Summer steelhead and Dry Flies
Joe with a Hatchery Summer Steel head
The fishing the last few days has been hit or miss, but very uncrowded. And I have started fishing dries earlier than usual this year. We have not gone a day fishing the dry without at least having one come taste it, and I am becoming more and more convinced that most of the time hatchery summer steelhead would rather eat a dry fly than anything else. I was thinking this might be a deadly secret I should keep to myself, but then I realized that no one believes me how well dries work when I am telling them to their face So no worries about an internet post.
My old favorite was the grease Liner, but now I am often leaning towards foam flies and…well, I don’t want to say to much. Anyway, fill a box full of good skaters, small ones for shallow water, big ones for deep water, run at least 15 feet of leader, and give them a whirl. You will almost certainly be surprised if you give it much of a chance.
a cougars eye view, oh, they are watching
Thanks to everyone who wrote in about the Hoh summer king issue. We have gotten an excellent response from fish and wild life. We want to speak a bit to the park and the Hoh tribe before we continue, but this is an on going issue and from what I hear it is definitely moving in the right direction.
The emails really helped, they created a catalyst for an important discussion, so pat yourself on the back a bit for that.
Lets keep being the determined and vocal minority on these issues. Its slow going but it always works.
I have a quiet week this week, I will be staying home with Maddie while Lauren goes for her swift water rescue re-training, so no fishing until Friday.
I would like to believe that I will get a bunch of chores done and flies tied, but I know that is a bit of a pipe dream. Believe it or not a little kid can keep you real busy.
Jim Kerr
Rain Coast Guides
Jim, this post made me think. Most people do not think of summers on the OP. Which rivers do have a run of summers? I know that the Calawah and the Bogie both have summers stocked, but I have also caught them in the Hoh where there is no hatchery. Do the tribes put some in the Hoh? How about the Sol Duc or the Queets? OK, I suppose that you will not want to answer this, but I thought that I might stir up some interest in the blog. There seems to be a lack of comments this summer…. And which rock should I stand on??
Jeff,
Next post I will have a map to all my favorite summer steelhead hot spots….stay tuned.
just curious where you are fishing on the op for steelies on dry flies?
Eric,
That’s True! I could not agree more! You are curious. And an excellent and insightful question. Not a lot of folks these days are able to get right to the point and ask the questions that need to be asked. So good Job! Keep up the good work.
OK, sorry. In truth, all of them, certain sections of all our rivers hold fishable numbers of summer steelhead.
Jim
Jim,
I did like you suggested, 15 foot leader, a couple different dry flies, swang them all day and guess what…one tried to grab it! Just like you said. I will never doubt what you say ever again! Oh yeah, some trout grabbed it too.
Jeff