Prism

Prism

Steelhead

Hook - Gamakatsu T10-6H or equivalent

Thread - Olive

Tag - Copper wire

Tail - Golden pheasant tippets

Ribbing - Copper wire

Body - Peacock herl

Hackle collar - Grizzly

Wing - Red fox squirrel tail

Reference

The Prism was first tied by Mark Bachmann in the early eighties.  He designed it to be an unobtrusive pattern for low, clear water.  However, during the time period mentioned here, the water was medium level with visibility that averaged four to six feet. This is normal October conditions for the Deschutes during good years.  In October, many summer steelhead have been away from the Ocean feeding-grounds for several months.  They start to forget about the brightly colored marine organisms that nurtured them there and begin to turn "trouty" in their behavior, looking for things with more freshwater coloration. The Prism turned the trick. Several very large steelhead have been taken on this pattern.  It has proven itself very useful as a come-back fly, after steelhead have risen to, but have refused a brighter colored fly.