Above: A Skeena River steelhead caught on a dead-drifted Black Tube Bomber ™  Picture with courtesy of Mr Chad Black

Wake fly,  dry fly, and skating flies are fishing forms closely associated with fly fishing for steelhead. The way of fishing is only truly efficient when conditions and time are correct, but anglers will prepare and gear up for the climax of fly fishing with great anticipation. Some steelhead anglers would say: Fishing on the top – is the only proper way to catch this great fish.

Surface fishing for Atlantic salmon and sea-trout is a possibility during summer – But when low temperatures starts creeping up on angler in Europa and eastern Canada – salmon and sea-trout turn their attention away from waking and dead drifting flies – But steelhead can go ballistic on wake flies On a cold October mornings

Steelhead angler and Director of Wild Steelhead Funding with Native Fish Society: Mr Tom Derry Fish on the top for steelhead in British Columbia – Tom is using the Monster Tube Caddis steelhead tube fly.

The Monster Tube Caddis steelhead tube fly. – A modern tube wake fly based on the riffling hitch tube fly system – where the leader is inserted on an angle in the tube as opposed to the front of the tube – See more details on the Monster Tube Caddis wake fly in our shop

Above Superior holding pool for steelhead on the Skeena River system – Big boulders and safety in the medium deep water will have the steelhead resting in these areas. A well-presented dead drifting dry fly or a slowly moving wake fly like the Grantham Sedge or Steelhead Beetle could bring the fish to the oily surface.  Picture with courtesy of Chad Black Nicholas Dean Lodge

Utilizing Regular Flies for Riffling Hitch Technique

Dragging regular wet flies on the surface (Portland Hitch) or using tiny tube flies fished on an angle is a long-established technique for Atlantic salmon that works fine for steelhead. One could call Riffling Hitch fishing a quiet way of skating or waking a fly – but it would not be all correct as the actual presentation of the fly could be different on a steelhead river versus a salmon river – To see more on the riffling hitch technique see our pages on the subject. 

Bulky Waking Flies for Steelhead: The Impact of Materials

In the realm of conventional steelhead wake flies, the incorporation of voluminous, buoyant materials such as deer hair and EVA-foam (Ethylene-vinyl acetate) is a common and effective practice. The substantial size and buoyancy of these materials play a crucial role in creating a pronounced wake as the fly moves across the water’s surface.

Famous versions of the Bomber have been honed into shape to perform well on the surface – when fished across the river.

Innovative Tube Wake Flies for Steelhead Fishing

We’ve revolutionized the approach to crafting steelhead wake flies by introducing the riffling hitch tube system into known and new steelhead patterns.

Why Tube Flies? 

At Fishmadman, we specialize in tube flies designed for surface and sub-surface fishing. Scandinavian anglers widely embrace tube flies, a preference we share due to their versatility and ease of use. These flies enable precise presentations of large and small patterns, accommodating various water flow conditions.

A Simple Solution for Wake Flies 

Say goodbye to intricate hitch knots and the need for technical expertise on knot positioning concerning hook slope and river flow. With our adaptation of the riffling hitch system, all you need to do is thread the leader through the hole in the tube’s belly and attach a hook of your choice, and you’re ready to start your fishing adventure.

Our Journey in Steelhead Surface Fishing: 

As devoted surface anglers, we recognize the significance of attention to detail and styling in local waters. With over a decade of collaboration with anglers across North America, we’ve successfully developed more than a dozen exceptional steelhead tube wake flies. These flies have gained popularity among guides and steelhead enthusiasts in the North West. (Explore some of these flies here)

Tube wake version of the Bomber.

It is said that Mr E. Smith designed the first Bomber pattern in the 1960s. Mr Smith designed the fly as a commotion fly to fish Atlantic Salmon in the Miramichi River in New Brunswick. The fly pattern proved very successful on salmon and soon spread to steelhead anglers in the West, who changed the overall design to enable it to wake better. Some even shape their Bomber to work with a dive and pop-up motion.

Right: The Rusty Brown Bomber conceived by steelhead guide John Hazel in 1979. A favourite Bomber pattern with many steel headers – Here, done the Tube Bomber way.

To make Bombers perform better/differently when used as a wake fly, West Coast anglers may also tie their Bombers with sparse or simply no hackle at all

Bomber-influenced wake flies like; Moose Turd – Cigar Butt – Purple Bomber – Air B.C are chosen versions for commotion fishing

Photo:  The famous Moose Turd wake fly by Bill McMillan – done the Fishmadman way on our Riffling Hitch Tube – The arrow show`s the entrance hole for the leader. This is a dependable way of getting a fly pattern to pull to the surface and wake.  Big and long wake fly patterns benefit much from this transition – like the tube fly fitted with a small wide gape hook (like a coarse fishing carp hook) – will weigh less than a conventional fly tied on a long shank hook – furthermore, tube fly patterns do not have leverage issues that so often is associated with flies tied on bigger single hooks. The fly wake´s effortlessly and look vibrant on the surface. The tube allows for multiple choices of hooks and hook settings.

Right:  Our version of the classic steelhead fly, the Rusty Brown Bomber, Tied on our Riffling Hitch tube

 Above: A favourite Bomber colour both for steelhead and Atlantic Salmon: The Aqua Blue Bomber wake fly

The Ska-Opper

Some top water flies for steelhead are made to plough through the surface. Some are made to create a moderate wake; others, like the Ska-Opper or Quigley’s Dragon Gurgler, are designed for a more active life on the surface: bobbing, making a wake and spitting water.

Buy the Ska-Opper wake fly tied on a tube 

Photo by Mr Adam Tavender

Read more about top-water tactics for steelheads.

Check out the tube wake flies we do 

Use small bugs for fish hiding in slow water