Steelhead are an ocean-run rainbow trout and, as would be expected, they bear a striking resemblance, sporting a stunning blushed cheek and distinctive spots.

Steelhead migrate to the sea to live part of their life cycle and return to the freshwater where they bless us with aggressive takes and epic battles.

Their large square tails help them jump fiercely and allow them to clear incredible obstacles and canyons.

There are two different runs of Steelhead that frequent the West Coast of North America.

There are Summer-run steelhead that enter the rivers from May to October, and Winter-run steelhead that enter from December to April.

Winter-run steelhead are a little less aggressive than the Summer-runs and typically have to be fished for with patience, sink tips and obnoxious flies. Caught on a swung fly, these fish rip line and weigh up to 20 pounds!

Winter Steelhead Essential Items

Many of our rivers are wide and at times require a fairly lengthy cast (though not always).

For ease and distance, local anglers tend to primarily use Spey rods, requiring very little back-casting room or arm strength. This enables the angler to cover more water as well as use heavier sink tips and weighted flies.

This method is commonly used to fish for Winter-run Steelhead on our fast flowing West Coast rivers.

Rods in the 8 to 10 weight range are the most common; and Rio Spey lines make casting easy and relatively simple for the beginning Spey fisher.

There are a multitude of flies to use while steelhead fishing.

Flies tied with materials that seem to pulsate in the water appear to move and tend to hook their fair share of fish.

Most any color will work, with bright colors being particularly productive.

Clothing for the River

A trip to the coastal rain forest of the Northwest is always exciting and can be extremely enjoyable, providing you are prepared.

Being a coastal climate, the locals always say “If you don’t like the weather, just wait ten minutes”.

The climate varies between being wet, overcast, sunny, cloudy, rainy, snowfall, hail and wind.

The layered approach is the best way to ensure comfort on the river.

Layer 1: Next to the skin use a wicking material that allows your skin to breathe while removing moisture at the same time. Many of the outdoor companies provide this performance material as it is truly the best way to optimize comfort throughout the day. These articles are worn in the form of long sleeved shirts and long underwear.

Layer 2: A cotton sweater or a cotton long sleeve shirt.

Layer 3: A Polar Fleece sweater or something of the sort. We recommend that you bring a lighter weight and a medium weight fleece at the very least. If you are fishing early spring or late fall you may prefer a heavier polar fleece sweater.

For your legs you can also use a polar fleece pant of varying weights depending on the river's water temperature. Obviously if you are using a Gortex Wader in the late fall you will want a heavy fleece pant. If you are using neoprene waders then a lighter fleece may work better.

Layer 4: Gortex Fishing Jacket (Patagonia, Simms, etc.) with hoods.

We do not recommend fishing vests since they tend to get really wet in continuous rain. Gortex jackets all have pockets and storage for fly boxes, tippets, leaders, etc.

Waders: We recommend a Gortex Wader with a built in Neoprene Sock and separate wading boots without cleats (or with screw in cleats for hiking).

If you are using Gortex waders then polar fleece pants worn under them in the spring and fall will be required. Gortex is very light weight and does not limit flexibility. It also breathes to keep you cool during those warm summer days.

Hat and Polarized Sun Glasses

Make sure you have both a hat and sunglasses, not only for protection from the sun, but also for safety from barbless flies that may accidentally find themselves headed towards your face.
Either a baseball style hat or full rim hat works best.

For sunglasses use high quality polarized lenses so your eyes do not get fatigued while glaring into the river all day.

Polar Fleece Fingerless Gloves

For those cold spring and fall days you may want to use polar fleece gloves with the finger ends cut off.

Most of the fly fishing gear manufacturers make them and they work excellent. If you are fishing in March or early April, late October or November, you may want to bring a pair of full polar fleece mittens with you so you can warm your hands on the side of the river. Additionally, a polar fleece hat that covers your ears may not be such a bad idea as well.

Fishing Gear

Most of our customers bring their own fly rods and fly lines, however we do have complete equipment if you do not have your own preferred equipment.

We suggest the following:

• 7-9 Weight Single Hand Rods with a weight forward steelhead taper
• 7-9 Weight Spey Rods (two handed rods) with line of choice, though we suggest Rio Skagit lines to help turn over heavy sink tips and weighted flies.

Camera

Each of our guides bring a digital camera to the river to photograph that trophy fish of yours, however we advise customers to also bring their own.

Skin Protection

It is always a good idea to have protection from mosquitoes and black flies in the event that they're out and biting.

A good sun block, SPF30 or better, should be brought along.

Miscellaneous

Items that are useful to bring along on your trip are as follows:

• A knapsack to carry your personal stuff (camera, sunscreen etc.)
• Hook Sharpener, you don’t want to lose the big one because of a dull hook.
• Various lengths of sink tips, from 5’ to 20’.
• Spools of tippet in various sizes.
• Your favorite flies that you would like to try out on these incredible fish. You never know...you may just have the secret weapon in your fly box!

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April Vokey

BC, Canada

April Vokey lives in British Columbia and is an avid angler and steelhead/salmon guide.

She was born with an unexplainable passion for fishing. As a young girl she coaxed her father into going fishing and by the age of sixteen, when she was old enough to drive, she was devoting all of her free time to her local rivers.

She is passionate about Spey casting to wild steelhead, the environment and tying Salmon/Steelhead flies. She has made it her mission to encourage and introduce aspiring anglers to the sport, in hopes that it will bring them as much pleasure as it has brought her.

She takes pride in being an eternal student of fly-fishing and an active conservationist.

April is a Federation of Fly Fishers Certified Casting Instructor and fly-fishing columnist. She is a member of the Northwest Outdoor Writers Association and is the Canadian field editor for Chasing Silver magazine and the steelhead columnist for Fly Fusion magazine.

Her works and photos can also be found in Fly Fisherman Magazine, Salmon Trout Steelheader (STS), Field and Stream, Canadian Fly Fisher, Flyfishing and Tying Journal and several other international publications.

April sits on the board of directors for the Steelhead Society of BC and the BC Federation of Fly Fishers.

She is the founder and director of the popular fundraiser, Flies for Fins (www.flies4fins.com), and in 2011 she proudly joined the Patagonia ambassador team, where she continues to assist in the design and direction of an upcoming women’s line of fishing apparel.

Greg Wolf

BC, Canada

Greg Wolf has been living and fishing in B.C.’s Fraser Valley for as long as he can remember.

A seasoned guide, Greg has been guiding for over a decade and is truly passionate about helping others while on the water. His enthusiasm is contagious….

Greg is very patient and is great with younger anglers as he truly enjoys helping upcoming generations enter into a sport that has always accompanied the important values and memories within his own family.

Greg is on the pro-staff team for Airflo Fly lines and G. Loomis rods. He is well versed with conventional gear, single handed fly-casting and Spey (double handed) fly rods.

Sturgeon, salmon, steelhead….Greg does it all.

Matt Sharp

British Columbia, Canada

Matt Sharp is a truly passionate angler whose love for fishing has lead him to a 10+ year guiding career for salmon, steelhead and trout.

Matt is an incredible fly-caster, and has been known to attend and succeed in fly-fishing competitions throughout the World and North America.

Matt is a humble angler who is always eager to help teach anyone who is looking to learn more about this incredible sport.

He is a pleasure and a true gentleman, brimming with knowledge, patience and jet-boat skills that have us proud to have him be a part of our team.