Fly tying styles for steelhead patterns have evolved over the last few decades in two interesting directions:
The first towards sparser, more stream-lined versions of the bulkier traditional wet flies ties of the past, and the second towards larger, high profile flies that have been made possible by innovations like the tube fly and the stinger type of tie. These larger flies are tied with methods that allow the use of smaller hooks that don't damage fish and that allow the fly to cast and swim much better.

Much of the leaner style of tying on traditional steelhead wet patterns is due to the development and refinement of greased-line fly fishing for steelhead. A less bulky fly just performs better during the greased-line presentation. As a very general rule, larger, slightly heavier dressings are useful for winter steelheading, and sparser dressings are the rule for more aggressive summer fish. Of course, no fly styles are more subjective than steelhead patterns, and if you ask 10 different fly tiers to produces a Green-Butt Skunk, although the basic colors will all be the same, you will most likely get 10 slightly different styles of tie. Most likely, when fished with moderate skill, all 10 flies will catch steelhead.

We recommend that steelheaders, especially beginners, worry less about their fly patterns and more about learning to read rivers and how to cover them with good casting technique. A modest selection of dark and bright patterns in a couple different sizes will get you on the river where you can start learning when and where the fish are. After you have learned that, you can begin refining your fly selections to match your knowledge and confidence levels. Browse all of the Pacific Northwest and Great Lakes steelhead flies at The Fly Fishing Place Fly Shop... .