They are an excellent choice for winter steelheading. Marabou patterns in general are good choices, and the egg sucking leach with its pulsating marabou tail is a fine derivitive of a basic marabou pattern. I use different variations of the pattern depending on the situation at hand. Weighted, they lend themselves well to being fished under an indicator. Unweighted and swung behind a heavy mini-tip or sink tip they are a fine choice for conventional down and across methods. If you buy into the theory that color contrast entices strikes then this pattern has it. Myself, I believe the combination of the colors coupled with great movement makes this effective for steelies.