The summer-run checklist
Planning a summer steelhead adventure? Willie Holmes offers seven gems of advice to swing the odds of success in your favour
JOE EVANS
WINTER-RUN steelhead enter British Columbia’s rivers from November to April, often migrating in cold, high and dirty water. They tend to hold in deep, slow pools to conserve energy, and are less likely to chase surface flies. Summer-run steelhead, on the other hand, have different habits.
Arriving from June through September when rivers are lower and clearer, they often lie in faster, shallower and more oxygenated water. At this time of year, many anglers follow in the footsteps of Roderich Haig-Brown and Syd Glasso, fishing with a floating line and a lightly dressed dry-fly that skates across the surface. This visual fishing is, for many, the epitome of targeting summer-run steelhead.
However, from June to early July we can still see cold snowmelt flows, and September brings cooling temperatures as autumn approaches. During these periods, water may be chilly enough to push steelhead into deeper lies, where they are less inclined to rise. Thus, even when targeting summer fish, depth control remains critical, with sink tips, weighted flies and poly leaders coming into play.
Only when water warms consistently in mid-summer does the dry-fly game truly turn on. If you’re looking to target the summer run, the following tips will help you on your adventure.
Target riffles where there are only a few feet of depth, especially those shaded by alder or cottonwood
1. Target different types of water
Summer steelhead are metabolically active in warmer water, making them explosive jumpers and generally more inclined to move to a fly. Unlike winter steelhead, summer-run fish spread throughout the river, often holding in faster, shallower water such as riffle tails, slight depressions in the riverbed, and the heads of runs in oxygenated water.
Anglers must adjust their approach accordingly, and recognising a summer fish’s favoured lies is key. Focus on the heads of runs where water pours over a gravel bar into a deeper bucket. Tailouts — the shallow, faster ends of pools — are also classic warm-weather holding water. Pocket water with boulders that create current seams and oxygenated slots can hold individual fish too. Look for current seams where fast and slow water meet; summer steelhead will lie just inside the slower edge, waiting in ambush. Also, target riffles where there are only a few feet of depth, especially those shaded by alder or cottonwood.
Active summer steelhead prefer livelier, more oxygenated parts of pools. Work your fly through creases and glassy pockets.
JOE EVANS
Active summer steelhead prefer livelier, more oxygenated parts of pools. Work your fly through the creases glassy pockets.
JOE EVANS
1. Target different types of water
Summer steelhead are metabolically active in warmer water, making them explosive jumpers and generally more inclined to move to a fly. Unlike winter steelhead, summer-run fish spread throughout the river, often holding in faster, shallower water such as riffle tails, slight depressions in the riverbed, and the heads of runs in oxygenated water.
Anglers must adjust their approach accordingly, and recognising a summer fish’s favoured lies is key. Focus on the heads of runs where water pours over a gravel bar into a deeper bucket. Tailouts — the shallow, faster ends of pools — are also classic warm-weather holding water. Pocket water with boulders that create current seams and oxygenated slots can hold individual fish too. Look for current seams where fast and slow water meet; summer steelhead will lie just inside the slower edge, waiting in ambush. Also, target riffles where there are only a few feet of depth, especially those shaded by alder or cottonwood.
2. Focus on flows and measure temperature
Here in Pacific Canada, we are very fond of Skagit fishing and Skagit lines. Indeed, Skagit fishing was developed in this area as a means of depth control to give the fly-fisher the chance to fish faster, deeper water previously only within the realm of float or spoon anglers.
Initially, Skagit heads all floated. They could deliver a heavy tip, or large heavy fly. We now have multi-density heads too. These get your flies below the surface tension and hold them at depth quickly — even in the faster runs.
Bigger rods will give you better command and line control on bigger, complex flows, even with wake fly methods.
Two-handed rods let you execute the classic “swing” with a sustained, drag-free drift across current seams
3. Choose Spey and switch rods
Northern British Columbia’s summer steelhead rivers — like the Bulkley, Skeena, Kispiox and Dean — are often medium to large with brushy banks and limited back-cast room. Two-handed Spey rods, like Loop Tackle’s 7X and Z1 in a 13ft 2in eight-weight, or the ZT in the same length and weight for the travelling angler, allow you to fish close to the lush banks while getting your Spey game dialled in. These rods also reduce fatigue when casting sink tips and large flies all day.
Additionally, their extra length provides better line control, mending and hook-setting power at a distance. Switch rods like Loop’s 7X and Z1 in an 11ft 6in seven-weight, and the new Trak 11ft seven-weight, are great tools for these bigger flows and bigger fish. Beyond efficiency, two-handed rods let you execute the classic “swing” with a sustained, drag-free drift across current seams.
In saying this, single-handers on smaller watersheds can be very versatile, allowing you to fish close-in when fish are tucked into the head or neck of a pool. For example, some of the smaller streams on the Vancouver Island summer-run fishery are ideal for 9ft 6in rods in six- or seven-weight configurations, with Loop’s 7X, Z1 (7wt only) and Trak all excellent options.
For a double-hander on smaller watersheds, a 13ft seven-weight is a good option, with Loop’s 7X and Trak fitting the bill nicely.
Line selection varies from fully floating Scandi and mid-belly lines with longer leaders for the greased line and waking fly techniques, to Skagit setups with lighter tips than you would generally need to use in the depths of winter.
