The Steelhead Angler

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I have received a couple of emails in regards to a resent post about Steelhead fishing on the Clearwater River in Idaho. They seemed to be intimidated by the size of river and were asking for more information on just where they should fish.

For those who are new to the sport I can see why they may be confused as it is quite a large river and if you are not use to reading Steelhead water it will be intimidating. So for those wanting to know where to fish let me give you some ideas.

If you want to try fly fishing the section just above and below the US Highway 95 Bridge has produce well for me in the past. If you are going to be wading be aware that the water level can change suddenly as there are two hydro dams up steam, keep this in mind when wading.

Should you want to try some drift fishing I can think of three spots that produce Steelhead regularly.

1. Drive to the Dworshak Dam just West of Orofino There is a good hole about 300 to 400 yards below the Dam.

2. Cross the bridge at Ahsahka and take the first Left hand turn off and follow the road down to river.

3. About 1.5 miles west of Orofino on state highway 12 there is another good hole for drift fishing. Well I should say float fishing as this is the way most of the fisherman fish this hole however you can drift it just use as light of weight as possible.

These four spots should get you stared if you pay attention to the water conditions and drifts you should then be able to find some more of your own Steelhead holes.
Good Luck!
 

Well with February almost gone and the days getting longer and warmer the steelhead have started to move up the Little Salmon River, here in Idaho. This has been a much awaited annual event for those of use here in Central Idaho for two reasons.

1^st we can now enjoy getting back on the river as the ice has started to leave the river is rising and the steelhead have begun their final stage of their migration. For those of us who fish this river we know that the next month and a half will provide for some of the most exciting steelhead fishing in the state.

For several years now many of us have had days where we have hooked into 20 to 30 fish a day. One day last year a buddy of mine and I were fishing below Boulder Creek and we each hooked over 40 fish it was the first time I actually got tired from catching fish not that it made me stop I just started getting tired. This is the time of year where a slow day is when you only hook into 5 or 6 fish as a steelhead fisherman it seems odd to say that hooking 5 or 6 is a slow day but for the last few years it is the way things have worked out.

2^nd and most importantly is you can now fish without spending all your time fighting the elements. If you have been following my most you will remember a post about a month ago where most of my day was fighting the weather snow wind and ice. Those days for the most part will now be behind us for another year and or time is now spent looking for that perfect drift and not so much on a place where we can actually get to the river.

If you have never fished the little Salmon River for Steeelhead or may be you have never even fished for Steelhead I highly recommend that you give it a try. For the next couple of weeks the lower sections of the river will be very productive. When I say the lower section I’m talking about the section of River from Pollock to Riggins. Then in about two weeks you will want to concentrate your efforts on the section from Pollock to just above Pinehurst, and then you can start fishing the remainder of the river.

If you are not from the area there are a number of places you can stay at Pinehurst does have some small cabins they rent out on a daily or weekly basis and just above Pollock there is a new RV Park which sits just off of US 95 you won’t miss it as long as you are looking for it. You can stay at a very nice spot in Riggins if you prefer The Salmon River Lodge has some of the finest accommodations you can find, they even have an indoor pool show you soak and relax after a hard day on the River.

If you ever thought about giving steelhead fishing a try now is the time. So load up your Rod and Reel put on some fresh line and I will probably see you some where on the River maybe we can trade a few fish stories while were there?

Good luck and Good fishing!!!
BY: RR Smith 
  Check out the lates Steelhead Fishing report at Steelhead Gear.Com

Orvis Shooting Star 149-4
 
Want an excellent mid-priced range Steelhead and Salmon Rod take a look at all the features and benefits of the of the Shooting Star 149-4 from Orvis the renowned makers of quality fly rods.

The new Shooting Star Premium fly rods are some of the lightest made today and perhaps the lightest in their price range. Orvis has made sure this fly rod is balanced which for a salmon and steelhead rod is of the utmost importance. After being on the river all day you will come to appreciate this detail. They have a smooth progressive action which makes them a dream to use. Orvis has designed these rods from the input they received from some renowned Scandinavian fly fisherman who have been using shooting heads for years.

