Ive fly-fished but have never tried for steelhead. Are there any flies that a kid thats been tying for 2 years could tie. And what weight of rod should I use for steelhead. Would a 5/6 weight work?

For most winter fishing an 8-weight is almost the minimum required because of the heavy heads that are necessary to get down during high winter flows. As to flies, someone once said "the fly that will not catch a steelhead has never been tied". Thirty years ago, before I gave up every method but fly fishing, I used to gear fish with just a couple of strands of fluorescent yarn; that's what convinced me that winter steelhead would take a fly. There are plenty of simple patterns like the Thor, Polar Shrimp and Skunk that are easy to tie and require few materials.

Also to add to prestons list marabous are easy to tie too. Tie in marabou and wrap it on the shank and then do a different color, etc.

Popsicle pretty easy to tie
Frist color Orange marabou, I usually start half way up the shank.
Next color Red in front of the orange and about half as much.
Head finish off with a purple hackle.

Of course you can always add crystal flash etc.

Black is always a good color to start with too.

www.flyfishusa.com has a lot of pictures of flies if you want to see them.

Have fun. Steelhead are addictive.
JJ

i can personally say that most of the fly caught steelhead that I have caught have been on white rabbbit fur with pink maribou tied in at the head and an egg dropper. you can use an indicator and nymph fish or go without it is easier to cast without the indicator.

hi,
dennis dickson wrote an article on his flyfishing site www.flyfishsteelhead.com under stories and articles section titled "steelhead flies:fact or fiction" check it out