This is by design. I developed the Thompson Stone as a tube fly to represent the abundant golden stonefly nymphs found in the Thompson River, but Poul Bech has noted that the fly also resembles the October Caddis Pupa. Below is a listing of some of the most popular flies for fishing for salmon and steelhead in Michigan but remember these flies can be used anywhere that these fish swim. Admittedly, most of these flies are a bit fiddly to tie. Body: Black imitation seal dubbing I tend to think that steelhead success is more about keeping a good fly in good water than it is about having the right fly. Body: mixed medium-olive and orange seal Former world champion Spey caster Tyler Kushnir ties an excellent tube fly variation of the GP he calls the Raging Prawn. This is a deadly pattern that I fish with confidence winter or summer, rain or shine, often right through the day in all water types. Unlike resident trout that sometimes need you to put some effort into fooling them, unhassled steelhead will bite pretty much anything–or nothing at all. Steelhead Fly Fishing Michigan Steelhead are undoubtedly the hardest fighting, most acrobatic, and most exciting … While these rivers are ideal for swinging and stripping flies, indicator fishing also produces great results. His pattern has become a BC standard. Our flies vary from small and natural to fairly large and quite flashy, again. Clouser Minnows For Steelhead & Salmon Conehead Streamers For Steelhead Egg Fly Patterns For Steelhead Mouse Fly patterns For Steelhead Leeches For Steelhead Sculpins For Steelhead Wooly Buggers For Steelhead Prev 1 2 3 … 26 Next . Mojo Fly … In the boat, we are able to cover water, remain comfortable in adverse conditions and locate the next chrome bullet! “, Hook: Mustad SL53UBL #1/0 Thread: black 6/0 Mid winter fishing opportunities still exist, however we are more selective on when we decide to go and target our efforts around the most productive times of the day. Tail: reddish golden pheasant breast Since steelhead don't have to feed while in fresh water, no one knows for sure what makes them bite flies. You can tie them in different sizes, and alter them to make them your own. By signing up for our newsletter, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. And though steelhead might not be too demanding of us, we need to be demanding of ourselves when we angle for them, for we dishonour their spirit–and our own—when we fail to put thought and effort into the patterns we tie and present to them. Each method can be effective on certain rivers during specific times of the year. And in the spring, stonefly adults can often be found along the rivers steelhead call home. These are the Moose Hair Skaters, and I asked pattern creator—celebrated outdoor photographer David Lambroughton—to tell me about the fly: “I started tying the Moose Hair Skater as I was looking for a smaller fly that would both go through the air easier than something like a Waller Waker and still be able to really push and plow the water. Your email address will not be published. A fearless and vocal advocate for wild steelhead, Brian leaves little doubt that the future of our sport and the fish we treasure is in good hands. The original lacks the strands of flash and jungle cock eyes of the improved version, but both versions often produce for me when other flies have gone cold. Thread: Orange monocord Names like the Dean, Kispiox, and Bulkley are whispered with reverence internationally, and for many, a steelheader’s life is not complete without at least one visit to them all. Steelhead are around in most every river system at this point, and we are setting up for a good winter of fishing. This is a killer fly in the Great Lakes for both steelhead, trout,smallmouth and popular in Alaska. I asked him about its origins and his preferred presentation strategy: “The BC Orange Prawn came from the old BC Orange gooey bob that was and still is heavily used in float fishing for winter steelhead. Imitating Minnows is one of flies / jigs we like to use. Some of these flies are “BC originals”; others have been adapted from classic Atlantic salmon patterns; and some have been introduced to our waters by enthusiastic international anglers. Eyes: Jungle cock nails (optional). Steelhead Anglers who swing flies, are well, pretty crazy. Steelhead can be found along the entire length of the Platte River in Benzie County during the river months, from the mouth at Lake Michigan all the … Wing: Alternating fluorescent orange and fire orange woolly bugger marabou starting about 1/3 of the tube’s length from the front Michigan Steelhead Flies. With winter steelhead, you obviously need to get your flies down near the fish, but controlling the swinging line speed is the most critical element for winter steelhead. Tail: black marabou You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the "Unsubscribe" link at the bottom of every email. Jerry French is well recognized amongst the steelhead spey community. Tail: Orange bucktail or polar bear under golden pheasant tippet, 1 1/2 times longer than the tube Manistee River Below Tippy Fishing Report, https://hawkinsoutfitters.