Here's my most deadly weapon salmon fly pattern the Copperass. I built a thriving salmon fishing guide business on the back of this pattern such is its salmon attracting potency. For anyone who would like their salmon fly rod pulled out of their hands here's the correct fly dressing materials;
Hook: 1

This is an extra special low Summer water salmon fly that used to be the only fly to fish on the West coast Scottish salmon river. This pattern is exceptionally productive during July.

Look at this perfectly tied Jock's Shrimp salmon fly that's been tied with soft 'movement inducing' materials like Arctic fox. When a fly like this is swum in the stream these fine fibres come alive and make the fly move like a live creature therefore making them much more effective than other stiffer fly tying materials.

The Silver Stoat Salmon fly is a superb low and clear water salmon fly for Summer use. I've seen so many salmon come to this fly over the decades and especially during June, July & August.

This weapon of a salmon fly was created by myself over a few seasons of testing on the River Tay when serving as Head Ghillie and salmon fishing guide on the Newtyle Beat. This is a deadly late Summer and Autumn salmon fly. Enough said!

Here's a lovely well stocked salmon fly box containing a few highly effective salmon flies. It's good practice to sort out your fly boxes a few times every season and get your fly stock in good order like this. The predominant fly pattern that you see in this big fly box is the Monteith 'Copperass' pattern which is a particularly effective salmon fly which I designed while working on the Tay as a professional salmon guide.

Here's Jock Monteith powering upstream in a traditional larch built River Tay salmon fishing 'coble' boat at the confluence of the River Tay & River Tummel during the month of May. Jock has his cold weather clothing on and Tweed cap in addition to his life jacket which is essential for all boat or riverbank duties.

Salmon Fly Fishing Scotland

By Jock Monteith 26th June 2026

While salmon fishing the beautiful rivers of Scotland it is crucial you have complete faith in the fly pattern you're fishing with.

This is a logical yet illogical part of salmon fishing as a salmon will only ever take the fly you're using and you'll never truly know if that same fish would have come off its lie for a different salmon fly pattern.

Scottish Salmon Fishing Experience

Over the decades I've been involved in Scottish salmon fishing I've seen salmon caught on all types and sizes of salmon fly. This makes me think that a taking salmon will probably come to intercept the vast majority of patterns. The fly I'm looking for however is the one that will attract a salmon that has seen everything else and I've a few 'hybrid' patterns that are just a little bit different that seem to do the trick nicely.

Attractive Salmon Flies

It could be something a subtle as a UV varnish coating on the body of the fly or a few strands of thin gold holographic tinsel tied into the wing that gives the fly a very different look in the water. I personally like a copper body as when I was learning to salmon fish back in the 70's my late mentor 'Willie Laird' always advised me to fish with copper in my fly or lure and I did so with great effect.

This is a very deadly salmon fly throughout the salmon fishing season in Scotland. This 'Jock's Shrimp' pattern I developed over a 5 year period of daily riverbank salmon reaction observations on the River Tay while working as a professional Scottish salmon ghillie in Perthshire.

Salmon Fly Material Choice

The other thing that makes a big difference is the materials that are used to make up the fly. Many commercial fly tiers go with the lower costing buck tails but I'd take the softer materials like Arctic fox tail any day in the week. The reason I say this is because these softer materials have a much more life like waggle to them in the stream so are much more likely to get a positive reaction from a fish.

This salmon fly pattern was designed by myself 20 years ago as a professional salmon fishing guide and has accounted for hundreds of salmon for me personally of the years and for many of my salmon fishing trip anglers too. Here's the dressing information;
Hook: 1

Develop Faith In Your Salmon Fly

The number one ingredient in salmon fly selection is however 'faith' as it's crucial that you feel you're fishing effectively at all times with whatever fly you've chosen. The other things to consider when fishing any fly is to make sure the speed and depth of your salmon fly is optimised to match the prevailing water and temperature conditions.