Doll's Hair Nymph
Prince Nymph
Copper Swan
Cz Nymph
The Egg
Lately, I have been on the river flailing about with a Spey Rod. I am determined to master the techniques because it is aesthetically pleasing; because I have invested in the gear and because I am surrounded by highly successful fly fishers, who use the technique to the exclusion of other techniques. Prior to picking up the Spey rod, I was never one to swing Green Butt Skunks or Freight Trains. I had transitioned to steelheading from drift gear. My steelheading was bobbers & jigs, hardware or slinky’s, corkies & yarn and NYMPH’s. I caught many steelhead, especially with the nymphs (Winter and Summer).
The other day, I was trudging uphill, back to the rig, when I encountered a young man headed down hill. We exchanged pleasantries..the usual stuff. He asked if I was hanging it up for the day…I said yes. He said, too bad…He had had recent success each afternoon about this time. I asked what he was using and he said nymphs and eggs. He said he was ol’ school (he was probably late 20′s) and had not yet converted to a two hander. We parted and as I got out of the waders, I watched him below. Wading a short distance out, slinging and dredging an egg pattern, fishing the edges and rod held high. That was how I had fished for steelhead for years with a spinning rod and a fly rod. I still knew it had merit. When one fishes multiple ways on stillwaters and rivers, you get distracted from the basics as you search out new gear, flies, techniques and places.
For the beginner and/or those resistant to change, nymphing, as for trout will definitely work for that big sea going trout…the steelhead (even salmon). Tie or use nymphs in sizes 10 (I know you can go smaller, but no need) to size 6. Nymph the seams and pocket water. Strike indicators, roll casting and mending; it is the same. Beef up the rod, at least a 6-7 wt.
Two handers, single handers, nymphing, swinging. Just part of the arsenal. Heck you may just find yourself sometime plunking eggs, back bouncing or pulling plugs. Stay loose.
1 Response to “Steelhead (if you are not a swinger, then nymph)”