The Green Highlander Salmon Single Hook Fly
The Green Highlander pattern refuses to die because it still bring great results. The modern version of the famous fully dressed pattern uses hair-wing.
SALMON AND STEELHEAD SINGLE HOOK FLY PATTERNS. Hook size 6 8 - $US each
This method is used to update and improve many of the old traditional patterns. The original was designed during the latter part of the 19th century by Mr Grant of Wester, Elchies. The older fly called the highlander is considered the forerunner of the Green Highlander. It is notable as it is one of the few green classic salmon flies. For some reason, apart from the Green Highlander, green flies never became popular in Great Britain in times past unlike today. Try our Green Highlander Double Hook Salmon Fly and Green Highlander Treble Hook Salmon Fly.
A boil on the river water surface usually indicates a submerged rock. Salmon resting upstream of the rock will seldom leave shelter to follow a fly into the fast stream. Fish from well above the boil with a sink-tip or sinking line and try to keep your Green Highlander fly over the fish.
Salmon often rest beside a submerged rock where the current is diverted sideways, but they seldom lie close downstream because there is too much turbulence. They can be fished for in the same manner, but you will find it difficult to give them long enough to decide to take the fly. Returning salmon seldom eat as they start their fast to the time when they spawn. They will attack a fly that gets to close or follow and take a fly because it has triggered a natural hunting instinct from when they were a small salmon parr feeding in the freshwater to gain strength before it entered the sea.
A salmon is often found lying some distance away, where the surface boil disappears. The water looks like it is flowing fast, but in reality it runs more slowly near the bottom as it is still in the shadow of the river flow rock obstruction. The salmon also like to lie at these types of locations to take advantage of the silting from the rock. Your fly as to go deep to reach them.
Never fish for salmon with a leader that is too light for the size of fish you are hoping to catch. It is stupid to make the wrong selection and have it brake on you and leave your Green Highlander fly in the jaw of a good salmon that swims off trailing a length of nylon.
You may need a breaking strain of 20 lb to fish big flies to heavy fish in Norway, but in British rivers you seldom, if ever, need to go heavier than 12 lb. Find out the expected size of the local fish where you are casting your line. Read fishing reports from previous years on line.
The depth at which your Green Highlander salmon fly should fish depends primarily on water temperature. In spring or late autumn/fall, when the water is likely to be cold, salmon are less active and lie deep. Your fly has to be fished down to where they are lying. In the summer, when the water warms up, they will rise to take a fly fished above them.
CUSTOMER'S COMMENT
Have to say a size 12 Green Highlander for salmon as I was lucky enough to be in the right place in Russia to catch a 46.5lb, Adrian Latimer, France
CUSTOMER'S COMMENT
I went fishing 4th April. I caught a nice Cherry salmon on the Green Highlander fly. - Shinzou Tanaka, Japan
CUSTOMER'S COMMENT
The Green Highlander is my favourite 'change' fly! In Scotland I also carry Willie Gunns, Cascades and Ally's Shrimps if I get no interest! Great wee fly! Gregor McGregor HK