The 149-4 Shooting Star was extensively tested using the spey lines, and their performance was outstanding. The rods were capable of long controlled cast with the least amount of effort. These two handed fly rods will allow you to cast with little room for a full back cast to distant seams that other anglers just can not reach. You know where these seams are and have probably been thinking for years if only I could get my fly over to that seam I know I would hook that trophy fish which is hiding there.

For the last several years there as been a steady increase in the number of salmon and steelhead anglers switching to the two handed fly rod. With the advancements made in the last two years improved design for the two handed technique, now is the perfect time to pick one up for your self. Stop whishing you could make longer cast and start making them with this newly designed Salmon and Steelhead fly rod. Switching over to a two handed rod has never been easier withal the improvement incorporated in the newly designed Shooting Star models.

So if you are tired of wanting to be able to cover those impossible to reach seams, and you want a truly well balanced, well designed two handed fly rod now is the time to get yours. The Shooting Star 149-4 model is an excellent choice you will be making longer, effortless cast, have the control and balance you need, and have a Fly Rod that was specially design to handle the extremely large and often aggrieve fish.

The Zero Gravity Salt/Freshwater 107-4 from Orvis is going to introduce you to a new level of performance it has more feedback which makes casting and presentations easier. It is up to 25% more durable then comparative models helping you protect your investment. The 107-4 Fly Rod is craft by hand by some of the best rod builders today.

  The 107-4 fly rod is one of the lightest yet most powerful fly rod you have ever used being constructed from a special material called boron, a pure carbon scrim system and thermoplastic-toughened resins. They have designed a new system giving the ferrules a seamless joint which have been strengthened to prevent checking and cracking. The makers of this rod give it three coats of finish and a final coat of a specially formulated UV Ray blocker. 

The reel seat and hardware are made from 6061 Anodized aluminum with a Texalium fiber insert the guide are made from Titanium carbide so they will stand up to years of fight those heavy fish, it also has a silicon carbide stripping guide which will help in protecting your fly line. This rod even comes with a protective aluminum fly rod tube and sock to protect it when traveling.

The makers of the 107-4 Zero Gravity Rod have a 25 year guarantee to either repair or replace the rod should any thing happen to go wrong however I feel this will be very unlikely do to the quality of workmanship that goes into these Fly Rods.

If you are looking for a Salmon and Steelhead fly rod that will allow you to make loner cast, gives you control of your presentation and has the strength and endurance to fight these mighty fish it will be well worth your hard earned money to purchase the Zero Gravity 107-4 Fly Rod.

By Jeff Berry 

Are you planning to go trout fishing? Well Trout Fishing can be very exciting. And it becomes even more exciting if you have never done it before. I don’t know why maybe because of the fear of the unknown (lol). But ya fly fishing for Trout’s is fun and exciting.

But you need to be well prepared before you venture into the waters to catch the fish. Because Smart Fish as the Trout’s are known are very smart. They can become very difficult to catch if you have not done your home work.

And being a fisherman you must have got into a habit of studying the fish you are going to catch before you go out fishing right? If not then you need to. Studying the fish you are going to catch is very important because you need to know their feeding habits, their behavior in different conditions and various places they flock. That’s when catching your fish will become easy.

Ok so let’s get started. First of all you need to figure out where your target trout fish is. I mean you need to get the map if necessary and do a bit of research. Next you need to have the right equipment.

Trout’s are known as ‘Smart Fish’ and they are known so for a reason, it’s because they are very smart and they are strong. I mean they are very strong they can easily break your line when you try and pull them off from the water. If they break away then its bad news, not only for you but also for the trout because when they break the hook is still in them. And worst case scenario they might die off that injury.

So you might want to consider carry a hemostat which is a tool used to remove swallowed hook. Then of course you need proper vest and wader. And then put on a pair of waterproof (Ya I know its obvious) boots.

