Steelhead Warrior

Let me start by saying that I don't like to name my flies. Im not clever enough for one, but frankly I don't really care to. This pattern is based off an upsized Rainbow Warrior with some of the brighter colors that the steelhead I run into seem to love. So... Steelhead Warrior it is... I guess...

This pattern was good to me last season especially on those spookier highly pressured fish. I think that its is something different for them to look at besides the countless glo bugs, caddis, hex and stonefly nymphs they see on a daily basis.

Im picky so I make my own "rainbow" dubbing for this pattern. I take a full package of white Senyo's Laser Dub and blend in a pinch of "eat a peach", "electric grape", "pink lady" and "lizard" Senyo's Fusion dubbing. It is a bit brighter and less drab than the normal "rainbow" pre blended dubbing out there, but in a pinch I'm sure those would work too.

Hook:     #10 Orvis 1P0R Tactical Barbless Czech Nymph or similar
Thread:  6/0 Red
Bead:     3.8mm Pink, orange or chartreuse
Tail:        Pheasant Tail
Body:     Opal tinsel wrapped over top of a red thread base
Rib:        XS red Ultra Wire
Thorax:  Rainbow dubbing
Shell:     Opal Tinsel

Steelhead Warrior