If you’ve ever stood by a salmon river in the UK wondering which fly to tie on, you’re not alone. Choosing salmon flies between tube flies, conehead flies, hitch flies, and low water salmon flies can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re newer to the sport. Each style has its own strengths, ideal conditions, and unique fishing feel. In this guide, we’ll break them down in simple terms, so you can fish with confidence and know why you’re using a certain fly.

We’ll explore the history behind these patterns, the conditions they’re best suited for, and the gear tips that make them shine. We’ll also share insights from experienced salmon anglers, practical seasonal advice, and even location-based tips for fishing in the UK and abroad.

By the end, you’ll know exactly when to reach for a tube fly in spring, why coneheads can be magic in autumn, how hitch flies bring surface drama in summer, and why low water salmon flies are your stealth weapon.

Tube flies offer flexibility — you can change hooks easily, adjust for water depth, and fish them year-round. Beginners benefit from their durability and ease of casting.

— Alastair Gowans

Tube Salmon Flies Explained

Tube flies are tied on hollow tubes rather than hooks. This allows you to slide the tube up your leader and attach whatever hook size suits the conditions. They’re popular because they last longer — the hook can be replaced without damaging the fly. This is especially handy for beginners who might snag or dull hooks often.

In UK salmon fishing, tube salmon flies dominate spring fishing when rivers run high and cold. Popular patterns include the Willie Gunn, Cascade, and Sunray Shadow. Bright colors like orange, yellow, and chartreuse help fish spot them in murky water.

When fishing tube salmon flies, match the tube material to your target depth. Plastic tubes float higher, while copper or brass tubes sink faster. In faster flows, heavier tubes help get the fly into the strike zone. Many anglers also adjust the length of their tube flies depending on the aggressiveness of fish — long-winged versions like the Sunray Shadow can provoke hard takes from running salmon, while shorter patterns may be better for holding fish. Tube flies also allow for quick adaptation: if you hook a fish and damage the hook, simply slide the tube up the leader, replace the hook, and carry on without retying the fly itself. This efficiency can make a huge difference during short-lived fishing windows when fish are active. In addition, tubes are highly customizable; you can tie them with synthetic or natural materials, add flash for visibility, or keep them understated for clearer water. Their durability means they withstand repeated takes and casting in heavy water, making them a long-term investment for any fly box.

Conehead Salmon Flies for Depth and Speed

Conehead flies are essentially weighted versions of traditional patterns. A cone-shaped metal head at the front gives them extra weight and a sleek profile. This helps the fly sink quickly in fast water and adds a jigging action when retrieved.

Autumn is prime conehead season in the UK. Rivers often run cooler and fish lie deeper. Coneheads like the Gold Bodied Willie Gunn Conehead or Black Francis Conehead excel here. Use them in spate rivers or deep holding pools.

Coneheads are a go-to in faster, deeper water because the added weight gets the fly down quickly, especially in spate rivers. They're deadly in autumn when fish lie deep.

— Peter McLeod

The added mass of the conehead not only helps with depth but also stabilises the fly in turbulent currents. This stability can be critical when fishing rivers with complex flow patterns or submerged obstructions. The conehead’s streamlined shape pushes water efficiently, giving the fly a natural swimming motion that can trigger takes from lethargic salmon. Many experienced anglers will vary conehead weight depending on conditions, opting for brass cones in moderate flows and tungsten for maximum sink rate in heavy water. Coneheads also allow for larger profiles without compromising casting performance; their weight helps load the rod and deliver the fly accurately even in wind. When fishing deep pools, a slow, deliberate swing with a conehead fly can keep it in the strike zone longer, increasing hookup chances. It’s worth noting that conehead patterns are adaptable beyond salmon — they can be used effectively for species like sea trout or even large trout in deep runs, expanding their utility in a multi-species fly box.

Hitch Salmon Flies: Surface Action for Aggressive Fish

Hitch flies are all about surface excitement. Tied on small tubes, they’re hitched — angled — so they skate or wake across the surface. This triggers aggressive strikes from salmon, grilse, and even sea trout.

