Clouser Minnow

Clousers will work. I have never used a dry fly for steelhead but am sure others have. Swinging wets will also work.

I should have been more specific in regard to the clouser. I also use synthetic material and tye them not quite as sparse as a regular clouser.  The primary color would be blue, followed by olive green.

I witnessed steelhead rising last Spring on the Rocky River. They were the jacks who kept getting chased away from the females. I couldn't tell what they were taking though. There was a small caddis hatch coming off. My attempts to use EHC, stimulator, adams irresistable didn't get a take that day. I did catch a couple on caddis larva fly, down deep above the risers.
 
I have used the Clouser minnow with success in Ohio and PA. Some of the same pattern colors as mentioned above. I will add, try pink top with white body during sunny winter days. This has turned on a few fish when other flies did not. I also find the Clouser to work well in faster turbulent water or runs. I use a zonker in the medium to slower water with more success than Clouser minnows. (not trying to knock the fly here, Clousers are a great versatile fly)
 
Good luck,
Rickerd

ORIGINAL: D-nymph

You bought that fish at wholeys.

 
shlt no
i don't buy anything
 
I took that picture in the store
 
 

Tied up a doz. cool clousers. Do any of you fellas dead drift them...under a float, or is it primarily a swing fly?