Steelhead Wet Flies: P

Steelhead Wet Flies: P - R, Classic Patterns

Chuck Magliocca with a Deschutes Steelhead caught on a Red Butt Skunk, 09/28/02.

In this web site, "Classic Patterns" are defined as popular steelhead flies that have been in constant use for more than 20 years. In order for a fly pattern to stay popular for this long period, it must be proven over and over again. below are patterns that catch steelhead from a wide variety of rivers around the Pacific Rim from California to Kamchatka. Chances are you will see some of these flies in nearly everyone's fly box.

Paint Brush This fly was designed by Bill McMillan for winter steelhead on the Washougal River in Southwest Washington. It is tied on a heavy hook and if cast slightly upstream on a slack line will sink and is usually presented to the fish on a dead drift.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
21120-04	Paint Brush	4	3 for $5.95

Patriot This is a Frank Amato pattern and has been successful in watersheds both east and west of the Cascade Mountains.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
21200-04	Patriot	4	3 for $5.95
21200-06	Patriot	6	3 for $5.95

The Polar Shrimp has been one of the best late fall and early winter patterns for years. It was first tied in the 1960's by E. H. "Polly" Rosborough as an imitation of the little cocktail shrimp that are prevalent off the Oregon coast.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
21210-02	Polar Shrimp	2	3 for $5.95
21210-04	Polar Shrimp	4	3 for $5.95
21210-06	Polar Shrimp	6	3 for $5.95

Prism This fly was first tied by Mark Bachmann who wanted a unobtrusive pattern for low, clear water. Several very large steelhead have been taken on this pattern. It has proven itself most useful as a come-back fly after steelhead have been raise but have refused a brighter colored fly.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
20150-04	Prism	4	3 for $5.95
20150-06	Prism	6	3 for $5.95

Purple Angel Bob Strobel is credited with this pattern and is it was first tied for Washington river. It has become a standby pattern for the Deschutes and is especially productive early in the summer season.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
21250-04	Purple Angel	4	3 for $5.95
21250-06	Purple Angel	6	3 for $5.95

Purple Peril Trey combs writes in his classic book, Steelhead Fly Fishing and Flies, "Ken McLeod's Purple Peril is overlooked by the casual steelheader and cherished by the expert. It has been a northwest standard for more than 25 years.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
21265-04	Purple Peril	4	3 for $5.95
21265-06	Purple Peril	6	3 for $5.95

Red Butt Skunk We are not sure who first tied this pattern. We first saw it being used by Bill Howland on the Deschutes River. It has also been proven as a winter steelhead fly.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
21275-02	Red Butt Skunk	2	3 for $5.95
21275-04	Red Butt Skunk	4	3 for $5.95
21275-06	Red Butt Skunk	6	3 for $5.95

Red Wing Black Bird This pattern was first tied by Ray Baker and was made famous by Lani Waller in his classic Scientific Anglers Mastery Series Video, Fly Fishing For Pacific Steelhead.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
21300-04	Red Wing Black Bird	4	3 for $5.95
21300-06	Red Wing Black Bird	6	3 for $5.95

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Paint Brush	Prism	Red Butt Skunk
Patriot	Purple Angel	Red Wing Black Bird
Polar Shrimp	Purple Peril