Hexagaina Nymph

 The Hexagaina nymph is present in huge numbers along the shore of Lake Erie and tributaries (if you have ever experienced the spectacular "Michigan Caddis" hatch in June this is the nymph). Steelhead prey heavily on these nymphs both in the lake and in the streams during their spawning run.  I find Hexagaina nymphs to be most effective early in the run (late-September to early-October) although steelhead will take it in winter and spring.  Since Hexagainas are burrowing nymphs, they are most effective when fished over the muddy/silty bottoms found near the mouths of creeks.  This is also a highly effective fly for spring Smallmouth Bass.

Hooks: Daiichi 1260 or MFC 7231 size 8-10
Weight: black beadchain eyes
Thread: tan 6/0
Tail: orange Glo-Bug yarn
Body: gray ostrich herl
Rib: medium copper wire
Back: pearl flashabou
Hackle: tan hen back
Wingcase: turkey
Thorax: gray ostrich herl



Fat early run Steelhead love Hex Nymphs.

Estaz Spawn

I invented Estaz Spawn several years ago for steelhead.  Estaz Spawn is tied just like Sucker Spawn except Estaz is used instead of angora or diamond braid.  Estaz is one of my favorite materials for steelhead as it is easy to tie with, bright, and comes in many colors.  Estaz Spawn is my go to fly pattern during all water conditions in steelhead alley.  Pink is the most effective all year long, while Orange works well during low water in the early fall, and Chartreuse produces best in spring.  Were legal (Effective 10/1/12: Multiply flies may now be used on Lake Erie tributaries) I will fish a tandem rig of two different colored Estaz Spawns.  If one color is out producing the other (usually Pink) I will switch to two of the same color.

Hook: Daiichi 1120 or MFC 7045 Size 12
Thread: 6/0 color to match estaz
Body: Estaz
Colors: Pink, Chartreuse, Orange, Red, Blue

STEP 1: Select a Daiichi 1120 Size 12 and place it in your vice.  Attach your thread and wrap back to the tie in point (Picture 1A).  Tie in a length of estaz (Picture 1B).

Picture 1A

Picture 1B

STEP 2: To make the body make 4 small loops, one in front of each. I call this the "sucker spawn method". To make the loops, advance your thread by 2 wraps, bring the estaz forward and tie off (Picture 2A).  Repeat this to form 3 more loops (Picture 2B)

Picture 2A

Picture 2B

STEP 3: Once finished whip finish and trim off your thread.  With practice this fly should take you 1-2 minutes to complete.  It is a simple, effective fly for steelhead and fall/winter trout. 

Finished Estaz Spawn

 Chartreuse Estaz Spawn

From Right to Left: Pink, Chartreuse, Orange, and Blue Estaz Spawn

A fat inland Brown Trout from a local stream.

Crystal Spawn

Crystal Spawn is similar to Sucker Spawn but is tied with diamond braid instead of angora. Crystal Spawn was invented by Pennsylvania steelhead fisherman as a better imitation of sucker eggs.  Crystal Spawn works for steelhead at all times of the year, during both high and low water conditions.  Feel free to use only one strand of diamond braid instead of two for a smaller profile.

Hook: Daiichi 1120 or MFC 7045 Size 10-14

Thread: 6/0 color to match body

Tail: pearl crystal flash

Body: 

Colors: pink, chartreuse, orange, fl. orange (shown), steelie blue

STEP 1: With your Daiichi 1120 in the vise, attach your thread and work your way back to the tie in point. Tie in 3-5 strands of pearl crystal flash as a tail.

STEP 2: Tie in 2 strands of diamond braid, trim off the excess, and make enough thread wraps to completely hide the tag end.

STEP 3: To make the body form a loop in the strands of diamond braid and secure with your thread.

Step 4: Make 3 more loops, whip finish and cut the thread. Crystal Spawn is a simple pattern that can be tied in under two minutes. 

 

Top view.  Note the two rows of diamond braid.



Average steelhead from Chautauqua Creek caught on a pink Crystal Spawn.

Estaz Grande Egg

 

This is a chinook salmon pattern for Oak Orchard. John Trainer of Binghampton, NY showed it to me. It is a simple egg pattern that excels at catching big salmon. 

The Chartreuse caught TONS of fish on the Oak the weekend of Oct. 6. Click Here to Read More

Hook: Daiichi 1120 or MFC 7045 Size 8
Weight: Gold Beadhead
Thread: 3/0 color to match estaz
Body: Estaz Grande
Colors: Pink, Chartreuse, Red, Orange, Blue

STEP 1: Slip a large gold beadhead onto your hook and wrap as many wraps of leadwire as you can fit onto the shank. Put the hook in the vice.

