S&S,

I agree with Rob about both the best timing of mid-May thur the end of July as being best, and quality Steelhead Muddler Minnow flies in size 4 as the best producer on the river during that time period. Bill M. has a book out and I would take a look at that. He used to do well with a Steelhead Caddis which was similar to the Muddler but a sparser tie and no gold tinsel. My second fav was the Golden Deamon with orange hackle, brown wing, and gold tinsel on the body. A great fly swung in the surface film with a floating line, as you would the Muddler, or when the water is up and colored a bit, with a fast sinking tip line. I recall most of the standards, such as a Green Butt Skunk, worked well too. Mark Bachman used to have a flyshop out east of Vancouver and he and Bill M. had some of the best winter steelhead flies around. They were very bright multi-colored sparse ties on heavy wire size 2 hooks, and worked well for winters both dead drifted and swung deep. (I think Mark works in the Welches flyshop, or another one somewhere now?). Anyway, excuse the ramble, but the 'Shou' has great flywater along much of it's fishable sections. Have fun. - RT