Buggers For Steelhead

     Probably the neither the guy who invented the Wooly Bugger, nor the tier who added the flash to the Flash-A-bugger, had any intention of using them to catch steelhead. Evidence suggests that bass were the main targets. Later, trout fishermen found that these flies were deadly on trout, both in rivers and streams. It was in the early eighties that we started using Flash-A-Buggers during the bright light hours for steelhead on the Deschutes River. First they were dead drifted with long leaders and floating lines. Often two buggers were used in tandem. We used bright colors and dark colors. It soon became apparent the this river's steelhead liked purple buggers in size #4. We found that with a 200-grain Teeny Line we could cover more water, and get the flies down in the deep spots than with a floating line. Our mid-day catch really took a jump. A color that produced in the brightest light was olive. In the late1980's we found that even flashier files tied with Krystal chenille were extremely effective in both bright and cloud-cover conditions. These flies are called Bead Head Black Krystal Buggers.
    Our mid-day catch took another leap when we started using two-hand rods and sinking tip Spey lines. This tackle allowed us to cover much more water than with any single-hander. The normal approach is similar to the conventional wet-fly-swing used when fishing a floating line, except the cast is often more straight across the current, with a bigger upstream mend in the line to allow the fly to sink before it comes under tension. Our most effective rig has been a seven weight rod with a 500-gran Skagit head and 9-weight type-6 tip.
     Why do steelhead eat buggers....probably because they can.