I’ve been tying the River King for about 8 years. It used to be
called just Paul’s Salmon Fly, but in 2002 I became a
grandfather. My son named him Christopher River, so
I renamed the fly to Christopher River King. It’s a
great salmon fly.
Dressing for the Christopher River King:
Hook: Gamakatsu B10S, size 2/0
Stinger Hook: Red octopus, size 2.
Thread: Flymaster Plus 210 denier.
Lead or Lead Free Wire: 030
Crystal Flash: Pearl.
Flashabou: (6905)
Hot Glue: Color of your choice.
Marabou Blood Quill: Color of your choice.
Rabbit Fur: Cross Cut Zonker Strips, color your choice.
Method for the Christopher River King:
-
Snell a size 2 Red Octopus hook with 30# test mono.
-
Tie 2 skeins McFly foam yarn to bottom of hook. Use white thread
or matching yarn color.
- Tie 3 skeins of yarn to top of hook.
- Pull yarn tight and cut to form egg.
- Use Gamakatsu hook (b10s) size 2/0. With a hot glue gun
make egg for head of fly.
- Lay down a layer of thread on the hook, full length.
Secure mono to hook, wrapping tight. Cement may be added.
- Tie on 15-20 strands of Pearl Krystal flash. Wrap on 20 turns
.030 lead wire.
- Tie on 15-20 strands of Pearl Krystal flash. Wrap on 20 turns
.030 lead wire.
- Palmer Marabou Quill.
- Tie on 15-20 strands of Pearl Flashabou (6905).
- Tie on a cross-cut zonker strip. Color of choice.
- Palmer zonker strip to back of egg. Whip finish. Complete!
~ Paul Smith
For more great flies, check out: and
Originally published June 2, 2008 on Fly Anglers Online by Paul Smith.