Favorite Winter Steelhead Flies!

Winter steelhead have a reputation for being difficult for the fly angler. The winter weather and water conditions, as well as sexually developed fish, create some of the most demanding conditions that the angler will encounter all year. Winter steelhead are most often bottom hugging denizens of cold, often rain swollen rivers. Sometimes it is very difficult to present the fly at the depth where the fish are holding. A sinking tip fly line is most often used to present the fly at the right depth. Often large expanses of water must be

covered. Flies that are easy to cast are essential in this game. Flies that cast small, but fish large are ideal. My favorite winter steelhead flies are made from soft flowing material that collapses when pulled from the water and puffs up when submerged. Marabou and rabbit strip are two key components on my fly tying bench. These material breath with life when submerged. Marabou drains out almost instantly when it leaves the water. Even very large flies constructed from marabou are easy to cast. When the water is cold, large flies will often move fish that small flies won't.
Because of their mating instincts, winter steelhead, especially the males, can be territorial and will attack a fly to drive it from their hold. Large flies dressed in steelhead spawning colors can bring jolting strikes. Fresh steelhead have an acute search image of the marine organisms that nurtured them. Flies dressed in the form of squid or krill can trigger a feeding response. In any case the fly must be presented deep and slow.

Sandy Candy This fly evolved on the Sandy River during the winter of 1979-80. It is made from the fluffy base of two differing colors of Schlappen Hackle palmered together. Gold flash is added. It comes off as a pulsating glowing pinkish-orange living thing. I like to present it with a sinking tip line, broadside dead drift. In very cold water, it will often move fish when nothing else will.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
21410-02	Sandy Candy	2	3 for $5.95

Agitator Pink & Orange This is a favorite early winter fly everywhere in the Pacific Northwest. It seems to be most productive when the water is very cold. Of course this is the condition that drives steelhead into deep water where a heavily weighted fly is most useful.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
20225-02	Agitator Pink & Orange	2	3 for $5.95

Big Black This is a have to have fly when fishing for steelhead any time of year. It is especially productive on late winter, spring and early summer steelhead. The Big Black is constructed from rabbit strip palmered on the hook. It fishes large, but is easy to cast.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
20250-04	Big Black	2	3 for $5.95

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NEW! Winter Steelhead Fly Directory

Red Rocket Tube Fly The Red Rocket is proven in all conditions, but is best when the water is low and clear. It can often be the most productive choice when the sun is bright. When wet these flies are usually about 2.5" long and 1" in diameter. They present a large target..
Item	Description	Price	To Top
TUBEFLRRL	Red Rocket Steelhead Tube Fly tied on lightweight soft plastic tubes	3 for $5.95
TUBEFLRRM	Red Rocket Steelhead Tube Fly tied on lightweight unlined brass tubes	3 for $5.95
TUBEFLRRH	Red Rocket Steelhead Tube Fly tied on heavy weight unlined brass tubes	3 for $5.95

Sandy Blue Tube Fly The Sandy Blue is very reliable during most flows and temperatures from Southern Oregon to Northern British Columbia. It fishes best during cloud cover days.
Item	Description	Price	To Top
TUBEFLSBL	Sandy Blue Steelhead Tube Fly tied on lightweight soft plastic tubes	3 for $5.95
TUBEFLSBM	Sandy Blue Steelhead Tube Fly tied on lightweight unlined brass tubes	3 for $5.95
TUBEFLSBH	Sandy Blue Steelhead Tube Fly tied on heavy weight unlined brass tubes	3 for $5.95

Big Red This is a go to fly when the sun is bright or any time when the water is very clear.
Item	Description	Size	Price	To Top
20260-02	Big Red		3 for $5.95