Steelhead in Western NY

I am new to fly fishing and have never been steelhead fishing. A gentleman at work has been telling me about what monsters they are and how exciting they are to catch.

Like so many other people my budget is very small and unfotrtunately $ has to be one of my first concerns when considering recreation.
I have neoprene waders with felt soles and a 6 wgt rod with floating line. I may take a crack at tying steelhead flies but will probably end up buying a selection of flies.

My 2-part question is this: Could a first-timer reasonably expect to find any success on a self guided trip and does anyone have any suggestions.

I hope to hear from you and will appreciate any advice you may offer.

Thanks

You can go after them 2 ways - sight fishing or fishing where they ought to be. They are extremely hard to see until you know what to watch for, but it is possible. The other way is to find a good piece of water and blind cast for them. I would strongly suggest that you find someone to help you the first few times. I’ll bet you can find someone around that would show you the ropes. Read up all you can on how to nymph.

Hello NBink, you might try posting craigslist in your area for a
steelhead fly fishing mentor. You might be pleasantly surprised. I’m hoping
someone here in FAOL that’s in your area, doing what you want to try, will
come to your assistance. Learn to tye the steelie flies though
or you won’t have a lot left for destination gas !
Just a thought.

Cheers,

MontanaMoose

NBink, where are you located?

One of the best days i had steelhead fishing was the first time i went.It was around twenty years ago on the salmon river.Yes it is possible.

NBink there are several of us here from western NY who fish for steelhead.
Feel free to send me a PM and we’ll hook up to fish the tribs.

I have one suggestion/answer to your questions: just go out and enjoy! If you don’t get any or many “hook ups,” just regroup, read, ask questions and try again. Contact the local fly shops in the area for suggestions on what to use and where to go.

Keep at it and eventually, folks will be asking you to guide them!!

Ron

Thank you all for your responses. I’d very much welcome assistance from anyone in the Rochester area who would like to spend a morning showing a newbie the ropes. I’ll be in Rochester for a weekend in early March. Thanks.

Thanks. That’s a good idea I hadn’t thought of. I’ll try it.

Thank you. I will.

Try a little research on this site…

http://www.fishusa.com/fisherie/

Read John Nagy’s book…

http://groups.msn.com/JohnNagySteelheadGuide

These will shorten the learning curve quiet a bit. Go fish, have fun… be careful, you’ll get hooked! Steelhead fishing is incredibly addictive!

I’m another WNY steeleheader! You should be alright with your 6wt. on the smaller Ontario/Erie tribs but on the bigger streams you might be a little under gunned. Take CJ4750 up on his offer. He’s in that general area and will be able to help you out.

After you hook into one of those silver bullets, you’ll never be the same! lol.