If I wanted to stock my box with steelhead patterns, which ones would you suggest tying? I need a good assortment of nymphs, and I am TERRIBLE at tying glo bugs (usually buy those) I can tie sucker spawns, and wolley buggers. My question is, my flys dont look as good as the ones in the store. The ones in the store seem a little more shiney almost, they look like they are built better. Does anyone else ever see this when they look at their flys compared to the stores? What would you do to correct it, and please add a few Great lakes steelhead patterns down if you have any suggestions. thanks
Check the current issue of FF magazine there’s some Great Lakes patterns in that issue
How do you expect to get responses when you do not include your email and location. I’ve got a couple of good ones for the Pere Marquete and other Rivers. But where do I send them??
Come on guys loosen up!!
I feel more like I do now than I did when I got here!
Cactus AKA “Lucky Dog (Pirate Name)”
Smallie,
I don’t have any steelhead patterns for you but I can give you some advice on the other matter. The best way to improve your tying skills, assuming you have the basics down, is to tie often. When I teach a fly tying class I tell everyone to tie every day if possible.
Steve
“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went”-Will Rogers
I fish the Erie Tribs in PA mostly and here are a few recommendations for those locations in no particular order:
Prince Nymph
Pheasant Tail Nymph
Various Stonefly Nymphs
Picket Pin
Wooly Bugger (brown, black, white, olive)
Egg Sucking Leech (brown & black w/ orange or pink eggs)
Red Tags
Sucker Spawn (various colors)
Crystal Meth (various colors)
Veiled Glo Bug (orange or pink w/ white veil)
Skein Bugger
Polar Shrimp
Erie Shiner
and dozens of other possible choices. Check the fly shops where you fish and see what’s popular, talk with other fly fisherman on the stream and ask what they use.
As far as your fly’s not looking as good as those in the shops, don’t worry too much about it. The more you tie the better you’ll get. Work to tie the best ones you can. Buy an example of one of the fly’s you like. Study it, check FAOL or other sites for tying instructions and have at it. Nothing like catching fish on flies you tied!
Joe B
SW Ohio
“I grew up in PA, I work in Ohio. My heart still belongs to PA.”
In reference to the flies in the store looking shiny, maybe they are using a dubbing or other body material with flash of some kind added. try asking about them next time your in the shop. They’ll probably be happy to say what they’re using and sell you some. To alra 185’s list you might want to add Spring’s wigglers, hexagenia wiggle nymphs, caddis larva, skunks and sparrows.
all leaders tangle; mine are just better at it than most. Jim
Joe B,
Welcome to the Family!!..You are not very far from my brother in law in Loveland, Ohio…beautiful country! I live in Canton, JUST getting started in steelheading, and, if you have enough patience to tolerate “rookie” questions from an old (59) man, I would enjoy wetting a line WITH you & LEARNING simultaneously! My email’s in my profile…positive AND negative replies are welcome…I judge neither!
This site’s about sharing!
OhioTuber - I’m leaving at 3:00 AM Friday morning to fish near Erie, PA. I’ll be staying overnight and fishing most of the day Saturday. Nobody else I know wants to go. The rains in Erie have stopped the creeks are falling and clearing. Friday and Saturday should be good fishing days.
I’m relatively new to fishing for Steelhead myself but I’ve been lucky on the trips I’ve made. If you can effect a good drift and you find the pattern they like you should be able to catch fish. That may sound overly simplified but it’s a maxim that seems to apply with all fish, steelhead, trout, small mouth, etc. As to your comment of being an old rookie, I’m closing in on 50 and I’ve still got a lot to learn. My e-mail is in the profile as well let me know if you want to hook up (pun intended).
Rainbowchaser - With the execption of the caddis larva, I’ve not used any of the others you’ve mentioned although I’ve read about Hex’s, sparrows and skunk butts being used for Steel. I’m always open to trying new patterns.
Anyone else have recommendations?
Joe B
SW Ohio
“I grew up in PA, I work in Ohio. My heart still belongs to PA.”
This site has some good patterns for steelhead.
[url=http://www.westfly.com/patterns/patterns.htm:ed00a]http://www.westfly.com/patterns/patterns.htm[/url:ed00a]
Tim Anderson
Here is a good site for steelhead patterns.
[url=http://steelheading101.com:b11a9]http://steelheading101.com[/url:b11a9]
I’ve had excellent luck with heavily weighted green weenies on the Erie tribs. I know that egg patterns, especially crystal meth are very popular there as well, although I haven’t tried them.
John Nagy’s book is very good for info on steelhead fishing in the Erie tribs.
Fish more, work less!