Looking for steelhead rag info?

SteelDrifter · 12-20-2003, 05:50 PM

Fishing rags for steelhead is all new to me, but I have heard that they work well in 1'- 3' of visability. I bought some 3/8 and 5/8 backer rod and found a web site on how to build them. My question is, what color combos seem to work the best? I understand this is a question that some may not want to give up, but any info would be appreciated.

RichH · 12-20-2003, 05:55 PM

Depends on the visibility but I find in clear water blue/pink is a good combo. The dirtier it gets I switch to cerise/orange or pink/chartreuse. I'm experimenting with some new colors this year, we'll see how it goes.

Corkie Monster · 12-20-2003, 06:36 PM

Cerise and orange with Sandshrimp tail and shrimp oil have been killers for me on the Clackamas. Also I use 1/4" backer rod. The smaller the better. Good luck Get your 1/4" Backer Rod here.

CM

sparkleboy · 12-20-2003, 07:08 PM

Yarn is fairly inexpensive, buy eight or ten different colors and make a bunch of combinations. I bet you'll get carried away and come up with a bunch of good combinations.

pearl · 12-20-2003, 07:20 PM

fishinthemsteelies,

I bought all the stuff to build some rags this week. Can you turn me on to the web site that gives instruction on building rags. Looks simple enough to do but I would like some real instruction.

Thanks Pearl

SteelDrifter · 12-20-2003, 08:01 PM

Pearl, here you go and good luck : www.Piscatorialpursuits.com/rescourcecenter/tips.htm

willierower · 12-20-2003, 10:34 PM

Pink and cerise is a great color combo as is pink and cerise and pink and cerise............. Thats about the only color I use.

Last winter I fished with a guide on the O.P., his rags had about 5 different colors of yarn. He said it was easier to make them that way and pull out the colors you dont want when you get ready to fish them.

I need t get a pic up of the way I store rags. I dont prethread them on leaders. I thread a bunch of them on a piece of doubled over line. When i need one I put the end of the leader through the end of the doubled over line and slide the rag down on to my leader. It works really well. I can carry 48 rags in my vest and they take up little space..... I really need to get a picture posted.

Mikeymoto · 12-21-2003, 07:14 PM

Willierower I really like the idea of pre-threading them on doubled line

I usually just put a bunch in a quart ziploc bag and dig out what I need.
Make up a bunch of different color combos and go from there. The best advise I can give is get the biggers needle to assemble them. I found some really good ones at BiMart in the sewing section called "Yarn Darners" they are really big and stout and will even let you make some rags with McFly Foam. (Oops didn't mean to let that one out) Any other questions I'll see what I can do.