Steelhead flies

[Warren]

I am going steelhead fishing for the first time and was wondering if any
of you could suggest flies. So far I have been looking at several of
the "standards," but there is a lot of flies that I am unaware of and
don't know what sizes I need to tie. I spoke with "someone in the
know" at the local shop and they told me to #6s because sizes change
during the year or some such crap. I don't know **** and so wasn't
ready to argue......

Flies I am thinking of tying are:

Green Butt Black Bears
Black Doses
Blue Charms
Coal Cars
Freight Trains
Highlanders
Krystal Eggs
Ponoi Greens and Reds
Signal Lights
Undertakers

Is that a decent selection or are more needed? Do I need more sizes
other than #6s? Having just one size sounds funky to me...... Anybody
have any suggestions on other cool flies I should consider?
--
Warren
(use troutbum_mt(nospam) and earthlink dot net to reply via email)

[bugcaster]

"Warren" > wrote in message
...
>I am going steelhead fishing for the first time and was wondering if any
> of you could suggest flies. So far I have been looking at several of
> the "standards," but there is a lot of flies that I am unaware of and
> don't know what sizes I need to tie. I spoke with "someone in the
> know" at the local shop and they told me to #6s because sizes change
> during the year or some such crap. I don't know **** and so wasn't
> ready to argue......
>
> Flies I am thinking of tying are:
>
> Green Butt Black Bears
> Black Doses
> Blue Charms
> Coal Cars
> Freight Trains
> Highlanders
> Krystal Eggs
> Ponoi Greens and Reds
> Signal Lights
> Undertakers
>
> Is that a decent selection or are more needed? Do I need more sizes
> other than #6s? Having just one size sounds funky to me...... Anybody
> have any suggestions on other cool flies I should consider?
> --
> Warren
> (use troutbum_mt(nospam) and earthlink dot net to reply via email)


One of my favorites is
http://www.westfly.com/patterns/steelhead/streetwalker.shtml

Sometimes with pink legs for more action. It can be tied larger for darker
water, as the dark purple will silhouette well, yet the flash is dynamic on
a sunny day.

[Warren]

bugcaster wrote...
<snipped good info for a newbie, mainly ME>
> Sometimes with pink legs for more action. It can be tied larger for darker
> water, as the dark purple will silhouette well, yet the flash is dynamic on
> a sunny day.

Thanks a bunch!

So is there any truth to size of flies and time of year/run? Knowing
the mystery that surrounds this type of fishing, it wouldn't surprise me
one bit if this were some sort of lore. Based upon your experience, is
there any truth to it?
--
Warren
(use troutbum_mt(nospam) and earthlink dot net to reply via email)

[bugcaster]

"Warren" > wrote in message
...
>
> So is there any truth to size of flies and time of year/run? Knowing
> the mystery that surrounds this type of fishing, it wouldn't surprise me
> one bit if this were some sort of lore. Based upon your experience, is
> there any truth to it?
> --
> Warren
> (use troutbum_mt(nospam) and earthlink dot net to reply via email)

I'd say that Chas and Bob Weinberger have more experience than I. I've
heard about water conditions, not time of year. Even in the August heat,
when you would assume water would be clear, the White River can dump silt
laden water into the Deschutes so a larger fly might be used down river.
The Coastal waters have that nice steelhead green during the winter as they
are dropping and clearing, so the test for me has always been the color of
the water, not season. But then, I don't catch that many anyway. );

I checked out Bob's latest adventure on the Klickitat from another site, and
I'd say he is the master on steelhead. Hopefully he will post a TR on his
float.

[hermit]

Sucker spawn is a favorite here in Northwestern PA.

