Steelhead Set Up

[mpruet]

OK, so I have made the next step down the path, I've drank more of the Kool Aide, I am an addict and I need a 12 step program.

I purchased a new 8 wt TFO setup from River City. Being new to the world of Steelheading, I am curious as to how to set up the line for going after these big fish?

Don set me up with a loop connection and I have a "shooting head", which I have never used.

So, my questions are:
1) When would I use the shooting head?
2) Can I do a similar line set up to nymphing for Trout?
3) Do I use any split shot or weighted flies?
4) Don said something about not using leader at times and just tippet, when would I do this?

With a new step comes many more questions. I am sure that I will get as many different tactics as there are types of flies, but that is ok, I want as much information as possible.

If there are any good books out there that talk about the Steelhead setup, please let me know, and I won't have to bug with my Newbie questions.

Thanks in advance for the help...

So, my questions are:
1) When would I use the shooting head? - I suggest you avoid them until you learn line control and mending for steelhead
2) Can I do a similar line set up to nymphing for Trout? Shooting head for trout?
3) Do I use any split shot or weighted flies?It's a matter of preference but split shot and weighted flies are difficult to cast. They throw off the balance of your rod/line
4) Don said something about not using leader at times and just tippet, when would I do this? Usually when using a sinking tip fly line all that is necessary is a 2'-3' tippet tied either with a loop to loop connection or attached to the fly line with a nail knot

I suggest watching the excellent three VHS tape series on fly fishing for steelhead by Lani Waller.
Good luck

[**busyfishin**]

I have been wanting to use that one.

[Ryan Pultz]

This is just what I use I am by far no expert!

1)When would I use the shooting head?
--I use one when I need that little extra distance

2)Can I do a similar line set up to nymphing for Trout?
--You can use the same type of set up it has worked for me with glo bugs and nymphs.

3) Do I use any split shot or weighted flies?
---I like Weighted Flies les off the chuck and duck feel as stew mentions they are both hard to cast but it seems easer to have one point of weight at the end of my line then two points (the fly and the lead)

4) Don said something about not using leader at times and just tippet, when would I do this?
--For winter runs I use about 4 foot of 15lb leader and then tip it with 2 feet of 10lb on floating line. For a sink tip which I dont use much I would use just 3 foot of 10lb leader.

Hope it helps

[AndyK]

What type of shooting head did you get? Floating? While a floating line can be used for winter runs if you are "nymphing", a sink-tip line will get you more fish, especially if you plan on swinging a fly. I've never heard of a shooting head with a sink-tip unless it is a Teeny chuck n'duck. A full sinking line shooting head isn't much use for steelhead in a river unless you are casting directly downstream or fishing "frog" water.

You will need to use weighted flies or split shot to get down to the fish. I don't care how fast a sinking line you are using. When the water is cold, the fish will be hugging the bottom and they won't move far to take a fly.

I have heard and seen winter fly fishermen using a short leader. I have never caught a steelhead on a leader shorter then four feet and I prefer a six foot leader.

[mpruet]

Andy, I belive Don said that the shooting head was to act as a sink tip so that I didn't have to have two spools of line and could just put the tip on when I need it.

Being very new to Steelheading, I am trying to get everything straight.

[AndyK]

Andy, I belive Don said that the shooting head was to act as a sink tip so that I didn't have to have two spools of line and could just put the tip on when I need it.

Being very new to Steelheading, I am trying to get everything straight.

How long is the "shooting head"? If it is 15 feet or shorter, then it is a tip and not a head (by my "humble" definition). The problem with a longer head is that you cannot effectively mend your line for a good drift/swing.

[mpruet]

The head is no more than maybe a 12", if that.

So, I guess I have a sink tip and not a shooting head, right?

[AndyK]

The head is no more than maybe a 12", if that.

So, I guess I have a sink tip and not a shooting head, right?

Correct! Do you know its sink rate? I would want a type three, six and maybe an eight for winter fishing.

[mpruet]

I don't but will look and then send you a PM, if that is ok.

I do appreciate all of the great info you have provided me.

Thanks

[cphatts]

Trey Combs has written some good books on fly fishing for steelhead. He has two versions of "Steelhead Flyfishing", one older version and one newer. Also Scott Richmond's "Fishing in Oregon's Best Fly Waters" and "Fishing the Deschutes River" offer some good basic steelhead advice. In fact, these two books may be the best place to start for a beginner since Comb's books are a little more advanced and could potentially be information overload at first.

