Our picks of salmon fishing flies

Its early spring, hence a mixture of classic salmon patterns together with  those more associated with early running fish. The Willie Gunn and Park Shrimp feature the renowned colour combinations of oranges, blacks and yellows and make a good bet at most times of the year. Fishing copper tube and conehead patterns in these flies helps in getting down to the  spring fish’s level, and reports are that both flies have already accounted for spring fish this year on rivers including the Dee, Tweed and Tay. The Ice Maiden, Blue Boyo and Green Highlander are more spring specific patterns. Flashes of blue, green and silver, increasingly tied on the new ‘Salar’ hooks give these flies a traditional spring feel, and they look the business in the clear spring currents. A great tip is to tie your flies to your leader with a ‘Rapala’ knot, giving that bit of extra movement that might entice a pull.