On Wed, 29 Sep 2004 22:31:36 -0600, Warren > wrote:

>I am going steelhead fishing for the first time and was wondering if any
>of you could suggest flies. So far I have been looking at several of
>the "standards," but there is a lot of flies that I am unaware of and
>don't know what sizes I need to tie. I spoke with "someone in the
>know" at the local shop and they told me to #6s because sizes change
>during the year or some such crap. I don't know **** and so wasn't
>ready to argue......
>
>Flies I am thinking of tying are:
>
>Green Butt Black Bears
>Black Doses
>Blue Charms
>Coal Cars
>Freight Trains
>Highlanders
>Krystal Eggs
>Ponoi Greens and Reds
>Signal Lights
>Undertakers
>
>Is that a decent selection or are more needed? Do I need more sizes
>other than #6s? Having just one size sounds funky to me...... Anybody
>have any suggestions on other cool flies I should consider?

[hermit]

Sucker spawn is a favorite here in Northwestern PA.

On Wed, 29 Sep 2004 22:31:36 -0600, Warren > wrote:

>I am going steelhead fishing for the first time and was wondering if any
>of you could suggest flies. So far I have been looking at several of
>the "standards," but there is a lot of flies that I am unaware of and
>don't know what sizes I need to tie. I spoke with "someone in the
>know" at the local shop and they told me to #6s because sizes change
>during the year or some such crap. I don't know **** and so wasn't
>ready to argue......
>
>Flies I am thinking of tying are:
>
>Green Butt Black Bears
>Black Doses
>Blue Charms
>Coal Cars
>Freight Trains
>Highlanders
>Krystal Eggs
>Ponoi Greens and Reds
>Signal Lights
>Undertakers
>
>Is that a decent selection or are more needed? Do I need more sizes
>other than #6s? Having just one size sounds funky to me...... Anybody
>have any suggestions on other cool flies I should consider?

[Sierra fisher]

You have a pretty good selection. I would scratch the Ponois and get the
rest of the Randall Kauffman flies. You have three of them, Coal Car,
Signal light and Freight train. There are a few more. Two very good flies
that you don't have are Purple Peril and Fly de Jour. you should have a lot
of black flies, and purple fles, both with white and black wings.
Re size, I would go primarily with 4's, except if the water is very low.
Then you should have some 6's or low water 4's (much more lightly dressed).
Most peole beleive that the color of the fly is not important. Other people
say any color as long as it is black or purple.



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"Warren" > wrote in message
...
> I am going steelhead fishing for the first time and was wondering if any
> of you could suggest flies. So far I have been looking at several of
> the "standards," but there is a lot of flies that I am unaware of and
> don't know what sizes I need to tie. I spoke with "someone in the
> know" at the local shop and they told me to #6s because sizes change
> during the year or some such crap. I don't know **** and so wasn't
> ready to argue......
>
> Flies I am thinking of tying are:
>
> Green Butt Black Bears
> Black Doses
> Blue Charms
> Coal Cars
> Freight Trains
> Highlanders
> Krystal Eggs
> Ponoi Greens and Reds
> Signal Lights
> Undertakers
>
> Is that a decent selection or are more needed? Do I need more sizes
> other than #6s? Having just one size sounds funky to me...... Anybody
> have any suggestions on other cool flies I should consider?
> --
> Warren
> (use troutbum_mt(nospam) and earthlink dot net to reply via email)

[Sierra fisher]

You have a pretty good selection. I would scratch the Ponois and get the
rest of the Randall Kauffman flies. You have three of them, Coal Car,
Signal light and Freight train. There are a few more. Two very good flies
that you don't have are Purple Peril and Fly de Jour. you should have a lot
of black flies, and purple fles, both with white and black wings.
Re size, I would go primarily with 4's, except if the water is very low.
Then you should have some 6's or low water 4's (much more lightly dressed).
Most peole beleive that the color of the fly is not important. Other people
say any color as long as it is black or purple.



