Steelhead Flies

[Arctic]

This is a quick, easy tie. It can be done with a number of different materials, but you are looking for a couple specifics for this particular bug...

You can use pheasant, duck, chicken, whatever, but you want the tips to be nice, and "hackle-y" if thats even a word, but you want to be able to either pack them on the back of the fly to immitate a wing, or wrap them foward a couple turns to form a pseudo "hackle." Here we chose pheasant tail feathers to get that hackled look.


Here we go...
All you need is a single feather, a piece of Mylar Tinsel, a hook, bead head, scisors, thread, and a bobbin... Hackle pliers help, but are not necessary. If you like Zap-A-Gap... which I do... Use it.


Build a nice thread base, and make sure that bead head is tight to the eye.


Tie in your Mylar Tinsel.


Wrap it back, and then bring it foward, and secure.


Tie in your feather of choice by the BASE, not the tips!


Spit all over your sausage fingers to wet the fluffy, "down-ish" portion of the feather, and wrap it foward with heavy pressure.


For this tie, we decided to hackle the front end... So hackle it up!


A little off track here, but lets just say that you are tying a pattern that requires the hackle to be right up tight to the hook eye... Its hard as ever to get a clean tie off without a third hand... Its pictured there on the end of my bobbin. That short piece of silicon, right behind the tube... Can ya see it?


Its the Hackle Helper! Trust me, its a life saver, 'specially for small, intricate work.


Back on track here... Pick the hackle...


Pick the body...


And call it good.


Another look.


Another variation, with a different type of feather.


Git sum!

[stephan009l]

Awesome! I love the outcome of that fly! What size hook is that anyways btw?

[Arctic]

Thanks dude! Check out the Bubble Gum Betty!

Thats a #1 Owner Super Needle Point, Mosquito Hook. I only tie with such large hooks, and feather, and fur portions for these step-by-step's, because its hard to really "get the picture" when I tie 'em on a thinly dressed #4 Octopus hook for low, clear, mini stream Steelhead.

You can use any hook you like tho. Most of my general use "flies" get tied on #2 Octopus hooks. It's all about personal preference for the most part. Tubes are the only way to go for big bugs. The short shank, Octopus style hook is the only way to ensure you will PROBABLY land that fish thats just climbed aboard. The classic long shank fly hooks suck! If possible, try to tie on short shanks for steelhead!

[stephan009l]

Takin notes! I end up using octopus style hooks for everything since i've moved back up to oregon anyways, even for trout! Just seem to be better for the north west species that are here. i'll check betty out!

[wfocharlie]

Thanks for the post. That thing looks cool. Fly tying is in my future for sure so I just keep taking notes.

[Ed Fast]

Thanks, Ian!

Notice that the octopus hook does NOT have an upturned eye. That is very important.

Ed

[Arctic]

Thanks, Ian!

Notice that the octopus hook does NOT have an upturned eye. That is very important.

Ed

Yeah! This is a great point, and DOES make all the difference in the way a fly swims thru the drift. For buggy "bugs" a downturned, or straight eye is best. Yarn Flies can get an upturn tho, no problem!

[Spade]

Yeah! This is a great point, and DOES make all the difference in the way a fly swims thru the drift. For buggy "bugs" a downturned, or straight eye is best. Yarn Flies can get an upturn tho, no problem!

Ed has a theory that if you're tied to an upturned eye, the fish can leverage the hook out easily....an interesting concept but I have doubts.

[Arctic]

He's right, and it is true, especially with longer shanks... a fish can definetly pin that hook to the side of its face, and roll off of it pretty easily, but big barbs, short shanks, and good pressure sometimes remedy this..Well...Sometimes.

I was alluding to the fact that most bugs dont swim right with an upturned eye, or a clinch knot for that matter. A saltwater loop knot makes your flies ride true, and the straight, or downturn eye orients the hook point in a way that makes sure the fish is done for, if they slap that thing!