If you could have one fly for winter steelhead...

[Oregonism]

...What would it be? I'm going to River City Fly Shop today or tomorrow to start building my fly collection for winter steelhead. I've been trying to do some research on what to start out with and everyone says something different. I'm aware that presentation is more important than the actual fly (to an extent), but I still want to start out with something I can have actual confidence in.

I plan on getting a bunch of egg patterns because I have access to some good nymphing water, but I'd also like to get some streamers to fish on sink tips because I have a good tailout to fish as well. I mainly need recommendations for those. So far, I've heard of the Green Butt Skunk, Egg sucking leech and a few others. I'd like to just get one pattern that I can grab a few different colors in for different conditions that will be used mostly on the Clackamas. I can always get more later when I head out to different rivers, but I'm starting here. Versatility is always a big plus too.

[hooksetter1]

Pick 'Yer Pocket's and MOAL's would be on my list for certain, probably Wombat's (also known as Wambat's) too.

[EugeneFisher]

MOALs and Intruder style flies can be deadly.

[sothereiwas]

Black marabou muddler #4

[Oregonism]

Ok, I'll grab a few MOALs and a few marabou muddlers. Any specific colors that have been productive for you? Should I just go for the same colors that have been productive for me with jigs? I've read that some people just stick with black/blue and leave it at that and just work on presentation.

I'll be using a 9-10' 8-weight one hander, so is there a specific weight I should be looking for? I've thrown plenty of small weighted fly's on my 5 weight (woolly buggers and such), but I'm still not all that good at it and I don't know what to expect with a heavier rod.

Also, I've got sink tips in lengths from about 3' to 7.5'. I'm not sure the grain, but the smallest I've got is pretty thin, and the largest is about double the thickness. Do you just get progressively longer until you feel the bottom or is there a more accurate science to it? I've got Dec Hogans book on hold at the library, but it probably won't be in for a while. I'm anxious to hit the water hard next week because the conditions look to be promising, hence all the questions.

[fishcentral]

One fly - polar shrimp tied in different sizes , with alot of scent !!!

[hooksetter1]

Originally Posted by Oregonism

Ok, I'll grab a few MOALs and a few marabou muddlers. Any specific colors that have been productive for you? Should I just go for the same colors that have been productive for me with jigs? I've read that some people just stick with black/blue and leave it at that and just work on presentation. Yes... focus on presentation with black/blue

I'll be using a 9-10' 8-weight one hander, so is there a specific weight I should be looking for? I've thrown plenty of small weighted fly's on my 5 weight (woolly buggers and such), but I'm still not all that good at it and I don't know what to expect with a heavier rod. Pick up a few intruder style flies too, as the rabbit fur holds more water and can get harder to cast depending on your abilities and rod/line combo.

Also, I've got sink tips in lengths from about 3' to 7.5'. I'm not sure the grain, but the smallest I've got is pretty thin, and the largest is about double the thickness. Do you just get progressively longer until you feel the bottom or is there a more accurate science to it? I've got Dec Hogans book on hold at the library, but it probably won't be in for a while. I'm anxious to hit the water hard next week because the conditions look to be promising, hence all the questions. Try and keep your line diameter uniform if possible, I'd go to smaller if needed. If you need more depth you can adjust your casting angle, feed running line just after the cast, or with the more heavily weighted flies lengthen your leader. Also, don't feel like you've got to be right on the bottom. 3-4ft depth in 6ft of water is good, they can't bite what swings below 'em. Remember you're looking for aggressive fish, they'll come out and play if they're there. Also, make sure your taking 1-2 steps down stream between casts to cover more water.

[Slow and Low]

I posted it on the fly tying swap.

[cutthroatD]

purple peril

[Oregonism]

Should I be focusing on nymphing techniques when the fish are less aggressive (i.e. low, cold and clear)?

[Abalone]

Originally Posted by Oregonism

Should I be focusing on nymphing techniques when the fish are less aggressive (i.e. low, cold and clear)?

What ever it takes to get the presentation into the strike zone.

[Slow and Low]