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"Warren" > wrote in message
...
> I am going steelhead fishing for the first time and was wondering if any
> of you could suggest flies. So far I have been looking at several of
> the "standards," but there is a lot of flies that I am unaware of and
> don't know what sizes I need to tie. I spoke with "someone in the
> know" at the local shop and they told me to #6s because sizes change
> during the year or some such crap. I don't know **** and so wasn't
> ready to argue......
>
> Flies I am thinking of tying are:
>
> Green Butt Black Bears
> Black Doses
> Blue Charms
> Coal Cars
> Freight Trains
> Highlanders
> Krystal Eggs
> Ponoi Greens and Reds
> Signal Lights
> Undertakers
>
> Is that a decent selection or are more needed? Do I need more sizes
> other than #6s? Having just one size sounds funky to me...... Anybody
> have any suggestions on other cool flies I should consider?
> --
> Warren
> (use troutbum_mt(nospam) and earthlink dot net to reply via email)

[rasilan666]

Here in Michigan I use a lot of brown and black. I also go a day or to
before i goto a river i dont normaly fish and look at the insects, bugs
things in the water and tye to match. Also for every thing expt samon i tie
all my flies size 8 or smaller.

[rasilan666]

Here in Michigan I use a lot of brown and black. I also go a day or to
before i goto a river i dont normaly fish and look at the insects, bugs
things in the water and tye to match. Also for every thing expt samon i tie
all my flies size 8 or smaller.

[Guyz-N-Flyz]

"daytripper" > wrote in message
...
>
> Better question: how does anyone lose that many flies in one season? ;-)
>
> /daytripper (who's still fishing the flies I tied ten years ago!)

Observation: You aren't fishin' NC streams stalked by hungry rhodos.

Mark --who plans to fish above the cable this week and get pics of the changes the
floods caused.--

[Tim J.]

daytripper wrote:
> Guy Thornberg wrote:
>
>> Warren,
>> How is it you tie a 1,000 or more flies a year and have not been
>> angling (with fly rod) for steelies, or tied any steelhead flies? Go
>> for some lowly egg patterns in the backwater. Maybe you'll get
>> lucky. Or contact me and we can whip a few flies out
>> Guy
>
> Better question: how does anyone lose that many flies in one season?
> ;-)

Until just this season, I lost a lot of flies each outing. Now I lose a few here
and there to structure, hardly any to the greenery on the banks, and a few
break-offs to fish. Even in my prime I never lost 1,000. ;-) I think the
"incentive plan" is working. That's the one where I have no tying station so I
have to set up my stuff each time I want to tie.
--
TL,
Tim
http://css.sbcma.com/timj

[Warren]

wrote...
> Warren,
> How is it you tie a 1,000 or more flies a year and have not been angling
> (with fly rod) for steelies, or tied any steelhead flies?

Do a web search for steelhead fishing in Montana. I'm sure you can
figure it out. ;-)

> Go for some lowly
> egg patterns in the backwater. Maybe you'll get lucky.

I plan on trying some egg patters to see what happens, but I am really
enjoying tying up these Undertakers and Signal Lights so I plan on
buying (yack!) egg patterns when I get to where I am going. Tying flies
on #6 hooks is WEIRD after tying on small hooks (#16-22s). Luck is
something that I totally planning on. I would really like to catch an
actual steelhead on a fly rod. I have caught the youngin's before (I
always forget what they call the ones that haven't gone out to the salt
yet). I caught one when I visited my Uncle in Oregon once and one in
California, both on hardware and both were many, many years ago. Much
of the info I have had prior to my post has come from people from ROFF
that I have fished with several times out here. Chas Wade told me to
have some egg patterns too and does far more steelhead fishing than the
others so I have some questions for you.

> Or contact me and we
> can whip a few flies out

Thanks! I definitely will drop you a line. Perhaps you can answer some
of the questions that I still have too. ;-)
--
Warren
(use troutbum_mt and earth(nospam)link dot net to reply via email)

[Warren]

wrote...
> Better question: how does anyone lose that many flies in one season? ;-)

Who says that I lose that many flies?