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/IMG_0470.jpg, https://hawkinsoutfitters.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Facebook-300x300.png. Sometimes the take is explosive, like a large rock being hurled into the river. Hook: size 2/0 – 6 Tiemco 7999 Tied “in-the-round” a la Charles Brooks, the T-Stone has been responsible for numerous Thompson fish, including a memorable 38-inch screamer that ripped me up in the waters near Spences Bridge before coming to hand. Thread: Orange 6/0 Always. The use of 8mm Mottled Beads from the folks at Trout Beads to give this fly that little extra hot spot and realism. Rib: Medium pearlescent Mylar Hackle: blue schlappen When tied in black and blue, I’ve also had great success with this fly on the Skeena system. Despite this—or perhaps because of it– when you hook them, they give you 100%. Hackle: A few turns of black pheasant rump Additionally, these tributaries have impressive numbers of summer run steelhead that enter the systems starting as early as July and are present through September. Steelhead can be found from late October to late May in Lake Michigan and Lake Superior tributary streams and rivers. Eyes (Optional): Jungle cock nails, Brian Braidwood is the youthful president of the Steelhead Society of BC. Aaron Goodis’s Intruder-style Steelhead GP is a creative blending of modern Intruder steelhead design and a classic BC pattern. I’ve collected these patterns under four broad categories of flies that consistently take BC steelhead: Steelhead Prawn wet flies; Intruders and Leechy-Squiddy looking wet flies; “Buggy” wet flies; and Skaters. According to Aaron, “I’ve always loved the Black GP and black classic flies for steelhead and this fly has been very successful over the years. Using a Glo Bug. Trailing Hook: Owner #2 I can think of fewer things more exciting than. Hook eye is inserted directly into the rear of the tube These rivers are large and deep therefore, wading can be treacherous. Fishing: Steelhead are known fighters, making them a very popular species for sport fishing. This fly and its prawn-like derivatives have been responsible for many, many memorable days, including my largest steelhead to date, a 41-inch Thompson doe. Swinging flies takes patience and persistence. Much like the rest of our west side Michigan tributaries, the fall steelhead runs begin in early October and peak from mid October through December. “You have to include this one” he said. (231) 519-7348. Fish 3′- 10′ of depth. Your email address will not be published. The timing below is for the Upper Peninsula, downstate goes a couple weeks earlier. Grantham’s Sedge, of course! Each represents a creative solution to the problem of getting steelhead to rise to a fly. Michigan Steelhead Flies Is A Page To Buy The Best Steelhead flies for the Great Lakes Region. By Matt Grajewski. Wing: Moose hair. Throat: reddish golden pheasant breast The fly was developed for the Dean and Thompson Rivers, and is based on Art Lingren’s classic Black GP. Wing: Alternating black and purple woolly bugger marabou starting about 1/3 of the tube’s length from the front Body: Medium copper or brown wire There are 3 techniques we like to use to target Michigan Steelhead on the fly. Chuck & Duck Adapted from spin fishing, this is the most common way anglers pursue Salmon and Steelhead in Northern Michigan. I’ve tried them in different sizes but a size 6 on a Tiemco 105 Hook is perfect. At other times the quickly moving fish leaves a large hole in the water as it grabs the fly and quickly returns to its lie. Hook Holder: soft fluorescent green tubing slid over the rear of the air brake line and secured with tying thread In the boat, we are able to cover water, remain comfortable in adverse conditions and locate the next chrome bullet!Steelhead are aggressive in the fall and take stripped and swung flies exceptionally well. Thread: brown Tail: Black bucktail or polar bear under golden pheasant tippet, 1 1/2 