Fishing Alaska - Chum Salmon

Chum salmon spin fishing techniques for Alaska include pitching light weight spinners in shallow pools, swimming subsurface jigs and retrieving spoons mid-river while concentrating on slack-water area and the seam between the main river channel and an eddy or current break. Many of the backwater sloughs and oxbows we fish are clear and fairly shallow. Spinners and light jigs offer versatility when sight casting to chums in these clear-water areas. As with other salmon, always cast beyond schooling fish to avoiding spooking them. Chums that congregate in deeper areas of pools and sloughs tend to be the most aggressive. Fast retrieves often trigger the most aggressive fish into explosive strikes.

Fly fishing chum salmon offers awesome spot and stalk action. Chums in shallow clear pools can be fished with subsurface flies or top water gurglers and wogs. Chums are highly territorial and will chase readily after any large, bright gaudy fly presented with an erratic retrieve. Chums hit hard and provide fly fishermen with an unparalleled fight. Chums are popular with fly fishing guests in late July and August as they provide a wonderful addition to great silver and pink salmon fishing. Chums often are found in the same proximity as these other salmon species. Chums are typically the largest of the salmon we catch while fly fishing in August. Please see our Alaska fly fishing guide for more details.

Be sure to visit our signature Alaska fly patterns page for more suggested coho flies. Chum salmon are very aggressive and these fish are fans of slack water areas off the main channel and in backwater sloughs and eddies. Swing, strip or skate one of these flies through schools of holding chums. Presentation in front of chums with fly swimming across or away from their nose almost always triggers aggressive strikes. Usually chum flies do not need to be weighted heavily. Bead chain eyes or 3-4 lead wire wraps on the shank will suffice. This will simply help the streamer to sink immediately after presenting your cast. Chums will hit top water, so be sure to reference the gurgler from our Silver fly page. Usually you will see chums in areas you find silvers. Many of our fly fishing guests have found that green flies are most successful overall, but mix things up to discover what works best for you.

For a breakdown of all peak periods visit our Alaska peak salmon run calendar. Chum salmon peak in late July through late August in tandem with silver salmon. View our Alaska peak fishing calendar to plan your ideal adventure. Native trout fishing is consistent throughout the summer season. As for other salmon species, when you visit our lodge determines which species are available in our river system.