Steelhead Patterns

[smallieFanatic 0]

Looking for some good working fall steelhead patterns (Pacific). Any help appretiated.

[fliesandfish 0]

hey,

 

leaches... eggsuckers, bunny flies, speys for swinging, intruders, buggers buggers buggers, egg patterns 16-10(contraversial but i would go ahead.) articulated flies such as sculpins(great lakes). You can do well with most attractor patterns. Considering the conditions are right you will never forget the thrill of these fish. I myself am begininer but still

i hope this helps.

 

Busted knuckles,

Chris

[letumgo 0]

Jan - Here are my favorite steelhead flies. Each of these patterns have caught many many fish for me.

 

The Racoon (http://www.flytyingforum.com/pattern4759.html)

POP Fly Soft Hackle (http://www.flytyingforum.com/pattern4714.html)

Spectrum Leech (http://www.flytyingforum.com/pattern6292.html)

Sherbert Bugger (http://www.flytyingforum.com/pattern4758.html)

Altmar Special (http://www.flytyingforum.com/pattern5611.html)

Magog Smelt Bucktail (http://www.flytyingforum.com/pattern5376.html)

 

and don't forget the ever popular orange woolly bugger...

 

[smallieFanatic 0]

Thanks guys that is a HUGE help!

[smallieFanatic 0]

Ray what type of fly line do you use for steelhead?

[letumgo 0]

I generally fish with a floating line with a 9 foot leader plus ~3 feet of fluorocarbon tippet (6 lb test). My favorite rod has been a 10 foot (8 wt) rod that I built a few years ago. You can use a shorter and lighter rod, but I just like the way this size rod handles these steelhead. I tend to fish smaller streams, which is why I like the floating line. If your fishing big water, you may need to switch to a sinking line, or at least a sink tip line. When the streams start to freeze later in the season, your better off with a sinking line (less problems with ice chunks dragging your line).

[smallieFanatic 0]

Okay, thank you so much for all the info.

[ChuckingFluff 0]

Careful Jan, chrome is very addictive. Where you fishing?

 

I like Rays flies I've used and caught steel on them. I also use purple egg sucking leeches a lot and egg patterns.

 

I use a Snowbee 8/9 spey rod for the larger rivers. On the smaller rivers I use an inexpensive 10 foot 7wt 2pc from Albright (best $40 ever spent) with WF SA Mastery line and a 10 foot leader, same tippet as Ray you can't go wrong with 6lb floro.

 

Hope you get a good one, they really make your reel scream.

[smallieFanatic 0]

If it works out, I'm going to be fishing the Snake river in Idaho.

Thanks for all the helpful information!

[riffleriversteelheadslayer 0]

mysis shrimp and just about any hairwing streamer in bright colors my favorites are greenhighlander and silver doctor

[GR8LAKES FLYER 0]

If it works out, I'm going to be fishing the Snake river in Idaho.

Thanks for all the helpful information!

 

Are you using an outfitter or guide ?? If not , contact Lee and Nancy Davidson at Snake River Outfitters , they will have up to date info for you . Great people !! Lee is also a certified FFF two-handed casting instructor . If you have the time , he will introduce you to the world of Spey . Be very careful though , once you have discovered "the power of the Dark-side" you will be forever changed !!

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[smallieFanatic 0]

No I will not be using a guide. Thanks for the reference, I'll give them a call.

[flytyinfreak 0]

Call Poppi at the the Red Shed in Clearwater ID, He's got the lowdown on all things spey and steel on that river. The spaypages [/color] are to spey fishing what the fly tying forum is to well ,,,tying. Here is a link to all the fly shops in Boise if you'll be on the west end of the state. Boise fly shops The link is actually westfly , they are the consumate fishing source for the pacific northwest. The run has dried up a little lately (from what I understand) but if anybody knows what the deal is those guys at westfly will give you the lowdown, as well as Poppi at the redshed, he's a pacific northwest institution!

[rstout 0]

Jan,

 

If you are going to fish the Snake or Clearwater around Lewiston/Clarkston, you should give Mark a call at the Tradtional Sportsman in Lewiston. 208-746-6688. He will be more than happy to help you. I have heard that they are catching fish on the Clearwater close to Orofino and the fish on the Snake have moved up and they are catching fish on the Snake, Rhonde, and the Salmon near Riggins. The Snake and Salmon are bigger water, the Clearwater a little smaller and the Rhonde is a little smaller yet.

 

I am just getting into fly fishing for steelies so I haven't got much experience swinging flies. Give Mark a call.

 

Rob

[ChuckingFluff 0]

I'm up here in the North and I know of Poppi, I think anyone who's into spey knows Poppi.