times longer than the tube Fly fishing for Manistee River Steelhead is possible from September through April. You will be sent an opt-in email to confirm that you would like to receive emails from us. Hook Holder: none. air brake tube no longer than 1 1/4″ Tail: black polar bear, blue holographic tinsel, blue rhea, purple golden pheasant tips, natural Amherst tail fibres BC’s steelhead fly fishers have long used “buggy” looking flies for steelhead, and for good reason: as juveniles in fresh water, steelhead eat the same sort of food items as resident rainbows, and mayfly, stonefly and caddis fly nymphs are often on the menu. Steelhead flies are designed for catching anadromous Steelhead trout in western North American and Great Lakes rivers. air brake tubing A distinguishing feature of this fly is Kushnir’s use of peccary hair as the “feelers” that contribute to the fly’s tail. Orcas chase them around, seals take bites out of them, nets rip their gill plates off, and they get bashed around ascending throat-tightening rapids and sometimes waterfalls. Charles Chandler on the Muskegon river in Michigan. 2020 Upland and Waterfowl Seasons – Time to Book Your Trip! He is one of BC’s most knowledgeable and experienced steelheaders. We load them with either with either floating or intermediate Scientific Anglers Freightliner skagit lines, in 480-560 grains depending on conditions. Rib: Medium pearlescent Mylar The leechy look sets the fly off when fished on both sink tip and floating fly lines with a tight line swing. But the best hookups are those resulting when the angler is so stunned by the rise that (s)he does nothing, and as the steelhead returns to its lie the line tightens and the fish is suddenly on. Strike indicator (bobber) And keep up-to-date with BC's fishing and hunting authority! Steelhead are not known for a having particularly refined palates. So among these flies you’ll find patterns that—at least to me—look like steelhead food. Back: Moose hair Rib: silver oval tinsel Hawkins Outfitters now has the capability to fish several of the southwestern tributaries of Lake Michigan for steelhead. Steelhead on the Manistee River have entered the stage where mixing up the program pays dividends. Spring fishing picks back up in March and can extend as late as early May. Now, not all buggy looking flies are designed to suggest insect life, but they fit the bill as something anglers believe a steelhead might grab as reminiscent of today’s blue plate special. Eyes: clear green beads epoxied to 15 pound mono The BC Orange Prawn is a pattern that he often knots on. Steelhead Woolly Bugger. Ribbing: Black schlappen Vary the color and flash combos and dial in your new swing fly creation. Temps are dropping, although they are dropping slowly and that is drawing out fall a bit which we are happy about. (231) 519-7348 Rear Hackle: Black saddle covering 1/3 the length of the tube You will be sent an opt-in email to confirm that you would like to receive emails from us. It can also be used as a template for other swung flies. Steelhead are aggressive in the fall and take stripped and swung flies exceptionally well. Intruders and Leech patterns often prove irresistible to steelhead. These flies are engineered to fish. Great Lakes Michigan Steelhead Flies - Steelhead, Salmon, and Trout flies. Hook Holder: soft orange tubing slid over the rear of the air brake line and secured with tying thread Swinging flies for Steelhead isn’t for the faint of heart. Recommended to you based on your activity and what's popular • Feedback Attract Steelhead Trout with our Collection of Steelhead Fly Fishing Flies. Additionally, these rivers are under 3 hours from Detroit, Chicago and approximately an hour from Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. Still, there are fly styles and patterns that I turn to year after year, and that I recommend—and that I’ve heard recommended by anglers familiar with our great waters. These fish can only be targeted from a boat. Salmon and Steelhead - Michigan All salmon and steelhead flies are tied on chemically sharpened hooks and come from reputable manufacturers like Umpqua, Orvis, Spirit River, Rainy's and others. Required fields are marked *. It’s been a very popular pattern with my sticky fingered friends and there’s something a bit more organic about it over the foam rubber and rubber leg creations that the fans of Classic Flies often stray away from. When speaking of Skagit-style casting systems and tying of intruder type flies, Jerry and his friends Ed Ward and Scott Howell are at the forefront