Winter Steel

[chefjake99]

If you respect the fish, and you respect the sport and think rationally about it, it doesn't matter what method you use to catch them. You use what works and what is more fun and engaging to you. It's like saying the only way to get to Seattle is by taking the train. Simply not true.

Well said. I fish every method there is. I just personally don't agree with people that say drifting is flossing. Nothing personal. Just pure ignorance.

Agreed Mallard & Nate, I have had to use pliers to pull out my hooks and corky from very deep inside a steelheads throat. Theres no way that my set up just drifted through the mouth all the way back past the gills. This is a stupid argeument and in my opinion has no place in a what is supposed to be a friendly forum where fellow fisherman can learn from each other. If a person doesnt like to use a paticular method of fishing then they dont have to fish that way. But there is no need to try and be an elitist and say their way is superior to others. As long is the method of fishing is deemed legal and is not unsportsmen like then fish whatever way your compfortable with. I am really getting sick of this arguement taking over threads that are supposed to be about anything but about this stupid topic. A few months ago there was a topic specific to the debate of flossing. If you feel like spewing hot air about something so pointless do it in that thread. There is a differnece between flossing and drift fishing and I dont personally floss fish but I do drift and have never caught a fish outside the mouth this way. [-x

[Ocktane]

I am really getting sick of this arguement taking over threads that are supposed to be about anything but about this stupid topic.

Amen brother

[flinginpooh]

Im not new to steelheading. Ive done it for a trip or two. I was taught to drift fish. Ive done this for atleast a day and have even caught a few fish doing it. I actually used spoons and hooked salmon but no steel that way. I guess its cause Im most comfortable drifting. I try using a bobber presentation and I get bored with it fast. Ive spent alot of money on this style even. Tied my own jigs of different varieties. I just always go back to drifting. I like to feel the bottom. I love the rush of hooking into some cheap mono left on the bottom. Starting off with my rod tip shaking and a hook set oh man this feels good ohh wait wheres the shake and fight, awwww its just line. Hey how highs the river where they gonna be running, holding at? How much lead, not enough, too much, oh yeah just right. Tick, tick tick tick different type of tick lightly lift the rod yep set it. fish on! Really I get sick of hearing the flossing is snagging and drifting is nothing but flossing. Most of my hooksets are in the upper mouth just behind the teeth. If you know how to floss at all youll know that this is not where the hook will end up. I was taught to floss as well. I know how to feel it run it and bury the hook into the side of the mouth. But heres a clue to the finger pointers. If you look at my hooksets youll see no sideways hook setting. No swing my rod straight back so far that my rod tip ends up behind my head. No violent swooooooooosh sound ripping through the air. Its simply 1 of 2 ways with me. Slight raise on the tip of my rod I feel em there I take another 6" or so staight back hookset and then fights on. Or if I am going to floss em in some murked up water I put the extra stank on the line to get em closer and when I feel the differnt feel stright back 6-10 inches pause a sec and see if its a snag or a fish. I have a fast action rod I dont need to try and toss my rod around all over. I know how to fish the equipment I bought. Im not trying to do that hookset of death I see soo many people doing. Thats where snagging does come into play. Hookset reel reel hookset reel hookset. That is snagging style. Try to not point fingers at people and tell them that they arent true steelheaders because they drift fish, or because they bobber fish or use hardware to fish. I try all but I like the way I fish. The way I was taught. I feel comfortable that way. It makes me feel closer to the river feeling it. I fish some holes enough I know when it changes just by what Im feeling and how my drift is acting. I dont know it all by no means. But I can tell you that drift fishing is the hardest to learn. Not the hardest to do. But the hardest to learn. Dont believe me ask some people that fish for steel what techniques they use and for how long. Ask them how many fish they catch with each and how long it took for them to hook the first one. Alot of people Ive run across didnt hook one for years. I know Im not a 10% person. I dont get out fishing for them as much as Id like or Id consider myself one. But I did end up with 19 last year. Ive only gotten 2 this year so far but thats ok alot more time to come. Heck the year before I didnt fish for steel much at all and only ended up with 1 and it took me forever to get it. Last day of the year to be exact. Its fun, I enjoy it, and I do consider myself a real steelheader. I fish for them anytime and anwhere. I dont get there at 4 am Ill get there at 7pm and fish till the next day. Thats dedication.

[natetreat]

I am really getting sick of this arguement taking over threads that are supposed to be about anything but about this stupid topic.

Amen brother

Double agreed. Let's hope that we can get in a good run before winter steel closes for the season up here in the sound so that there are plenty of fish to go around. Anybody plan on fishing this high water?

[Ocktane]

I've got three days off this weekend, have a good batch of eggs ready and the itch to get out there. Just trying to figure out where I should go that would be worth while. High water or not I'm feeling the urge to go. I was gonna head to Forks, dunno yet though.

