Home Podcast WFS 464 – Fly Fishing for Atlantic Salmon with Topher Browne –...

WFS 464 – Fly Fishing for Atlantic Salmon with Topher Browne – Casting Tips, Swinging Flies, Arthur Wood

By Dave -

June 19, 2023

In this podcast, learn Fly Fishing for Atlantic Salmon with Topher Browne!

Fly Fishing for Atlantic Salmon with Topher Browne. Hit play below!

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(Read the Full Transcript at the bottom of this Blog Post)

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fly fishing for atlantic salmon

Show Notes with Topher Browne on Fishing for Atlantic Salmon

05:30 – Quebec has one of the best pay-to-play access to fish Atlantic salmon. In Nova Scotia, you have to get a salmon license for about 125 CAD to fish any rivers there the whole season.

08:30 – The Kola Peninsula in Russia is a great destination for Atlantic salmon but unfortunately, it’s now closed because of the recent war. Topher noted that Norway and Quebec are his two favorites for Atlantic salmon fishing.

17:10 – Topher’s best week for fishing Atlantic salmon is when he caught 45 of them.

fly fishing for atlantic salmon

18:10 – Topher is looking for fish that will kick his ass.

23:05 – Temperature affects the Atlantic salmon numbers and activity but it has more to do with water levels.

26:30 – Topher talks about the book, Greased Line Fishing.

fly fishing for atlantic salmon

32:20 – Topher wrote a book for Wild River Press called, Atlantic Salmon Magic which took 2nd place in the National Book Awards.

43:20 – Bigger flies (4 to 5 inches long) work better if the river is big and muddy so that the fish can see it. If the water is clear, you can use smaller flies.

46:25 – Topher’s favorite fly is the Picasse fly pattern which is a French-Canadian fly.

fly fishing for atlantic salmon — Photo by GaspeFlyShop.com

50:30 – Topher teaches Spey casting lessons with Rick Kustich and a few other Spey anglers.

53:50 – In a good season, the average weight of Atlantic salmon they catch is around 12 to 14 pounds.

56:00 – We’ve had Rick Kustich on the podcast at WFS 277 where we dug into advanced tactics for steelhead fishing.

59:00 – Topher talks about Spey Nation. Check out the events schedule here.

1:02:00 – The frequently asked questions about Atlantic salmon fishing are:

What should I get for gear?

Topher recommends a 14-foot, 8 or 9-wt rod if you are to bring just one rod. Then use a floating line. He breaks down the other options.

2. How do I set a hook on a wet fly? If that fly is coming across, what do I do?

Answer: You really don’t want to do very much. Topher explains why.

1:11:45 – Travis Johnson recently won Spey-O-Rama at the Golden Gate.

1:17:15 – Topher got featured on Forbes.com, authored by Monte Burke. Read that article here. Topher recommends getting Monte on the podcast.

1:19:40 – We talk about Long Rod Resurgence.

1:25:55 – We noted Whitney Gould, who’s the best fly caster in North America between single-handed and two-handed. She’s won Spey-O-Rama 8 times. She also won the US National Casting Tournament.

1:29:50 – Topher noted the conservation group, Atlantic Salmon Federation based in New Brunswick Canada. He serves on their National Counsel. He also noted the North Atlantic Salmon Fund in Iceland. Lastly, he noted the Atlantic Salmon Trust in UK.