As many of you know, I live in Pennsylvania, so how do steelhead fit into the picture? In my neck of the woods, rainbow trout are stocked in the tributaries of Lake Erie and soon take off for the lake. These fish spend most of their lives in the lake eating and growing, but make an incredible upstream migration from fall to early spring, offering a fantastic fly-fishing opportunity.
But are they true steelhead? Technically, no—they don’t spend any part of their lifecycle in saltwater. However, they are migratory, and they fight just as hard, making them an absolute blast to target with a fly rod. More importantly, many of the flies and techniques we use are effective not only for these steelhead, but also for trout. Since I’ve targeted these fish with a fly for over three decades, and it’s about time I shared some of my top patterns!
A 10’ rod is able to reach over the current, allowing for a longer drag-free drift with a Euro nymphing leader. A fly rod with a soft tip helps to protect smaller tippet sizes during the fight.
Before jumping right to my top flies, let’s start by recommending an outfit to use. If I’m throwing a traditional setup in small- to medium-sized rivers, a 9’ 6-weight is perfect. Larger rivers call for a bump up to a 7-weight, especially if tossing larger patterns like spey flies. In the early season, I walk the shores of Lake Erie and target fish outside of the tributary mouths; the wind plays a factor. In that situation, an 8-weight delivers the fly accurately, plus helps to put the brakes on a fish that has an entire lake to fight from.
Euro nymphing is also something I love, thus there are some 10’ (and longer) rods that I throw into my steelhead arsenal, pairing them with a long leader of around 10 pound test. When I’m able to get close to the steelhead, this setup allows me to drift the fly in a precise seam. At distance, I hold my leader off of the water directly to the float, achieving drifts typically reserved for center pin fishing. Like everything else, the stream size, conditions, and needed distance help determine the right rod and line weight for the situation.
Once on the water, focus on pools, runs, and even the occasional riffle. When targeting steelhead, many of us want to see the fish. Wear polarized sunglasses and constantly be on the lookout for movement, dark masses, or a shadow on a brighter day. However, many of my largest fish were caught blind casting to fishy spots, so when in doubt, place a cast in water that a steelhead can rest in. Speaking of that cast, which fly should be tied on? I’m glad you asked!
About those flies, I’ve noticed that it's becoming a popular thing in fly fishing circles to say, "The fly doesn't matter, it's all about the technique." Do I agree? Yes and no, because it starts by selecting a fly you have confidence in, and then dialing in the technique to match the situation. When fishing a confidence fly and cycling through multiple fishing techniques without success, I have changed the fly and had immediate success. So yes, the fly does matter. The following patterns are my confidence flies for steelhead and are the first flies I turn to on the water.
Egg-Citing Tactics: Catching Steelhead on Egg Flies!
The McFly Foam egg is a favorite steelhead fly. They’re easy to tie in both small and large sizes, and come in subtle and fluorescent colors. You’re looking at one fly I always have in my box.
Show me a steelhead (or trout!) and I’ll show you a fish that eats eggs! A Glo-Bug was my go-to for years, but I have ramped up my “egg game” significantly, as fly tying manufacturers have given us lots of options to choose from. Favorite patterns include:
Crystal Meth
Sucker Spawn
How do you choose between these different patterns? My selection process is straightforward, as the McFly Foam and Eggstasy patterns are my base options. They are lifelike and come in a variety of colors. If I want to fish a larger egg, think around a #14, then Eggstasy gets the nod. For smaller offerings, McFly is tough to beat.
In this video, learn how to tie and fish the Sucker Spawn, a confidence fly I’ve fished for decades. Watch until the end and learn my secret color that catches both trout and steelhead!
What about when fishing high and stained water? In that situation, I like a two-fly setup, which includes a dark streamer and a Crystal Meth fly. The added flash in the latter pattern makes it stand out and draws the attention of fish. That’s ideal when the steelhead are fresh to the tributaries or a high water event. But what about when the fish are a bit timid?
Throughout steelhead season, there are times when the water levels drop, and the fish have all day to examine the fly in clear water. That’s when an unweighted Sucker Spawn gets the nod, allowing for a delicate presentation. When fishing this fly solo, I add a couple small split shot to the tippet, otherwise pair it with a heavier fly to keep it close to the fish.
My hook preference for eggs patterns is a hook with a short shank and heavy wire. When targeting steelhead, go with a “heavy” hook, which means more steel to hold a large fish. The added weight also help them sink faster than a standard wire. Le't’s not forget a favorite part: Which egg colors work best? In steelhead season, I carry eggs in subtle and fluorescent colors, going with the latter more often. I have a handful of favorite egg colors that I fish with confidence. Would you like my secret colors? Gotta do some work for them: Shoot me an email using the form below!
Steelhead Slayer: The Power of the Black Woolly Bugger!
Let’s not overthink another favorite fly for all species of fish: The Woolly Bugger! Growing up, I fished this with confidence, not knowing if it was imitating streamers, nymphs, or even caterpillars…I still don’t know. But I know it catches fish. There are lots of great color combinations to choose from, but keep it simple and go with either a white or black. A Black Woolly Bugger or Egg Sucking Leech is tough to beat, the latter offering a hot spot for added attraction. My favorite sizes range from a #6 to #10, and I tie these in unweighted versions and with a cone head.
NEW & IMPROVED Version! This year, I had the privilege of interviewing 30 of the world’s top competitive anglers for my book, delving into their expertise and uncovering the secrets behind their favorite flies. When talking about streamers, there was one fly that nearly everyone agreed was best, the Black Jig Bugger. Talk about simple, start with a #10 jig hook and add a slotted tungsten bead, then tie in a long marabou tail and a Polar Chenille body. Think Woolly Bugger 2.0! For detailed pictures to tie the Black Jig Bugger, plus tips on how to fish it effectively, check out my new book: Tying Euro Nymphs.
