steelhead fly guide!

[thunderflash]

Might get the chance to fish for steelhead next year i tie alot of Atlantic salmon flies , what are the rules about hooks? are double hooks allowed in the pnw, or is it just singles? What atlantic salmon flies convert well to steelhead fishing? I like tube flies for alot of my fishing particulary templedogs would the fly below be any good for them in differnet sizes and colours? All the best cheers Aaron

[domantas]

that would work just fine, make sure you pick up some Gamakatsu Octopus #2's for the rivers where doubles are prohibited. I personaly fish singles all the time. Make sure you include black and purples in you collection.

[Steve Egge]

On most steelhead streams in Washington State it is single barbless hooks only. Regulations often vary by individual river.

You can use Doubles in many streams in Oregon. need to check the stream to be sure.

Steelhead are a different animal than Atlantics ... AND summer runs (fish that enter the river from June through november) are differnet than Winter runs (fish that enter the river from December through May). What this means is that winter run fish come into the rivers when flows are heavier at times and quickly get to business spawn and head back to the ocean ... they may spend days to weeks in the river. Summer runs spend months in the rivers before spawning in the following spring.

Therefore for winter runs we "tend" to use bulkier flies that often imitate ocean food .... squid (intruder stuff) etc. marabou based flies, etc. often big silouette ... with hook at the tail of the fly ... winter fish when it is cold ... in rivers around and below 40 degrees the fish don't move to the fly as well ...

In the summer with warmer temps 52+ the fish move better to flies .. rivers tend to be much clearer (sometimes very clear) and more "trouty" traditional atlantic salmon flies can be used (golden demon, blue charm) and there are tons of NW patterns available. Somes the fish get hesitant and will nip at the fly as it comes across or hangs down. I tend to construct my tubes with the hook hanging back further ... and "tandem tube" flies such as found in the Silvey leach or rabbit strip fly helps keep the hook in the back and in the zone of attack more. (for local oregon patterns look those listed at fly shops such as the deschutes anglers or the fly shop in Welches)

Now all this is just one opinion. Hope it helps. Every fish is differnet and you can get an aggressive fish on the coldest day in the winter (eveyone's dream) or one that will just grab your fly and head downriver to the ocean in the summer (oh yeah).

You will love the PNW ... do come ... and bring many bottles of rare scotch and irish whiskey to share! Summer runs are "best" Sept - October depending on the river (later the further north and farther inland you go). Winter run fishing is dicey and many rivers can blow out on you. But the Skagit (if it opens next year) and the Olympic Peninsula rivers are special places to fish. Don't forget the legendary streams in British Columbia also (Bulkey, Babine, Morice, Kispiox).

It would be good to float one day with a good guide or fellow NW steelheader to get the "lay of the land/local knowledge" at the start of your trip as the fish are different and can be often found in different water than atlantics. (this is from someone who had NEVER fished for atlantics but have heard this enough times to believe it)

Steve Egge