Steelhead Flies

[Flycanoe]

I'm a new fly tier, only started 2 months ago, thanks to Slim1 for getting me starting on tying. :D

And one of my goals for this winter is to catch my first steelhead on a fly.

I thought steelhead flies would be a good way to start tying as they are big and generally kinda sparse. I've tied a few traditional ones, but as I mentioned, I've gotten a lot of inspiration from the members of this forum and I'm sure you will recognise them.

Here's some pics of what I've tied so far.

Silver Hilton Green Butt
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n59/ldorius/steelhead%20flies/Tied%20Flies/SilverHiltonGreenButt.jpg

Brindle Bug
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n59/ldorius/steelhead%20flies/Tied%20Flies/BrindleBug.jpg

Polar Shrimp
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n59/ldorius/steelhead%20flies/Tied%20Flies/PolarShrimp.jpg

Bead Head Fox Poopah Simple Version
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n59/ldorius/steelhead%20flies/Tied%20Flies/FoxPoopahSimpleVersion.jpg

Hairstacker's Juicy Bug
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n59/ldorius/steelhead%20flies/Tied%20Flies/HairstackersJuicyBug.jpg

David Lee's Electric Birdnest Brown
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n59/ldorius/steelhead%20flies/Tied%20Flies/DavidLeesElectricBirdnestBrown.jpg

Gordon's Special Nymph
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n59/ldorius/steelhead%20flies/Tied%20Flies/GordonsSpecialNymph.jpg

[Hairstacker]

You started 2 months ago?!? You're a natural -- great flies!! 8)

[k.hanley]

yeeeeha looking good. nice collection.
cheers, ken

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Good job 'Flycanoe'

I started the same way with Steelhead and Shad flies (1965).

All those flies would work very well.

I like to fish Sept/Oct for Steelhead in Nor Cal and Oregon.

I would fish those flies on the lower Klamath, lower Rogue and Deschutes Rivers in September and October.

[BigBuddha]

Only two months? I am impressed!

[WinterrunRon]

Flyconoe,

Nice looking flies... but will they catch fish?

I think what you need is a testing and research department. May I suggest I head that department for you.

Perhaps you should send me a beta version (one each) and have me field test each one for you on various West Coast rivers. Then, I'll report my results directly to you after they've been thoroughly field tested, thus saving you from having to do it!

What a team!

Ron

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Hi Ron,

I met a guy once in my shop who tied lots of flies but never fly fished. He told me he was up on the Truckee River and saw a guy fly fishing one evening. He had all his flies in boxes in his trunk so he asked the fly fisher if he would like to test some of his flies? The fly fisher took some and waded back into the river. He caught some nice trout on the fly tier's flies and made him very happy. He said it was very satisfying to see his flies actually worked after all those years.

[WinterrunRon]

Sounds like a match made in heaven, Bill.

Ron

[Flycanoe]

Flyconoe,

Nice looking flies... but will they catch fish?

I think what you need is a testing and research department. May I suggest I head that department for you.

Perhaps you should send me a beta version (one each) and have me field test each one for you on various West Coast rivers. Then, I'll report my results directly to you after they've been thoroughly field tested, thus saving you from having to do it!

What a team!

Ron

I'm game, but sampling from two testers is always better than one, so the catch is that I will need to go as well. :D

[Flyguy]

Ron, Flycanoe,

Put my name in the hat as another tester. I think thats cool when you can catch a fish on a fly you tied with your own hands. I've been tying for a couple of years and always get a kick out of catching one with my own fly's.

By the way Flycanoe I'm close to Santa Clara County, just fished Lexington/Stevens Creek dam on Saturday and caught some blue gill/small bass near the boat ramp. Fun for a half day trip. :D

[Flycanoe]

I have added a couple more new steelhead buggers to my self tied inventory. I'm hoping this rain will give me a chance to test them.

Egg Sucking Leach Bugger, UV Black and Fl. Orange
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n59/ldorius/steelhead%20flies/Tied%20Flies/EggSuckingLeachBugger.jpg

Polar Shrimp Bugger, Fl. Orange and White
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n59/ldorius/steelhead%20flies/Tied%20Flies/PolarShrimpBugger.jpg

[Anne Vitale]

Great Flies Flycanoe. The only suggestion I would make is to crimp down those barbs before you even put the hook in the vice. Three reasons: One it is usually illegal to fish for steelhead with a barbed hook, two, It is easier to release that beautiful wild fish back into the river and three, getting one out of the back of your ear, if it is still barbed, may take a doctor rather then your fishing buddy. :D

After debarbing them, get out and give them a try and let us know how you do........Anne

[jbird]

Anne has a great point. Sometimes you can damage or even break off the hook point when you crimp the barb. Its a bummer when that happens after youve labored over a beautiful fly.

Oh, by the way, When you do fish those flies...hold on tight!!!!!!!!! Very nice

Jay