Small Classic Steelhead Flies

Genral Fry

Jock Scott wrote how A.H.E. Woods had great success with the Solar Salmon by sizing down the scale of flies and fishing them in the surface film when the water warmed and the sun shown in the fishes eyes, in his book, Greased line fishing.

Redneck Mudler

Our friend Bill Bakke gave Mia Some of his favorite Steelhead flies for a birthday present. One he called a traffic ticket and the other a wasp. They were on size 8 hooks but tied like they were on a size 10! When Mia first tried these flies years ago she could not keep they steelhead off! We started tying lots of different patterns in really small sizes for our early season summer steelhead go to patterns. 

Steelhead soft hackle

This weekend was another testament to the success of the greased line technique along with a sparse and a small fly fished in the surface film on a floating line. Our favorite patterns have been very lightly dressed muddlers, Golden demons, Steelhead soft hackles, as well Haig Browns General Fry pattern. See the video below we took this weekend:

Greased Line

First, I am not an expert at the greased line method. I'm only going on my first hand experience of actually "getting it" for the first time.

The intention of greased line presentation is to keep the fly swimming just below the surface of the water, broadside without disturbing the presentation of the fly with unnecessary mending.

In low, clear water, using small sparse flies, with a floating head, the greased line presentation is a highly effective way to fish for steelhead, so I just found out the other day. The way it works, you cast your line across and at a slight downward angle, I would call this a 45 degree angle to the currant of the river. Make a very slight mend if necessary, as the fly line straightens and comes under tension, the rod leads the fly line, don't force it or drag the fly. This method gives the fish a side view so that they take the fly from behind, according to Trey Combs.
I found myself unintentionally fishing this style the other day. It was the best day, getting hookups, and watching Marty get grabs, hook-ups, and land steelhead.

Read more about greased line presentation in "Steelhead Fly Fishing" by Trey Comb.