7 Fall & Winter Steelhead Flies for the Grande Ronde & Wallowa Rivers
Are you planning a fall or winter trip to the Grande Ronde or Wallowa River to fly fish for steelhead? Not sure what patterns they might be hitting? In today’s posts, the steelhead guides at Winding Waters River Expeditions will share a few of their favorite patterns– telling you what they’ve learned in the 25+ years they’ve been guiding for steelhead.
Key Takeaways
- Match the hatch with confidence: For fall and winter steelhead on the Grande Ronde and Wallowa Rivers, rely on proven fly patterns like the Magneto Stonefly, Hoh Bo Spey, and Beadhead Copper Johns to imitate natural prey and trigger strikes.
- Vary presentation and depth: Success often depends more on how you present the fly than the specific pattern. Adjust weight, bead size, and drift to reach steelhead holding near the river bottom.
- Experiment with color and motion: Steelhead respond to a wide range of colors—black, olive, purple, and even pink—especially when paired with movement-rich materials like marabou or rubber legs.
- Don’t overlook simple patterns: Egg flies and wooly buggers remain reliable, high-performing options that work in cold conditions when other flies fail.
- Leverage local expertise: Booking a guided steelhead fly fishing trip with Winding Waters River Expeditions ensures access to expert knowledge, proper gear, and the best runs on the Grande Ronde and Wallowa Rivers
Let’s get started!
1. Magneto Stonefly
The Magneto Stonefly is a pattern made by our friend Devin Olsen, one of the most experienced fly fishermen around. It’s a great fly for Euro-nymphing and it’s the best of both worlds– both an attractor and an imitator.
That means it both imitates the silhouette, shape, and size of a stonefly nymph but it also attracts steelhead with its shiny bead head and reflective mylar tinsel body. Devin and our guides fish the Magento Stonefly in a size 8 or so and use a tungsten beadhead to help it get down (and stay down) in the cold, fast waters of the Grand Ronde and Wallowa rivers. Learn how to tie the Magneto Stonefly here. If you’d like to experience this river beyond fishing, our Grande Ronde River rafting trips offer incredible scenic adventures too.
2. Hoh Bo Spey Fly
If you enjoy spey fishing for fall and winter steelhead in the Grande Ronde or Wallowa River, you’ll love the Hoh Bo spey fly. It’s been a longtime favorite of steelhead fishermen in the Pacific Northwest and it’s a go-to fly for our guides at Winding Waters River Expeditions.
The Hoh Bo has great motion in the water thanks to the marabou and guinea fowl collar and the trailing hook turns short strikers into hookups! Definitely keep a few of these in your fly box if you’re headed out for steelhead this season.
3. Other Stonefly Nymph Patterns
In addition to the Magneto Stonefly we love just about any weighted stonefly nymph pattern for steelhead. There’s no magic recipe, but a combination of a heavy beadhead, rubber legs, biot tail and antenna, a pheasant tail and mylar shellcase, copper wire abdomen and fuzzy dubbed thorax make for a can’t miss steelhead fly.
You’ll sometimes hear steelhead fisherman say that a fly can be any color as long as it’s black, but in our experience steelhead will hit a wide variety of colors, including black, olive, brown, tan, and even dark purple. You just have to give it the right presentation in the right place at the right time.
If you tie your own steelhead flies, try stonefly nymphs:
- In sizes 6-10
- With varying size (and weight) beadheads and thicknesses of copper wire to adjust to different flow conditions
- Experiment with different length and number of legs (and don’t be afraid to clip them off while you’re fishing if needed)
4. Beadhead Copper Johns
Beadhead Copper Johns are simple, effective steelhead flies. Just like other nymphs you can experiment with different weights and hook sizes but the formula remains the same:
- Feather or biot tail
- Copper abdomen (try green, red, or natural colored wire)
- Dubbed thorax
- Beadhead (tungsten is more expensive but heavy, good for getting closer to the bottom when the rivers are running fast)
5. Egg Patterns
We can’t talk about simple but effective steelhead flies without mentioning egg patterns. They’re so simple to tie, but they catch steelhead when other flies miss. Lime green, neon yellow, red, and hot pink are all great color choices. But when the steelhead are keyed in on eggs, they’ll hit any bright color that comes in front of their face. Just make sure to use split shot on your leader to keep the buoyant eggs down in the water column. You will definitely want to try these on the Wallowa River late February thru mid April!
6. Black Marabou Leeches & Wooly Buggers
A black wooly bugger will catch just about any fish that swims and that includes steelhead! No steelhead fly box is complete without a few black buggers or other leech imitating patterns. The classic pattern features a marabou tail, chenille body, and soft black saddle or hen hackle. However, in our experience, a bit of flash from mylar chenille, and bright chenille or a beadhead are great variations on a classic pattern.
