[tie one on]

If you are a fly fisherman that may target those wonderful
"Chrome Torpedos" here's a question for you.

When you hook into a nice steelhead, let's say a fresh 10
pounder, how long do you "fight " the steelhead before
you begin bringing him/her to the boat ? Do all the one's
you hook into get into the backing on the reel ? Do you
prefer a sink tip, or floating fly line ? Which is your best
go to fly when everyone you know is using, let's say an
egg fly ? ( I totally understand if the fly is your best kept
secret. ) Do you release all you catch, or take some home
to feed the waiting crew ?

I'll be out Saturday morning getting my line wet & hopefully
tying into some of those "Chrome Torpedos". Best of luck
to all of you out there that share this passion.

Tie One On

[GeorgeMcFly]

if I could just catch me one by now. I would let ya know. lol.

[Frank Whiton]

Hi tie one on,

Steelhead fishing is a very specialized type of fly fishing. Each fisher develops their own style that works for them. When I was fishing for Steelhead I preferred a sink tip line or one of Jim Teeny's "T" series of fly lines. The Teeny "T" line is a sinking head with a floating running line. If you are going to be successful with Steelhead you have to use a technique that gets the fly close to the bottom. If the water is not too deep a weighter fly with a 9' leader and indicator is another way that works.

When fishing from shore it is not uncommon to be into your backing. This is where a good drag is worth every cent. Chasing a big ol Steelhead down stream is not fun if the fish is not on the reel. Well hell, it is not fun even if it is on the reel. Fishing from a drift boat, as you do, helps to keep up with a fish. You almost have to have two aboard. One to maneuver the boat and one fighting the fish. You are less likely to get into your backing from a boat. There are conditions where a fish may get into some fast water and in the boat you might over run the fish and then you have a whole new set of problems. The best approach I have found is to have gear heavy enough to control the fish so it doesn't get into the currant and is carried down stream. That means strong leaders, a rod with backbone and a strong reel with a great drag. A good Steelhead fly fisher has to be a great subsurface fisher person.

Frank