Reel selection is a personal choice. Some anglers favour the Loop Classic for its weight and beautiful tune. Others prefer the quieter, more modern Evotec G5 or Opti series. My favourite for 12ft–14ft rods is the Speedrunner.
The key, whatever you do, is a tight line — slack kills the swing
4. Swing flies with deception
A swung wet-fly is the quintessential summer steelhead method. You cast across the current or on a quartering-downstream angle, mending to slow the fly’s swing, then let the current sweep it across the river in an arc. Summer-run steelhead rarely feed aggressively in warm, clear water, and the swing triggers a reactionary strike based on irritation, curiosity, or territorial instinct.
A well-executed swing presents the fly to the fish at eye level, pulsing with each push of current. Vary your presentation too: lead the fly with a stripped line for a skated dry-fly effect or add a sink tip to fish the layers. The key, whatever you do, is a tight line — slack kills the swing. After the fly passes below you, take two steps downstream and repeat, covering the run in a grid.
Many strikes come right as the fly starts to swing or near the end on “the hang-down”. Patience and rhythm matter more than constant casting. If you’ve covered a run thoroughly without a grab, speed up your swing or move on — summer-run fish will form pods, but more often will be found on their own.
Mobile intruder patterns not only pulse enticingly when retrieved, they are also less wind resistant (easy to cast) and retain more movement on “the hang-down”.
PETER GATHERCOLE
5. Select productive patterns
While steelhead can be finicky, a handful of summer patterns consistently produce. Intruders in pink, purple, black or chartreuse with palmered marabou and rubber legs create a pulsing silhouette. Popsicles — simple marabou and chenille tube flies — are deadly in low water when tied sparsely in sizes 4-8. Freight Trains combine a stinger hook with rabbit strip and flash and are excellent for swinging or stripping.
Classic hairwings like the Silver Hilton (silver body, black wing) or a Green Butt Skunk imitate baitfish. Leeches are also a good bet — a simple Egg Sucking Leech can be irresistible to steelhead at times. Don’t overlook small traditional patterns either: General Practitioner, Purple Peril, or Polar Shrimp.
In summer, downsize to hooks between sizes 4-8, use lighter dumbbell eyes or bead chains, and avoid overly bulky dressings. Carry flies in natural (black, olive, brown) and high-visibility (hot pink, orange) colours — water clarity dictates choice. Lots of anglers concentrate on tying wake and foam flies to get those grabs on the surface, with larger Deer Hair Caddis patterns very popular.
Wading must be slow, deliberate and minimal
Foam patterns that make a wake in the surface can provide explosive and highly visual takes.
ANDREW FLITCROFT
6. Be stealthy
Low and clear summer water demands a sneaky approach. Start by wearing camouflage or earth-toned clothing and avoid rods with shiny blanks. Approach the river from behind bankside vegetation, keeping low when scanning a run. Use a long, fine leader of 9ft–12ft ending in 8lb–12lb tippet. Grease your leader except for the last 18 inches to break up its surface shadow.
Polarized sunglasses are essential — they cut glare and let you spot fish before they spot you. Wading must be slow, deliberate and minimal; stay out of the run you’re fishing, walking on gravel bars or bedrock instead of crunching through the lie.
Spey casts pay dividends when trying to be discreet as false casting over likely water will send steelhead bolting. Remember that all rods, no matter their length, are Spey rods. If you do have to false cast, keep it low and use a roll cast to pick the line up without the dreaded slurp.
When you hook a fish, steer it away from the main pod. In extremely clear water, consider using a floating line and fishing a dry-fly or lightly weighted wet-fly on a dead drift. The experienced Atlantic salmon-fisher who changes their approach between early spring and summer will find similarities in the way steelhead anglers adapt through the season.
Each tip has its application; it’s just a matter of reading the water and making the right selection before stepping in
When you hook a fish it may one of a pod, so steer it clear of the others to avoid spooking them.
JOE EVANS/BRADLEY FUNKHOUSER
7. Treat the fish with respect
Summer water temperatures in British Columbia can rise to stressful levels for the fish by the afternoon, making responsible handling critical. Use only barbless hooks (pinch barbs down or buy barbless) and land fish quickly, using at least 10lb tippet and a firm drag to prevent long fights that exhaust fish in warm, low-oxygen water.
Never lift a steelhead onto rocks or dry ground — keep it submerged. Remove the hook with long-nose pliers while the fish is cradled in the current. If a fish is deeply hooked, cut the leader close to the fly; a steelhead is more likely to expel a small hook than recover from handling trauma.
For photos, get down to water level, avoid lifting the fish out of the water and try to keep its head submerged. If you must lift the fish, do so briefly (for a maximum of three seconds) with wet hands, supporting its belly, and keep it horizontal. To revive a fish, point it into a gentle current and hold its tail until steady breathing resumes.
When water exceeds 18 deg C (64 deg F), consider not fishing at all — many guides voluntarily stop targeting steelhead during heatwaves. Treat these wonderful fish with the respect they deserve — after many years of targeting anadromous species, I still thank every fish for honouring me with its presence.
Useful links for outfitters in different regions
pacificrivers.com — Chilliwack, Vancouver — Lower Mainland
robinsonsoutdoors.com — Victoria — Vancouver Island
chromersportfishing.com — Squamish — Whistler
steelheadbc.com — Smithers — Northern BC
sustutriver.com — Northern BC
