Eagle Creek Report (12/27)

uspolymer · 12-27-2003, 07:53 PM

Got to the creek around noon and started fishing with bobber & First Cast jig. Nada. I'm still learning. Switched to corkie and eggs. Nada. There were about 1/2 dozen people at the mouth of Eagle Creek. Around 3pm, I switched to Blue Fox #4 spinner (blue). About my 6th cast, bammmm!

I thought I hooked him good, so I was taking my time reeling him in. Before I knew it, he spit my spinner out. I was so bummed.

With a renewed excitement, I immediately tossed the spinner at the same spot. A few casts later, bammmm!

But this one got away after a couple head shakes. I lost 4 spinners while fishing this spot.

I'm a newbie when it comes to fishing for steelhead. So far this month, I hooked 6 steelhead on corkie/egg, corkie, bobber & jig, and a spinner but only managed to land one.

Happy New Year and Tight Lines!

Alan

David Johnson · 12-27-2003, 08:13 PM

I've seen guys hook and loose a fish, cast right back in and loose another and never once check to hook point to see if that was the problem.

I'm not saying this is what you did

but it's all those little things like checking a hook point after a snag or a fish.....

redfish89 · 12-27-2003, 08:22 PM

Thanks for the report...

David Johnson · 12-27-2003, 08:25 PM

But then sometimes fish are just lost too

uspolymer · 12-27-2003, 08:56 PM

Good point Dave. I didn't check the hook after the first or the second fish. I did check it after it got snagged. I noticed that the hooks were all bent out of shape. I used my pliers to set them straight again. Do those hook sharpeners really work? Is it critical to have a VERY VERY sharp hook??

Thanks again for your willingness to help a newbie. I really appreciate them!

Alan

fishnpray · 12-27-2003, 08:57 PM

Alan-

You have email.

ZaQ · 12-27-2003, 09:53 PM

What is it going to hurt ot have a VERY VERY sharp hook. If it is so sharp it is sticky, they won't be able to spit it as quick, giving even crackers like me a chance to set the hook. Sharpen those hooks! :blush:

David Johnson · 12-27-2003, 10:50 PM

The only thing between you and your fish is the line and the hook point.

Get a Luhr Jensen file and lurn how to use it. It only takes a few strokes on each side.

Tight lines.

Mr. Shannon O'Brien · 12-28-2003, 09:13 PM

If you score a decent file with a plastic handle and it has no hole then drill one out and tie on a piece of braided line and slap it in/on your vest.

Take a look on http://www.luhr-jensen.com and go to the place that says "Tech Sheet."

You will find an area that is on hook sharpening.

Nice report, glad to hear it, but be aware this spot is now taken and there is no room left for you. :tongue:

Corkie Monster · 12-28-2003, 09:39 PM

Or get the Luhr Jensen file without the handle and epoxy about a 2 ft peice of surgical tubbing to the pointy end. Then attatch it to the inside of your collar of your vest with a very large snap swivel. Stays out of the way and will stretch enough to file your hooks. Works good for me.

CM

uspolymer · 12-28-2003, 11:12 PM

Thanks for your inputs. Today I bought a Luhr Jensen hook sharpener. I tried to sharpen my hooks but it's not working well. [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img] I visited their web site and followed directions, but my hooks aren't getting 'sticky' sharp. And it takes a lot more then a couple of swipes.

Am I missing something here? [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img]

SteelieSlammer · 12-29-2003, 09:23 AM

I have always felt that removing the treble hooks of a spinner and putting on a good siwash hook results in more fish. In my experiences most fish when hooked with a treble hook only result in light lip hooks. Something to try.

SciGuy · 12-29-2003, 10:03 AM

I am fanatical about keeping my hooks sticky sharp and yet I've had days where I went 0 for 12 and days where I went 9 for 9. Just do all the little things right (good knots, check for frays, sharp hooks, etc.) and hope for the best. BTW, I think the best hook sharpener is the EZE-Lap file (see link below). It doesn't take off too much material per stroke so you almost never get burrs. It also has a nice groove on one side to finish off the point.

http://www.knivesplus.com/eze-lap-sharpener-ez-s.html

fishscale · 12-29-2003, 10:41 AM

uspolymer,
You may have to replace your hooks if they won't sharpen up. Here's how I sharpen my hooks and it works well for me. I make two passes on each side of the hook for a total of 4 passes not pressing down very hard, then I make a single pass on the underside of the hook, pressing much more lightly on this single pass. If the hook is not tacky sharp, repeat the process from the beginning. I have found that the single and lightest pass of the file on the underside of the hook is the key to a sharp hook. It must be done after the passes on the side of the hook. Let me know if this works for you.