Down Stream Steelhead on a Dry Line
Dry Line Steelheading is both fun and effective. I fish dry line, down stream as shown below, up and across at a 45 degree, and straight upstream. On the downstream approach with a 9' Fluorocarbon Leader 0X your fly will sink 12" to 18". Let's talk gear before we get started on approach. Best Steelheading is in late fall through spring. Weather cold wet and windy! Two items that are a must are the Snowbee Nivalis Down Jacket it's wind resistant and water proof. The other item is the SFT Neoprene Gloves, warm, waterproof and you can safely release a fish back into the wild.
I like to start with structure 2 first, casting just to the right with enough slack in the line for the current to dead drift the fly naturally into the fish, Hanging in the slack water on the edge of the rock. You do this with a slack line reach cast to the right side of the structure.
Dry Line Steelhead Fly Patterns
Green Butt Skunk Spey Fly
Hook: Alec Jackson Spey #3 Silver
Thread: Red Uni 6/0
Tag: Chartreuse Floss, Coat of Loon UV Clear
Rib: Silver Oval Tinsel small
Body: Black Dubbing
Hackle: Whiting Farms Bird Fur Dyed Black
Wing: Whiting Farms American Hackle Dyed Yellow Chartreuse
Cheeks: Jungle Cock
Hair Wing Purple Spey Fly
Hook: Alec Jackson #3
Thread: 6/0 Uni Red
Tail: Gray Squirrel Dyed Red
Rib: Oval Silver Tinsel Fine
Body: Holographic Purple Dubbing
Hackle: Whiting Farms Bird Fur Dyed Purple
Wing: Artic Fox
Cheeks: Jungle Cock
For the best in Fluorocarbon Leaders and Fly Lines Snowbee USA.