Drag vs Larger Fish
For salmon, I keep the drag fairly light, enough to not allow the line to backlash and create a bird?s nest, then just a touch more drag. I let the salmon take the fly and they either make a run for it or start jumping immediately. In either case you don?t want a tight drag as they will just break the leader or burn up your reel. I always wear leather palmed sun gloves and I use my palm to create more drag when the fish is making a run. Then it is ma matter if getting it to the boat as quickly as possible, without causing extra damage to the fish, so I can release it and go for the next salmon.
But then, salmon are not stripers so I am not sure how you would handle them.
Larry ---sagefisher---
Organizations and clubs I belong to:
Fly Fishers International Life Member
FFI 1000 Stewards member
FFI Presidents Club
FFI Fly Tying Group Life Member
Washington State Council FFI
V.P. Membership
Alpine Fly Fishers Club
President & Newsletter Editor--The Dead Drift
North Idaho Fly Casters club