Fish Species for FlyFishing
There are thousands of freshwater and saltwater species of fish. Some are targeted by fly fisherman, or should I
say fly fisher person. Other species of fish, are just the by product and accidentally caught. More exotic fish are
being targeted by fly fishing and new techniques are developed to catch different species every day.
Some of these fish, depending on country and region, may have several different names, especially in the salmon
family. Some fish may also have different subspecies as well. Here are some common fish species both freshwater and
salt, that are pursued all over the world.
Arctic grayling
The Arctic grayling (Thymallus articus) is a freshwater fish that is part of the salmon family. It is also known as
the Alaska grayling. It has five subspecies and can be found in Canada, Alaska, Siberia and Russia as well as other
places throughout the Artic and Pacific. It eats insects, larvae, fish eggs and crustaceans. It grows to about 2 to
3 lbs (1 to 1.3 kg).
Atlantic salmon
The Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is found in the Atlantic ocean and rivers that flow into the Pacific and
Atlantic. Juveniles eat mayflies, stoneflies and caddis flies. Adults feed on shrimp, small fish, eels and even
squid.
Atlantic tarpon
The Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) is considered a great game fish, for it's strength, endurance and
acrobatics. It feeds on crustaceans and smaller fish. Most tarpon outfits are 10-12 weight rods. They can be fished
for on the flats in shallow water and are very hard to hook, because of their hard mouth. They are not considered
good eating becuase of the bones. They are generally a catch and release fish.
Barramundi
Much sought after fish found from Indo-pacifc regions from Japan to the Persian gulf. The Barramundi (Lates
calcarifer) can live in freshwater and saltwater and is popular fishing for in parts of Australia. It changes from
male to female at roughly two years of age. It has great acrobatics and strength and excellent eating.
Bluefish
Bluefish (Pomatmus saltatrix) is also called Shad and Elf in South Africa. In
Australia it is called tailor and it is found in all marine environments. It's jaws are razor sharp and feed on
other fish, shrimp and squid. Bluefish swim in schools and like hunting around drop offs. They have been known to
even strike unbaited shiny hooks!
Bonefish
Bonefish are considered to be one of the top premier game fish because of their fighting abilities. They maybe
pound for pound the fastest and strongest saltwater fish. Bonefish (Albula vulpes) inhabit tropical waters like the
Florida Keys and Hawaii. They feed on crabs, worms and shrimp and hunt in shallow waters. They are also called gray
ghost and phantom, because of their ability to disappear.
Brook trout
Also known as Speckled trout and Coaster trout, the Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) prefers higher altitudes.
Some have a beautiful sprinkling of red dots and blue along it's flank. The Brook trout is susceptible to pollution
and competes with other species, making it vulnerable in some countries.
Brown trout
Brown trout (Salmo trutta) have been widely introduced into the waters of the world, like New Zealand, North
America, South America and Australia. Brown trout are considered to be natives to Europe and Asia. Brown trout are
considered harder to catch than rainbow trout. They prefer cover like undercut banks, weedy areas and submerged
trees and rocks. Their diet includes a wide variety of insects, small fish, frogs and are even known to take
mice.
Chinook salmon
The Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) is the biggest of the Pacific salmon family and are generally found
in deeper waters. Also known as King, Quinnant and Red Salmon. Found in Alaska and even introduced to lakes in
Australia.
Common Snook
A marine fish that lives in the Atlantic ocean and Caribbean sea and can enter fresh water. Sargeant fish and
Robalo are other names for the Common snook (Centropomus undecimalis). It has a black distinctive stripe along the
lateral line. It is one of the biggest snooks and feeds on smaller fish crabs and shrimps.
Crappie
Black Crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) and White Crappie (Pomoxis annularis) eat a wide range of food, from
insects, crustaceans and small fish. They are popular with ice-fishers and are tasty to eat. Other names for
crappie's are, Calico bass, Strawberry bass, White perch, Specks and Papermouths.
Cutthroat trout
There are several subspecies of Cutthroat trout (Omcorhynchus clarki) which can have all different coloration's and
habitats. All of them however, have a distinctive red, pink or orange color on their lower jaw. It is a species of
freshwater fish of the Salmon family.
Grayling
Grayling is widespread from Europe to Russia. Grayling (Thymallus thymallus) is part of the freshwater fish in the
salmon family. Grayling feed on a wide variety of insects, zooplankton, other small fish and even spiders. Dry
flies and nymphs can be effective for the 'lady of the stream.'
Taimen
The Taimen (Hucho taimen) is also known as the Siberian salmon or Siberian taimen is the largest salmon in the
world. It apparently can weigh up to 200 lb and live to 50 years old. It lives in Eurasia and Russia.
Largemouth bass
The largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) is also known as Widemouth bass, Florida bass, bigmouth, black bass,
Green trout, Largemouth bass, Bucketmouth and Green Bass. They eat a wide variety of foods, from small fish, frogs,
insects and even eat small birds and baby alligators. It is a popular sport fish in America, found in most states
and has excellent fighting abilities.
Pike
The Northern Pike or Pike (Esox Lucius) is found in the Northern hemisphere, from Russia, Europe To North America.
They are aggressive hunters and have sharp teeth. They eat a variety of fish by lying in wait, then ambushing it's
prey. It is bony, although considered fair eating in some countries.
Peacock bass
There are six known species of Peacock bass which are found in South America, Malaysia and parts of United States.
The Peacock bass (Cichla ocellaris) are good fighters and will take streamers and poppers. Most have three vertical
stripes on their bodies and a spot on their tail.
Permit
The Permit fish (Trachinotus falcatus) is found in shallow tropical waters of the
Western Atlantic. In Australia they are also called a Snub Nosed Dart. The Permit has great fighting ability,
stamina and are common to 25 lbs. They mainly feed on bottom-dwelling crabs, shrimp, small clams, and small
fish.
Rainbow trout
Rainbow trout have a beautiful red or pink strip along the lateral line. It is found in at least 45 countries
throughout New Zealand, Europe, Asia Australia and South and North America. The Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
has a tendency to feed more at the surface than the Brown trout and frequently will jump out of the water when
caught. They are a popular sport fish and sometimes can be seen jumping high out of the water at passing
dragonflies and damselflies. The Rainbow trout eat a wide variety of insect, crustaceans and small fish. The ocean
going trout are also known as Steelhead or Ocean trout.
Smallmouth bass
The Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui) prefer much deeper water than Largemouth Bass. It can be found in
rivers and lakes of Canada and North America. Other names are Brownie, Bronze bass Brown bass, Smallie and
Bronzeback. It eats crustaceans that inhabit the rocky areas it prefers , as well as insects, leeches and smaller
fish. Smallmouth bass are a very popular game fish.
Sockeye salmon
The Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) is also called Blueback salmon and Red salmon. At spawning the body can
become a brilliant bright scarlet color. They feed on plankton and shrimp. The sockeye salmon ranges from Japan,
United States, Siberia to Canada.
Spotted bass
The Spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus) feeds on frogs, crustaceans, smaller fish and insects. It resembles a
Largemouth bass. They are excellent fighters and are also called Kentucky bass and Spotted Black bass.
Spotted seatrout
Other names for the Spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) are Speckled Trout, Spec and Spotted Weakfish. It occurs
in the Western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. It's diet includes crustaceans, shrimp and other small fish. Spotted
seatrout hunt near sea grass beds of shallow bays and estuaries during the warmer months.
Striped bass
The Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) can live in both freshwater and saltwater environments. It can be found in
parts of the Atlantic and are also called Striper, Rockfish and Lineside, as horizontal lines run down it's body.
Striped bass have two sharp points on each gill cover and hunt smaller fish.
White Bass
The White bass (Morone chrysops) is also named Sand Bass, Barfish, Streaker and Silver Bass. They can be found in
schools and the White bass is a freshwater fish. A lot of their feeding occurs near the surface where some fish,
crustaceans, and emerging insects can be found. White bass are excellent fighters, and are considered good
eating.
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