Thursday, January 14, 2010
Skeena River Fishing Tips: the Hawaiian Punch
The Hawaiian Punch may look like one of the more outlandish Steelhead flies you've ever seen, but the fact that it shows up well in murky or slightly stained river conditions on the Kalum and Skeena Rivers, combined with its fish-catching abilities has made it one of the most successful flies in our fly boxes . Rodney Daw Photo In conjunction with our Skeena River Fishing Reports for 2010, we've decided to include a section on "Skeena River Fishing Tips" to help give our readers information and direction on the best techniques, tackle and presentations when targeting Salmon and Steelhead in northwest BC rivers, like the mainstem Skeena, Kalum, Kitimat and Copper. So, whether you're a spey caster who loves swinging large Intruder flies or a trophy Chinook angler after the giant leviathans of the deep, there will be something for you to enjoy which just might help you land that next big fish you've been dreaming about.
For this week's Skeena River Fishing Tip, we'll be looking at the Hawaiian Punch, a true standout wet fly pattern for Steelhead and Salmon that our guides and clients have used with great success. The pattern was devised several years ago by lodge manager and head guide, Dustin Kovacvich, when he was experimenting with flies to target the large Steelhead...
on the Kalum River. When Dustin first arrived onto the Skeena scene in Terrace 15 years ago, he had been very successful during the months of August and early September using a bottom bouncing rig that consisted of orange, chartreuse and cerise yarn. Combining this colour combination with materials that impart movement in the water - a key consideration when tying Steelhead flies - namely, rabbit strips and marabou, Dustin figured that he had the making of a great pattern. After a few successful outings and several Steelhead hooked on the fly, Dustin started having clients fish this fly with confidence on rivers such as the Kalum, and Skeena which have a slightly murky, glacial green colour, or, during high water conditions when visibility is reduced. The recipe for the Hawaiian Punch is as follows:
Hook: Eagle Claw 1197N Sizes 1 and 4 or substitute
Thread: Fire Orange
Tail: Fluorescent Chartreuse Rabbit Strip
Body: Cross Cut Fluorescent Orange Rabbit Strip
Hackle: Cerise Pink Marabou
Topping: Pearl Flashabou
Variants: Bead head, tube fly, or Intruder style
Lastly, if you've wondered how the fly got its unique name, it was named by guest Nick Anderson because it reminded him of the little guy on the Hawaiian Punch can with the funky hair! If you're planning on fishing the Skeena River near Terrace BC, or fishing your home Steelhead waters, be sure to give the Hawaiian Punch a few casts - I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised with the results! For more information on recommended gear while fishing the Hawaiian Punch on the Skeena system, be sure to check out our Fly Fishing Gear and Equipment lists.
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