can139
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Steelhead on Dry Flies
Do the Erie steelhead take dry flies in the fall? Has anyone done this? If so, any advice would be appreciated.
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Sculpin 14
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RE: Steelhead on Dry Flies
2007/12/05 14:08:34
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Very rarely, would plan on targeting them that way though...I caught 2 one day, a young kid came up to me and gave me a larger all white generic dryfly, and said he caught his limit on this pattern, I really didnt believe him but about an hour later I decide to tie it on and with in minutes I had one on, althought the take came right after the fly submerge, it was not a surface take.
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Bughawk
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RE: Steelhead on Dry Flies
2007/12/05 15:07:30
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I have never tried dry flies for steelies, but would tend to think it might work. I have seen them on occasion come up and take something off the surface and seen them bite at small strike indicators. It may be worth a try.
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Skip16503
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RE: Steelhead on Dry Flies
2007/12/05 15:11:41
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flirod4evr
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RE: Steelhead on Dry Flies
2007/12/05 16:59:37
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I'v read that article in the past, just what you said, INTERESTING.
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Loopy
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RE: Steelhead on Dry Flies
2007/12/05 18:34:13
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ORIGINAL: Sculpin 14
Very rarely, would plan on targeting them that way though...I caught 2 one day, a young kid came up to me and gave me a larger all white generic dryfly, and said he caught his limit on this pattern, I really didnt believe him but about an hour later I decide to tie it on and with in minutes I had one on, althought the take came right after the fly submerge, it was not a surface take.
Oh so close, but no cigar. I've had one take a Royal Wulff after it's drift when it submerged. I guess that doesn't count. I mean it's a dry fly, but it wasn't very dry when the fish took it. I saw a guy two years ago catch one while skating a bomber across the surface. I didn't think that counted either.
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mgolf92
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RE: Steelhead on Dry Flies
2007/12/05 18:45:38
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I saw one take a moth off the surface of a slow pool in Elk a few weeks ago, the moth was fluttering around and then as I was watching...slurpp!
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tippy-toe
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RE: Steelhead on Dry Flies
2007/12/05 18:56:41
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Seen one eat a rockin chair once.... Try one of these.... 
post edited by tippy-toe - 2007/12/05 18:57:24
I have the right to remain silent.....I just don't have the ability
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dano
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RE: Steelhead on Dry Flies
2007/12/05 20:46:47
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ORIGINAL: Loopy
I've had one take a Royal Wulff after it's drift when it submerged. I guess that doesn't count. I mean it's a dry fly, but it wasn't very dry when the fish took it.
That's OK, Loopy. I caught one on a floating wooly bugger. I was trying to get it to sink and it got slammed.
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beerman
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RE: Steelhead on Dry Flies
2007/12/05 22:38:35
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Fishing the past couple of late Septembers and early Octobers I've witnessed on more than a few occasions a steelie slurping an off-white midge from the film on top. Probably about a size #26-28, on lower Elk Creek. Next year I will definately try a dry midge at that time.
changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes....nothing remains quite the same The Beerman ~ Greg
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Stillhead
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RE: Steelhead on Dry Flies
2007/12/06 07:19:01
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They'll take them. Sometimes well. water has to be warm, 45 to 65. shallower tailouts are best. Skating/twitching also best, but they'll take them dry. I probably caught a dozen or so this year fishing totally dry, only 1 trying, the rest hit it as soon as it hit the water. The take on a skated or twitched fly just under the surface is generally more impressive than the take when your just floating/dead drifting. I have my favorite pattern that I've been sworn to secrecy, but try an elk hair caddis, it'll get them. size 12 to 18. I usually tie some dries on a wet nymph hook, dry fly hooks bend too easy. http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v416/Stillhead/?action=view¤t=steelheaddry.flv
post edited by Stillhead - 2007/12/06 07:20:09
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wishfishin
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RE: Steelhead on Dry Flies
2007/12/06 09:58:37
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Does eating a bobber count?
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D-nymph
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RE: Steelhead on Dry Flies
2007/12/06 10:31:51
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I watched a guy get two takes on a #16 or #18 BWO one early October about 5 years ago. Low, clear conditions, warm day, Middle Elk. He said he had several other takes before I got there, and was ecstatic at his luck.
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formerguide
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RE: Steelhead on Dry Flies
2007/12/06 12:14:02
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Aside from skating/waking flies, my best success on top has been a very simple fly- just a #12 or so dry fly hook, palmered with grizzly hackle. Like someone above mentioned, the water needs to be warm, and you want to fish for them in tailouts and glides. I just cast above the fish, and then start stripping this fly in right in the film- some of the takes are just ferocious! A really big Griffith's Gnat does just as well (basically the same thing...)
Dan
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roehoe
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RE: Steelhead on Dry Flies
2007/12/06 17:52:26
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Try Some of Lanny Wallers patterns,Wallers Walkers,or Walkers Bombers,
maybe just down-sized for Mid West Steelheading
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AddictedAngler
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RE: Steelhead on Dry Flies
2007/12/08 10:07:13
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I fish drys on a regular basis. When the water is low and clear this can be my #1 go to fly.I have seen jacks eat the small Tricos on Elk at times. If you can find them where they are not being disturbrd and the flys are on the water there is a good chance they will take them.The first time I noticed a good trico hatch on lower Elk was 4 or 5 years ago and look for them in the late morning to early afternoon. Don Holbrook Fishes with me and can verify what I am saying,He is the author of Midge Magic written with Ed Koch.
This is not a way to put meat on the table but very exciting to see and even do. If you are looking to catch them on a regular basis try fishing size 4 and 6 heavly hackled pattern
s twitched and skatted in front of the fish. I like a Adams pattern with some yellow hackle tied in as well as the standard materials. We have caught them on chernobyl ants as well as smaller bomers. I have been doing this for about 10 years and it works as well as anything when conditions are right.I consider this another tool in the box.
I think I am the only guide that offers this type of Steelhead fishing and never guaranty this will be the way we will fish. The weather and water will determine what I can do and not do.If conditions are right you can expect to catch some fish and get many more to take notice (come to attention) of your offering. Tony
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