NEED HELP with Steelhead gear....

[Wyndknot]

Call NW Flyfishing Outfitters @503-252-1529
since your in Portland. Nice people, straight
advice.

[Deleted User]

Heres what I use.
9 1/2 ft. rod for a #8 floating line.
Pflueger Medalist Supreme reel.
I tie my own tapered leaders from Maxima Chameleon line with a either 8lb or 10 lb. leader.
A rod throwing a #7 line is almost ideal but I would stay at least 9 foot on the length. There is the legendary Deschutes river to fish from August through October but closer by most area streams have a summer run of steelhead.
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/aol?imgid=1159499
My first steelhead on a fly. Washougal river 1975

[ 03-20-2001: Message edited by: bigstew ]

[Shannon]

Hey man. I love to fly fish as well. I would tell you to get a library card and go rent the movies and books, which I have done, but the last time I told a guy that one of the members mentioned the guy needed his hand held, not a library card. All I can say is I have a saga of photo proof of my success's which I credit to what I've learned through the use of books and videos. Also, Jim has been a good friend of mine for years and will answer your questions pertaining to quality gear for chasing Salmon and Steelhead. His videos are a must as well. Here is his web site
www.jimteeny.com (http://www.jimteeny.com)

Hope this helps.

[Navigator]

I would start chasing summer run steelhead - both the Clackamas and Sandy are big rivers difficult to learn but a lot of fly fishers work Oxbow Park for summer steelhead so that may be a spot to concentrate efforts and talk to people. I would just show up with a seven weight rod, floating line, 9' if you got it but even an 8.5' if you don't. Hook that first fish and then you will be better equiped to shop for the true steelhead gear you need. I caught my first summer on a 5-6 weight, Pflueger Medalist, floating line from the Rogue - but it was a small fish (4-5 pounds). The longer rods, 8 weight, and premium reels with drags pay of on the big rivers like Deschutes. Spey rods are popular but I haven't wanted to go their yet. I am still trying to figure out how to read water and that is probably more important than the equipment you use (until of course you hook and loose a fish because you couldn't handle it).

I do not have a clue how to approach winter fish though I have been trying with a 7 weight until I hook something.

[Deleted User]

Ok, I am new to the Pacific Northwest, and have fallen in love with fly fishing. Maybe some day I will get a boat...or a friend with a boat. But for now, I am a wader.

I want to get into Steelhead fishing, but dont know where to start. What kind of gear do I need? Rod dimensions? Reel? Fly types? Fishing strategies?? Good rivers? Times of day? Where they hide??

ANY help would be appreciated...feel free to even email me directly at jpw@teleport.com

THANKS!!!!!

[THE REEL HEY_YALL]

Some good people to call that I know of here in Washington are the guys at Streamside Anglers. They are located outside of Olympia, WA. They fish all over, and they can tell you what you will need.

360-709-3337