Summer low flows are perfect for hitch salmon flies. On rivers like the Dee or Spey, a skated Sunray Hitch can bring fish charging up from deep lies. It’s visual, thrilling fishing that keeps you hooked even if you miss a take.

The unique presentation of hitch salmon flies relies heavily on correct leader setup and casting angles. By placing the hitch point on either side of the tube, you control the direction of the wake, which can be crucial in enticing fish from specific lies. Hitch flies work best in relatively smooth glides or tailouts where the wake is clearly visible to both angler and fish. The takes can be explosive, with salmon sometimes following the fly for several feet before committing. This style of fishing also allows for repeated presentations over the same lie without spooking fish, as the fly stays high and visible rather than passing directly overhead in deeper water. Some anglers will experiment with micro-hitch tubes for very cautious fish, creating a subtle ripple rather than a pronounced wake. Hitch fishing demands focus and quick reactions — missed takes are common, but the thrill of watching a salmon break the surface makes every attempt worthwhile.

Seasonal Strategy for Salmon Flies Selection

Choosing the right salmon fly is about matching the season and water conditions:

• Spring: High water, cold temps — use large, bright tube flies.
• Summer: Low water — switch to hitch flies or low water patterns.
• Autumn: Cooling flows — conehead flies for depth.

This approach increases your chances dramatically.

Learn how weather affects fly choice and adapt your patterns accordingly. Additionally, you can explore salmon fishing techniques to refine your seasonal approach.

A seasonal approach also means being prepared for rapid changes; a warm spell in early spring might call for slightly smaller tubes, while sudden rain in summer can bring rivers up and make coneheads viable even in July. Keeping a variety of sizes and weights in your fly box ensures you can adapt quickly. Many successful anglers track water temperature, clarity, and height daily, adjusting their fly choice accordingly. For example, a drop in water temperature from 14°C to 10°C in autumn might push salmon into deeper lies, making a heavier conehead more effective. Likewise, prolonged low water in summer may demand the most subtle low water patterns paired with fine tippets. By thinking seasonally and environmentally, you can make informed decisions that increase your odds of connecting with fish.

Gear Tips for Salmon Flies Types

Tube salmon flies: Use a floating line with sink tips to adjust depth. Coneheads: Pair with intermediate or sinking lines for faster currents. Hitch flies: Floating lines and long leaders keep the presentation on top. Low water salmon flies: Floating lines, fine tippets, and delicate casts.

Beyond line choice, rod length and action can influence presentation. Longer rods (13–15 feet) offer better mending control for swinging tubes and coneheads in big rivers, while shorter rods may be preferable for precise hitch fly work in confined spaces. Leader construction is equally important; tapered leaders help turnover hitch and low water flies smoothly, while straight leaders with added tippet sections can be beneficial for deep-swinging coneheads. For tube flies, carrying multiple sink tips — from slow to fast sinking — allows you to fine-tune depth without changing the fly. In contrast, hitch fishing benefits from maintaining a consistent floating line setup to preserve surface action. Gear maintenance also matters: sharp hooks are critical, especially with low water flies where takes may be subtle. Regularly check knots, leader abrasion, and fly integrity to avoid losing fish due to preventable gear failures.

International Applications for Salmon Flies

These fly types aren’t just for the UK. Tube and conehead salmon flies work well for Pacific salmon in North America. Hitch flies excel for steelhead in low summer flows. Low water patterns have their place in Scandinavian rivers.

In Norway, long-winged tube flies are a staple for Atlantic salmon, often tied with vibrant colours to match glacial river hues. Icelandic rivers, known for their clarity, demand hitch flies and sparse low water patterns similar to those used in Scotland. In Canada’s British Columbia, conehead Intruder-style patterns are popular for steelhead and chinook salmon, leveraging the same principles of weight and profile. Even in New Zealand, anglers targeting large sea-run brown trout find success with scaled-down coneheads and hitch patterns. The adaptability of these salmon flies comes from their core design concepts — control over depth, speed, and presentation — making them universal tools across varied fisheries. Understanding local conditions and species behaviour will guide which UK-originated patterns translate best to international waters.

