Muskoka Outdoors Network

With an open-water, spring trout fishing season looming, I am always looking for an edge on spring trout. I came across an informative article from Trout U entitled, Early Season Trout With Streamers".

Packed with some great tips to streamer fish, the article lists these patterns as great starting points: Black Marabou Sculpin, Brown Sculpin, and White Belly Sculpin.

You have to read the article to learn how to use them! Thanks Trout U.

Looking for a different trout fly to use that might give you an edge this spring? Why not tie on one of these flies as recommended to me from the blogosphere, twittersphere and the angler next door.

Although nothing new to fly benches, they could be that special and different treat your cold water trout are going to learn to crave.

1. Ben Rioux from Maine Fly Castings suggests:

My favorite fly for Brook trout by season:

Spring: Allagash Al, Grey Ghost
Summer: White Wulff
Fall: (Orange Chenille Version, no ribbing, Large Partridge soft hackle)

*Bill’s Note – I have heard that Wood Special Fly can also bring in some brown trout

2. Noel Gyger from noelgyger.ca suggests:

My favorite steelhead fly is the Hawaiian Punch.  This fly is usually used on a spey fly rod but will work fine on a single hand also.  Little bit of detail given to me by Chad Black (one of the pro guides I book trips for):

As you can see by the picture (photo right), it’s a very bright fly.  I tend to fish this fly in rivers like the Kalum or Skeena, which have a large glacial influence and always seem to have that “Steelhead Green” colour.  My personal favorite variation on this pattern however, is tying an Intruder with this same colour scheme.  I find that the Intruder style series with a trailing hook seems to hold Steelhead better, as they don’t have as much leverage on the fly as they would on an Alec Jackson or traditional Spey hook.  In this case, I use 50 lb Fireline XS or XT (something like that) – it’s strong, and stiff.

Hawaiian Punch (Originated by Dustin Kovacvich)

Hook: Alec Jackson Spey or Similar
Thread: 6/0 Fluorescent Orange UNI
Tail: Chartreuse Rabbit Strip
Body: Palmered Orange Cross Cut Rabbit Strip (wraps easier, and makes a better profile)
Front Hackle: Cerise Blood Quill Marabou, tips facing towards the rear of the fly
Topping/Flash: Flashabou (my personal favorite is Mirage) or Krystal Flash, depending on your preference  – photo by Rodnew Daw (rodneydawphotography.ca)

3. Frontier Farwest Lodge suggests (via twitter):

We swear by this leech in BC for monster steelhead!

The Strung Out MOAL Leech (instructions)

Front Hook: Cheap SE Streamer or Nymph Hook
Short Shank Beak Hook
Weight: Spirit River Hot Bead
Thread: Flat A or other Heavy Thread
Rear Accent Bead: Cascade Crest Salmon Candy 4 mm Glass Faceted Bead
Platform: 30-pound Dacron fly line backing
Body: Rear Pink CrossCut Rabbit; Front Flesh Cross Cut Rabbit

4. Rick Passek author of Freshman Flyfisher suggests:

I would take a Hares ear Nymph and a Tom Thumb, why you ask, simple. The hairs ear and the Tom Thumb are an searching patterns. They don’t represent any one insect perfectly, but represent many insects well. These two flies will be taking by trout as Caddis Flies, May Flies, Mosquitoes, Midges, along with many others.

5. Muskoka Outdoors suggests:

Light Cahills. Local fishing guide and friend, Craig Markle and I found that, last spring on the Big East River, resident brook trout did not start to bite until we reached and area of shallow to medium rapids. The specks were hunkered down in the riffles and ambush points found within the fast moving sections. We used light cahills and casted upstream of potential hiding spots and watched them drift down with the current. IF the drift was right, we were rewarded with great aerobatics from the leaping specks.

I am sure I have missed many other worthy mentions. If so, please comment your suggestion below. Many thanks to all those who helped me with my little fly fishing project!

"In the early days of bead fishing, some people claimed that fishing a bead “isn’t fly fishing”. Others had a problem with the fact that the “lure” (the bead) isn’t attached to the hook.  We’re not going to get into whether or not bead fishing is fly fishing. It’s fun, you do it with a fly rod and a fly line, and it’s very effective." - Deneki Outdoors

I came across this great article on Deneki Outdoors. They run fishing lodges in various locations in North and South America.  If you have ever wondered about the impact beads can have on your fly fishing - read this article.