Phil's Custom Flies

Classic Steelhead Flies

Classic Steelhead Flies are traditionally fished on the swing.  Cast the fly across and slightly downstream, mend, and let it swing through the tail of a pool in the early morning or late evening on one of your favorite steelhead runs, and hold on.  Steelhead take this fly on the swing and it is a challenge for many to wait out the grab until the fish has taken the fly and turned.  I speak from experience!  Way too many times I have reacted to the grab, only to yank the fly out of the fish's mouth.  The trick is to "bow to the fish" upon the grab by lowering the rod and essentially letting the fish hook itself on the turn.  Sounds much easier said than done for someone tuned to react quickly to strikes!