Fly Fishing Insider Newsletter featuring Steelhead Fly Fishing: Why steelhead Eat Flies

Tim Hambly with a very bright summer steelhead.

Steelhead Fly Fishing:
WHY STEELHEAD EAT FLIES (Come-Back Flies)
When fly fishing for summer steelhead on inland rivers such as the Deschutes, Klickatat, John Day, Imnaha or Clearwater, the most popular approach is with the floating line and a cast that brings the fly across the current under tension. Usually the fly is fished sunk, but only slightly. When everything works right the fly rides inches inches below the surface and the fish rises from the bottom of the river and intercepts it. The steelhead takes the fly and turns back toward the bottom and hooks itself.

The angler lands the fish and feels smart and is proud of the accomplishment.

Some steelhead are more aggressive than others. A percentage of steelhead will rise to the fly, but will not take solidly. They will nip, pluck or pull on the fly in such a manner that they do not get stuck. Others will refuse the fly all together and turn in such a manner as to leave a disturbance on the surface of the water. This is called a boil. A few fish will come back repeatedly, each time refusing to take the fly solidly. These fish are called players.

Some of these players will not take no matter what you do. But most will eventually take the fly if you are patient and do not loose your cool. Here are some tactics that have hooked and landed many of these exciting and difficult fish.

Always keep and eye on where your fly is. There are days when steelhead don't make very much disturbance when they approach your fly. If you don't see them, you may not cast to them a second time. If a steelhead boils or plucks your fly, recast the exact same amount of line with the same fly and repeat the presentation that rose the fish. If the fish doesn't take on this second cast, wade at least ten full steps upstream and fish down to the fish again one step at a time. This will usually pump the fish up enough to take on the second pass.

If the second pass doesn't result in a solid hook-up. Changing the fly is the next best option. There are many choices that have worked, but the most consistent approach is to go smaller and darker. Some steelhead have only enough aggression to attack very small somber flies. For this reason I always carry two dull colored patterns that have bailed me out in difficult water conditions and often succeed with difficult fish. They are my favorite "come-back" flies. These two flies are the Doc Spratley and my Prism. These are dressed sparce on size #6 hooks. No flashabou or other flashy material is added except for a fine rib and tag. They are part of the "must have" Deschutes set.

Abel Perfect Tool
All tools are snap locked into position when in use, thus eliminating the possibility of a cutting edge suddenly collapsing.

The Abel Perfect Tool
The perfect tool - long sought, but never found by fresh and saltwater spin, fly and blue water anglers - has finally been designed. The Abel Perfect Tool, matte finished stainless steel, 1.3-ounce, and 2 3/8" long holds virtually everything an angler might need for a day on the water or an extended trip.

Instruments contained within the Abel Perfect Tool include:
*Nail Knot Tool   *Bodkin   *Precision Leader Nipper
*Scissors   *Diamond Hook Hone   *Knife Blade
*Bottle Opener   *Lanyard Ring
*3/8", 11/16", 5/16" box wrench   *Metric and inch scales

Deschutes River
Fires continue to alter the landscape in the lower Deschutes canyon.	Water Moth hatches continue to fuel terrific trout fishing on the lower Deschutes River. Best fishing is early & late, but mid-day fishing is good at times.	Peter Scribner capitalizes on the water moth hatch fishing dry flies up-stream.

Item	Description	Price
DESTFLST	Must Have Deschutes Steelhead Fly Set	$34.95

Item	Description	Price
ABELPRFCT	Abel Perfect Tool	$39.95