of modern Northwest fly fishing for steelhead. Typically, we use 9 foot 8-9 weight rods loaded with Scientific Anglers Sonar Sink 30 in 200-350 grains. Intruders were originally tied and popularized by American angler Ed Ward during the last of the glory years of Skagit River winter steelheading in Washington State. Body: Orange imitation seal dubbing Like Goodis’s Steelhead GP, the Voodoo has its origins in Art Lingren’s Black GP, as well as flies tied by American anglers Sean Gallagher and Dec Hogan. Hook: Gamakatsu #60411-1/0 (Heavy Wire or HW) Hook: Size 1 – 4 Mustad 7957BX Make sure the nylon extends 1/8” beyond hook eye Natural drift, long drift (great for fishing long steelhead runs) Great for bigger rivers such as the Manistee & Muskegon rivers. We are officially in the throws of steelhead season. Hawkins Outfitters is very excited and happy to provide a new experience to our customers. It’s fished on a tight line swing on both sink tip and floating lines.”, Hook: Mustad SL53UBL #1/0 The Lady Caroline is the fly I see knotted on his leader more than any other. Versatility is the beauty of the Egg Sucking Leech. Guide Intruder, Size #2 or #4 in Tough Water this Fly Works. The first is a more natural sculpin pattern, despite its purple color scheme. Eyes (optional): Jungle cock nails. Thread: black or flame 8/0 Mojo Fly Co. Tail: Orange Polar Bear, Pearl Flashabou, Pink Golden Pheasant tippets You also agree to receive email updates on new posts and offers. Our fly choice depends on water and weather conditions. Another method we utilize is stripping streamers in the fall and spring. Bech ties the Caroline in various sizes and in slightly different shades depending on water and light conditions. Ambient air and water temperatures will remain a few degrees warmer in these tributaries compared to our northern tribs. “It’s killer on the Skeena.”. : Michael Klint Borozan, Sr. with a Steelhead on the Manistee River in Michigan … But my favourite take is when a steelhead simply eats the fly, just like a giant resident rainbow. They are not demanding gourmets. © 2015-2020 Hawkins Outfitters all rights reserved. Traditional Steelhead Flies Featured Best Selling Alphabetically: A-Z Alphabetically: Z-A Price: Low to High Price: High to Low Date: New to Old Date: Old to New Unconditional Body: black teal Experience the thrill of Michigan fly Fishing. Fishing has been pretty good over the last couple weeks. Thread: red flat waxed nylon Thread: Black 6/0 Tube: Black 1/8″ o.d. Wing: electric blue flashabou Front Hackle: Black saddle covering 1/3 to ½ the length of the tube Collar: natural teal Antennae: Natural peccary All of our guides fish for steelhead more than 100 days a year. Flies get natural drift (90 degree nymphing). Horns: pearlescent Krystal flash. Rib: silver or copper wire. I’m often asked by visiting anglers which flies they should bring, and I always encourage them to bring along the ones they believe in, and fish them with confidence. Carapace: fluorescent orange surveyor’s tape Wing: deer hair, tied on the nylon line in front of the hook eye. Follow us on social media and keep up-to-date with BC's fishing and hunting authority. Body: fluorescent hot orange chenille large diameter (video below). Thread: Black 6/0 Aaron Goodis has established himself as one of BC’s pre-eminent outdoor photographers, and he’s also a heck of a fine angler and tyer. Steelhead is a name given to migratory rainbow trout that are born in rivers but spend most of their lives in the ocean or the Great Lakes. Friday Night Flies – Mylar Bucktail Fly. While the theories abound as to why steelhead do or don’t take flies, after twenty-two years swinging flies in steelhead water I’ve accepted that I’ll never really know why, I’m just lucky that they do. Michigan Steelhead Fishing - Guided Fly fishing & light tackle trips for Steelhead, Salmon and Trout Fishing on the Muskegon River, Manistee, and Pere Marquette River. They all work, and they all work very well. Wing: Red Golden Pheasant. Thread: pink 6/0 Steelhead Fly Fishing, As Good As It Can Get! fishing a beautiful stretch of a quiet Michigan river, swinging a fly with a tight line, only to have your line come tight with an angry steelhead at the other end. Only “crazies” will wade in a freezing river while making Spey cast after Spey cast with one hope: to find a player and entice it to chase and attack our fly. Michigan Spey Float System. To do this best you need to add weight to your flies. Tail: Moose hair Below are diagrams and descriptions of … Contact us via the web or