Kasilof Steelhead Flies

[Bushwhack Jack]

Hello, my son and some of his friends are heading down to the Kasilof to fish for steelhead. He is asking me what flies he should get. I was wondering if any of you might be willing to share some of your ideas to help him out. I told him to bring ESLs, Dolly Lamas, Articulated Hareball leeches, and beads. But to be honest I have never ventured down there for steelhead myself. I always wanted to, but never made it down there. I remember someone telling me once that just a bare hook with some fluorescent green or orange yarn worked well. Is this true? Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

 

[moose-head]

I would put my vote for the Egg Sucking Leaches, not new info I realize, but something that I have had luck with down there.

 

[BlueMoose]

Some say they can be creatures of habit i.e. a trout is a trout is a trout some say not to put stock in that statement as well so I suppose you could say it is somewhat of a catch 22. In some streams they say standard stuff works well while in others they fish thin like lightly dressed comets and clousers type minnows. If I were a betting man which I am not most of the time you could fish the following water conditions with the following flies.

Clear low water - small stone flies brown or black size 8-10 heavy weighted, Small Olive Black Woolley Buggers again somewhat heavy weighted sizes 6-8 or any Smallish i.e. size 8-10 Soft hackle. Bead Heads are Ok wink wink! I would also carry that is if I were a betting man some mid size clousers lightly dressed size 4-6 you know something that just might match a King or Sockeye Smolt. Nothing wrong with Glo Bugs and or Trout Beads as well depending on the restrictions of the water you fishing.

High off colored water changes the game a little so IMO you would wish to go up in size on your flies i.e. instead of 8-10's 4-6 on your streamer type flies and 8-6 on your stones.

Good Luck.

 

[kenaibow fan]

i have had pretty good luck with purple ESL's. But it depends on which part of the river they are fishing??????? And tell them to keep an eye out for water temp, it makes a big difference! Another fly that worked for me was a black Wolley booger.

 

[DRIFTER_016]

Along with the ESL's and buggers I have had success with large 12-16mm beads, hot pink woolly worms and 2 tone (flo orange/hot pink) yarn flies. Yarn flies can be tied right on the stream just use an upturned eye hook and snell or egg loop knot, take a couple of short pieces of yarn and slip under the knot. Wet the yarn and trim to the desired length (usually no longer than the hook shank) then fish away.

 

[Bushwhack Jack]

Thanks for the tips guys. I will pass this info off to my son. I owe you one.

 

[fred_styles]

Wolley booger.

Thanks Urban Dictionary,

Wolley booger
A hillbilly step-mother's term for a curly overgrown hairy outside of a female's vaginal area.

Sorry, too funny to keep to myself.

 

[kenaibow fan]

Thanks Urban Dictionary,

Wolley booger
A hillbilly step-mother's term for a curly overgrown hairy outside of a female's vaginal area.

Sorry, too funny to keep to myself.

Well played sir!

 

[FishGod]

12 mill orange!

 

[cod]

View attachment 47816 I agree with most of the suggestions above. The wife and I were there Sunday. One guy fishing w. mono on his fly rod with bead under a Thill float got one and lost one. My wife got one on a glo bug. (Pic) and I got one on Illiamna pinkie. I've fished there alot and seem to do best overall w. globugs. Sometimes color matters, other times not. I think the most important thing at Kasilof is just getting a nice slow smooth drift cuz of the cold water. They wont move far for the fly. It helps there to figure out just what 'kind' of water they are laying in. There are a few spots that are always holding fish. We rolled a few other fish Sunday, too. Good luck!

 

[Franken Fish]

Fished there 3 days last week and 2 days this week. Glo-bugs, 12 mill mottled Tangerine beads, and Purple Articulating ESL. :topjob: