Egg Flies

How To Fish With Egg Flies

Eggs from spawning fish make up a substantial percentage of the seasonal biological drift in most streams. Eggs may be liberated into the natural flow of the stream either by errant currents during the spawning process or by catastrophes such as floods. In areas where fish are spawning, eggs are often more prevalent than aquatic insects in a foraging trout's diet.

Deschutes Redsides dine all winter on white fish eggs. Alaskan rainbows get a seasonal boost from the roe of spawning salmon. Trout and steelhead often congregate downstream of the redds of spawners of their own race. All salmonids, especially Rainbows, Cutthroats, Dolly Varden and Rocky Mountain white fish are egg eaters. Fish eggs come in many sizes and colors. White fish eggs are 1/8" diameter and are transparent yellowish pink. Eggs from spawning resident rainbows are usually 3/16" in diameter and are translucent yellowish orange. Steelhead eggs are about 1/4" in diameter and exhibit the same coloration as their land locked cousins. Coho salmon eggs are nearly identical to steelhead eggs. Chinook salmon eggs are the same color but range to nearly 3/8" in diameter. Chum salmon eggs are slightly larger but lighter in color.

Fall, winter, and spring are the seasons for egg drift in the Pacific Northwest; spring, summer, and fall for Alaska. Opportunities abound for larger fish if you are willing to use egg flies. In many rainforest rivers, fish eggs can be the prevalent hatch. Much of that fishing can be sight fishing if you are equipped with a good pair of polarized glasses. In rivers, which empty into deep reservoirs, such as Oregon's Metolius, Kokanee salmon spawning runs can produce massive drifts of eggs. Spring creek trout feed ravenously on them in water that is so clear, you can see trout inhale your glo bug, and often eject it quicker than you can strike to set the hook. This is a good classroom for the neophyte angler. Other trout will often run away from egg patterns that are moving down a river unnaturally. A long rod such as the Echo Shadow II is perfect for egg fishing as the extra length helps eliminate drag caused by the pull of your line or leader against the current.

In Oregon "Fly Fishing Only" streams, the use of external weight such as split-shot is now allowed (since 2016). However, weighted flies may be an even better option. To be most effective, your egg fly must drift very close to the bottom. Therefore, the distance between your weighted fly or split shot, and your egg pattern must be very close.

To get the best drag-free drift, you must keep most of your line off the water. The leader must be tuned to provide the least amount of friction in the water. Normal leaders used for dry fly fishing aren't optimal for fishing nymphs or egg flies. It is usually better to use a short butt section attached to a long leader made from 3X or 4X. These thin leaders will help reduce drag.

Sneaky, quiet wading, plus short accurate casts, and covering the water very systematically pays off when fishing nymphs, eggs, or worms. I like to pretend that there is an architects' grid with one foot squares covering the bottom of the river. Starting as close to myself as possible, I drift my flies through every square that I can reach. The trick is to present your fly as close to each fish as possible. The most systematic coverage usually produces the most hook-ups. Making each presentation perfectly drag-free is essential to catch fish that have been pressured by fishermen. Educated trout are very suspicious of any fly that doesn't behave naturally.

Being organized enables you to find your tackle and keep it from getting damaged.