handed 12-foot long rods will be ideal for fly fishing there. Or, you can go for an 8-weight switch rod. Besides, bring artificial flies like snaelda flies, collie dogs, etc. Size-6 to size-12 seems to be the perfect hook.
- Gaula River: It is one of the best productive salmon fisheries in Norway. You can get huge fish from here all months. Carry appropriate gear depending on the season. Using a 15-foot, 10-weight double-handed fly rod can be a wise decision in June. Shift to the shorter (12 feet), 9-weight Spey poles from July to August. It will give a nice outcome with medium to large Sunray shadows or temple dog flies. Prioritize smaller baits in the summer.
- Jokla River: Once upon a time, it was a really dirty river. Things changed over time. It owns a record of yielding above 800 fish in one season. It has an area of 50m that provides sufficient opportunities to get salmon. The success rate is really high with 6 to 8 rods. According to professional anglers, snaelda flies and blue charm work well on fly fishing.
- Orkla River: One more mention-worth place in Norway is the Orkla River. Its shallow depths with fast-flowing streams are one of the greatest fly waters we have ever visited. In general, fishing activities begin in the first weeks of June. We strongly recommend a 14-foot long, 8 to 10-weight Spey rod. Combine it with shrinking lines. Together, they can withstand the fights and load of more than 30-pound big catches. Famous baits are red butt, blue charm, silver doctor, and flies with 1 to 2 inches long wing.
- River Finn: It is a gem of Europe. Apart from fly fishing, spinning and worming techniques can be applied there. The fishing time starts from March and lasts up to mid-September. But June to July times are the best options. Anglers get big bites with both mono or two-handed 8-weight rods, size 8 to 16 hooks. If you prefer spinning, get a 9 to a 10-foot long rod.
- Bonaventure River: It is Canada’s most promising camp for salmon hunting. A good quantity is caught from the first two weeks of June with two-hand rods. One-hand models are usable from July. Try buying high-quality bombers, silver doctors, etc., as baits.
- Kola River: It covers heavy and large salmon that all anglers cherish to catch. Go there in June for the optimum experience. Do not forget your heavy gears, fast sinking lines, big baits, and tubes. During the last week of June, people catch more fish with lighter rods. If you have a double-handed rod, you will definitely enjoy some benefits. Later, you can switch to the single-handers as well. Catching up to three or more salmon is possible within a single day.
- Ponoi River: Thousands of anglers consider it to be the most productive salmon water source. You can capture several large specimens in a day, even in the least effective weeks. Buy two-handed rods for your fishing sessions. Experts suggest 14-foot long rods for 10-weight lines. When it comes to one-handers, pair a 10-foot rod with an 8-weight fly cable. Size-6 or size-4 hooks never fail to hold the aggressive big fish. Smaller versions are only for the shallow water on hot days. Ally’s shrimp, yellow ally, a few types of minnows seem efficient.