> /daytripper (who's still fishing the flies I tied ten years ago!)

How many days fishing have you had this year again? Two? <g>

Do you sell any flies? Do you give flies away to friends, family
members, clavesters, etc? Do you trade flies for other stuff? (BTW
Mark, if you are reading this, make sure to bring those tins of Navy
Flake on this steelhead trip.) ****, if I lost my "San Juan" fly box
again, I would probably have lost more flies than you own. It had over
400 flies in it before I even *went* to the San Juan for my first time!
When I lost my dry fly box this year, I probably lost more flies than
you would go through in twelve years given how often you actually
fish..... You simply work too much, man. Seriously. You do. I
remember you posting how much you worked and simply couldn't do it. Get
your ass out here soon. I'll row you around for free just because you
need a damn break. Don't worry about flies, I'll probably take pity on
you and your fly boxes. <bseg>
--
Warren
(use troutbum_mt and earth(nospam)link dot net to reply via email)

[Chas Wade]

Warren > wrote:
wrote...
>> Warren,
>> How is it you tie a 1,000 or more flies a year and have not been
>>angling
>> (with fly rod) for steelies, or tied any steelhead flies?
>
>Do a web search for steelhead fishing in Montana. I'm sure you can
>figure it out. ;-)
>
>> Go for some lowly
>> egg patterns in the backwater. Maybe you'll get lucky.
>
>I plan on trying some egg patters to see what happens, but I am really
>enjoying tying up these Undertakers and Signal Lights so I plan on
>buying (yack!) egg patterns when I get to where I am going.

Don't buy the eggs Warren. Nobody sells the right ones, and I'll have
plenty to start with.

Chas
remove fly fish to reply
http://home.comcast.net/~chas.wade/wsb/html/view.cgi-home.html-.html
San Juan Pictures at:
http://home.comcast.net/~chasepike/wsb/index.html

[Chas Wade]

Warren > wrote:
wrote...
>> Warren,
>> How is it you tie a 1,000 or more flies a year and have not been
>>angling
>> (with fly rod) for steelies, or tied any steelhead flies?
>
>Do a web search for steelhead fishing in Montana. I'm sure you can
>figure it out. ;-)
>
>> Go for some lowly
>> egg patterns in the backwater. Maybe you'll get lucky.
>
>I plan on trying some egg patters to see what happens, but I am really
>enjoying tying up these Undertakers and Signal Lights so I plan on
>buying (yack!) egg patterns when I get to where I am going.

Don't buy the eggs Warren. Nobody sells the right ones, and I'll have
plenty to start with.

Chas
remove fly fish to reply
http://home.comcast.net/~chas.wade/wsb/html/view.cgi-home.html-.html
San Juan Pictures at:
http://home.comcast.net/~chasepike/wsb/index.html

[Warren]

wrote...
> You have a pretty good selection. I would scratch the Ponois and get the
> rest of the Randall Kauffman flies. You have three of them, Coal Car,
> Signal light and Freight train. There are a few more. Two very good flies
> that you don't have are Purple Peril and Fly de Jour. you should have a lot
> of black flies, and purple fles, both with white and black wings.
> Re size, I would go primarily with 4's, except if the water is very low.
> Then you should have some 6's or low water 4's (much more lightly dressed).
> Most peole beleive that the color of the fly is not important. Other people
> say any color as long as it is black or purple.

Thanks for the info!

Between packing for the trip, unpacking from a recent move and work I
haven't had nearly as much time as I had anticipated to tie flies.
Figure in the amount of time that I have spent trying to "research" 50
lifetimes worth of info on something that is still not understood and
you can basically understand why I feel like a three peckered buck
rabbit during the peak of breeding season. I do have the Undertakers
and Signal Lights done though. :-) I have the materials on hand to tie
Purple Perils, but I don't have a recipe for "Fly de Jour." Do you have
any info? I also received an email that said Green Butt Skunks have
taken more steelhead than any other fly and to make sure that I had some
of those. Any comments?

