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Pacific Steelhead - Winter Run

Pacific Steelhead - Winter Run

General Info: Winter-run steelhead are on a pedestal. No other freshwater fish has such mystiqur. Anglers can spend an entire season swinging away without so much as a tug. Its almost par for the course. But when that big, chrome winter steelhead finally pulls on your fly.... OOOOHHH. There is nothing like it. Most of the employees at Big Y would consider themselves to be some type of "winter steelhead junkie" or are in some sort of steelhead recovery. While we get plenty of trout, bass and salmon fishing done, we live and breathe for winter steelhead season.
Winter steelhead are more pervasive on the coastal streams of the Pacific Northwest than their summer cousins. Summer fish are found further up the Columbia and its tributaries, and less in the coastal streams. However, winter fish do travel up the Columbia River, and summer fish are found in most coastal rivers.
Fun Fact: The Hood River (home of Big Y) is the furthest upstream tributary on the Columbia River that winter steelhead will travel. We are at the end of the line for winter steelhead, and we are OK with that.
Most winter steelhead anglers prefer to swing flies on a switch or spey rod using a Skagit line system (Developed on the Skagit River, WA). While winter steelhead can be caught on nymphs, the majority of anglers prefer to swing articulated intruders in the winter. These are our favorite flies for swinging up a winter steelhead. For steelhead nymphs, you can visit the Great Lakes Page.
Steelhead nymphs can be found on the Great Lakes steelhead page, and bigger swinging patterns can be found on the Winter Steelhead or Chinook Salmon page.
Preferred Gear
Rods: 7-8wt switch/spey rods as long as needed for river. Rods up to 13'6" rods are common, but most anglers would be fine in the Pacific Northwest with a 7wt switch rod between 11'-12'.
Reels: Large arbor, weighted and sized for longer rods.
Favorites: Orvis SSR, Big Y General,
Lines: Skagit style shooting heads are preferred throughout the winter season
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    A pattern that rocketed into classic status within a few years after it hit the public. Almost all hits on leech come from the head. The action wi...

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    General Practitioner

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    Originally tied to be an Atlantic Salmon pattern. Since its introduction in the 1950's this pattern has caught on worldwide. Used everywhere for S...

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    Hobo Spey - Solitude

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    The Hobo Spey has quickly become the go-to pattern for guides across the Northwest. Developed by Charles St. Pierre. Great for swinging flies for...

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    Pick 'Yer Pocket - Solitude

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    Originally designed as a swinging steelhead fly. Extremely popular with PNW Spey fishermen. Proven to catch steelhead and salmon from California...

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    Popsicle

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    Designed by George Cook in the early 1980's. Is now Alaska's most popular pattern. Attracts everything-Chinooks, silvers, steelhead, even sea-run ...

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    Steelhead Bunny Leech

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    A great Alaska and anywhere pattern. Great for skinny water where wiggle action is desired.  Excellent for swinging.  Has been particularly succes...

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    Steelhead Egg-Sucking Leech

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    The #1 all-time pattern everywhere sea-runs are fished for now tied on a black salmon hook for the Kings, Cohos, Atlantics and large steelies.  A...

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