There are many effective fly patterns for North Shore Steelhead but, without a doubt, the most popular and arguably, the most effective, is the yarn fly. Also called the egg fly or glo-bug, this fly is a must in all fly boxes. We recommend having a good variety of colors for this pattern and, we also highly recommend learning how to snell a yarn fly. We will include some instructions on snelling yarn soon
Here you will find our bakers dozen. Most of the flies do not require precise tying materials or exact hook styles. The ingredients listed are what we have found to work for us. The key to a great North Shore Steelhead Box is to have some variety in color and size and, have plenty of those flies on hand! If you are not loosing flies, chances are you are not finding fish.
Feel free to send us your favorite North Shore fly patterns and/or variations of existing patterns. We will be glad to add to our fly box.
Try this fly in a variety of body colors. Keep the tail red though.
Glo-Bug
Hook: Mustad C67S or TMC 105 size 4 - 10 (or comparable hook)
Thread: Kevlar, color to match
Material: Glo Bug yarn or McFly Foam
There are lots of colors to select from. Make sure you at least have some orange, pink and chartreuse.
Iliamna Pinkie
Hook: Mustad C67S or TMC 105 size 6-10 or comparable hook
Thread: Pink
Weight: .020 lead
Material: Pink Chenille - other colors work well too.
Wooly Worm
Hook: Mustad R72 or TMC 3761 size 6 - 12 or comparable hook
Thread: Black 6/0
Tail: Red hackle fibers
Body: Black Chenille
Hackle: Grizzle, palmered
Wooly Bugger
Hook: Mustad 9672 or TMC 5263 size 6 - 10 or comparable hook
Thread: Black 6/0
Tail: Brown Marabou
Body: Brown Chenille
Hackle: Brown, palmered
Weight: .025 lead
Note: This fly is also very effective tied in black, purple & olive
Egg Sucking Leech
Hook: Mustad 9672 or TMC 3761 size 6 - 10 or comparable hook
Thread: Black 6/0
Tail: Black Marabou
Body: Black Chenille with orange chenille egg
Hackle: Black or Grizzle, palmered
Crusader
Thread: Black 6/0
Body: Orange floss with silver rib
Hackle: Soft Partridge
Butt: Yellow floss
Thorax: Peacock Herl
Hook: Mustad Limerick or TMC 7999 size 8 - 10
Pheasant Tail
Prince Nymph
St. John
Krystal Spec
Superior X
Spring's Wiggler
Hurcules
Thread: Black 6/0
Body: Variegated Lt.Olive/Rust chenille
Hackle: Black Palmered - tip first
Tail: Black Maribou
Hook: Mustad R70 size 6 - 10 with a bead head
Thread: Black 6/0
Body: Golden Stone Mohair
Hackle: soft partridge
Tail: Red Squirrel tail
Hook: Mustad R70 size 6 - 10 - weighted
The Fly Box:
Hook: size #8 - #12 nymph hook
Thread: brown 6/0
Tail: brown marabou
Body: brown kaufmann stonefly blend dubbing
Rib: gold or copper wire (to abdomen)
Abdomen: same as body w/brown rubber legs 1.25" tied to each side of abdomen.
Note: whip finish where you tied the legs instead of at the eye of hook.
Hook: Mustad 9671 size 8 - 12
Thread: Black 6/0
Tail: Brown goose biots
Body: Peacock herl
Rib: fine gold tinsel
Hackle: Brown
Wing: White biots tips facing back
Note: This fly is also very effective tied in black and purple.
Note: Try a beadhead version of the prince - killer pattern.
Hook: Mustad 9671 size 8 - 12
Thread: brown 6/0
Tail: Pheasant tail fibers
Body: Pheasant tail fibers wrapped like herl
Rib: fine copper wire
Wingcase: Pheasant tail fibers
Thorax: Peacock herl
Note: This fly is also very effective tied in black and purple.
Note: The Pheasant tail is also great as a beadhead.
Thread: Black 6/0
Hook: Mustad R70 size 6 - 12
Thread: Black 6/0
Tail: Orange Krystal Flash
Body: black chenille
Hackle: Grizzly Palmered - tip first
Shellback: Orange Krystal Flash
Early Black Stone
Hook: Mustad 9671 size 6 - 12
Thread: Black 6/0
Tail: Black goose biots
Body: weighted - black dubbing
Rib: fine gold wire
Hackle: black
Wing: Dk Grey biots tips facing back
Try this fly in a variety of egg colors.
Hook: Mustad 3906 size 6 - 10
Thread: Black 6/0
Tail: Squirrel Tail hairs
Body: chenille
Shellback: Squirrel Tail hairs
Hackle: Saddle Hackle
Note: This fly is also very effective tied in black and purple.
Note: Try Wigglers with a variety of body & hackle colors.
Spring's Wiggler
Snelled Yarn Fly
Video instructions on tying a yarn fly using a snell knot.
Video Clip
Website Design by:
Copyright © 2005 - 2016 Minnesota Steelheader • PO Box 10848 • St. Paul, MN 55110 • All rights Reserved