Then of course you need a good Fly rod and Fly reel. Well if you are just starting out and are trying out trout fishing for the first time then an inexpensive fly rod and fly reel will work just fine. But if you are quite experienced and or have some plans to become a serious trout fisherman then I strongly recommend you getting a good quality fly rod and fly reel.

The typical description for a good quality fly rod and fly reel would be the one which is ultra light, flexible, cast easier and makes it easy for you to feed a strike or a bite. Rods that are 6 - 6 ½ feet are good for casting and makes it easier to use float.

Well that much should prepare you for a good round of trout fishing. Trout fishing techniques are a topic of another whole article.

Discover the trout fishing techniques that experts never want you to know. Click here to start trout fishing right away.Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_BerryPosted By: Steelhead Gear.com

One of the hardest things for the novice fly fisherman is the retrieve. How do you keep control of your line to keep it from becoming tangled? If you can not control your line you will not be ready to set the hook or be prepared for your next cast if you do not have control of your line. This problem becomes compounded when you are wading in a stream as the line is always drifting down with the current. There are many different methods use by fly fisherman to accomplish this. 

The figure 8 retrieve is a great way of controlling your line while retrieving it. Once you learn this method you will be able to store your line and it will be ready for a fish strike or your next cast without worrying about tangles.  When you have a fish on the line, hold the line with one finger of the rod hand. Shake the spirals off the retrieving hand, and wind in to get the fish on the reel. The drag can then be used to control the running fish. There is no right or wrong way to do this the best way is one that feels comfortable to you the main thing to remember is to keep your line under control and you will be ready when the fish does strike!
By: RR Smith
Steelhead Gear.Com  
http://steelhead-gear.com/

Ideal Steelhead and Salmon Combo

With Steelhead season picking up and Salmon season just around the corner I decided it was time to pick up a new fishing rod and reel. I found an excellent setup with the Penn SV6000 Spinning Reel & Rod Combo. This Rod and reel combo package has it all, it is well balance has a large spool and the drag system is one of the smoothest that I have used.

The SV6000 Spinning Reel & Rod Combo by: Penn Offers the best performance at a very affordable price. The SV6000 reel is equipped with a large spool making it a great choice if you will be making those longer casts. It also has a very light weight graphite frame making it one of the lightest in its class. It gives you a smooth operating system and is ready and capable of good hook-sets. The spinning rotor is balance and there is no rotor wobble in this spinning reel.

The Pen SV6000 has excellent line capacity too capable of hold the following:

• Line Capacity: 270-yds of 10-lb test
• Line Capacity: 250-yds of 12-lb test
• Line Capacity: 270+ -yds of 6-lb test
• Line Capacity: 225-yds of 16-lb test
• Line Capacity: 200-yds of 20-lb test

The SV6000 combo comes with a rod that is equally amazing for its price, This rod is made with a matte black blank and has silver wrapping on the guides and ferrules has a cork butt and fore grips, a graphite reel seat, Stainless steel hoods ,and aluminum oxide guides for long lasting dependability.   

This combo package will make a great steelhead and salmon rod for years to come. It is not over sized is well balanced and extremely light for a steelhead and salmon rod. If you too are looking at buying a new rod and reel for the upcoming season I defiantly recommend the Penn SV6000 Combo package.

By: RR Smith

I have a special Steelhead secret to tell you about that was showed to me by a very good friend who passed away a couple of years back. When he showed me this we use to make them from wood however today I use what is called backer rod or window insulation making them very quit to construct.

He never gave it a name but I have heard them called rags by another fisherman I ran into who was using them once when I was fishing on the Little Salmon he also called them wobblers which seemed more appropriate. What ever you want to call them they seem to work when nothing else is working. They seem to be catching on as recently I have seen several fishermen using them and thought I would let you know how you can make your own.

What you need to have before starting:
 Yarn in a variety of colors
 Window insulating foam (backing rod)
 A good pair of Scissors
 A large tapestry needle (one which you can thread yarn through)
    [You can also use small stiff wire for this]
 A small straw (the kind you usually get with a mixed drink)
 
Start by cutting the insulation in different lengths from” ½ to 1½”

Next you need to thread or push the straw lengthwise through the center of the insulation and then cut the straw even with the foam.

Now take your needle and yarn use a long length of yarn 2 to 3 feet and push it through the insulation, keep adding insulation and space them about 2 to 3 inches apart Change color of yarn and thread it through each piece again you can repeat this three, four, or five times.

Now take your scissors and cut the yarn between the pieces of foam making sure the yarn is long enough on each piece to reach the back of the foam. If you leave extra yarn on trim the yarn so that it is even with the back of the foam.

Now you have a secret weapon the next time you are out Steelhead fishing.

So you have it now how do you use it?
Set it up as you would like using a Corky or a Sammy I recommend that you use a small bead between your hook and foam to keep it from slipping down on too the hook.

The flat surface on the front of the wobblier will give it a very unique action in the water as the name applies it will wobble and pulse as it drifts through the hole this added action seems to irritate the steelhead making them strike just to get rid of it at least that is what I feel. What ever the reason, it works when nothing else seems to work. 

By: RR Smith 
Steelhead Gear.Com 
http://www.steelhead-gear.com/

Steelhead fishing is starting to pick up on the Salmon River near Riggings Idaho.

I was able to make a quick Steelhead fishing trip yesterday and to my surprise I did quite well. I fished for three hours hooked four fish and was able to land three of them they were nice fish too one may have went 14 pounds a nice hen.

Below Riggins about 5 miles there is a boat launch just below a small community called Lucile I fished at the tail end of the hole there and it seemed like the Steelhead were starting to move again after this last cold spell.

I was using a small pink colored corky and pink and white yarn with a small piece of bait shrimp. The water is still pretty cold and they did not hit hard but they were hitting.

If you are planning a trip soon remember to keep your presentation small as the water is clear and cold and I always have better luck using small baits and lures under these conditions. Try to find holes where the water is moving steady but not out in the main current the Steelhead are not very active yet and they seem to still prefer the slower currents.

I have heard that things are picking up on the Clearwater as well mainly below Orofino. I have not made It up there yet this spring however a good friend of mine has made several trips that way recently and has been doing very well.

So get your reel oiled up put on some new line its time to start hitting the rivers again here in central Idaho. Hope to see you on the River!

By: RR Smith

Steelhead Gear.Com

Over the years I have been asked how you know when you have a hit while drift fishing for Steelhead. The true answer is you really never know for sure! When bouncing along the bottom of the river every time you bump a rock it feels something like a strike. There is a difference but until you feel it is hard to explain.

Some times your line will just stop this is always a good sign that there is a steelhead taking your line. Other times you will feel your line and it feels like it’s rolling over gravel (this happens quit often when the water is cold) This to is a good sign that you are having a steelhead strike. There are times when a steelhead will leave no doubt they have taken your line as they nearly jerk the rod out of your hand. Most of the time however it is just a slight difference in the feel of the line and the longer you fish for steelhead the better you become at feeling these minor differences.

There are times where you will not feel anything at all and this probably happens more then any of us know. I like to watch my line where it meets the water most of the time it leaves a small wake much like a miniature boat. But watching this when a steelhead is toying with your bait it will look like this wake is swaying back and forth in the same spot when ever I see this I will set the hook and more time then not it will be a steelhead.

There are times when you will be watching your line as it drifts through the hole and you notice that the speed at which it was drifting has slowed this to is a sign that you need to set the hook. I believe that when this happens the steelhead has been following you lure down stream and has just decided to pick it up to see what it is.

The bottom line is you never really know if it is a Steelhead strike or just bumping down the river. The best advice I can give is if you feel something different set the hook, if your line stops set the hook, if your line is not drifting as fast as it was set the hook, and when in doubt set the hook!!! 

By: RR Smith

Steelhead Gear.Com    http://www.steelhead-gear.com/