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Pacific Steelhead - Winter Run

Pacific Steelhead - Winter Run

General Info: Winter-run steelhead are on a pedestal. No other freshwater fish has such mystiqur. Anglers can spend an entire season swinging away without so much as a tug. Its almost par for the course. But when that big, chrome winter steelhead finally pulls on your fly.... OOOOHHH. There is nothing like it. Most of the employees at Big Y would consider themselves to be some type of "winter steelhead junkie" or are in some sort of steelhead recovery. While we get plenty of trout, bass and salmon fishing done, we live and breathe for winter steelhead season.
Winter steelhead are more pervasive on the coastal streams of the Pacific Northwest than their summer cousins. Summer fish are found further up the Columbia and its tributaries, and less in the coastal streams. However, winter fish do travel up the Columbia River, and summer fish are found in most coastal rivers.
Fun Fact: The Hood River (home of Big Y) is the furthest upstream tributary on the Columbia River that winter steelhead will travel. We are at the end of the line for winter steelhead, and we are OK with that.
Most winter steelhead anglers prefer to swing flies on a switch or spey rod using a Skagit line system (Developed on the Skagit River, WA). While winter steelhead can be caught on nymphs, the majority of anglers prefer to swing articulated intruders in the winter. These are our favorite flies for swinging up a winter steelhead. For steelhead nymphs, you can visit the Great Lakes Page.
Steelhead nymphs can be found on the Great Lakes steelhead page, and bigger swinging patterns can be found on the Winter Steelhead or Chinook Salmon page.
Preferred Gear
Rods: 7-8wt switch/spey rods as long as needed for river. Rods up to 13'6" rods are common, but most anglers would be fine in the Pacific Northwest with a 7wt switch rod between 11'-12'.
Reels: Large arbor, weighted and sized for longer rods.
Favorites: Orvis SSR, Big Y General,
Lines: Skagit style shooting heads are preferred throughout the winter season
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  • 91 in stock

    Alaskabou

    $1.50
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    $1.50

    Like the Popsicle, this pattern is in George Cook series. Have been used to catch all game fish from Alaska to the Pacific Northwest. The mo...

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    $1.50
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •
    28 in stock

    Apocalyptic Leech

    $1.50
    $1.50 - $1.50
    $1.50 - $1.50
    $1.50

    Nice light leech pattern with tons of attraction

    $1.50
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    $1.50
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •
    297 in stock

    Articulated Leech

    $2.49
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    $2.49

    A pattern that rocketed into classic status within a few years after it hit the public. Almost all hits on leech come from the head. The action wi...

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    $2.49
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    $2.49
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •
    24 in stock

    Bjorn's Super Prawn

    $1.50
    $1.50 - $1.50
    $1.50 - $1.50
    $1.50

    Big silhouette pattern perfect for moving big fish to strikes. Popular Alaska and cold water pattern. Attracts everything-Chinooks, silvers, steel...

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    $1.50
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •
    164 in stock

    Burnt Chicken - Solitude

    $3.96
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    $3.96 - $3.96
    $3.96

    Great for swinging flies for steelhead or salmon. Extremely popular with spey fishermen in the Pacific Northwest. We have found that pink works be...

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    $3.96
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •
    42 in stock

    Canary Marabou

    $1.50
    $1.50 - $1.50
    $1.50 - $1.50
    $1.50

    Famous in Alaska, Canada and the West Coast Attracts everything-Chinooks, silvers, steelhead, even sea-run cutthroats. Vibrate colors and that mag...

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    $1.50
    $1.50 - $1.50
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    $1.50
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •
    145 in stock

    Conehead Eggabou

    $1.99
    $1.99 - $1.99
    $1.99 - $1.99
    $1.99

    An articulated version of the Alaskabou, brilliant colors, enticing action.

    $1.99
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    $1.99
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •
    55 in stock

    Fish Taco

    $1.59
    $1.59 - $1.59
    $1.59 - $1.59
    $1.59

    One of the most effective winter steelhead patterns hands down. Design specifically for steelhead and salmon, especially in the Pacific Northwest ...

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    $1.59
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    $1.59
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •
    127 in stock

    Fox N Chicken

    $2.39
    $2.39 - $2.39
    $2.39 - $2.39
    $2.39

    Designed to be fished all year on the swing. Works best with a sink tip and for winter steelhead. Black/Blue is great for fish further up river ...

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    $2.39
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    $2.39
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •
    15 in stock

    Foxee Dog - Solitude

    $2.96
    $2.96 - $3.96
    $2.96 - $3.96
    $2.96

    The Foxee Dog is a fly pattern created by Charles St. Pierre of Northwest Speycasting. A mixture of natural and synthetic materials the Foxee Dog...

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    $2.96
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    $2.96
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •
    136 in stock

    General Practitioner

    $1.50
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    $1.50

    Originally tied to be an Atlantic Salmon pattern. Since its introduction in the 1950's this pattern has caught on worldwide. Used everywhere for S...

