Indigo Guide Service

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Salmon Fly Pattern… Blueburg by John Kluesing

As the story goes, legindary west Michigan guide John Kluesing wanted to tie a batch of Hornburgs for his next day of salmon fishing and only had a handful of usable mallard feathers left.  As you may remember, the Hornburg has two mallard feathers per fly.  John decided to go for quantity over quality and only used one feather across the back.

The Blueburg has been a favorite among area guides and fisherman for years and has caught everything that swims.  It looks good dead drifted but will start to wobble when it swings out at the end of the drift.  This is also one of my carp flies for tough pods of resting fish in skinny water… you can just dance this fly across their nose.

Best For… salmon, steelhead and carp     Could Also Be Used For…  trout, bass and panfish

***Materials listed in tying order

Hook… TMC 105, size 4 – 8
Tail and Body… light blue tinsel
Wing… natural mallard
Hackle… grouse or pheasant
Head… orange or red thread

John Kluesing, Northern Lights Guide Service (231) 745-3792

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Steelhead Fly Pattern… Morlock’s Baby Salmon by Kevin Morlock

This fly is my evolution of the best spring into summer salmon fry pattern.  From April through June the Pere Marquette River and other Michigan streams become thick with young salmon in the 3/4 to 1 1/2 inch range.  They are an abundant and high protein food source that our resident trout and visiting steelhead focus on.

This is a must have pattern in my box for steelhead and trout swung behind an egg.  When I’m just focusing on trout we will use this fly to fish downstream around cover, riffles and drop-offs.  Or my latest favorite is to fish it behind a larger attractor streamer… 90% of the fish will come on the fry pattern.

Best For… steelhead and trout          Could Also Be Used For…  panfish

***Materials listed in tying order

Hook… TMC 3761, size 6 or 8
Tail and Body… Flashabou Mirage, 3005 opal
Wing… natural mallard
Head Base… built up black thread
Gill Accent… red thread
Head Finish… your favorite head hardener

 
Morlock’s Baby Salmon, Alevin Martinez with a salmon fry.

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Steelhead Fly Recipe… Alevin Martinez by Steve Martinez

This fly is designed to fish when swung down-stream or stripped with short strips.  Peak timing for this fly is February through June, focusing on the hatching salmon and then the steelhead.  I tied this fly smaller to better represent the size of a real alevin but have evolved to this larger size because it catches more fish.

Best For… steelhead and trout          Could Also Be Used For…  panfish

***Materials listed in tying order

Hook… TMC 3761, size 6
Eyes… black bead chain
Tail… white zonker
Back… loose spun yarn (see note)
Body… sparkle braid
Egg Sac… orange or peach McFoam

Note:  The only place I know to get this loose spun yarn is FlyMasters in Indianapolis.

 
Morlock’s Baby Salmon, Alevin Martinez with a salmon fry.
 

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Steelhead Fly Recipe… SS Buggers (Steelhead/Salmon Buggers) by Everyone

This is another super easy to tie, highly effective steelhead and salmon pattern used by many folks in the area.  Swing it as a wet or use it as a streamer with or without a sink-tip.  Tail, body, tinsel and hackle color combinations are endless, I go with bright in low light or dirty water and natural in clear conditions.  I tie most with tinsel because it only takes two snips with my scissors to un-tinsel them.

Best For… steelhead and salmon          Could Also Be Used For…  trout, carp and bass

***Materials listed in tying order

Hook… Mustad R74, size 4
Eyes… x-large silver bead chain
Tail… marabou
Tinsel… whatever you like
Body… yarn
Hackle… schlappen

Visit our West Michigan Fly Index page for a quick look at our collection.

Steelhead Fly Pattern… Bunny Hex by unknown

A local fly fishing friend brought this pattern on a trip last year and it was dynamite, he had picked-up the pattern at a local fly fishing club meeting (West Michigan Hacklers).  I have made a few changes from his original, peacock back instead of swiss straw, black eyes instead of brass and a better hook.  It is still dynamite and easy to tie and has become mandatory equipment in my boat for steelhead.  Kevin Morlock

Best For… steelhead          Could Also Be Used For…  salmon and trout

***Materials listed in tying order

Hook… Gamakatsu, octopus (02408), size 4

Eyes… medium, black bead chain

Tail… flesh colored rabbit strip

Back… 4-5 strands of peacock herl

Body… cream colored sparkle yarn

Hackle… pheasant body