{"id":7978,"date":"2023-11-26T16:53:31","date_gmt":"2023-11-26T21:53:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/troutandsteelhead.net\/?p=7978"},"modified":"2024-01-08T11:06:07","modified_gmt":"2024-01-08T16:06:07","slug":"best-flies-for-ohio-steelhead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/troutandsteelhead.net\/best-flies-for-ohio-steelhead\/","title":{"rendered":"17 Best Flies For Ohio Steelhead: Proven Guide Flies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A steelhead with a black stonefly in it’s mouth which by the way is one of the best flies for Ohio steelhead<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As a steelhead guide for over 20 years and a fly tryer and steelhead angler for over 37 years, I’ve tested hundreds of steelhead flies under all different conditions. Because of this, my perspective on the best flies for Ohio steelhead might be very different than other anglers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though I’ve tested many flies, I still catch 90% of steelhead on less than a dozen fly patterns. I also know other guides that say the same thing! This is because steelhead fishing guides have figured out which flies are proven and consistently effective. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure you have these same flies in your fly box the next time you hit the Ohio steelhead stream. As a bonus, I’ll list all the flies recommended online so you can stop searching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Best Flies for Ohio Steelhead<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Flies for Ohio steelhead fishing should include nymph patterns, egg patterns, worm patterns, and streamers.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When I grab a fly out of my fly box it’s not random. I and other steelhead fishing guides choose flies based on the conditions. And, although I said I use less than a dozen flies, often I only need 4 or 5 fly patterns to get the job done. Except, I do need multiple colors and sizes of each pattern.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before I tell you what my 5 must-have steelhead flies for Ohio Steelhead are, what makes a good fly is its ability to first get the attention of the steelhead, and then trigger them to bite. To get their attention, you need to use the right size and color based on the conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In gin-clear water, smaller flies and natural colors often work better. When fishing dirty or off-colored water, larger flies and often brighter flies will do the job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, when fishing dirtier water, adding flash to your fly get increase its ability to attract the steelhead, and trigger bites. Flash can an be gold or silver tinsel or wire, or metallic beads, or other shiny materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pro Tip:<\/strong> Often, a nymph pattern with a bead will do better than one without, which is why 90% of the nymphs in my fly box have gold, silver, or copper beads. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, the four best flies for Ohio Steelhead are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Egg Patterns:<\/strong> The simple round egg pattern known as the Glo Bug or Yarn Fly will be found in just about every steelhead guides box. This indicates that it’s one of the best steelhead flies for Ohio Steelhead. This basic Yarn Egg has accounted for more steelhead in the net than any other egg pattern. Make sure you have multiple sizes and colors, which I will discuss below.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Stonefly\/Mayfly Nymph<\/strong> – Steelhead are opportunistic feeders so a well-presented nymph pattern like a Stonefly Nymph Fly or Pheasant Tail Nymph in black, brown, or tan will often get the job done. Add some flash, a bead, make it bushy and buggy-looking, and it could be even better. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Worm Fly<\/strong> – A three to four-inch San Juan Worm tied in pink, red, or brown is hard for most steelhead to pass up. Presented well, the worm fly has resulted in thousands of steelhead in the net for me and my clients, and under off-colored or green water, this is always my go-to fly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Woolly Bugger<\/strong> – I’ve caught thousands of steelhead on Woolly Buggers. This is a fly that just triggers a strike response in steelhead. I’ve used Buggers when nymphing with an indicator, swinging, and stripping them in. Have them in three or four colors. Add a hint of flash, and have them from 1 inch long to 4 inches long, and you will catch steelhead anywhere.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Hoh Bo Spey<\/strong> – If you swing flies, you will need a fly that gets the steelhead’s attention and has what it takes to trigger a strike. Most guys overthink flies and despite the many spey flies, the Hoh Bo Spey fly presented well will catch fish as well as any other fly. Have a few different sizes, multiple colors, and some with and without flash.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Based on my experience, if there are steelhead in the pool, one of these four standard steelhead flies will get the job done in any conditions and at any time of the year , especially if you have the right size, color, and most importantly, you fish it well.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Other Great Steelhead Flies For Ohio Steelhead<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    There are times when a fly with a slightly different look, or some flash will out-perform those four basic flies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Prince Nymph<\/h2>\n\n\n