Riffling hitch is a sport with a foot in 100 year of salmon fishing history. Allegedly the technique derived out of coincidences and trial and error. Old style salmon flies tied on blind eye hooks, either done with a loop of gut or a leader tied directly to the shank of the hook, was easily damaged and the flies where left useless. Anglers picked up on these flies and tied them to the leader...Some flies may have turned sideways and pulled to the surface herby spurring this enticing sport. Below we have used a thick white line to show how you can tie your flies in such manner that they too will drag in the surface. We have chosen to show a series of flies that we and other anglers have had great success with through the years Go directly to flies. All classic patterns but dressed slim on a light hook, and trimmed so they will give the best results when hitched. Plenty of space in front of the head ensures room for the hitches.  Simply, the technique known as: Riffling Hitch is just a couple of half-hitches tied behind the head and eye of the fly so that the leader sits to a right angle of the fly.  The leader can either be tied to extend to the left, or right side of the fly - all depending on what river bank your fishing from. For best performance tie the hitches on the fly so the leader extends from the fly towards the bank - when fly is facing upstream.

Hitched flies will work in all kind of circumstance. Weather and temperature can not always be held as guideline - Saying this I will note that their seems to be a period during summer when a Hitched fly will work extremely well, even during spate and muddy waters the Hitched fly may pull salmon to the top. The flies should be fished at a even phase... Some times you will have to add speed by lifting the rod or mending down stream, at other times you might need to slow the fly down by mending upstream or letting out line. Make sure to follow the fly closely during its path across the river. Salmon tend to leaver their lies to intercept the fly. Often seen by wakes near the fly or flashes of silver below the fly.