Sno-Cone Steelhead Fly: A proven pattern for pressured fish in clear water.
This is a top producing steelhead fly, and tied on the sleek looking Alec Jackson Steelhead Iron for added weight, beauty and maximum holding power.
The Sno-Cone is a minimalist, high-performing steelhead fly designed for clear water and finicky fish. With its bold colors and bright body, it simply triggers an instinctual strike. Originally crafted by steelheaders in the Pacific Northwest and Great Lakes regions, this fly has earned a permanent spot in the boxes of guides, and dry-line enthusiasts alike.
Built for technical water. It’s one of our go-to flies for summer and fall steelhead in rivers like the Deschutes, Grande Ronde, and Clearwater.
Why the Sno-Cone Works:
- Offers weight and visual appeal
- The white or UV body creates strong contrast in all light conditions
- Deadly when drifted slow and deep
- Effective for steelhead in cold, clear, or pressured water
- Chasing Early Summers: What Makes a Great Wet Fly? (SHB Post)
Fly Specs
Ideal Seasons: Summer & fall
Best Conditions: Low flows, clear water, highly pressured fish
Common Sizes: #3 to #5 (adjust based on water clarity)
Where to Fish It
- Deschutes River – clear summer flows and picky fish
- North Umpqua – dry-line scenarios with spooky fish
- Grande Ronde & Clearwater – tight-line and indicator setups in technical runs
- Great Lakes tributaries – finesse rigging for winter steelhead
Fly History
The Sno-Cone isn’t rooted in tradition — it’s a modern guide fly, developed for one purpose: getting grabs when nothing else works. Tied simply with a tungsten bead and a clean body, it’s been independently developed and adapted across regions. Its rise to popularity is credited to steelhead anglers fishing Idaho’s Clearwater, Oregon’s Deschutes, and Great Lakes tributaries, where stealth and subtlety are everything.
Note: This handcrafted artificial fly may contain ethically sourced natural materials, such as deer hair, elk hair, or rabbit fur. It is a premium fly fishing lure, expertly tied for targeting freshwater and saltwater gamefish including but not limited to trout, steelhead, salmon, bass, and bonefish. Designed for use in fly fishing, this product complies with all online advertising policies and wildlife regulations.