give Cherie a call 231-228-7135. Size 6 Bugger Hook. air brake tube I came to steelhead from a trout background, so to me a fly really isn’t a fly unless it at least kind of looks like something a fish might really like to eat, as opposed to something that might simply annoy it into biting. El Jefe. Black thread (heavier thread is necessary for this … Winter Steelhead fishing in Michigan is one of the greatest experiences you can have on the water! Over the years I have learned that … Antennae (“Feelers”): Natural peccary The General Practitioner—or “GP”—was originally developed as an Atlantic salmon fly by Colonel Esmond Drury in response to a ban on natural prawns as bait on British salmon rivers. 139 likes. Klint Borozan on the Manistee River in Michigan. These rivers are large and deep therefore, wading can be treacherous. The fly? Tube: Black 1/8″ o.d. Wing: natural brown barred mallard flank, folded and on edge Trailing Wire: 50 lb fire line They are pursued by Great Lakes trollers, pier anglers and surf anglers. Trailing Hook: Owner #2 You can swing this fly, dead drift, and even fish it in a tandem rig. So here is my unabashedly biased look at a small sampling of BC’s Best Steelhead Flies. Much like streamer fishing for trout, we target structure and tempt the steelhead to attack! Whether you are fly fishing steelhead in the Great Lakes tributaries or on the West Coast we can help you select our favorite steelhead flies that will help you catch more fish. Feelers: mixed hot orange and red bucktail, with a few strand of pearl flash Hackle: sparse stripped heron from second turn of wire April 18, 2020. Side Wing: Moose hair stubs Trailing Wire: 50 lb fire line He fishes this fly on a floating line with a long leader. One of the tactics that we like to work into the program is movement. 'It's a sculpin imitation, ' says Grajewski. ' Ron Grantham is a long time member of the Totem Fly Fishers and builder of beautiful cane rods which he fishes with classic Hardy reels. Winter steelhead flies come in a wide variety of sizes and colors, but the most popular ones that are meant to be fished on the swing are 2" to 4" long, and are tied from soft materials that impart a lot of swimming motion when in the water. Each fall Ron puts up enviable dry fly numbers on the Bulkley and Thompson. In my experience these are the most difficult fish to hook, because the natural reaction is to set quickly when the big head appears. Tube: Black 1/8″ o.d. Brad Knowles / Pacific Salmon Fly Patterns / Steelhead Fly Patterns / Streamer Fly Patterns / Trout Fly Patterns. Located in Michigan. But I can also accept that the Raging Prawn might not look at all yummy to a steelhead–it might just be irritating. Year after year, one in particular always draws my eye—what looks like a jumble of steelhead dry flies artistically rendered. Leeches have been around forever of course, and in larger sizes are great first light and last light patterns. British Columbia’s storied waters are among steelheading’s most hallowed. Therefore whether swinging a fly or dead drifting an egg pattern, we know where steelhead are. Indicator nymphing, swinging streamers, and chuck and duck. Over coffee at Searun Fly and Tackle one day I asked Brian about BC’s Best Steelhead Flies. Using the composite loop to bring together UV Material, Flashabou and ostrich, this fly swims like a minnow and is tough as nails. Accents: A few strands of thin pearl flash The Kilowatt is the brainchild of American angler Cliff Watts, who has been fishing the Skeena system for nearly three decades. Joe Kambietz is a gifted silversmith and carver, and originated this prawn fly for winter steelhead, but it works everywhere, and is a pattern that continues to remind those of us tweed cap types (including me) that sometimes we tend to take things a little too seriously. March, April and September through December being prime time. Tag: green holographic tinsel Body: chenille or dubbing (Lambroughton prefers orange Ice dubbing) As a result, juvenile steelhead have gotten used to seeing—and eating—bugs on the surface, so it makes sense that a fly skating along the top would attract an adult steelhead’s attention and result in some of steelheading’s most exciting moments. Hook: Mustad 7958B, #6 We still have a few openings in the next few weeks during prime time steelhead season if you’d like to try this new opportunity! We fish the same way we fish our northern rivers. If you are fishing it with a tandem rig, be sure your smaller fly is an egg. An eight weight rod will suffice for Steelhead