I have always wondered if a dry fly catches more migratories than a wet(steelhead fishing). What are some good colors for certain water levels and clarities cause I don’t know enough about this subject.
I believe that’s going to depend on the river…but in general IMO wets will out fish dries for steelhead…some folks like to “skate” their flies for steelhead…
Pedram,
I read someplace that around 90% of a trout’s diet is taken under water. maybe that’s why a trailing, underwater rig works so well…Best Regards…
Hi Pedram, I often fish a dropper rig, with a high visibility dry and a nymph dropper.
I usually catch fish on the dropper rather than the dry. I like the dry for visibility (mine)
Mostly, I run a dry that looks like whatever seems to be out and about and flyin’ around.
I go for the color rather than actually matching the thing unless I just luck out with what’s in my box. I go larger rather than smaller on the dry. Usually the droppers are dark nymphs with lots of pheasant and peacock. I like leggy stuff with wingcases, and alittle sparkle or ribbing. If the reg’s allow, I often use beadheads. This is all trout stuff I’m talking about, but the same nymph stuff in larger sizes and a little deeper works on Steelhead for me. I like the small drys alone for the brookies 
…ModocDan
What kind of conditions do you look for, or consider optimum for fishing dry? I have heard of very few steelhead in the Ohio area that are caught on dries. I am interested in giving it a more thorough workout, but I am just not sure where to start. I have tried a number of West Coast techniques around our tribs and found them to be very effective, leading me to believe dries should work here.
Here is a Quote from Scott Richmond about fishing Dry Flies for Steelhead; Dry flies useful. Waking flies, such as a Bomber, can be used when the river is low and clear and not too cold. End Quote.
Doug