Stories
15th May 2020

The Salmon Fly Kursk

The Kursk fly is a unique fly designed for both salmon and sea trout, created specifically to increase your chances of hooking salmon. Unlike traditional salmon fishing techniques, this fly was invented by one of Finland's top salmon anglers, Antti. His passion for fishing and deep knowledge of salmon led him to develop this distinctive fly, which has proven its effectiveness through numerous catches in the Aaroy River.

The Secret Lies in the Head

The Kursk fly is a gamechanger in salmon fishing, offering a unique and highly effective method. Its revolutionary head is what makes it so special designed to simulate a sinking nymph (food source), it moves so realistically that salmon mistake it for the real thing. This blend of appearance and movement has made it a favorite among experienced anglers looking to improve their success.

An Effective Solution for Challenging Salmon Fishing

The Kursk fly is purpose built for salmon. When traditional methods fail, switching to this fly can significantly improve your chances. It was invented by one of the best salmon anglers I know, Antti from Finland. He's one of the most successful guests when it comes to catching salmon in the Aaroy River.

He developed this fly because he needed something that could cut through the often brutal currents of the river. The typical 45–90 degree cast and downstream swing just wasn't working for him.

That's the classic technique I personally learned, and yes, it works, but it also has its limitations. The technique used for the Kursk fly is simple and most resembles nymph fishing. Over the years, Antti and a fellow Finnish angler developed a heavy head that can be used to tie a salmon fly on a hook.

The fly is tied like a traditional tube fly, but with a twist, a very heavy head. This head is known as the "Kursk head." The fly itself is tied like a nymph, but the nymph head weighs between 1 and 3 grams.

Some of you might be put off by that weight. But for those still reading, here's the good news: this fly catches salmon. And I'm confident that if you learn how to fish it, you will too.

A Proven Method with Convincing Results

Since I first encountered the fly back in 2017, I've only grown more impressed by what it can do. I'm not going to judge its looks or whether I think it's pretty. Frankly, I don't care. It has one job, to catch salmon, and it does that job very, very well.