I’m gotten a lot of requests to do a video on my soft-hackled streamers, so here you go with the Hi-Liter.
The following content draws from my original post on the Hi-Liter:
It was the mid 1980s. I’d just landed that coveted first job as a junior copywriter at a mid-sized Connecticut advertising agency. Every job that came across my desk included a creative brief: the background, current situation, brand essence, single most important thought, and support points for what I’d ultimately be creating. I’d pore over the brief with the eagerness of the cub writer I was. But then, I’d want that brief to be even briefer. So I’d reach into my drawer and pull out a highlighter marker. Usually bright green or fluorescent yellow. Sometimes pink. When I was done, that brief would be focused on the essentials. I could see at a glance what was really important.
That’s the energy behind the Hi-Liter streamer.
The moment it hits the water, trout can see what the most important object in the pool is. It’s that thing. That bright, moving, flowing thing. Can’t miss it. There it is. Never seen a baitfish in those colors. But oh, look how it moves and pulses and flashes. The heck with those little black stones. I want that thing. Now. Better eat it before it gets away.
I’d like to tell you that I thought long and hard about the Hi-Liter, and that I field tested it for months. But the truth is that I made it up on the spur of the moment several years ago just hours before I stepped into the river. The trout liked it that day. And they still do.
The Hi-Liter. It looks substantial here, but it casts small, and slims down dramatically in the water.
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A wallflower this streamer is not. Subtlety escapes it. See how the colors pop against muted earth tones? I love the Hi-Liter on bright, sunny days.
All wet. My original prototype from years ago.
Tying notes: With the bead head and the wire seating, the fly will ride hook point up. The weight addition is subtle; this is not intended as a “carpet bomb the bottom” fly. For a more traditional style streamer, skip the bead and the wire. Besides the marking pen reference, the original color scheme draws from the extensive use of chartreuse and pink in striper files. I also tie this fly with a fluorescent yellow or chartreuse tail, and a white hackle. Try not to over-dress the fly; you want the hackle to act as a veil, creating a translucent effect against the body.
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The Hi-Liter Rogues’ Gallery:
Farmington River someteen-inch brown, 3/13/15
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Farmington River, 1/21/15
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Farmington River, 12/19/17
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currentseams 
Hi Steve – Thank you. This is a great video, I can’t wait to tie and fish the Highlighter. I appreciate you responding to requests for this video from your followers – including me. Our voices have been heard!
Glad to help, Matt. It’s a fun fly to fish (and catch on), because it doesn’t look anything like something a trout would eat.
Steve, thanks for the video. Would you know how this fly works on steelhead? I have a trip to the catteraugus early November. Thanks for feedback.
I would think being that being bright pink and chartreuse it would drive any self-respecting steelhead completely out of its mind. I have not fished it for steelhead, but I think you should. Let us know how you do (and take pictures). Btw, you could also dead drift this fly along the bottom under an indicator.I’ve done that with west coast patterns like the Signal Light and the Winter Orange.
Steve,
Thanks for the recipe. I have long been a fan of Jack Gartside soft hackle streamers and this should make a nice variant to try. This color combo should be killer on landlocked Atlantic salmon as well. We shall see.
Alton
This is more Woolly Bugger meets Alaskabou than Gartside. But no matter. Marabou and water together are a beautiful thing.
[…] winter streamers. I like it on bright days and medium flows, and you can learn how to tie it here. A cast, a mend, and as I came tight to the line, a dull thud. Many thanks to Nick who graciously […]
I use a similar pattern for steelhead….works great….won’t explain the “similiar”….just know
It’s very close
Works on smallmouth, too. And stripers. And…
Beautiful fly Steve…nice browns too!
Thank you, Frank. Fun to fish and catch.
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