Russian River 1-15-07

Whoa, look at the shoulders on that steelhead!!!! Way to go. Glad to see we have law enforcement to keep BAM3 under control.

Scott

I'm surprised to see that there are not bullet holes    on the fish 

mickfish uses a spinning setup and you use a casting setup?

  Nope I use casting gear also.

thanks for the clarification, mickfish! 

why the "upside down" situation with the leader being lighter than the mainline? the mainline is running through the tip top when
you cast?

for abrasion protection on the mainline due to obstacles in the river?

Isn't the common wisdom to have the mainline less or equal test to the leader? so you get the best casting performance and narrowest line for less effect from current, etc?

thanks for any answers, not like I am going to be fishing for steelhead anytime soon, but might as well go through some of the mental exercises...

J

You hang up a lot fishing the river and steelies can be line shy. If you used heaver leader you would leave a lot of line and gear in the river. I rig a swivel and a weight on the mainline so when I break off I only lose the leader, hook and spin glo or corkie.

mickfish hit the nail on the fishes head.  Steelies are the shy yet aggressive type (good combo for a woman)  when the water clears they can see the trusty ole 30 pound Maxima.  I also use a lighter leader so when (NOT IF) you get hung up (roughly 1000 times a season) it breaks off a little easier.  I use a snap swivel and tie the main line to the circle portion of the swivel, leaving the snap open clasp for my slinky weight.  I use about a 24-30 inch leader with a #1 or#2 Gama BARBLESS and tie a baitloop rig.  I throw loose roe rather than tying it up.  I use #12, #10 spin glows or corkies in various colors.  Ill post a picture in the near future.... till then tight lines.

KB

After my failed attempt on Monday, I really wish someone would write an article on drifting for steelhead with a kayak.

Once me, Mike, and Kickn get it figured out I'll work on a collaborative write up.  It is similar to what you'd do in a drift boat, but different since we are the only person in the boat.

Thanks Sean that would be great.  I have basic bits a pieces that I've learned from your recent posts along with a few tips found on the internet.  Reading the water for fish holding waters has probably been the most difficult.  I have an idea where I would be if I was a fish, but I'm not sure the steelhead think that way.  Then there is the whole array of fishing techniques for steelhead.  I have no idea when to use one over the other and when I am using roe I have no idea what the difference between a "touch"  and just bouncing my weight on the bottom.   In the near future steelhead fishing may become much more important to me as my family is considering a move to Portland, Oregon later this year when my wife finishes her PhD.

Sean, sounds like a UTUBE video would be in order?  Im a visual person and need TV vs. words.    The X Generation......

I use a 30# main line (Power Pro), then I double uni knot a 24" piece of 25# mono to the end. Next it's the barrel swivel with the clippy deal on the reel side to the end of the mono. Then I uni knot tie my 10# leader with the #2 barbless red hook with an egg loop to the barrel swivel. I attach my weight to the clippy deal. Before attaching the weight, I thread a piece of 4# mono through the end of the weight and tie a loop. The loop gets attached to the clippy deal. This way, if the weight gets caught on something, the 4# mono will beak off and I won't lose my whole set-up. I make my own slinky weights with parachute cord and lead bb's. It gives me something to do when I find I have too much beer in the fridge.

It works for me.

CHEERS!

A picture of setup would be worth a thousand words. Have a great day

Here you go.

If that doesn't work, 12 ga double OO buck,3 inch mags also works nicely....

Mahi Mahi-I cant thank you enough for that pic, I might just have to target the steelies this weekend instead of waiting on an anchor for a dinasaur. Ben