Flies/Bubble rigs for steelies

[davpot]

I thought Id see if anyone knows of a REALLY good weighted fly pattern I could use under a bubble for summer steelies. Does anyone know of a pattern that really moves fish? I thought Id give this method a try this season. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Summer steelies seem so stubborn most of the time!

[chuck 'n' duck]

davpot:

First of all, it is going to depend on the river that you are fishing. It is wierd how one pattern may work well on one river, but not on another. So make sure to check with some flyfishermen/women that fish your local rivers. My favorite summer steelie flyfishing destination is the Deschutes, but there are many others. If fish are just beginning there migration into their native rivers (such as the lower deschutes) You can use traditional patterns (i.e. skunks, perils, frieght trains, macks canyons). If it is later into the season, and you are fishing over steelies that have been in the system for a long time, you may want to show them representations of natural insects. Try a black or brown Kaufman's Stone. I have even heard of people using hare's ears or prince nymphs and doing well. (Remember WillieRower's post of his wife hooking a steelie on a #14 caddis emerger?) If you want to get the fly down, just make sure to wrap the shank of the hook with lead before tying the pattern up. In the lower Deschutes, when the sun is on the water, try using Wooly Bugger type patterns with lead barrel eyes on them. A killer color combination is black body/hackle with a red marabou tail.

Good Luck

chuck 'n' duck