Leland on Scott Howell Squidro Winter Series Steelhead Flies
The
Scott Howell Squidro Winter Series is not just another big wiggly. The combination of
extra large profile, vibrant colors, and fast sink rate of the Squidro Winter Series expands the boundaries of “fishable” conditions to those previously dismissed as blown out. This is particularly advantageous to anglers fishing coastal rivers that rise and fall in a matter of days, if not hours, and where being on the water before the fish blast up their natal skinny water is the difference between a banner day and a goose egg.
The
longer rubber legs on the Winter Series Squidro impart an
irresistible breathing action in to the fly, and because they do not absorb any water, casting a big fly with large lead eyes has never been easier. We can think of no better way to seduce a winter steelhead than with the large, undulating wiggle of a Winter Series Squidro! Whether you are fishing in California, Alaska, or anywhere in between, the Squidro Winter Series is
designed to elicit an aggressive chase response from steelhead, that have most likely been gorging themselves on real squid in the days, weeks, months, and years prior to their freshwater return. However, Alaskan salmon will also crush these.
The Squidro Winter Series flies provide an unmatched combination of
profile, movement, sink rate, castability, durability, and versatility – the results speak for themselves!
Specifications:
- The most effective color combos for heavy winter flows
- Extra Large profile pushes water, yet sinks fast down into the zone
- Undulating silicone legs get the steelies excited
- Maintains a swimming, breathing action while swinging through a wide range of current speeds
- Fish with a loop knot, for faster sink and more movement
- Cast, mend, swing, and HOLD ON TIGHT
- Length: 1.75in. shank, 3.5in. overall
- Hook: Size 2 trailer hook
Leland on Scott Howell Squidro Series Steelhead Flies
Well folks, after showcasing more than a few of his innovative, outside-the-box steelhead flies and fishing techniques in Skagit Master II,
Northwest steelhead guide, guru, and legend, Scott Howell, is letting
us all in on another one of his secret steelhead concoctions: the Squidro.
Available in Sea Food, Summer, or Winter Series,
the Squidro may, at first glance, look more like a bass jig than a
steelhead fly. However, the Squidro is really just a carefully
designed, rubber-legged intruder, and the advantages of the Squidro’s
rubber-legged construction are many. With a sparse amount of material,
the Squidro achieves a large profile, with incredible movement and breathing action. Because the legs do not absorb any water and are neutrally buoyant, the Squidro is easier to cast, and sinks much faster, than any standard fur-and-feather intruder. Plus, the durability and vibrant color combinations made possible with the rubber legs simply cannot be matched by natural materials.
The Scott Howell Squidro Series steelhead flies provide an unmatched
combination of profile, movement, sink rate, castability, durability,
and versatility, and are designed to provoke an aggressive chase response from steelhead – all you have to do now is hold on!
Leland on Scott Howell
The release of Skagit Master II is letting the world in on a secret that Leland has known for years: when it comes to steelheading experience, knowledge, and technique, Scott Howell is a resource without peer. We think he might just be the fishiest man alive.
For almost four decades, Scott has been fishing the steelhead waters of the Pacific Rim, and for over 20 years, he’s been guiding them professionally. He was one of the handful of Pacific Northwest anglers to pick up two-handed rods in the late 1980s, and was an integral part of the period of casting and line-design innovation known as the "Skagit Revolution." He was also part of the first batch of American guides to fish the unexplored steelhead rivers of Russia's Kamchatka peninsula. His wealth of experience and scope of expertise are difficult to fathom.
For six years, when he was guiding in Alaska every summer, Scott made his home in British Columbia. One year, he promised himself we would fish every day, from the time he got home from Alaska in September, through the winter, until he went back the following May – and he did.
Each year Scott spends over 300 days guiding on his homewaters in southern Oregon, with the vast majority of his bookings coming from repeat clients. Leland feels very fortunate to have this opportunity to work with Scott.
Scott Howell on the Squidro Winter Series
Purple/Pink
Purple has long been widely accepted as one of the best dark water steelhead colors. When you accent the dark silhouette with pink fire tips and sparkly pink flakes, you got the perfect answer for those times when the rivers have filled their banks. I am now finding that as the flows drop, I am no longer taking the time to change flies. This color pattern is proving equally as effective for me once the water clears.
Black/Blue
There was a time with steelhead flies that purple was the “new” black. Well, we have nearly come full circle and now black & blue is the “new” purple. The B & B is just one of those color combos that I can slap on and always feel confident using. This pattern has proven equally as effective in clear, as well as, colored water from California to BC.
Black/Chartreuse
Chartreuse first found its way into my fly box when my trailer grew roots in BC. After a couple years of living on the Skeena, I developed a profound confidence in just about any color fly as long as it was chartreuse! No doubt, the northern fish from the Dean to the Nass have a real hankering for the color of the infamous green butt, and since moving back to the PNW, I have found our winter fish have the same pallet. Oh yeah - Alaskan salmon love chartreuse too!!!