STEP 2: With your hook in the vice, secure your thread behind the beadhead and wrap back to the hook point. Tie in a strand of Estaz Grande.

STEP 3: Wrap your thread back to the beadhead. Put a drop of superglue on the leadwire. Wrap the estaz grande up to your thread (3-4 wraps) whip finish off.

There you have it, a simple fly for Oak Orchard salmon. Tie it in several colors, sizes, and weights (unweighted, beadhead) Make sure you carry 10 + of each color and weight and have at least a dozen pink and chartreuse. Remember, if the fishing is non stop (fish on every cast) you will lose MANY (20+) flies a day. Consider having a reservoir box in your car that contains extra flies in case you run out.

For those going to Oak Orchard on the 21st I still have salmon fly selection on my website autumnsirenflies.blogspot.com.





A good selection of Estaz eggs for salmon.

Tyler Straight

Custom Tied Steelhead Flies

steelheadflies@me.com

CKOF Website Design

countrykidsonthefly@gmail.com 

Sulfur Nymphs

Hook: Daiichi 1120 or MFC 7045 Size 14-18

Weight: lead wire (optional)
Thread: Rust 8/0
Tail: Wood duck fibers
Body: Rusty Turkey Biots
Rib: Fine Gold Wire
Thorax: Orange Ice Dub or Rust colored dubbing
Wingcase: Turkey
Legs: Wood duck

Flash Cripple

The Flash Cripple imitates a sulfur emerger. 

Hook: Daiichi 1170 or MFC 7000 Size 16-20

Thread: Yellow 8/0
Tail: Brown Z-Lon
Body: Rusty Ice Dub
Rib: Fine Copper Wire
Thorax: Yellow Ice Dub
Wing: Fine Deer hair
Hackle: Light Dun Dry Fly

STEP 1: With your Daiichi 1170 in your vice get your yellow 8/0 thread started behind the eye of the hook and wrap back to the tie in point.

STEP 2: Tie in a piece of rusty brown Z-lon.  Trim so 1/4in remains

STEP 3: At the tie in point tie in a length of fine gold wire.   Take your rusty Ice Dub and dub 2/3 the way back up the shank.

STEP 4:  Take your yellow Ice Dub and dub a ball of dubbing to imitate the sulfur adult.

STEP 5: Tie in a clump of fine deer hair with the tips facing forward. Clip the butts short.

STEP 6: Inside the “V” created by the deer hair tie in an appropriate sized light dun dry fly hackle. Wrap the hackle 3 times and tie off. Advance your thread to the hook eye. Whip finish and cut the thread.

Sometimes on heavily pressured waters such as the west branch, fish will go for something out of the ordinary. 

Elk Creek Bugger

The Elk Creek Bugger is a version of the white woolly buggers that have become popular on Elk Creek.  The Elk Creek Bugger is a mix between the Flash Fly and the white Woolly Bugger. Hook: Daiichi 2441 or MFC 7099bk Size 8 Weight: Gold Beadhead Thread:  White 6/0 Tail: White Marabou Body: White Estaz Wing: Pearl Flashabou Hackle: White Schlappen and Guinea Fowl

Trainer's Coho Wet Fly

Trainer's Coho Wet Fly was invented by John Trainer of Binghampton, NY for Salmon River Coho Salmon. Coho Salmon (known as Silver Salmon in Alaska) ascend Lake Ontario tributaries in October usually peaking around 1-2 weeks after the Chinooks. Although smaller than their bigger cousins (avg. 8-15 lbs.) Cohos are known as strong fighters. Coho have a preference for hot pink flies (such as the Wogs used in Alaska). This fly is most effective swung.

Hook: Daiichi 2441 or MFC 7099bk size 8
Thread: Black 6/0
Body: Pink Diamond Braid
Wing: Pink Finn-Raccoon
Hackle: Pink Guinea

STEP 1. With your Daiich 2441 in the vice, attach your black thread and wrap back to the hook point.    Tie in a length of pink Diamond Braid and advance your thread to 1/4 th. in. behind the hook eye. 

STEP 2. Wrap your pink Diamond Braid up to uour thread and tie off. Cut a piece of pink Finn Racoon hair anout the diameter of a pencil. Remove the guard hairs. 

STEP 3. Take your