Oregon Steelhead Fly Fishing Guide
Jim Breeden with a couple Williamette river steelhead
Fly fishing for Oregon steelhead and catching these great sea-run Rainbow Trout on a fly is always a very exciting and rewarding experience. Improving the chances of success, the Oregon Steelhead angler has to be patient, a good fly caster, and must be fishing in waters that has the right conditions to cause these fish to take the fly. Of course, the fly fisher must be using the proper steelhead fly-fishing techniques and the right steelhead fly patterns to hope for any degree of success.
steelhead Fly Fishing Tip. There is an old saying about steelhead fly patterns: Use bright colored flies during sunny days and dark colored flies during cloudy days. Well it actually works on the North Umpqua River and other river of western Oregon near Eugene, which is just the opposite of what most people think. Read more fly fishing tips.
Every Oregon steelhead fly-fishing trip on a steelhead river is a learning experience, and perhaps that is one of the things that can make it so interesting and rewarding. One of my goals when guiding clients is to give advice in a casual way to improve their steelhead fly-fishing techniques. Hopefully, this will help to improve their fly casting and fly-fishing skills so they will get the “feel” for real steelhead fly fishing.
Fly fishing for summer steelhead here in Oregon we may have to use chest waders to wade and fish the rivers. Here are a few wading tips that help to make a pleasant day:
- Use Korkers (studded sandals) over your wading boots or studded felt sole wading shoes to help prevent slipping on rounded river bed rock
- Wading staff optional but encouraged
- Good quality breathable chest waders and belt
- When you wade get the feel for the river bottom and how your footwear supports your wading activity
- During the day adjust your wading shoe bindings, making sure they are tight
- When wading out, take your time and get the feel for the river bottom and the flow of the current. Take short steps when moving out and side steps when moving downstream.
Marv and Amy with a couple of nice steelhead
All of the fly rods and reels and necessary steelhead-fly-fishing tackle are provided on our guided steelhead fly-fishing trips. However, if you would like to use your own equipment, I recommend: A 9-foot to 9′6″ graphite 7 wt. or 8 wt. fly rod. Most of our summer fly fishing is done with a weight forward steelhead floating fly line or slow sinking clear fly line. It is always a good idea to carry an extra line or two for a spares if and when needed. You should have a good quality fly reel with a smooth drag system, one that is capable of holding at least 150 yards of 20lb Dacron backing plus the weight forward fly line. Steelhead leaders should be 9 to 12 feet with 1X or 2X tippets with stiff butt sections that are able to turn over the larger steelhead flies. For information on making your own steelhead leaders please review our tips page.
I carry a variety of steelhead flies, wets, dries and skaters. Some of the more popular Oregon steelhead fly patterns are the following:
- Green Butt Skunk size 4 & 6
- Silver Hilton (not Paris Hilton) size 4, Skunk size 2 & 4
- Umpqua Special size 4 & 6
- Muddler Minnows size 2 & 4
- Black Crystal Wooly Buggers size 2 & 4.
- Black Egg-sucking Bunny leach size 2 & 4
- Orange General Practitioner size 4
- Max Canyon size 4 & 6
Of course, there are many great steelhead patterns that work for Oregon steelhead. These are just few of the best.
Guided Steelhead Fly Fishing Trip Information
Because of variable weather conditions, a warm jacket, polaroid sun glasses, sun screen spf 35, brimmed hat, long sleeved shirt and a lightweight rain jacket are always a good idea to have along.
Ideal Months: Fly fishing in Oregon for Steelhead is best during the months of May, June, July, August, September and October
Location: Eugene, Oregon. We can help with hotel/motel accommodations if you wish.
IMPORTANT: Advanced and early bookings are required for fly rodders #1 rated prize in fresh water fly fishing. Don’t wait, book now for the best dates and rates that meet with your travel and fly fishing schedule. For more information contact me now.
A one day fishing license and steelhead tag for Oregon is $12.00/ day/ person
Book the steelhead fly fishing trip and receive a 10% discount for the two days. For more information contact me now.