[jcalderon]

I am starting to tie for the fall swinging season on columbia tribs, and of course I am expecting low clear water that time of year. I am curious to know what is the smallest size of fly you guys swing for steelhead. I have yet to get a fish on the swing, yet I have caught a few nymphing some pretty small stuff.

 

[fredaevans]

10s consistently, and I have gone as small as a 14.

fae

 

[SpeySpaz]

exactly same for me.
#10 Queen of the Waters,
#14 Nondescript nymph, been years since I used that for steel.

 

[jcalderon]

I got one on a 14 copper john last year, and that is what really made me start questioning the "need" for huge spey style swinging patterns. I have been tying on some Alec Jackson size 8's I believe, and to me, they look real fishy

 

[Guest]

Size #3 or #5 standard wire dressed light.

 

[attack]

i think their is a big difference between swinging a very small fly and nymphing one as you are trying to get the fish to move to the fly rather than feed from a stationary position... not that it cant be effective but i really dont have confidence in swinging anything below an 8...

 

[Daniel Nelson]

I have swung flies down to size 14's but normally size 8's and 10's are about as far as i go. The problem i have with going smaller than 8's is picking up smaller trout that are more plentiful and more willing to bite. Kinda gives that false sense of getting a tug only to find out its only a 12"er.

 

[rick matney]

size 12 prince nymph with a soft hackel collar.

 

[the central oregonian]

swinging for summers i go down to a size 8....Tiemco 7999 is the weapon of choice for me. I have a mix of flies running from size 2 to 8 for swinging summers...

 

[Brian Thomas]

Size 10 Spade`s are as small as I`ll go .
I prefer 8`s though .

 

[speyday]

This was with a singler hander, but still....

I have gotten a few swinging sz 14 olive flashback hares ear nymphs to summer and fall run fish that have started to mellow and act more trouty. I wasn't thinking steelhead at the time.
These were hatchery fish in wisconsin; if that matters. I don't think it does. Oh yeah, and in MI ive gotten a couple of fish on swung, articulated hex nymphs.

 

[fullerfly]

2.5" give or take.

 

[fullerfly]

...nevermind. Just actully measured one. 1.5" ish.

 

[soundflycaster]

Size 8 with a wider gape.

 

[k2flyfisher]

size 8 cdc soft hackle on an owner ssw or gami octo.

 

[Steelie Mike]

size 12 prince nymph with a soft hackel collar.

YUP #10-12'S work great!

 

[younggun]

size 6, usually a BB or egg sucker.

 

[GR8LAKES FLYER]

Smallest I would swing is are these Alec Jackson SI #11's :

Mike

 

[Jim F.]

Gorgeous flies, Flyer! Saw "Queen of the Waters" mentioned earlier . . . now we're talking the years of my youth . . . anybody for a "Wickham's Fancy" or "Major Pitcher?" How about a "Parmachene Belle?" (no clue as to whether that's spelled correctly . . . )

 

[fredaevans]

Smallest I would swing is are these Alec Jackson SI #11's :

Mike

Now that is a very nice touch .... a 10 Coin to give a scale. Dang those are well done, especially given the actual size.

fae