Siletz River Fly Fishing

Siletz River Winter Steelhead Fly Fishing Overview

 I would propose that catching a winter steelhead on a fly is the premiere accomplishment in freshwater.  There are factors during the coldest season of the year that complicate the success of hooking and landing a steelhead, more so than catching a steelhead in the warm summer months.  The Siletz River presents an excellent possibility of hooking winter steelhead on a fly January through April.

:Embrace the challenge:

• The colder water temperatures of winter — typically 38 – 42 degrees Fahrenheit — decrease the comfort and activity of the fish.
• River levels are constantly changing as winter storms raise the flows, sometimes to flood stage. High pressure systems and clear  skies cause the water to drop and the water temperatures to drop.  During these ups and downs, the fish adjust their preferred holding spots.
• Water clarity and turbidity, determined largely by rising or dropping river flows, move steelhead to specific locations and/or demand special strategies and fly patterns.
• Winter steelhead may be “the only game in town”.  Fishing for trout December through March may be closed or unproductive.  The result: every angler and his monkey are pursuing steelhead.  It’s a competitive fishing evironment.

As a Siletz River fly fishing guide, I have to deal with the changing conditions and the occasional crowds in pursuit of these fabulous fish.  It’s helpful for me to think of it as a game of chess.  The chess pieces are flies, angling techniques, fly fishing equipment, the sections of river to be fished, when to stay and when to move on, my clients and their skills (or lack thereof), and pinpointing the best holding areas at any given water level.  I move my chessmen constantly throughout the fishing day.  The game is won every time a fish is hooked.  Then, a new game begins, always in search of another “Checkmate!”.

Chess-playing steelhead fly fishing guides who are successful must consistently beat the odds.  On the other side of the playing board are multiple opponents: stubborn steelhead, river conditions, weather conditions, other anglers, other steelhead guides, and inexperienced clients who may not be able to always follow or remember fishing directions.

The Siletz River, located not far inland of Newport on the north central Oregon coast, is unique among coastal rivers in that it is the only stream originating in the Coast Range Mountains that has a native run of summer steelhead.  In addition to the chrome bright winter fish, occasionally a late-arriving summer steelhead may be caught in December.  They are arrayed in their original rainbow trout colors and spots. 

In March and April, an angler may catch a post-spawning summer steelhead as it begins to regain its strength while it slowly makes its return journey towards the sea with the possibility of returning a second, or even third, time.  Unlike the Pacific salmon, the steelhead does not necessarily die after spawning, able to move from freshwater to salt multiple times.

As for Siletz River steelhead flies, I like my Gorman Bead Head Eggs, Veiled Eggs, and Veiled Assassin, to name a few.  The particular fly and how it presented are determined by the river level, clarity, and light intensity.  The most demanding conditions are low, clear flows.  Stealth and longer casts are required. 

To experience the unique beauty of the Siletz River in pursuit of its magnificent winter steelhead, contact me about a guided steelhead fly fishing trip.  January through early April is prime time.