My Mop flies include the original version, tied with Mop fibers from everyday items like slippers and bathmats. Current favorites include Mopster material from Semperfli, adding flash to an already deadly fly.
Hooking Steelhead with the Magic of Mop Flies
Was the Mop an unexpected choice for this list? Not for me! My first experience using a Mop fly for steelhead remains etched in my memory. Imagine this: It’s a crisp fall day, and the water levels are a bit low. The fish are wary and selective, sometimes scattering at the sight of a drifting fly. Spotting a small group of steelhead holding in a tight pocket, I decided to switch things up with a pale pink Mop fly.
I made a careful cast upstream of their position, aiming for the fly to drift just above their heads in the water column. What happened next took me by surprise. One fish broke from the group and charged the fly—but it wasn’t alone. A second fish darted after it, turning the moment into an all-out race for the Mop!
That day, I landed a steelhead I’ll never forget. Moving forward, the Mop fly has held a permanent spot in my steelhead box—and a special place in my angling stories.
Fish the Mop fly in your favorite egg colors, though don’t be afraid to experiment. In larger sizes, I opt for a jig hook and the typical material, though in smaller sizes (#14 and below), a Micro Mop is a go-to version. When approaching wary fish, forego a heavy bead and instead add split shot to your line. This encourages the fly to drift slightly higher in the column, and may prevent the fish from easily spooking. A dead drift works great, but add an occasional jigging motion and see how the fish react.
Tie your own flies? Here’s my original video of the Mop: YouTube. Since that video was released, I featured newer versions of the Mop in both of my books, plus love a smaller pattern called the Micro Mop. This fly catches steelhead all season long, plus is a confidence fly for many anglers around the world. In short, you can’t stop the Mop!
Top Nymphs for Steelhead Success
Some of the most effective flies for trout are equally deadly when targeting steelhead! Look through your fly box and pick out your favorite dark-colored nymphs in sizes #12 through #16; you’ve just found patterns that steelhead can’t resist. When approaching slower moving water, I also like to throw soft hackles with a CDC or partridge wing, as the added movement sometimes triggers an eat. My top steelhead nymphs are listed here, go-to patterns that I fish first.
The Blowtorch is one of today’s most popular fly patterns, and I’ve caught fish around the world on this nymph. Featured in my new book, Tying Euro Nymphs, this version has the perfect amount of movement and flash.
Pheasant Tail: This pattern in bead head and unweighted versions catches fish around the world. The steelhead in Lake Erie are just large rainbow trout, and those fish love PT nymphs!
Hare’s Ear: With its ability to imitate a variety of aquatic insects, fish the Hare’s Ear in runs and riffles. Vary its depth in the water column based on how the fish respond to the drift.
Stonefly Patterns: These are the “steaks” of the nymph world, and fish get a full meal with one. The large profile in sizes #10 and #12 draws attention of fish, especially when drifting lower in the water column. I prefer to fish black and brown stoneflies, though try a golden stone occasionally for a change of pace.
Blowtorch: Devin Olsen created a winner with this fly! A fluorescent hot spot in the tail paired with a dark body creates a point of contrast for the steelhead to key on. Fish the Blowtorch with confidence in size #14. There’s a reason the Blowtorch is considered one of today’s best patterns, this fly always produces!
White Death: The Ultimate Steelhead Slayer
This video features Jeff Blood and Tom Rosenbauer talking all things steelhead. Setups are discussed to help you setup the perfect rig for your flies.
Jeff Blood came up with a killer pattern when he developed the White Death! This fly is the perfect combination of flash and fur, tied Zonker-style to replicate small bait fish and smelt in the Great Lakes. There are many productive ways to fish this streamer, including:
Dead Drift: Either as a solo offering or with a dropper, dead drift this fly through the water column, concentrating on transition points. When fishing faster runs, add split shot above the streamer to help it sink lower. With an indicator, be aware of subtle pauses, which indicate an eat. Though steelhead are a large fish, the strikes can be easily missed.
Swing: Cast the White Death downstream and across at a 45° fromw here you’re standing. Allow the fly to swing in the current until directly downstream from you, then recast. No indicator is needed when fishing this method, and the strikes can be vicious! Go with 3x tippet (or heavier) when fishing this style.
Retrieve with Action: After casting your streamer and letting it sink to depth, bring it to life with either erratic, short strips or a steady, methodical retrieve. These actions tap into the steelhead’s predatory nature, provoking reactive strikes. Use a strip set, pulling the line sharply with your stripping hand to drive the hook home, then continue the fight by raising your rod.
Now you have my favorite steelhead flies, successful patterns I’ve used over my decades of targeting this incredible fish. Yet it’s not always about the pattern, and I’m betting many of you have found sucecss with other flies and setups in the Erie tributaries. Comment below and let’s help others select the perfect steelhead flies, thanks!
BY TIM CAMMISA
I share my passion for fly fishing and fly tying through personal experiences and expert insights. As a seasoned fly fishing guide turned content creator, my YouTube channel boasts over 5 million views, offering viewers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. While I cherish moments chasing trout in Pennsylvania with my family, I also lead fly fishing expeditions to the captivating landscapes of Iceland and Alaska. Additionally, I authored the acclaimed book Fly Tying for Everyone, aiming to empower fellow enthusiasts to tie superior flies, elevate their angling game, and savor unforgettable moments on the water. My newest book, Euro Nymphs, is set to be released this winter.
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Including family is part of the fun with steelhead! Here, my daughter Fina can’t resist a quick “goodbye pet” before we release this steelhead.