KF85,

As others have suggested, presentation is the key. Fly pattern usually doesn't matter much. Pick something you like; you'll fish it more confidently. Steelhead really don't care. Having said that, there are some general rules. Higher winter flows usually call for larger flies, maybe brighter colored ones, but not necessarily. For the winter, I'll carry mostly size 2 hooks, but I'll have some with me down to size 6 for low, clear conditions.

The best presentation won't hook a fish if you're fishing where the fish aren't. So learn pools that consistently hold fish AND are suitable to fishing a deeply sunk fly. That is critical. A hole full of fish that can't be fly-fished isn't much help.

There are a number of such places on the EF; I'm not familiar with the NF Lewis, but I'm sure they exist. The typical high winter flows on the NF may not be conducive to winter fly fishing, but I really don't know that one.

Good luck!

Sincerely,

Salmo g.