Trucc69 Loc: Oroville California

I'm new to the sport and I will don't know what flies to use I really love to fly fish but I'm not sure what is applicable in the river right now or steelhead or rainbow trout please somebody help me

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

Welcome to the Stage and best wishes to you while pursuing steelhead via a fly rod. I like to use salmon egg patterns as well as spey hackle streamers. Typically you may also be drifting nymphs that imitate insect larvae that is present in the river at the particular time of season you plan to fish.

Some of your choices will depend on how you flick the flies...with an indicator, bobber/float or a standard cast while stripping in line to give action to the fly (in the case of streamers). This may sound like "cheating", but steelhead love eating small worms (not necessarily night crawler sized)...so consider using some worm patterns too.

Hopefully there is a fly shop reasonably close that would have a selection on hand to choose from. If not, then try E-Bay by typing in steelhead flies and see what pops up. I would not go overboard with getting a whole bunch of flies to start. Pick up a few that make sense for the way you plan to fish, and then start using them to see how they bring you some fish.

Steelhead Mickey Loc: NJ

Great advice fishyaker!
Checking with your local fly shop is a practical & sensible move.
Estaz egg & San Juan worm patterns are always a good bet in the Great Lakes tribs.
I would add that if the steelies are entering the river system following the salmon spawn/ death cycle then you may want to try some flys imitating the decaying salmon flesh is worth a try. Also, you can always give the ole woolly bugger a swing/strip!
Good luck 🍀 & tight lines trucc69!
Let us know how you do.

Trucc69 Loc: Oroville California

Thank you

TimFly Loc: Hacienda Heights, CA

Welcome Trucc69
The Fly Shop out of Redding is a great place to start. The people there are very helpful and if you have some extra money think about hiring a guide for a day or two. This is the fastest way to shorten the learning curve. When choosing flies don't just look for exotics, my best steelhead was caught on an old-fashioned pheasant tail. Additioinally if you are new to fly fishing or are just wanting to expand your knowledge you may want to see if there is a fly-fishing club up your way.

Good Luck on your adventure

Fishing Fool Loc: redding, ca

I agree the Fly Shop in Redding is knowledgeable about all the streams in Northern California and have 390 guides that work out of there plus they book trips all over the world for some excellent fishing.

Clouser Fly Loc: San

Check with Fishfirst fly shop in Chico if possible. They have many fly patterns that work and can tell you where to fish. I like the upper 1 mile above the H. 70 bridge up to the Fish Hatchery and small bridge (see map). Access is from a small park just upstream of H. 70 and then along a levee road with parking. Favorite fly now would be a 1 to 1.5 inch Alevin (salmon fry) that you can drift in slower moving water or small nymphs (s. 14-18) below an indicator - indicator plus about 7 feet of mono to a knot. Then 12 inches to first fly and another 12 inches to second fly. Put split shot if needed above the knot. Total of 9 feet maximum and could go bit shorter. Let dead drift through riffles and moving water, etc.. Keep moving....

TimFly Loc: Hacienda Heights, CA

Great info Clouser!

Nickspops22 Loc: Northern California

Any of the bigger flies size 4 in black, purple egg patterns egg sucking leach type work well in the feather or American rivers for steelhead what part of the feather do you fish

Clouser Fly Loc: San

From jan 1 thru July 15th or so, you can fish up to just past the Fish Hatchery 1 mile above the H. 70 Bridge. This can get crowded on weekends especially, but plenty of fish both hatchery and wild! The alevin pattern from Fishfirst in Chico will work Jan. thru Feb. or so as the salmon smolt grow up from 1 inch or so to ... Having red under the head of the alevin fly helps. Also very small flies from 14 to s. 18 (use Mike Mercer's small mayfly pattern from the Flyshop Redding in S. 18 as an end fly and hold on! - great for small side riffles off the main currents). Use the Alevin or leaches, etc., in slower more open water. Fish from off the Oroville side levee. Keep moving. Check with Fishfirst in Chico for informatin and flies, etc..

Nickspops22 Loc: Northern California

I know that shop well have friends in chico spend a lot of time between there and oroville July thru Oct salmon fishing thanks for the info
Was going to head to Oregon or trinity but going to be windy and wet so going to hit the coast eel mad maybe even the smith