If you’re new to flytying, the black wooly bugger is a great pattern for beginners. Watch this video to learn how to tie a beadhead bugger.
7. Skaters
You haven’t lived until you’ve caught a steelhead on a skating dry fy! There’s really nothing like it. Just like other flies on this list, you don’t need a specific pattern, just one that has the right look and style.
Skating steelhead flies often feature:
- Elk or deer hair tails and wings for buoyancy
- A head made from closed cell foam that pushes a big wake and keeps the fly high in the water
- Clipped hackle wrapped over a peacock herl abdomen for extra floatation
Choosing & Presenting Your Fly
Oftentimes, the pattern itself isn’t as important as the presentation. When you’re able to put a fly right in front of a steelhead, you’ll probably get a strike– unless they’re being extra picky. Then you’ll have to experiment with different sizes and patterns.
But unless you’re working water that’s holding steelhead you’re going to go home skunked. And that includes the right depth. If the steelhead are sitting at the bottom and your flies are swinging near the surface even the best fly won’t help. This is especially true on powerful systems like the Snake River in Hells Canyon, where depth and current can change dramatically.
That’s where a great guide can help.
Book a Steelhead Fly Fishing Trip With Winding Waters River Expeditions
Our steelhead guides have been fishing for steelhead and guiding anglers for over 25 years. They know what flies work and where to find steelhead no matter what time of the season or what the weather conditions are like. There’s just no better way to maximize your chances of catching a wild steelhead than hiring one of our experienced guides. We also offer guided white water rafting adventures for anyone looking to explore the rivers in a whole new way.
Best of all, we provide all the gear you need (flies included), as well as transportation to and from the river, and much more. Read all about our guided steelheadflyfishingtrips and book your adventure today!
Prefer a different kind of river experience? Our Salmon River rafting adventures are another incredible way to explore Idaho’s wild waters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most common questions about fall and winter steelhead fly fishing on the Grande Ronde and Wallowa Rivers.
What are the best flies for fall and winter steelhead on the Grande Ronde and Wallowa Rivers?
Top-performing flies include the Magneto Stonefly, Hoh Bo Spey Fly, Beadhead Copper Johns, Egg Patterns, Black Marabou Leeches, Wooly Buggers, and Skaters. These patterns cover different water conditions and steelhead behaviors throughout the cold season.
Why is the Magneto Stonefly effective for steelhead?
The Magneto Stonefly is both an imitator and an attractor. Its shiny bead head and reflective body catch the fish’s attention, while its silhouette mimics a natural stonefly nymph. The tungsten beadhead helps it stay deep in fast, cold water—exactly where steelhead often hold.
When should I use egg patterns for steelhead?
Egg patterns are most productive from late February through mid-April when steelhead are keyed in on spawning activity. Bright colors like pink, red, lime green, and neon yellow work best, especially when fished deep using split shot to keep them in the strike zone.
What makes the Hoh Bo Spey Fly a good choice for winter steelhead?
The Hoh Bo Spey Fly has excellent movement thanks to its marabou and guinea fowl collar. Its trailing hook increases hookup rates with short-striking fish. This fly excels in colder months when steelhead are sluggish and respond best to a fly with enticing motion.
Are stonefly nymphs good for steelhead fishing?
Yes. Weighted stonefly nymphs are a staple for steelhead, especially in sizes 6–10. Vary the beadhead weight and leg length to match water flow and depth. Though black is classic, olive, brown, tan, or even purple can produce great results depending on light and water clarity.
How do I fish Beadhead Copper Johns for steelhead?
Use Beadhead Copper Johns when you need a fly that sinks quickly and stays near the bottom. Vary wire colors—green, red, or natural—and choose tungsten beads for faster water. Drift them deep where steelhead rest in slower current seams or tailouts.
Why are black Wooly Buggers and leeches so reliable?
Black Wooly Buggers imitate leeches and other aquatic prey that steelhead naturally feed on. They have great movement and versatility. Adding flash or a beadhead can make them even more effective in darker water or low-light conditions.
What are “skating” flies and when should I use them?
Skating flies are buoyant dry flies designed to create a surface wake that triggers aggressive strikes. They work best when water temperatures are mild and steelhead are active near the surface. Tying them with elk or deer hair and foam ensures they stay afloat and visible.
How important is fly presentation for steelhead?
Presentation is often more critical than the pattern itself. You need to place your fly at the right depth and drift speed to match where steelhead are holding. Even the perfect fly won’t work if it’s swinging too high or moving unnaturally through the current.
Do I need a guide for steelhead fishing on these rivers?
Hiring a guide can significantly improve your success. Experienced guides know where fish hold under different conditions, which flies are producing, and how to fine-tune your presentation. Plus, they provide gear, flies, and transport—making your trip both easier and more rewarding.
