Winter is here, and so are the steelhead. Swinging with spey or switch rods is still an option, although the fish aren’t willing to move as far as they did back in the fall to grab a fly. Heavier lines, smaller patterns, and a slower presentation are critical for success in the cold water. Swing this fly with a heavy sink tip through slow moving pools, and hopefully you’ll provoke and entice a huge winter steelhead. They are big this year, and your best chances of landing a true giant is in the dead of winter since they don’t fight nearly as aggressively. Focus your efforts in the late evenings when the water temps are the highest. See you out there.