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Winter Steelhead Flies
In the following fly patterns you will notice a few common threads. First on the more traditional flies I almost always use the Partridge CS10/1 long shank hook, I have tried many hooks and feel that this particular hook has proven itself time and again to be the best at hooking fish on the swing without going to a stinger style fly. I have also noticed that this hook is very easy to sharpen to a scary sharp point and I think it just plain looks good. The second thing you will notice is that I really like flies that are reminiscent of traditional Spey and Dee patterns, often just changing to newer and more durable materials, these flies fish fantastic in the water that steelhead live in and there is just something about the tradition behind them that makes every fish that much more satisfying.
steelhead spey fly 1
Hook: Partridge CS10/1 size 2 - 1/0
Hackle: Black Cock tail with an iridescent sheen
Body: Claret Euro-seal or similar
Rib: Medium Silver flat Lagartun metal tinsel
Counter Rib: Fine Lagartun varnished wire
Collar: Claret Teal flank
Wing: Black Swan
Thread: Black Georgio Benechi 12/0
note- When tying flies that I am going to fish I do not spend the time to mount matched pairs of slip wings as it is so time consuming and they will almost instantly be messed up from casting. Instead I found an alternative in John Scheweys book Spey Flies & Dee Flies their history and construction. All I do is select a wing slip twice as wide as normal an fold it in half so the natural curve of the fibers from one half help counteract the natural curve from the other half and they basically hold each other straight. This significantly lessens the pain of the wing being shredded from being fished.
steelhead spey fly 2
Hook: Partridge CS10/1 size 1 - 1/0
Hackle: Red saddle ( select an extra webby one ) stripped and wound butt first
Rib: Medium gold Lagartun oval
Counter Rib: Extra small Gold Lagartun oval
Body: Red silk floss
Collar: Black dyed Blue Eared Pheasant
Wing: Black Swan
Thread: Black Georgio Benichi 12/0
Winter steelhead fly blue
Hook: Partridge CS10/1 size 4 - 1/0
Butt: Flat Silver tinsel
Rib: Copper oval tinsel
Counter Rib: Small blue metal wire
Body: Black Psuedoseal dubbing
Hackle: Black Marabou from dubbing ( one side stripped away to keep from being to full)
collar: Kingfisher blue Guinea
Flash: 3 - 4 strips of kingfisher blue Flashabou
Wing: Black swan
Sol duc spey variation
Hook: Partridge CS10/1 size 4 - 1/0
Tag: 3 turns flat silver tinsel
Hackle: Yellow cock tail
Body: Orange Euro-Seal dubbing
Counter rib: Small silver wire
Collar: Black dyed Blue Eared Pheasant
Wing: Black Swan
Nightmare Dee fly
Hook: Partridge CS10/1 size 1 - 1/0
Rib: flat medium silver tinsel
Counter rib: small varnished silver wire
Body: 1/3 red, 2/3 black Euro-Seal dubbing
Hackle: black dyed Blue Eared Pheasant from black dubbing
Collar: Gadwall flank
Wing: Zebra Turkey slips tied Dee style
note - I often tie this fly with white wings as they are easier to find than zebra turkey
Hot pink marabou spey
Hook: Partridge CS10/1 size 4 - 1/0
Tag: small blue wire
Hackle: hot pink Marabou tied in at tip
Body: Hot pink Euro-Seal dubbing
Counter rib: fine varnished silver wire
Collar: dark purple or black dyed Blue Eared Pheasant
