Fly fishing for STEEL

[bubnasty]

I went out to the Sky a couple days ago fishing for steelhead, no luck. I was right off of big eddys, and had a bright red fly and a dark blue. The guy at the fishing store I got to said to use those flies and find a stretch of water and just swing the flies down the river over and over. I assumed I wouldn't find too many fish... and I didn't. What else can I do to snag some fish out there? I only like fly fishing, not a huge spinning fan. small top water? sink tip? full sink? what to do???

thanks
-Austin

[Bodofish]

Large dark streamers and fish where the fish are, make sure to sink them fast. If I was shore bound, I'd hit the same places the gear guys are going.

Rule 1, fish where the fish are, not where they aren't

[Steelheadin360]

True the blue moon (black/blue), Popcicle, big black leeches with bright beads in green and pink. if its sunny go with something brighter. and if your not hanging bottom once and a while your not deep enough. i like using a fairly heavy sink tip on my spey and an unwieghted fly, Use your rod top to find that sweet spot. and when your swinging stand a ways upstream of were you wanna fish, get your fly damn near on the other bank, and let er swing! then once it gets all the way downstream it should be sitting in at least 2 feet of water. THIS IS WERE MOST STRIKES HAPPEN. leave it for 15 seconds or so then give it a few twitches. if nothing step downstream a step or two and do it again.

[natetreat]

Swinging your intruder style flies are going to be fun, but don't forget to nymph through those nice slow slots. If you nymph some orange and pink egg patterns through some of those spots, you'll have good luck. Put a bead on it too, those are great for the less aggressive fish. But you'll get the hardest takes on your swung flies. Get 'em down deep, and cross the river, and everything 360 just said. I put a good 12-15 of t-11 on the tip to get it down swing it through and hold on!

[natetreat]

I knew someone would get irritable with nymphing. If you're using a fly rod, you're fly fishing. He asked how to catch fish on the fly.

[natetreat]

Put it in the other thread that I started, this guys is trying to catch his first fish on a fly rod. His best bet is to nymph some egg patterns, especially with the water so low and clear.

[Steelheadin360]

Take a chunk of san shrimp and put it on the fly, cast soft so it dont fly off

JUST JOKING! dont do that...

http://www.northwestflyfisherman.com/fl ... elhead.htm - good aritical
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLXadivsNgs - swinging for steel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... vO6tGw_Odw- nymphing for steel

[TheHunt]

I got a 13' 6 spey rod and reel for Christmas. I still need to buy the lines. There are three components to the line. Backing, weighted and leader I think. I am a total beginner on this but I am very interested in getting a fish on it.

[natetreat]

I got a 13' 6 spey rod and reel for Christmas. I still need to buy the lines. There are three components to the line. Backing, weighted and leader I think. I am a total beginner on this but I am very interested in getting a fish on it.

Lining your rod can be tough, especially when you're first getting started and don't really know what to look for. Most rod manufacturers will have a grain weight chart that you can go by. Some guys will reccomend learning on a full bellied spey line, but personally, I would say to get a Skagit head. I like Rio's skagit flight, it's a really nice easy casting line. Your running line will be cheaper, I personally like Airflo Ridge running line, I like the high vis orange and it shoots nicely. Your sink tips are going to be a little more expensive, but they last a long time too. Grab a couple Skagit MOWs and maybe a longer one for really heavy flows when you need to get down there quick. One of the reasons I like skagit heads is that they work very well in medium to small rivers where you don't need 150 feet of line out. They're going to allow you to fish your side of the river without having to strip in half the head of your line when you need to make shorter casts, and they're so heavy that they're hard to screw up with. If you get tired of hitting the back of your head, you can just do a lazy roll cast and you're still fishing, it's very easy to work with 'em.

Skagit casting is very easy. When I take my clients out fly fishing, they pick up skagit two hand faster than they can cast with a one handed rod. There is a lot of hype around it and it can be intimidating, but once you get the basics you'll be making some pretty decent casts enough so that you're still fishing right off the bat.

[Steelheadin360]

Skagit heads are what i started on and what i still use! perfect for our rivers around here

[TheHunt]

It is a Sage One 13' 6" length, 7 weight rod. My son said it is a good all around rod.

The reel is a Sage reel as well. 3500 or 3800 or something like that. I can get the reel infor if that matters. It also came with an extra spool.

He said, he set me up right...

[Paul J]

I just began flyfishing year before last and have enjoyed numerous outings trout and panfish fishing. It has been great.

Now I would like to try some of the big fish, like Steelhead. Any suggestions on how I should get started?

I appreciate the guidance for a newbie!

[skagit510]

hi paul,

a spey rod and swinging will get it done. or a single hander swinging will too. 8wt. you will see the nymph vs swing debate soon enough so i will not sour you. Nate may chime in and offer some Nymphing advice.

[Natebg1]

Hello Fly Fishers!

Wanted to see if anyone will be heading out for some Steelhead on the Fly here next weekend or the next few weekend after that and would be willing to teach a newbie fly angler a thing or two about catching the Amazing Steely on a fly! PM me and let me know. I will buy lunch, gas and some cold ones if interested. I hear things are heating up on the coast!

Nate