Michigan Flies

Flies / Streamer

Ed's Salmon Alevin

A

A yolk-sac fry imitation in Chuck Hawkins' spring Great Lakes top five, dead-drifted or swung when Chinook alevins emerge from the gravel in March and April; fish also take it as a caddis larva dislodged by spawning steelhead. Michigan TU notes alevin and smelt patterns are effective in spring on rivers with a prior fall salmon run.

#8–12Translucent with orange yolk sac
What the pattern looks like
Reference photos of the Ed's Salmon Alevin tied by others, shared by their photographers. Not our flies; our own product photos replace these as they are shot.

Photo © the photographer, used with permission

Season
Months this pattern is in play across Michigan, derived from what it imitates.
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec
Imitates

Forage

  • Salmon and steelhead fry and alevin
Fish it for
SteelheadBrown troutRainbow trout (resident)

Setups

  • Indicator nymphing
  • Swinging flies (spey / switch)
  • Streamers

Sources