There are two ways to fish for steelhead; nymphing and swinging. Nymphing for steel is pretty much the same as nymphing for trout. Swinging is very easy, just swing your fly similar to how you would swing a soft hackle for trout. Of course this is an over simplification, but as you will learn, the basics are pretty much the same.

The hardest thing about steelhead fishing is finding them, more specifically, finding them in areas where you can catch them with a fly. Reading the water is key. So is putting time in on the water. Expect no magic bullets to success......you have to put time in on the water.

One thing I will advise if you want to start out this winter, is to not get too discouraged. Winter steelheading is hard enough for experienced anglers, much less beginners. Summer steelheading is much easier as you can get by with using a flotaing line and unweighted flies.

Welcome to the dark side!

If using a weighted fly then be very careful of your casts! You can actually break your rod if you happen to strike it while casting a weighted fly...just ask LilNorthFork about that
Remember Mike you'll need to crawl before you can walk :grin:
Very good advice cphatts

[Grantspastor]

AndyK has nailed it, along with the other good advice for winter fish. For summer fish, I use a floating line for almost all fishing. I have found fast sinking shooting heads useful in Alaska for big rainbows...casting quartering across and down in slower water with a monstrous sculpin imitation and a slow strip retrieve.

What you have is not a true shooting head, as has been stated. They are 30-35 feet long with 100' feet of monofilament shooting line between the head and the backing. Once you get used to them they make you feel very macho because you can cast them a mile.

[mpruet]

Guys, this is all great advice and one of the reasons why I like coming to this forum to get information.

Believe me, I understand the challenges that come with Steelhead fishing and plan on having several days of no action until I get comfortable.

I guess I am looking at the Winter run not so much to catch fish, although that would be great, but more as practice for the Summer run.

My goal is to be comfortable next Winter to maybe get into some fish.

Thanks again.

[AndyK]

Believe me, I understand the challenges that come with Steelhead fishing and plan on having several days of no action until I get comfortable.

I guess I am looking at the Winter run not so much to catch fish, although that would be great, but more as practice for the Summer run.

We need some positive vibes here!

Think, " I will catch fish "!

[Grantspastor]

I agree with AndyK. As David Johnson says "they're just big dumb trout". Steelhead aren't that hard to catch. In the summer and fall they will come up out of 6-8' of water to take a fly just under the surface. In the winter you just have to get it a little closer to their face.

I think you guys are right on the money! I think we tend to over complicate them and actually make it harder. I learned a ton about steelhead behavior this fall on the Deschutes and I was definately making fishing for them harder than it needed to be.
I will always fish a floating line for summers and try as much as possible to use the methods as outlined by steelhead fly fishing legend Bill McMillan for winter fish.
It's all good though and I would take one fly caught steelhead over a hundred caught on conventional gear of equal size any day....right AndyK?
Back to McMillan...if any of you can acquire his out of print book "Dry Line Steelhead and Other Subjects"
This book is a classic and as soon as I find a hard back copy of this book I will loan out my soft cover edition to those interested

[mpruet]

Alright Andy, you are absolutely right.

"I will catch fish, I will catch fish, I will catch fish"

[rob allen]

So, my questions are:
1) When would I use the shooting head?
Never

2) Can I do a similar line set up to nymphing for Trout?
yes you can

3) Do I use any split shot or weighted flies?
either or none

4) Don said something about not using leader at times and just tippet, when would I do this?
floating line use a learer the length of the rod. with a sink tip use a 3-4 foot leader 12 lb maxima..

for steelhead here is what i would do.. buy either two reels or a reel and an extra spool.
one one reel get a Double taper 8 and for the other get a 13' type 4 sink tip..

i don't care for interchangable tip systems because they are all based on standard weight forward fly lines.. if they'd make one in a long belly i'd be all over it...

[Dragfreedrift]

I am no expert, but for winters as somebody up above said: the key is knowing where the fish are, then figuring out if its good fly water or not. I am new to this winter fishing w/ a fly rod, but for me nymphing-style is the easiest.

Later this year when the water warms and the nates are around, I will swing flies for them, but for now nymphing would be my choice. am I wrong?

[AndyK]

Later this year when the water warms and the nates are around, I will swing flies for them, but for now nymphing would be my choice. am I wrong?

The coldest water I have ever caught a winter run steelhead in was 38 degrees. I caught it swinging a fly. It was a hatchery fish.

Swinging vs. nymphing is more a factor of where the fish are located. Limiting yourself to one technique or the other will limit the water where you can fish. I let the water decide the best presentation.

[TillamookChinook]

This is a great thread. It almost makes it sound possible to catch winter steelhead on a fly. I am encouraged to keep trying.

TC