Pink / Humpy Salmon

Pink / Humpy Salmon are a bonus fish that shows up every other year.  The run of Puget Sound pink salmon is one of the largest biomasses on earth.  These fish enter the rivers of Washington state on ODD numbered years in July and August.  They are on an opposite schedule in Alaska and show up on EVEN numbered years up there.  

They are a blast to catch.  They will eat a ton of different flies, including topwater poppers.  Pinks are really color-conscious.  They highly prefer very bright colors, especially cerise pink, chartreuse or bright orange.  Flashy and bright are key.  They don't need to be big, just bright and moving. 

A 6wt - 8wt rod with a floating line and 8-10lb tippet is great.  You can fish for pinks/humpies on the shore of the saltwater or on the banks of the rivers.  They will let you know right away if they are in the river.  Stock up on bright pink, chartreuse or sometimes orange flies and get on it!

*Fun note*  They are called Pink Salmon, not because they like pink flies, or have pink meat (both are true).  They are called pink salmon because "pinky" is Dutch for smallest (your pinky finger is the smallest) and they are the smallest Pacific salmon.