I'm just curious what hook size winter steelhead fly fisherman like to use and why. Also is there one color that seems to be more productive then others.

Mark

I use a size 2 more than any other for my winter flies. It's large enough to tie a fly that can be seen in slightly off-color water. That is, I can see it fairly well in water of a foot and a half visibility or so. A 2 is light enough to cast comfortably with an 8 wt. outfit, which is what I've done most of my winter fly fishing with until I began using two-handed rods. Large and heavy hooks detract from grace and style in casting, which is a large part of the satisfaction I derive from fly fishing.

The range of sizes I generally use is from 6 to 1. I have used some larger hooks, up to size 4/0, but they were no fun to cast and didn't improve my catch rate at all.

The most productive colors are the colors that I use. I believe that if I tied flies in other colors, then I would find them to probably be just as productive as the ones I've been using for over 20 years. Basics, red, orange, chartruese, black, purple. Very little white, pink, grey, brown, although they have all worked for me.


Sincerely,

Salmo g.

[ 12-27-2001: Message edited by: Salmo g. ]

I like big and black... my go to fly in the winter is a 3/0 black general practitioner tied on as sharp a hook as I can find. If you prefer a simpler tie a 1/0 bunny leech is a good choice. By far the most important thing about fly choice is your confidence in that fly. That goes for the water you fish also actually that goes for all parts of your setup..

take a look at the stuff bob has been tying and posting in the daily reports that will give you the idea...

I like big flies , some guys like small flies it really doesn't matter nor does color pick one you think the fish will like and fish it with confidence. keep your hooks sharp.

I like a heavier wire hook in as big as 2/0 in the Atalntic slamon style. Bill McMillan uses these bigger hooks along with a floating DT line along with a long leader and fishes "greased line". Mark since we know how well pink works even in lower water conditions that would be my "go to" color.

Mark,

You've kind of asked a tricky question. Like stew said-If I'm going to be fishing a floating line, I would use a larger, heavier wire hook, with smaller profile fly tied on it, so it will sink quicker.

If I was using a sink tip, I would use a smaller hook, ligher wire with an appropriate sized profile fly tied on it.

There are soo many variations on hook size, depending on water conditions, and water temp, the type of line you prefer and how heavy of rod you use.

Here's my typical summer setup (this is also my low water winter set up). 7wt. rod w/floating WF line and a 12' leader, with a small profile size 4 fly. I don't need to dredge and the fish will come up a bit for the fly.

Winter time is a whole different ball game. I get out my 9wt yank, and run a floating modified shooting head with a very high densitey (sometimes lead core) sink tip. I'll shorten up to a 4-6' leader and use #2- 2/0 size flys. Usually marabou types. If needed I'll fish a wieghted fly.

So, it all depends on conditions. My fly boxes are not that pretty. Usually about 6 patterns with a lot of different hook sizes and wieghts.

Sorry for rambling

Aaron

[ 12-27-2001: Message edited by: Jellyhead ]