If anybody has links to cool web sites that have pics and recipes for
steelhead flies, I could really use those too. This is my first trip,
but I plan on making another within a few months. I have soooooo much
to learn....... :-(
--
Warren
(use troutbum_mt and earth(nospam)link dot net to reply via email)

[Warren]

wrote...
> You have a pretty good selection. I would scratch the Ponois and get the
> rest of the Randall Kauffman flies. You have three of them, Coal Car,
> Signal light and Freight train. There are a few more. Two very good flies
> that you don't have are Purple Peril and Fly de Jour. you should have a lot
> of black flies, and purple fles, both with white and black wings.
> Re size, I would go primarily with 4's, except if the water is very low.
> Then you should have some 6's or low water 4's (much more lightly dressed).
> Most peole beleive that the color of the fly is not important. Other people
> say any color as long as it is black or purple.

Thanks for the info!

Between packing for the trip, unpacking from a recent move and work I
haven't had nearly as much time as I had anticipated to tie flies.
Figure in the amount of time that I have spent trying to "research" 50
lifetimes worth of info on something that is still not understood and
you can basically understand why I feel like a three peckered buck
rabbit during the peak of breeding season. I do have the Undertakers
and Signal Lights done though. :-) I have the materials on hand to tie
Purple Perils, but I don't have a recipe for "Fly de Jour." Do you have
any info? I also received an email that said Green Butt Skunks have
taken more steelhead than any other fly and to make sure that I had some
of those. Any comments?

If anybody has links to cool web sites that have pics and recipes for
steelhead flies, I could really use those too. This is my first trip,
but I plan on making another within a few months. I have soooooo much
to learn....... :-(
--
Warren
(use troutbum_mt and earth(nospam)link dot net to reply via email)

[Warren]

wrote...
> Don't buy the eggs Warren. Nobody sells the right ones, and I'll have
> plenty to start with.

Cool. I just need one. Have vise and will travel. ;-)

See you Friday.
--
Warren
(use troutbum_mt and earth(nospam)link dot net to reply via email)

[Sierra fisher]

I'll look for a pattern but you can see it in this selection of flies. What
makes it different, is that it is a "lantern" fly; that is it has a very
bright butt. You first put on silver mylar which is very reflective, then
cover it with pink Edge Bright, or anything else that is highly reflective.
Finish the rest of the body with purple chenile, wrap a silver rib, add a
purple beard, and a white wing. this has been a killer fly on the Deshutes.
Edge bright comes in hot reds, hot pinks, ornage, greens etc. You can use
the silver tensil base and edge bright to make any fly a "lantern" fly

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"Warren" > wrote in message
...
> wrote...
> > You have a pretty good selection. I would scratch the Ponois and get
the
> > rest of the Randall Kauffman flies. You have three of them, Coal
Car,
> > Signal light and Freight train. There are a few more. Two very good
flies
> > that you don't have are Purple Peril and Fly de Jour. you should have a
lot
> > of black flies, and purple fles, both with white and black wings.
> > Re size, I would go primarily with 4's, except if the water is very low.
> > Then you should have some 6's or low water 4's (much more lightly
dressed).
> > Most peole beleive that the color of the fly is not important. Other
people
> > say any color as long as it is black or purple.
>
> Thanks for the info!
>
> Between packing for the trip, unpacking from a recent move and work I
> haven't had nearly as much time as I had anticipated to tie flies.
> Figure in the amount of time that I have spent trying to "research" 50
> lifetimes worth of info on something that is still not understood and
> you can basically understand why I feel like a three peckered buck
> rabbit during the peak of breeding season. I do have the Undertakers
> and Signal Lights done though. :-) I have the materials on hand to tie
> Purple Perils, but I don't have a recipe for "Fly de Jour." Do you have
> any info? I also received an email that said Green Butt Skunks have
> taken more steelhead than any other fly and to make sure that I had some
> of those. Any comments?
>
> If anybody has links to cool web sites that have pics and recipes for
> steelhead flies, I could really use those too. This is my first trip,
> but I plan on making another within a few months. I have soooooo much
> to learn....... :-(
> --
> Warren
> (use troutbum_mt and earth(nospam)link dot net to reply via email)

