What flies for steelhead

[Scott V]

I am very new to steelhead, and the only one I caught was on a clouser. So my question is what flies should I be using while I am out on the American. If you can include pictures or links to pictures of flies that would be really helpful.

And better yet if someone would be willing to teach me to tie a fly, I would be very thankful. I plan on being out on Watt Ave. tomorrow after work and would like to try for another steelie.

[Jeff C.]

Hi Scott,

Try this step by step tutorial for a Dirty Bird:
http://wildernessangler.blogspot.com...20Bird%20Nymph
It's the first fly I tied and have tweaked the recipe until it is my No. 1 SH and trout pattern.

Jeff C.

[mike N]

You can try fishing something like this under a pegged bead, I mean dry fly. 12" to 24" inches should do on the dropper and cast a few feet above rising fish.

Burnt orange was the hot color one year. All colors worked equally well for me last year.

MN

[Adam Grace]

That's a good looking poopah variation. I like the added plastic bead.

[Scott V]

Cool, thanks for the info, I will try to tie some this weekend.

[Paul B.]

Hey Mike, I'll take a dozen of each! How much? Paul

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

It's hard to beat a caddis imitation on the Lower American, Lower Feather or Lower Sacramento Rivers in the Fall for Halfpounders.

When the salmon are spawning it's hard to beat an egg imitation.

I tell people that you can use any wet fly that is about the physical size of a honey bee for Halfpounders in the American. You can tie on just about any #12 nymph or wet fly and catch fish most of the time.

I like the way Mike N is using a short shank hook to get a bigger gape. You use a short #10 hook to tie a wet fly that is a standard size #12 body. That gives you one size large wire diameter too. We learned that from Andy Puyans.

The secret is to just be out there as many AMs and PMs as possible right now. I like Sept/Oct.

[Scott V]

It's hard to beat a caddis imitation on the Lower American, Lower Feather or Lower Sacramento Rivers in the Fall for Halfpounders.

When the salmon are spawning it's hard to beat an egg imitation.

I tell people that you can use any wet fly that is about the physical size of a honey bee for Halfpounders in the American. You can tie on just about any #12 nymph or wet fly and catch fish most of the time.

I like the way Mike N is using a short shank hook to get a bigger gape. You use a short #10 hook to tie a wet fly that is a standard size #12 body. That gives you one size large wire diameter too. We learned that from Andy Puyans.

The secret is to just be out there as many AMs and PMs as possible right now. I like Sept/Oct.

One of the main reasons I shop your store Bill is because you are a great person, you did not come on to this post and say, "Come on down to the store and I will sell you what you need", I really hate pushy sales person. But I will be down at the store today at lunch so have some examples ready for me.

[mike N]

Paul, A comercial tier I am not, but thanks for the vote of confidence. If I tie some more and I see you on the river, I will give you a couple.

Bill, I tie most of my half-pounder caddis pupahs on either at TMC 2457 or 105. The wide gape is effective and the heavy wire comes in handy, too. I have straightened a few weaker hooks on those pesky buggers.

MN

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I hope everyone is fishing barbless and lets those little beauties go so we can catch them again. They will be in there for months if nobody eats them.

PS: I know most of us fly fishers are not eating those Halfpounders.

__________________________________________________ _______

Mike N, MSP & Jason H,

What percentage of those Halfpounders in the A are wild versus hatchery?

I guess I should know this but just have not paid much attention.