Hey all, Chris here with an exciting reminder: Great Lakes salmon season is just around the corner! In fact, we’ve already heard reports of a few early arrivals in the rivers. While current summer heat makes it tough on these fish and we recommend holding off until water temps cool, they’ll be here in force soon. By late August, many rivers will have fresh salmon making their annual run.

That means now is the perfect time to prep your gear and make a game plan. These fish arrive fast, and the best action happens when you’re ready to hit the water as conditions align.

Salmon are big, powerful fish, the kind that break rods if your setup isn’t ready. For these runs, a 9-foot or 10-foot 8-weight rod is ideal, paired with a quality reel that has a strong, smooth drag. Your most versatile choice for lines is a floating line, which works well whether you’re swinging flies or nymphing. Consider something with extra casting power, like the RIO Gold XP or RIO Gold  Max , to handle larger flies and heavier indicator rigs.

When it comes to leaders, there’s no need to go ultra-light. A 12lb salmon/steelhead leader is a solid starting point, with the option to drop down tippet size if needed.

Early in the run, salmon respond well to streamers for aggressive eats and egg flies. You can’t go wrong with a range of egg fly colors, stock up or grab one of our Great Lakes Salmon Kits to cover all your bases!

The two biggest triggers for a strong salmon push are cooler weather and rain. Keep an eye on long-range forecasts and be ready to fish when those conditions line up. Over the next few weeks, we’ll keep sharing weekly fishing forecasts and local reports so you can stay ahead of the action.

If you’re unsure where to go, what flies to use, or how to get fully geared up for salmon season, drop by the shop or get in touch, we’re here to help you hook into some of the most exciting fish of the year!