Yes, Dirtnerd, you've evidently "seen the desperate brigade", out steelheading!?!
No, just kidding. Unfortunately, there are as many "theories and sure fire tactics", put out about Steelhead fishing as there are dry fly patterns.
When I lived in Idaho and fished the Clearwater River, for almost 20 years, there were certain "gotta-have-to"s, that especially the members of my fly club, up there, adhered to. "Only certain lines would work", "only certain flies would work", you had to keep your "CAT" ballcap cocked at 19.76 degrees, over your left ear, or you'd scare off the fish for 30 miles........................
Now, I fly fish for Steelies, here on the Oregon coast. Totally different tactics, different plans and a "whole slew of new "gotta-have-to"s.
I ran into, two, different fine gentlemen at two, different times while out steelheading many years ago. One, while still in Idaho, the other gent while steelheading in Washington state.
Both, gentlemen, I was fortunate enough to fish with on these meetings for the better part of two days and neither adhered to the "gotta-have-to"s both Idaho and Oregon fishers were always so adamant about.
No, special knots, no 3' of yarn, no bobbers. They taught me to dry fly fish for Steelies, too. "Upriver, swing, let ride, strip in", was as complicated as it got!
And, as Elkhunter mentioned, so did they............. "When a Steelhead takes your fly, there's NO NEED for anything, to tell you, YOU'LL KNOW IT"!
So, following the great advice of both these men, I chucked all the "voo-doo", I'd picked up and made Steelheading as simple and as enjoyable to me as my Trout fishing and have never regretted it.
One gent, Alec Jackson, taught me to use a fully floating line, 9' leader and to "watch my leader to line connection, for strike indication, when fishing wets".
(the only time, in big water, you may NOT KNOW when a steelie inhales your fly!)
Trey Combs, the other fine man I'd met, taught me how to use a long rod, (10' X 6wt.single hand rod), as an effective steelhead fishing tool and to fish the "Bomber", "The Steelhead Bee" and few other dries.
So, for me, anyway........... Steelheading stopped being so "complicated" and became quit easy, really!
A good, quality, well made rod. A quality reel with a GOOD drag system. For wets,I use a conventional, floating line. For fishing dries, because of the their size and air resistence, I use a wf/6/f Bass Taper, fly line, to turn them over. (and, handy in the wind as well).
Now, all of this, works FOR ME ONLY and my NOT work for you, at all!?!! You'll have to read up a bit, perhaps. Try a few things. BY ALL MEANS, gleen as much info off THIS SITE as you're able to, also.
Ask as many questions as you can think of!
Just have FUN with it and enjoy!
Last edited by flybinder; 01-11-2008 at 06:05 AM.
Saint Paul-"The Highly Confused"
You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson