It depends on water height and clarity most of time (like in 95% of the time). When the water is low and clear, it is time to use the smaller stuff (as in #6 and smaller) and also time to put the skaters to use. When the water is high and cold, it is time to put on the big stuff. And most of the time it really doesn't matter the color or brightness of the fly used. Size matched to water height, temp, and clarity with good presentation is what matters most. However, if I get a grab but no hookup on a small fly in summer/fall low-water time, I go back through with a fly at least 2 sizes large that has a different silhouette or change from a skater to a wet simply to give the fish something quite different to look at. Sometimes this provokes a strike, sometimes it doesn't. And in winter when the temps drop and there hasn't been rain for a while when the rivers drop and get clear, but the water is rather cold, I use smaller flies and fish the in shallower water because it is warmer there and the fish a bit more active.
Big flies vs little flies
When do you pull out the big flashy ones? And the small more natural ones? Just curious, because I've heard many different takes on this.
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I have had so little luck with large flashy stuff that I don't use it anymore. A simple marabou for me is way more effective than say an intruder
As mentioned, small can be the ticket in low clear conditions. The mantra it's 90% presentation and 10% pattern becomes less true the lower, slower, and clearer the water becomes. The extreme of being still water steelhead in estuary situations. This is far more like lake fishing for trout than steel. Both presentation and pattern choice are critical. I haven't found any exceptions to that yet, but I'm sure there are just as there is to everything in fly fishing,
I'd also add that movement in the fly seems to be a key strike trigger in low/clear conditions. I use marabou in all of my stillwater patterns.
I'd also add that movement in the fly seems to be a key strike trigger in low/clear conditions. I use marabou in all of my stillwater patterns.
Large hooks for me. That way I don't have to hook and release so many smolts or pre-smolts. Tough to concentrate on steelhead when the juveniles are attacking your fly on each cast.
my first comment. Don't harass me. Small for surface or near surface , bigger below. Are the fish fresh?
HOLY SHIT ARE YOU FUCKEN KIDDING ME GAWDmy first comment. Don't harass me. Small for surface or near surface , bigger below. Are the fish fresh?
Great "accomplishments" come in all sizes...HOLY SHIT ARE YOU FUCKEN KIDDING ME GAWD
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