Steelhead, Steelhead Fly Fishing Class

Steelhead, Steelhead Fly Fishing Class

Topics 
Steelhead Mysteries
Steelhead Class
Mongoose Vise
Chile!

What do these animals that make up this huge percentage of the steelhead diet look like? Somewhere in the nationhood of 17 different squid species inhabit the oceanic waters where steelhead feed.  They come in a wide array of sizes and colors.  Two of the most popular "commercial food" squids in the North Pacific are the Neon Squid and Opal Squid.  These names imply that theses animals are reflective or incandescent. To make the matters even more complex, individual squid can change colors: not just overall color, but also colors in dots and 

work...sometimes.  Few of them work all of the time.  Squids are schooling animals.  Maybe that is the reason that multiple fly casts are so effective on steelhead.  They mimic a school of something.  To bad they are so difficult to 

manage.  Certain kinds of shrimp and Krill are also school animals.  Steelhead target them at times.  Many of these food organisms are pink or orangish in nature.  Ghost Shrimp or Sand Shrimp are very popular bait with the monofilament crowd.  They burrow into the sand in estuarial areas, often around river mouths.  They may be one of the last marine meals for some steelhead.  Early run summer steelhead are especially susceptible to these critters.  Several years ago, Rod Robinson, who was then working for Paulson Flies in Portland, Oregon, developed a very respectable imitation of the sand shrimp using chenille covered with a shellback of polyethylene.  Further refinements were added by the then teen age Dean Finnerty.  What evolved is a fly pattern that is so life-like that it is easily recognized by fish and angler alike; the Finnerty Shrimp.

            Summer steelhead enter fresh water sexually immature.  Unlike their winter run cousins who move up the rivers more quickly to spawn, summer runs tend to dawdle.  They may not spawn for several months after leaving the ocean and may school at various points along their journey.  One of the places they congregate is in the estuaries just before leaving the ocean.  This is prime habitat for ghost shrimp.  Steelhead like all trout, are ever the opportunist.  They will feed on what is easily available.  One of the foods most exposed to them just prior to leaving the salt is ghost shrimp.  Winter fish pass through the sand shrimp zone more quickly, having less time to key on them.

            Each river spawns it’s own race of steelhead, which may spread to different parts of the ocean.  If one examines the ocean and compares it to a giant lake or river, it stands to reason that not all food organisms will be found at all locations in the same population densities.  As changing currents, temperatures, and depths create different environments, the species living within each location will vary with their own living requirements.  Each steelhead probably eats from a slightly different menu.  This could explain why fly patterns vary from river to river and why such a profusion of successful patterns exist.  The angler who could match what the steelhead were feeding on in the ocean could probably catch more steelhead.  The problem is how to observe the steelhead while out to sea.

We will camp on prime water and we will have walking and boat access to miles 
of steelhead runs that will present a divers array of angling problems to be solved.
Classes will be held mid-day.  You will fish with a guide each morning and evening.
Brunch and dinner will be served at times to give you the best fishing periods.
This will give you the best advantage for hooking as many steelhead 
as possible during your stay with us.
Nothing teaches you more about fishing than being where 
fish are being hooked and landed.

You will learn all aspects of spey rod fishing with both floating and sinking-tip lines. 
Learn how to locate steelhead water and how to approach it. 
Watch an expert guide as he fishes and discloses the secrets
 and proven methods that put fish on the beach.  
Get a lot of hands on help so that you too can be productive.
Save yourself years of experimenting on your own.
 
You will be pampered!
You will stay in a very comfortable tent camp on the water.
A Camp Person will be available at all times to make your stay as comfortable as possible.
All cooking and eating will be done in a spacious screen-house.
Comfortable sleeping cots and pads are supplied in double occupancy tents. 
All food & non-alcoholic beverages are included.

Bring your own sleeping bag, clothing, toiletries,
waders, rain gear, rods, reels, flies & tackle.

Price does not include Deschutes Boaters Pass or Oregon Fishing License.
Meet at The Fly Fishing Shop at 5:30am arrive back at 6:30pm.
Date: September 7, 8, 9, 10, 2004 
6 students only - 3 spots are already taken - 3 spots open!
First come, first served.       

The supreme hook holding power that Griffin vises are famous for is passed on to the new addition in their family of rotary vises. The sleek and agile design of the Mongoose will ensure a comfortable hand position while tying. The smooth 360 true rotation will help provide better and more professional looking flies. Tempered steel jaws will securely grip hooks from 4/0-28's. The Mongoose comes complete with:   C-clamp, Pedestal, Bobbin Cradle, Material Clip, Hackle Gauge, Supreme Bobbin & Deluxe Carrying Case. This vise is ready to travel with you.

Don't Forget!
"Fly Fishing in Chile"
with Adrian Dufflocq
at The Fly Fishing Shop
Sunday, 
October 12, 
1:00 -4:00pm