(Re)Starting for Steelhead. Any advice?

[FOSH]

Well fellas--
I've finally committed to some steelhead fishing. :smirk: I used to fish for them on the Rogue-mostly half-pounders-over 15 years ago and, although not overly successful, loved it. (I still avidly fish trout with flies.)
I recognize that this is a different ballgame up here and my previous experience may not apply. But, Doggoneit! I live within an hour's drive of the Kalama, Lewis and Toutle and regret each year not taking advantage of that.
My problem is I'm in need of a few tips to get me started. :whazzup: To start, I'll go with what's familiar to me: I'll use a 7wt. rod with a multi-tip system and expect to be swinging flies on a sinktip line most of the time. (I prefer not to fish indicators--but I'm open even to that.) I'm going to start with a focus on the Kalama.
I sure would appreciate any advice you can give, if only to boost my confidence. Tips on fly types, water types to concentrate on, general areas of the Kalama to haunt (I'm shore-bound.) and everything else will be greatly appreciated.
:wave:
An advance THANKS! for all your help!

[MikeT]

The Kalama's your best bet for summers on a fly.

If you don't have a boat plan on fishing the upper river. Standard summer steelhead flies should work fine. I like dark colors (skunk, purple peril, freight train).

In your situation I'd stop by Pritchard's Western Angling (a few miles up from the freeway), buy a few flies and get a map of the river. Have Wayne point out some spots to try and start paying your dues.

You can get a recorded fishing report from Pritchard's at this number: 360-673-4690

good luck.....Mike

[AndyK]

Swinging flies for summer steelhead is the way to go; a floating line or Intermediate sinktip will work on the Kalama.

Use long leaders (preferably fluorocarbon) and remember when the rivers are low and clear the fish will spook very easily.

Your seven weight is a good choice for the conditions and use a 2X tippet.

This is an approx. fourteen pound summer steelhead from the Kalama River caught in 2004.

Kalama River Steelhead (http://karamanos.net/sports/fish2004/steelhead26a.jpg)

The Steelhead was caught swinging with a seven weight rod, floating line, fluorocarbon leader and a #8 Green Butt Skunk.

[Steelie Mike]

Do not overlook the Cowlitz either. It is one of the top producers of summer steelhead in Washington. The South Toutle and the Kalama are great rivers as well for the fly as well. Both the Toutle and Kalama have a lot of bank access and good swinging runs. Go the the runs where you see cars consistantly and then fish them. You will eventually find fish.

Try small neutral to bright colors when the light is out and darker patterns when the light is more dim. If you are fishing big slow water, leech patterns with a lot of movement may work for you. Your best shot at fish with our current warm temperature are early and late in the day. If you see fish when the sun is out, fish that area when the sun is coming off the water.

You can also pick up fish when the sun is out in the more choppy water areas. There is more oxygen and the water is cooler in these spots and the fish like them. Although many say mid-day is not a good time to steelhead, there are still fish to be had if you are fishing the right spot.

Good luck!

[Grantspastor]

Fish with confidence. Summer Steelhead are good fly biters. After forty years and hundreds of fish I can boil it down to a few simple tips. I use a floating line for almost all my fishing. Pick good water such as tailouts or slots with medium flow and depth. Classic Steelhead water will be from 2 to 12 feet deep, moving about the speed you can walk, and will have some kind of cover such as boulders or ledges. If you have a drift boat, just lay out some line in front of the boat and fish your fly just like you would fish a plug. I hardly bother to fish while the sun is on the water. I love that time of evening in late summer when the sun has just dipped below the ridgetop. On the Rogue River it's just like a "biting": switch is turned on. I fish right until last light. Early mornings are also good. If it's overcast, fish all day. If you are wading, cast across stream, make a couple of upstream mends which allows your fly to gain some depth. Almost all your strikes will come as the fly swings around at the end of your drift and starts to swim towards the surface. Fly patterns aren't that critical. The advice given above is good. On the Rogue River I like small (Size 10) Double-hook flies. The Red Ant has accounted for many, many fish over the years. On Rivers like the North Umpqua I've done a little better with larger size 6 single hook flies like the Green-Butt Skunk.

[FOSH]

Thanks for all the tips, guys. I've noted and will use all the information you've shared.
Grantspastor--I enjoyed being reminded of the double-hooked red andts. I gave all mine away even before I left the Rogue. The way I cast, the double hook led to wa-a-a-ay too many leader snarls. :blush:
AndyK--Your opinion is, for me, the clincher. I'd be happy to take as many fish in a decade as you take yearly! :grin:

Once, again. THANKS!