Trends and Innovations in Salmon Flies

Modern materials like synthetic hair and flash blends are making salmon flies more durable. Hitch flies are enjoying a revival thanks to their visual appeal. Bright chartreuse, hot orange, and fluoro pink dominate spring patterns, while natural tones lead in autumn.

Prepare your spring fly box this winter with a mix of these styles. You can also learn more about fly materials at our about salmon flies page.

Innovation isn’t limited to materials — tying techniques have evolved too. Modular tube systems now allow anglers to swap wings or bodies on the water, effectively changing fly profiles without carrying dozens of patterns. UV-reactive materials are becoming common, particularly for spring tube flies, as they enhance visibility in stained water. Hitch fly design has also seen experimentation, with multi-hitch points enabling varied wake signatures. Coneheads now come in a range of finishes from matte to holographic, adding subtle or flashy elements depending on preference. The blending of traditional and modern styles has created hybrid patterns that merge the proven success of classics with the durability and visual impact of contemporary materials.

Common Mistakes to Avoid with Salmon Flies

• Using heavy coneheads in shallow summer water — too intrusive.
• Fishing low water salmon flies in murky spate conditions — they won’t stand out.
• Skating hitch flies in freezing spring flows — fish won’t chase.

Another common error is failing to adapt to changing conditions quickly — sticking with a fly that worked in the morning when the water has since dropped or cleared can reduce success. Overdressing low water flies is another pitfall; excess material can make them too visible and unnatural. Conversely, underweighting coneheads for deep pools means they never reach the fish. Poor hook selection for tube flies can also cost fish — match hook size to fly length and target species. Finally, ignoring leader quality and knot strength can lead to heartbreak when a trophy fish is lost due to preventable tackle failure.

FAQs on Salmon Flies

Q: Can I tie my own tube salmon flies as a beginner? A: Yes — they’re beginner-friendly and forgiving.

Q: What’s the main advantage of conehead salmon flies? A: Quick sink rate for deep holding fish.

Q: Are hitch salmon flies effective for large salmon? A: Yes, especially aggressive fish in summer.

Q: Do low water salmon flies work outside summer? A: Yes, in clear autumn conditions or post-spate drops they can be deadly.

Q: Should I use barbless hooks for these salmon flies? A: Many anglers prefer barbless for easier release and less harm to fish.

Adding these to your knowledge base helps tailor your approach and avoid wasted effort.

Final Tips for Using Salmon Flies

Experiment with all styles. Keep notes on conditions and success. Build a fly box with seasonal variety. And most importantly, enjoy the process — salmon fishing is as much about the experience as the catch.

Record details such as water height, temperature, weather, and time of day alongside the fly used. Over time, patterns will emerge showing which salmon flies perform best under specific conditions. Don’t be afraid to try unconventional combinations — sometimes a conehead in summer or a hitch in autumn can trigger takes when nothing else works. Engage with local anglers and ghillies; their insights into river-specific behaviour can shortcut your learning curve dramatically. Above all, maintain a mindset of adaptability and curiosity — the river is never the same two days in a row, and your willingness to adjust will be rewarded.

Conclusion

Tube flies bring versatility, coneheads add depth control, hitch flies deliver surface thrills, and low water salmon flies teach finesse. By understanding each style, you’ll fish smarter and catch more. Use this knowledge to match flies to seasons, adapt to conditions, and grow your salmon fishing skills.

Incorporating these salmon flies into your fishing repertoire ensures you’re prepared for any scenario, from roaring spring torrents to glassy summer glides. As you gain experience, you’ll learn to read subtle cues from the water and fish, choosing the right fly instinctively. Salmon fishing is a lifelong journey of learning and refinement, and mastering these four core fly types is a significant step towards consistent success. Next time you’re by the river, you’ll know exactly which salmon fly to tie on — and why.