[racfish]

Ive never fished with a bobber and jig. Partially because I havent figured it out quite yet. I am a true believer in the standard corkie and yarn. Ive filled punch cards using that combo. I usually use orange corky and pink yarn. That is my most favorite combo.Its not a question of right vs wrong . Its a matter of which technique is right for you.Some like bobbers some dont. I like drifting with pencil lead.Besides I have a complete 100 lb spool of hollow core lead to use up.Some peeps swear you need a Lami or a loomis to catch fish some like me use an Ugly stick. fishing is all about personal preference and or how well lined are your pockets with cash.Ive watched guys fish with $1000.00 set ups and not catch squat.My main goal is to have a good time and to figure out the river or hole I'm fishing.

[scott080379]

as I said before.......it doesn't matter how someone is catching as long as it is the legal way to do it............that is all that matters.


So back on topic......anyone going to try to fish the high waters this weekend?

[bionic_one]

I really want to - maybe the Cowlitz on Monday.

[scott080379]

I've got three days off this weekend, have a good batch of eggs ready and the itch to get out there. Just trying to figure out where I should go that would be worth while. High water or not I'm feeling the urge to go. I was gonna head to Forks, dunno yet though.

The sol and bogie are pretty good rivers to fish in high waters but with the rain forcasted, it might be a little higher than I like.

If you want someone to fish with let me know I still might be willing to make the trip out. I might go Monday

[natetreat]

I fished the bogey with my dad when it was blown last sunday, that's where I got those two fish on the preceding page. There are tons of hatchery fish at the hatchery, and they move in and out of the hatchery creek, but it's tough to fish the rest of the river when it's blown. I'm not going to be able to get back out there until next year I think :( the wife says it's a long drive. When people started showing up there were fewer spots to fish and the catching was slim. But I wouldn't let that stop me, the odds are good.

[flinginpooh]

I really want to - maybe the Cowlitz on Monday.

Let me know how that one goes. Its been slow there so far this year. That second wave of fish should start showing up soon. Right now its a fish here a fish there.

[scott080379]

get there early if you want to fish off the ramp or jsut under the ramp is where I like to fish it when it's blown.

[jens]

Some people just see it as snagging/flossing fish.

Or just feel that true steel headers should use spoons or float eggs and jigs.

Me don't care, I prefer to catch them on spoons but some waters just aren't ideal for spoon/spinners or floats, so I will drift all day.

getting personal are we?

Not getting personal, he's just telling the truth. I know that your avatar is probaly of a salmon but lets be consistant. That fish was obviously flossed in that color water.

No offense, or so, but learn how to drift and you would realize that most drift caught fish are not flossed. Other than in muddy/Puyallup water.

Drifting takes waaayyy more skill than watching a bobber go down. Feel rather than sight.

Both techniques take fish either way, so who cares.

My avatar is a Salmon?? Dude, really? I don't even know you. If you look closely next to that STEELHEAD I am holding that fell to a jig, there is a float on the ground. I'd be more than happy to send you a better detailed picture of it and even so I have this fish captured on video.

I do know how to drift fish. I've filled out almost 2 Salmon punchcards this year. I've only caught 1 Salmon that I feel was legitimate and that was on a spoon and the rest were as you call it "drifting" or in my definition, "Flossing." :safe: :safe:

[jens]

For those members(Mallard83) who claim my avatar is a Salmon and my fish was flossed, do you like apples? [lol]

[Gringo Pescador]

I am really getting sick of this arguement taking over threads that are supposed to be about anything but about this stupid topic.

Amen brother

I agree. IMHO this is just like the C&R debates on the Bass forums. Bottom line is if it is legal, and you don't like it - take it up with the WDFW, not people on this site.
If you see a pic or report on this site, that is clearly illegal (not just assumed), then report it to Mike, me, or one of the other mods and we will deal with it.

So, who's going after them this weekend and where?

[bionic_one]

Is that a carp salmon Jens?

[donman]

Nice pic Jens! If there is anyone who taught me anything about bobber and jigs on this forum it is Jens. And with drifting corkies its the Flingin one himself. I give great respect to these guys, not that I have knee pads on, but Jens has successfully landed steelhead after steelhead with a bobber set up more than anyone else I know. Before anyone starts making any accusations towards anyone on these forums, they need to get to know the guy and his methods. Otherwise just keep quiet. You do yourself no justice and make yourself look like a fool. That pic of Jens and his summer run steely was taken back in June 09. So please pull the log out of your eye before you talk about the speck in someone else's.

Gringo, thanks for the moderation - you're the man. As for fishing this weekend. Water is looking very high on the Bogey, but Im braving it anyways. Gonna fish the hatchery with bobber and jigs or eggs or my fly rod.

[Ocktane]

Yeah, pretty sure I'm gonna head out to the OP. I feel like having 3 days off and not going fishing is a total waste. Gotta go! Prolly head that way tomorrow, we shall see. Good luck to anyone headed out this weekend!

[HOOKEDONFISHING]

Jens that fish is a fatty looks much better blown up !!!!!!

[kinghunter]

For those members(Mallard83) who claim my avatar is a Salmon and my fish was flossed, do you like apples? [lol]

That looks like a late chum in disguise. You can barely see the striping on his side. How do they see, smell or even bite in that water condition? Must of flossed it with your bobber and jig. Nicely flossed man.