though you may want to consider a nine or ten weight for King Salmon. He reached for a few, but made particular note of the Kilowatt. In 1876, Michigan’s Daniel Fitzhugh never dreamed that his California rainbow trout experiment on the Au Sable River would result in migratory winter steelhead. Whether you are a seasoned Spey angler, indicator angler or a streamer junkie, these river systems have something to offer for all skill levels. BC’s steelhead fly fishers have long used “buggy” looking flies for steelhead, and for good reason: as juveniles in fresh water, steelhead eat the same sort of food items as resident rainbows, and mayfly, stonefly and caddis fly nymphs are often on the menu. The second fly pattern, named “The Perch” has proven itself over the years to be a top producer for the Hawkins Team. This is a great choice for those folks traveling from Chicago, Grand Rapids, or Detroit that need a quick chrome fix! These fisheries get astonishing numbers of returning steelhead and the season can extend well into December. Body: brown dubbing over a length of .065” nylon line (the kind used for Weedeater-type lawn edgers). Fished on a floating line in the fall, or a sink tip in the winter, the GP will always produce when steelhead are inclined to move to a fly. The most common way to target these fish would be to utilize two-handed rods, typically 13-14 foot rods in 8 to 9 weight. Jeff Boks on the Betsie River in Northern Michigan using an egg-sucking leech. Signature Intruder, Black & Blue (Medium Heavy) This mid-weight, mid-size fly series (8-colors) has … The lodge and clubhouse at BC West feature several stunning photographs of the Dean River and related subjects. It is much more visual, especially when you see silver roll and eat right at the boat. Kushnir uses short shank straight eye bait hooks such as the Partridge Nordic Single in sizes 4 and 6 for all his tube fly patterns, held in place by inserting the hook eye into a short length of soft plastic tubing at the back of the fly. These fish can only be targeted from a boat. It’s also a very enjoyable pattern to tie.”, Hook: size 4 – 8 Tiemco 105 Cold Sinking Lines from Scientific Anglers. Steelhead take skated flies in a variety of ways. The fly is skating along under tension, then the head of the fish appears as it sips in the fly. Tyler Kushnir’s Voodoo Child is the black or black and purple version of the Raging Prawn. Steelhead Nymphs, Egg Flies, and Streamers. Steelhead … Here you’ll find offerings you can fish deep or skate along the surface. How To Fly Fish Fish For Steelhead With An Egg Sucking Leech. I don’t use the Poacher much, but I love this fly because it’s both a BC original and an example of the iconoclastic culture that has grown up in steelheading circles. GPs work in all steelhead waters, winter or summer, so they are a great pattern to build a fly box around. Start typing to see results or hit ESC to close. Late April and … Legs: hot orange saddle hackle Grand Traverse Bay Fishing Report for 6.9.20, Product Review- Patagonia Macro Puff Hoody. Wing: Pink grizzly hackle tips, Red golden pheasant skin. It doesn't require tons of specialized gear and can be learned in an afternoon. It has also brought success on the Dean and Skeena systems. Poul Bech is a longtime member of the executive of the Steelhead Society of BC, and his contributions to steelhead conservation have earned him the Society’s prestigious Cal Woods award. The October Caddis is a common sight on autumn steelhead waters. Body: Opal Black Estaz Eyes: barbell or bead chain, 5/32, 3/16, or 7/32. I think the colour is the main feature, and dressing it in a classic prawn style gives the fly class. Hawkins Outfitters is excited to introduce a new option to pursue steelhead in the Southwest portion of Michigan. Spring (Apr-Jun) - Steelhead show up to spawn. Here are two links for tried and true Hawkins Outfitters swing flies. In river they’ll chase and occasionally eat bugs, little fish, cigarette butts, roe, and shoelaces with hooks tied to them. Years ago Watts discovered that a steelhead fly tied on jig hook with flashy materials in black and blue was virtually snag free and irresistible to northern steelhead. I fish this fly on a traditional … My hook of choice for these and other tube flies is the Daiichi 2451 in sizes 4 and 6. Hackle: A few turns of natural pheasant rump Rib: flat gold and silver wire Steelhead are the coolest, most rugged, noble and badass fish you can catch in freshwater. Body: Orange Diamond braid, Orange mallard, Orange cactus chenille, Orange marabou