[daytripper]

On Thu, 7 Oct 2004 00:26:12 -0600, Warren > wrote:

wrote...
>> Better question: how does anyone lose that many flies in one season? ;-)
>
>Who says that I lose that many flies?
>
>> /daytripper (who's still fishing the flies I tied ten years ago!)
>
>How many days fishing have you had this year again? Two? <g>
>
>Do you sell any flies? Do you give flies away to friends, family
>members, clavesters, etc? Do you trade flies for other stuff? (BTW
>Mark, if you are reading this, make sure to bring those tins of Navy
>Flake on this steelhead trip.) ****, if I lost my "San Juan" fly box
>again, I would probably have lost more flies than you own. It had over
>400 flies in it before I even *went* to the San Juan for my first time!
>When I lost my dry fly box this year, I probably lost more flies than
>you would go through in twelve years given how often you actually
>fish..... You simply work too much, man. Seriously. You do. I
>remember you posting how much you worked and simply couldn't do it. Get
>your ass out here soon. I'll row you around for free just because you
>need a damn break. Don't worry about flies, I'll probably take pity on
>you and your fly boxes. <bseg>

Buy a sense of humor - you ran right through this => ;-)
(maybe on eBay?)

fwiw, anyone that has seen the four full-size/double-sided Wheatley's plus the
two quarter-size Wheatleys in my vest could attest to the thousand-odd flies I
carry every time I go out. That's about half what I have "in stock".
No big deal, I tied them over many years.

And, yeah, I work too much and don't fish enough. I got out only about
twenty-four days total for this calendar year including salt water trips.
Thanks for reminding me...

/daytripper (you and Li'l Ricky should get together and have babies ;-)

[Sierra fisher]

Here is apicture of the Fly de Jour.

http://www.flyfishusa.com/flies/stl-wet-lantern-butt.html

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"Sierra fisher" > wrote in message
...
> I'll look for a pattern but you can see it in this selection of flies.
What
> makes it different, is that it is a "lantern" fly; that is it has a very
> bright butt. You first put on silver mylar which is very reflective, then
> cover it with pink Edge Bright, or anything else that is highly
reflective.
> Finish the rest of the body with purple chenile, wrap a silver rib, add a
> purple beard, and a white wing. this has been a killer fly on the
Deshutes.
> Edge bright comes in hot reds, hot pinks, ornage, greens etc. You can
use
> the silver tensil base and edge bright to make any fly a "lantern" fly
>
> --
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> "Are you still wasting your time with spam?...
> There is a solution!"
>
> Protected by GIANT Company's Spam Inspector
> The most powerful anti-spam software available.
> http://mail.spaminspector.com
>
>
> "Warren" > wrote in message
> ...
> > wrote...
> > > You have a pretty good selection. I would scratch the Ponois and get
> the
> > > rest of the Randall Kauffman flies. You have three of them, Coal
> Car,
> > > Signal light and Freight train. There are a few more. Two very good
> flies
> > > that you don't have are Purple Peril and Fly de Jour. you should have
a
> lot
> > > of black flies, and purple fles, both with white and black wings.
> > > Re size, I would go primarily with 4's, except if the water is very
low.
> > > Then you should have some 6's or low water 4's (much more lightly
> dressed).
> > > Most peole beleive that the color of the fly is not important. Other
> people
> > > say any color as long as it is black or purple.
> >
> > Thanks for the info!
> >
> > Between packing for the trip, unpacking from a recent move and work I
> > haven't had nearly as much time as I had anticipated to tie flies.
> > Figure in the amount of time that I have spent trying to "research" 50
> > lifetimes worth of info on something that is still not understood and
> > you can basically understand why I feel like a three peckered buck
> > rabbit during the peak of breeding season. I do have the Undertakers
> > and Signal Lights done though. :-) I have the materials on hand to tie
> > Purple Perils, but I don't have a recipe for "Fly de Jour." Do you have
> > any info? I also received an email that said Green Butt Skunks have
> > taken more steelhead than any other fly and to make sure that I had some
> > of those. Any comments?
> >
> > If anybody has links to cool web sites that have pics and recipes for
> > steelhead flies, I could really use those too. This is my first trip,
> > but I plan on making another within a few months. I have soooooo much
> > to learn....... :-(
> > --
> > Warren
> > (use troutbum_mt and earth(nospam)link dot net to reply via email)
>
>

