Steelhead

Steelhead are the fish of ten thousand casts, sea-run rainbow trout that bring the power and stamina of a saltwater fish to freshwater rivers, combining everything demanding about river fishing with the explosive strength of a migratory gamefish. Chasing steelhead on the swing with a spey rod on a Pacific Northwest river in October is one of the most captivating experiences in fly fishing. Summer-runs, winter-runs, Great Lakes fish: each fishery has its own character, but they all share the ability to consume you completely.

We've chased steelhead across techniques, seasons, and river systems - spey setups, swing tactics, summer versus winter runs, and destination breakdowns. Everything we've learned is collected in the articles below.