[DryFlyByrne19]

I am new to steelheading i got a nine wt sage and i just need some tips on how to fish them and whats the proper gear

 

[Gary Thompson]

Welcome aboard.
I'm sad for you, maybe you'll have beginers luck.

 

[wetline dave]

Catching steelhead on the fly is a large learning curve!! If you have learned to fish spoons for steelhead it is somewhat similar.

If you are starting out from ground zero I would highly recommend spending a day with a guide on some decent water. Bob Triggs comes to mind as he wade fishes over on the Olympic Pen. Fishing from a boat and wading have different perspectives. As I assume you are going to be a ground pounder a wade trip would most likely be the most benefitial.

Dave

 

[Poopy McButtfart]

This is a broad topic to try to explain in one post. And in reality, you're not going to learn it by reading our advice. You'll need to get some pointers, then just start trying. And I can tell you, catching a steelhead is NOT easy by any stretch of the imagination.

I'd start by getting this book:

 

[miyawaki]

Here's a thread posted a couple days ago.

Leland.

http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com...lake-Fly-Fishing-Club-Meeting-You-re-Invited!

 

[Guest]

Father Time, brother.

 

[KerryS]

I give the same advice to all new to fly fishing for steelhead. Find other steelheaders and do what you need to do to get them to take you fishing. Buy them breakfast, cigars, beer, scotch, women, whatever it takes. Watch where they go, how they fish, the gear they use. Pay particular attention to the water they fish. Ask as many questions as you can think of and don't worry about asking dumb ones because you will. Books are not going to teach you much other than improving your questions. Time on the water spent with people that know what they are doing is the best way to learn about fly fishing for steelhead.

 

[Guest]

Yeah, what Kerry said! You can take me fishing and buy me breakfast, a bottle of Lagavulin scotch, a couple of cohiba cigars, lunch (I like a roast beef sammie with cheddar cheese and some spicy mustard) and some dark chocolate. I think I could handle taking you out for a few hours and answer a couple of questions.

 

[Jmills81]

dont do it...dont do it...dont do it...dont do it....dont do it...dont do it

 

[MasterAnglerTaylor]

bad time to start steelheading lol

 

[Guest]

Be prepared. It'll ruin you for trout fishing for....well for me it was 5 years. I started in '99 banked one my first time out, 4 the second, and 6 the third time out. That was it for trout fish'n.
Funny thing was, I was warned about that - so I'm just passing on the warning.

As far as gear goes, that depends on the style/tactic you want to use. First decide on that, then you'll know what to get. As far as tips go, most guys on this board could give better advice than me. I've always fished off of the "feel" of the take, and swing from time to time (though not with a spey setup). There's indicators and stuff like that that can help, but like I said before, find out what appeals to you, or what's working where you fish then dive in.

The only advice I can give is to become a steelhead. By that I mean, read, study, watch video, dream, study water flows, ask more ?'s, repeat. And on those days when you get blanked...tell yourself that it was more about "just getting out". I hear that it makes you feel better, although it's never worked for me.

Hopefully that helps. If not, maybe others will chime in and help.

 

[ozcast]

My 2 cents.... Im assuming that you have a single hand rod -vs- a spey or switch rod that has 2 handles. 1st order of biz..buy a versi-tip line. This will allow you to fish all types of water. They are better for swinging flies than nymphing with the floating tip, because the loop connections can make mending a little clunky, but it can bed done, and you will get used to it. This line has different sink tips that you can loop on and off in a matter of seconds depending on what water you are fishing. 2nd...dont skimp on a reel. You will want a good drag system that wont bind up on you, and can handle sea going fish. For a good intro reel I would reccommend a Lamson Guru or Ross CLA. To jump start your steelhead learning curve I would highly recommend hiring a guide for a day, and tell him/her that you are new to steelheading and that you want to focus in steelheading tacktics, the why's and how's, rather than just getting into fish. Getting into fish is good and all, but the knowlage you will get for the money will catch you fish for years to come. I know guides aner't cheap, but trust me..it will be worth it in the long run. Make friends and support your local fly shop. If you have found a shop that you like and feel comfortable with, give them your business for all the free advise that they offer, they will also set you up with the right system and flies to get started. Last ,read books. Lanni Wallers new book"The Steelheaders Way" covers all types of steelhead fishing, and does so un-discrimanating. If you jump in with both feet, and get hooked on steelhead fly fishing (which you prob. will after your first fish), you will want 2 rods. A single hand for indicatoer work, and a spey or switch for swinging. Hope this helps and good luck.

 

[Poopy McButtfart]

I do just fine with a single hander. Not to say I don't want to get a two hander again some day (I once had one), but not having one hasn't stopped me from catching fish.