Continuing our series of the dirty dozen winter steelhead flies, this nymph combines the general idea of somethign juicy and crunchy to eat, a fast sinking tungsten bead, some wiggle, and the pink/purple color combo that steelhead have always responded to. This fly is a 2012 update of a nymph that I fished for both winter and summer steelhead. Tie it with a black body too, and an orange thorax, and that makes a great alternate color combination.
Why steelhead eat nymphs is as complex a question/answer as the matter of why they eat any sort of fly. Sometimes, I sincerely believe, they think they are eating a bug; sometimes, not. Make up yer own mind on this issue, and mostly, have fun with it.
Jay Nicholas
January 2012
Hot Tipped Steelhead Nymph
Hook: TMC 7999 #2-6
Bead: 3/16 Fl. Orange Plummeting Tungten
Thread: Lagartun 150 x-strong Red
Tail: Hot Tipped Crazy Legs Purple Pink
Rib: Silver Oval Tinsel
Body: Purple Uni-Yarn
Thorax: UV Pink Frizzle Chenille
Hackle/Legs: Same as Tail
@Jay you rock with some of the grazy flies you tye,but I think you’ve around the head cement fumes just a little long,keep up the good work,tight lines.
Hummmmm. Nuthin’ like the smell of head cement in the morning……
JN
Has anybody actually hooked a steelhead with these crazy flies?
I have hooked many steelies with these flies, and not just the recipes here either! I have put my own spin on several (switching up colors, etc….), so yea Chromer, I think they work:) Like I said, change up the colors, or sizes too (usually down a size has been effective for me). Getting excited to modify a few more for the 2013 winter Metalhead season!!
Tight Lines,
Wicket