sink tip or stike indicator for steelhead

[spooner]

what do you perfer and why.

[stoneflyguy]

I like to use sinking leaders with a floating line. I like it because I feel I can be more versitile this way. Strike indicators are fine but at times can be a pain in the butt, not only casting, but if getting my fly to present the way I want to because I only have control on top with a mend and it tends to lift my fly. I can change my sinking leader from 3 ips to a heavier 7 ips and keep my fly down as far as I want. I think in the long run it is all personal prefrence. I'm more comfortable with my presentation this way. I do use strike indicators once in a while but only in certain water where I can see it more easily. :twocents:

[AndyK]

what do you prefer and why.

I used to exclusively swing flies for winter steelhead. I would walk/drive from good swing water to good swing water, bypassing productive water where I couldn’t swing a fly. Not anymore. Now I fish both ways, depending on the water where fish are holding.

My current philosophy is that if there is water that is holding steelhead/salmon, I will find a way to fish that water productively with a fly rod.

[Steelie Mike]

I feel like there is a time and place for both methods. In some cases particular areas can be fished both ways, however in those instances I will always swing a fly through the run first. If those particular runs have other fishermen swinging though them, I will only swing while they are there. Also when I fish around other fishermen using other techniques such as baitcasting I would rather nymph behind them then push traditional swinging ethics upon them. I am not going to leave productive water because I cannot swing a fly. The more versatile you are, the more fish you are going to catch.

[cphatts]

I almost exclusively swing from the time the nates show up in early Spring on through November. In winter I go "both ways".

I think the main reason I prefer swinging most of the year is that most of the rivers I fish are big and broad (Deschutes, Sandy, etc). Swinging covers more water....plus...patience is not one of my best virtues and I have an especially hard time being patient while nymphing on larger rivers.

In the winter I fish more smaller "buckety" rivers which are better suited to nymphing. With the smaller nature of these rivers you can really hone in on where the fish are stacked and get out your offering right in their face. As much as I prefer swinging....I always look forward to doing some nymphing in the winter as it is more technical and helps me sharpen my nymphing skills before I beging spring trout fishing.

[Steelie28]

I use both, just depends on the water. One reel, two spools. Takes a little extra time to swap the spools out, but I believe it's better than using a multi-tip line. Like mentioned above, usually will swing first. Dead drifting is the only way to go if the water is strewn with big rocks and/or snags (pocket water). However, there is nothing like the big grab when swinging.

Steelie28

[PTS]

Regarding Winter steelhead: I definitely prefer to swing, but I like to fish all the water as I work along a river. Sometimes that means using a nymphing presentation in boulder fields. However, I hate to take the ten minute break it takes me to switch from a sink tip to a floating line.

I fish a lot of different waters so depending on where I plan to fish the next day I choose and change my tip the night before. If I fish the lower Sandy or the Clackamas, it's a sink tip all day. If I fish Eagle Creek, it's a floating tip all day. Most every other locations require using both.

BTW, nymphing doesn't necessarily require the use of an indicator.

[AndyK]

Here's a poll from a couple years ago on Ifish:

http://karamanos.us/Fishing/nymphing.jpg

[speyguy]

I have in the past used a nymph/indicator set up, but after many years It just got too hard on my shoulder to "chuck and duck" Now I just swing (flys) that is. A spey rod is a much better use of ones energy and covers a ton more water. Now it wont fish those deep holes like a nymph set up, but I think their is way more water to swing in any way.

[Tom H]

Ok I`am clueless what is swinging VS nyphing ,I need to know

[Ty]

Hands down indicator.......

[w-fly]

bobber, err... I mean indicator!

Typically fishing tight fast water where swing tactics are not an option, indicator helps to keep the presentation vertical, lessening the likelihood of wrapping my leader around a rock. I also mend upstream or downstream to slow or speed up the fly throught the hole or slot.

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/12-08-2007_012_Medium_.jpg

[speyguy]

Nice fish, it is much harder to swing a single handed rod with a sink tip in the winter, go big with the two hander!

bobber, err... I mean indicator!

Typically fishing tight fast water where swing tactics are not an option, indicator helps to keep the presentation vertical, lessening the likelihood of wrapping my leader around a rock. I also mend upstream or downstream to slow or speed up the fly throught the hole or slot.

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/12-08-2007_012_Medium_.jpg