RIO Fly Recommendations | Summer Steelhead Flies with RIO Ambassador Curtis Ciszek

The little, dark and not-so-secret Undertaker has proven to be a classic killer on the Deschutes over the years. It may have Atlantic salmon-fishing origins but as a go-to steelhead searching pattern, it’s found a permanent home in my Pacific Northwest fly arsenal. I typically start the day with a size 6. It also works well as a comeback fly in size 8.

One of the most heart-throttling experiences in steelhead fishing is watching your skated fly get smashed by a chromed-out trout with a couple years of salt touring under its belt. RIO’s Morrish Hitched Tube Skater makes it simple. The fly is light, easy to throw and kicks up a wide, impossible-to-ignore wake, even in faster-moving water.

What can I say, I have a thing for the fish-sticking talents of winged, peacock-body flies that, day in and day out, get the job done. The Steelhead Coachman fits the bill, turning many dour sessions on the Deschutes into unforgettable stories. I fish it in both size 6 and 8, depending on light conditions and water clarity.

Proving that productive steelhead flies never go out of style, the Silver Hilton was originated by Henry Hilton back in the 1940s for use on California’s Klamath and Trinity rivers. These days it’s a summer-run mainstay pretty much everywhere anglers swing for steelhead, including here on the Deschutes. Its hackle tip wings make fish swoon. I prefer the classic Green Butt version in a size 6.

For sink-tip flies on the Deschutes, you can’t go wrong with the Marabou Tube in a few different color options. Unweighted and ultra-swimmy, this large-profile bug attracts attention, especially during midday fishing conditions when the sun’s high and the fish are holding deep.