[Jeff Miller]

if only you could see and hear warren say what he wrote, you'd know none
of it was mean-spirited or snooty. the problem with this ether. from my
observation, the two of you easily have more flies than me, wayno, pj,
wally (including wally's store inventory) combined. it's also fun
watching you guys tie up flies "on the fly". i think you'd enjoy a trip
out west and some time with warren... he's a fine host, guide, fly tier,
and fly-fishing partner. ... i know he'd enjoy time with you as well.

jeff

daytripper wrote:

[daytripper]

On Fri, 08 Oct 2004 06:49:15 -0400, Jeff Miller >
wrote:

>if only you could see and hear warren say what he wrote, you'd know none
>of it was mean-spirited or snooty. the problem with this ether. from my
>observation, the two of you easily have more flies than me, wayno, pj,
>wally (including wally's store inventory) combined. it's also fun
>watching you guys tie up flies "on the fly". i think you'd enjoy a trip
>out west and some time with warren... he's a fine host, guide, fly tier,
>and fly-fishing partner. ... i know he'd enjoy time with you as well.
>
>jeff

Aw, hell, jeff, I'm sure Warren's an ok, upright dude, and having lived and
fished out west (Colorado for four years, and Washington for three more, plus
some fishing trips from "back East" to Wyoming/Idaho/Montana/etc) I'm certain
I'd enjoy a trip to his neck of the woods (especially if he rows ;-)

Honestly, if he hadn't poked at the sore spot that is my fishing vs work
"issues" I'd have let it pass completely...

/daytripper (no worries, warren :-)

[Burrman115]

Try this site:

www.angelfire.com/wa/salmonid/

Has many patterns and instructions. Great site.

[Bob Weinberger]

"Warren" > wrote in message
...
> I am going steelhead fishing for the first time and was wondering if any
> of you could suggest flies. <snip>

This may be to late for your trip, but I just got back from 2 weeks chasing
Silvers on Kodiak ,so just now saw the post.

The size and fullness of steelhead flys that will be most effective are
primarily dependant on water clarity and temperature. Generally for water
temps over 50deg. and reasonable water clarity, flys in sizes 2-8 will be
most effective. While 6 is a good all around size, I prefer to carry 4's and
8's for the above conditions. Often a fish that swirls at, but doesn't take,
a fly in size 4 will just hammer the same pattern when presented as a follow
up in size 8.
Your list of patterns is good, but as someone has already told you, the
Green Butt Skunk probably has accounted for more summer run pacific
steelhead than any other pattern. Also, the most successful steelhead
fisherman I ever knew carried his fly boxes full of nothing but Skunks - in
sizes from 1-0 to 12, and tied from extremely full to extremely sparce.

Though egg patterns and egg sucking leech patterns will certainly take
summer steelhead, they are generally used for winter runs. They are also
most effectively fished using methods that are less enjoyable (at least to
me) than swinging flies on or near the surface with a dry line.


--
Bob Weinberger
La, Grande, OR

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