So true..

Steelhead on the surface

This fly is a modification of Jack Gartside's famous "Gurgler" top water fly.

They are light, easy to tie and is another fly that just might take a steelhead on top in late spring, summer or early fall.  Tied on a #2 Bomber hook a materials list follows.

Tail: Ice blue Angel Hair over white cashmere goat overwhite bucktail (all sparse)

Back/head: 3mm white fly foam cut into strips 8mm in width

Body:  UV Pearl Ice Dub with 5 wraps of 1.25" Blue Crystal Trilobal synthetic hackle palmered

Eyes:  4mm doll eyes from craft store attached with Super Glue gel

The fly foam strip is first attached at the rear of the hook and then pulled forward over the body and bound down approx. 1/4" from the eye of the hook.  Then roll the foam back on itself and bind the tag end down again. 

Golden Muddler

Muddlers have always been a good fly for steelhead and when the river drops in early May I'll be giving these a swing through the riffles.

These are fairly simple to tie:
Hook: Ajec Jackson #5
Body: Orange Diamond Braid
Gills: a small amount of red Angora Goat dubbing
Wing: orange squirrel tail, 4 strands of orange krystal flash, 2 slips of motled turkey
Collar & Head:  orange deer hair
Thread: orange

Real Steelheaders Don't Chum

Welcome to Real Steelheaders Don't Chum. This website was created to help inform the fishing community and interested stakeholders about the chumming that is taking place on our Michigan rivers. This practice is having numerous negative impacts on our rivers and we are working to reinstate the ban on chumming of loose salmon eggs and other organic material.


Click here to sign the petition to ban chumming again in Michigan.

Scott Howell Tying a Squidro

Here is Scott Howell tying one of his Squidro's, he shares some good tips on tying them in this video. Wish this clip was in Skagit Master 3.

S&S Express

A little "stinger" action and a "Senyo shank" combined with some easy tying steps put this fly in the "express" lane when your at the vise.  The toughest part is tying on the grizzly saddle wings, but after you do a few it will become much easier.

S&S Express Recipe
Shank: Flymen Senyo Shank 25mm color of your choice
Stinger Wire: Beadalon 7 strand wire .018 (20lb breaking strength)
Hook: your choice of octopus style hook
Body: Polar Chenille
Collar: Schlappen
Under Wing: Arctic fox or similar with flashabou
Head: A small clump of ice dubbing tied on the bottom and top of the fly
Wing: Grizzly Saddle Hackle
Eyes: Jungle Cock or Prosportfisher pro jungle cock hd.

Another color combo for 2.5" swinger

Same pattern as in previous post in a Pink/white color.

Golden yellow colored pheasant rump for the wing.  I just started using this material in various colors last fall and it is becoming one of my favorites.  Its great for collars, wings or spey hackle and fairly cheap to buy!