In talking with veteran Steelheaders and top Fall Steelhead guides over the years I feel that September 15 to November 15, on average, is a good time to plan a good Fall trip to swinging flies for Steelhead in Nor Cal, Oregon, Washington and BC.


Some believe that Steelhead enter some of the longest river around the 4th of July but in many cases the water is still too warm.

In July and August those who live on one of these long rivers, like Al Perryman on the Rogue River, can go out extremely early for about 2 hours of fishing every day. Well, it is probably not worth going all that way for a few hours of fishing.


On average, I feel October is pretty hard to beat for a good Fall trip. The water is not too warm and it is not too cold, yet.

At thisa time of year you can fish mostly with a floating line, leader the length of your rod with 1x tippet.

Any dark size #6-8 winged classic wet Steelhead fly will work.....if in doubt, tie on a Silver Hilton.


Being the first one down the run helps.

Cast across and down, mend and let the fly swing in fully below you with your tip down.

Fish down into every tail out that you can wade above.

Then move down into the riffle moving down about 4 steps with every cast.

Look for rolling fish early on.....


Getting out with some one who has some skill in this area or hiring a good guide will help a lot.



Bill McMillan wrote a great book which is a series of his magazine articles on dry line (floating line) Steelhead fly fishing.

"Dry Line Steelhead & Other Subjects"

http://www.amazon.com/Dry-Line-Steel.../dp/0936608625

**It is full of good ideas for the fly fisher to be more successful with Steelhead.


Most of our staff @ Kiene's American Fly Fishing Company have fished classic methods (swinging flies) for Steelhead for many years. Call in or come by......we are open 7 days a week.

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