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    $1.50
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •
    32 in stock

    Hobit Spey - Solitude

    $3.96
    $3.96 - $3.96
    $3.96 - $3.96
    $3.96

    The Hobit Spey is a very productive pattern for steelhead. Developed by Clark Jennings. Great for swinging flies for steelhead or salmon. Extreme...

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    $3.96
    $3.96 - $3.96
    $3.96 - $3.96
    $3.96
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •
    190 in stock

    Hobo Spey - Solitude

    $3.96
    $3.96 - $3.96
    $3.96 - $3.96
    $3.96

    The Hobo Spey has quickly become the go-to pattern for guides across the Northwest. Developed by Charles St. Pierre. Great for swinging flies for...

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    $3.96
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    $3.96 - $3.96
    $3.96
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •
    97 in stock

    Homeless Spey

    $2.39
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    $2.39 - $2.39
    $2.39

    Designed to be fished all year on the swing. Try it with the heaviest sinking line or a floating line with a long leader. Either way this fly has...

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    $2.39
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    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •
    352 in stock

    Intruder

    $2.39
    $2.39 - $2.39
    $2.39 - $2.39
    $2.39

    The legendary intruder, designed to drive steelhead to strike!

    $2.39
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    $2.39
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •
    62 in stock

    Loop Es Leech - Solitude

    $3.90
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    $3.90

    Loop ES Leech has fairly heavy eyes, and is usually tied about 4 1/2" long. It's wiggling & breathing profile make this an awesome swinging...

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    $3.90
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •
    98 in stock

    Pick 'Yer Pocket - Solitude

    $3.56
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    $3.56

    Originally designed as a swinging steelhead fly. Extremely popular with PNW Spey fishermen. Proven to catch steelhead and salmon from California...

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    $3.56
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    $3.56
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •
    50 in stock

    Popsicle

    $1.50
    $1.50 - $1.50
    $1.50 - $1.50
    $1.50

    Designed by George Cook in the early 1980's. Is now Alaska's most popular pattern. Attracts everything-Chinooks, silvers, steelhead, even sea-run ...

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    $1.50
    $1.50 - $1.50
    $1.50 - $1.50
    $1.50
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •
    23 in stock

    Showgirl

    $1.50
    $1.50 - $1.50
    $1.50 - $1.50
    $1.50

    Famous in Alaska, Canada and the West Coast Attracts everything-Chinooks, silvers, steelhead, even sea-run cutthroats. Vibrate colors and that mag...

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    $1.50
    $1.50 - $1.50
    $1.50 - $1.50
    $1.50
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •
    70 in stock

    Skagit Minnow

    $2.39
    $2.39 - $2.39
    $2.39 - $2.39
    $2.39

    One of the most effective winter steelhead patterns hands down. Does especially well in rivers that are glacier feed. Light weight pattern does we...

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    $2.39
    $2.39 - $2.39
    $2.39 - $2.39
    $2.39
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •
    1507 in stock

    Steelhead Egg-Sucking Leech

    $1.50
    $1.50 - $1.50
    $1.50 - $1.50
    $1.50

    The #1 all-time pattern everywhere sea-runs are fished for now tied on a black salmon hook for the Kings, Cohos, Atlantics and large steelies.  A...

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    $1.50
    $1.50 - $1.50
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    $1.50
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •
    66 in stock

    String Leech - Solitude

    $3.90
    $3.90 - $3.90
    $3.90 - $3.90
    $3.90

    A great light weight leech pattern. Great for steelhead year round. 

    $3.90
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    $3.90
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •
    113 in stock

    Treys Steelflash - Rainy's

    $5.96
    $5.96 - $5.96
    $5.96 - $5.96
    $5.96

    A flashy intruder style fly with tons of movement. Flashabou make up the majority of the fly, sure to attractor big steelhead and even salmon. G...

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    $5.96
    $5.96 - $5.96
    $5.96 - $5.96
    $5.96
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •
    25 in stock

    Voodoo Leech

    $1.59
    $1.59 - $1.59
    $1.59 - $1.59
    $1.59

    The Voodoo Leech is a great choice when targeting both salmon and steelhead. Its color schemes and materials drive fish wild. Designed for maximum...

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    $1.59
    $1.59 - $1.59
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    $1.59
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
  •
    92 in stock

    Winter Hope

    $1.50
    $1.50 - $1.50
    $1.50 - $1.50
    $1.50

    A classic Northwest fly, vibrant colors that attract Steelhead. Works best with a traditional wet fly swing. 

    $1.50
    $1.50 - $1.50
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    $1.50
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.
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    172 in stock

    Wyatt's Steelhead Stinger

    $2.39
    $2.39 - $2.39
    $2.39 - $2.39
    $2.39

    Designed by local steelhead addict, Wyatt. Fished best with a sink tip, this fly takes both summer and winter steelhead with consistency. Try stri...

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    $2.39
    $2.39 - $2.39
    $2.39 - $2.39
    $2.39
    Value must be grater than or equal to 1.