Dry FliesSteelhead Pat
Loren Williams' steelhead pat builds an orange floss abdomen ribbed with gold oval tinsel, then sandwiches a grey partridge hackle between two clumps of Australian possum for the thorax, finished with a short brown partridge tail. The bright floss and soft materials give it movement for trout and steelhead in moving water and stillwaters.
Spring, Summer, Fall
Intermediate
Trout
Feb 2026
Overview
The double possum thorax is the distinctive feature here, trapping a grey partridge hackle between two dubbing sections so its fibers splay out through the fur rather than sitting exposed. Hot orange thread under the orange floss abdomen adds a warm glow that shows through in low light. Fish it on a size 6 in spring through fall for bigger water where a larger, more mobile profile draws attention.
Where to Buy This Fly
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Materials
- Hook:
- Tiemco 202SP #6
- Thread:
- Danville Flymaster 6/0, hot orange
- Hackle:
- Partridge, brown
- Rib:
- Tinsel, gold oval
- Tail:
- Partridge, brown - tied short
- Abdomen:
- Floss, orange
- Thorax:
- Australian possum; partridge, grey; Australian possum
Behavior & Presentation
Natural Behavior: Cold water temperatures slow adult insect metabolism, causing extended surface floats before flight becomes possible. Anglers exploit this temperature effect because the helpless extended drifts allow fish to feed methodically on vulnerable adults that can't quickly escape.
Where Trout Eat It: Fish intercept sluggish caddis from the surface in fast pocket water, riffles, broken surface zones, tail-outs, and current seams.
How to Fish It: Cast across and slightly downstream for drag-free drift. The high-floating design maintains visibility in pocket water and fast runs where tracking is crucial.
Best Water: Focus on fast pocket water, riffles, broken surface conditions, tail-outs, current seams, and structure breaks where visibility is key to success.
Strike Type: Watch for visible rises, splashy eats, or aggressive takes as fish respond to high-riding adults in turbulent water.
Fishing Strategy
Rigging Suggestions: Use a 9-10 foot leader with 4X or 5X tippet for trout, heavier 3X for steelhead. Apply generous floatant to maintain high visibility in turbulent water.
Seasonal Timing: Prime time runs from April through October, with exceptional results during steelhead runs and trout hatches. September and October are particularly productive.
Pro Tips: The substantial profile and buoyancy make this an excellent indicator fly for dropper rigs in faster water.
Entomology
In cold water conditions, adult caddis become sluggish and float longer distances before achieving flight, making them especially vulnerable. Fish capitalize on these temperature-slowed insects, feeding methodically on the extended drifts of helpless adults.
- Order
- Trichoptera
- Common Name
- Caddisfly
- Organism Type
- insect
- Life Stage
- adult
