Fly Pattern: Shunji's Redwing Blackbird (or Ronin) Steelhead Fly

Tied by Shunji of San Francisco, CA, this Redwing Blackbird or "Ronin Fly" is an excellent example of a sparsely dressed modern steelhead fly. This lightweight, but attractive offering works well when swung through gnarly current seams and bubble lines.
Run it around the edges of exposed boulders and other types of structure. Its excellent contrast, slim profile, stiff wing and tail, and gentle flash will move steelhead from their lies even in cold fall and spring water.


Shunji's Redwing Blackbird (Ronin Fly) >>
Hook >> Tiemco TMC 7999, size 4
Thread >> Wapsi UTC 210 Denier Ultra Thread, black
Ribbing & Tag >> Wapsi Silver oval tinsel, size medium
Tail >> Schlappen Fibers from Spirit River, red
Body >> #2 Chenille from Spirit River, black
Wing (optional) >>Long bucktail fibers from Spirit River, red

Evan LeBon is a regular contributor to beyondthebug.com

photos by Ian McNemar, a regular contributor to beyondthebug.com