Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: dave c on January 01, 2021, 07:49:20 AM

Title: Dick Nites for Steelhead
Post by: dave c on January 01, 2021, 07:49:20 AM
Just curious if you guys would switch split rings and hook?  Not sure if split rings would hold up to a Steelhead.
Title: Re: Dick Nites for Steelhead
Post by: redside1 on January 01, 2021, 01:06:53 PM
Dick Nites don’t have split rings, they have welded rings. They hold up fine for larger fish. Caught many cohoes on them to 15lbs. Fly fishermen have nick named them “Sir Richard” and fish them for steelhead all the time. Personally I would change out the factory eagle claw hook for a same sized Gamakatsu siwash hook.
Title: Re: Dick Nites for Steelhead
Post by: dave c on January 02, 2021, 01:46:52 PM
Thankyou sir.
Title: Re: Dick Nites for Steelhead
Post by: norm_2 on January 02, 2021, 06:04:49 PM
I tried something similar this fall for coho.  I think I had 2 bites and landed about an 8lb wild coho.  There was a medium speed current in the middle and the fish was on the other side.  Although I landed it, the hook was slightly bent.  I would definitely beef up the hook if I steelhead with it.  It would not make sense to fish all day for one bite and lose the fish to hook failure when I know the wire gauge is light.
Title: Re: Dick Nites for Steelhead
Post by: tim3500 on January 02, 2021, 07:33:03 PM
I caught a few fish last year on them split ring holds up never broke one but hate donating expensive spoons to the rocks colorados are cheep like me and catch the same fish
Title: Re: Dick Nites for Steelhead
Post by: Rodney on January 03, 2021, 04:24:50 PM
I like to switch the hook to an Owner SSW #1 or 1/0 when floating these little spoons.
Title: Re: Dick Nites for Steelhead
Post by: jim on January 04, 2021, 09:05:48 AM
I changed the hooks on mine also, same size. hoping to use and get a steelhead this spring. will try colorados #3 also.
Title: Re: Dick Nites for Steelhead
Post by: redside1 on January 04, 2021, 01:08:58 PM
going to a larger hook will kill the action of the lure on many occasions.  While you can't pull quite so hard a #8 or #6 siwash will still land plenty of steelhead if you are using the best "fishing" size which is a #1. #2's will float fish fine and take a larger hook.
Weight is also one of the reasons you don't see swivels on the #0 & #1 size lures.
#0's are really too small most of the times when steelhead fishing.
All of them will have moments when they will work well when alevins and fry are moving around. Caught many steelhead over the years on this sort of lure when the migration is on.
The discontinued Yakina Bait Skinny Miny's were also good to float fish.
Title: Re: Dick Nites for Steelhead
Post by: Rodney on January 04, 2021, 01:26:28 PM
going to a larger hook will kill the action of the lure on many occasions.  While you can't pull quite so hard a #8 or #6 siwash will still land plenty of steelhead if you are using the best "fishing" size which is a #1. #2's will float fish fine and take a larger hook.
Weight is also one of the reasons you don't see swivels on the #0 & #1 size lures.
#0's are really too small most of the times when steelhead fishing.
All of them will have moments when they will work well when alevins and fry are moving around. Caught many steelhead over the years on this sort of lure when the migration is on.
The discontinued Yakina Bait Skinny Miny's were also good to float fish.

What brand makes #8 or 6 open eye siwash?
Title: Re: Dick Nites for Steelhead
Post by: bigblockfox on January 04, 2021, 01:29:45 PM
if you plan to catch steelhead with them change the hooks.

funny story. fishing with my dad about 5 or 6 years ago, he decides to try a dick nite for the first time and i said you better up the hook before you fish it. he ignores me and fishes it anyways. a few cast later he hooks a fish. plays it for a few minutes. hook pops out and sure enough it had bent open. before he had lost it had surfaced and appeared to be 8 to 10 pounds.
Title: Re: Dick Nites for Steelhead
Post by: clarki on January 04, 2021, 01:42:36 PM
What brand makes #8 or 6 open eye siwash?
Gamakatsa makes a #6 open eye siwash.

Hook No. 100007 
Title: Re: Dick Nites for Steelhead
Post by: RalphH on January 04, 2021, 03:14:19 PM
I think they make up to a #10 suitable for the Wee Dick Nites. One day back in the 90s I hooked 5 or 6 springs in the Harrison on a Copper Wee Dick Nite. Didn't land one of them but the hook ring didn't open though the hooks may have. I was using a #6 fly rod.
Title: Re: Dick Nites for Steelhead
Post by: CohoJake on January 04, 2021, 04:10:23 PM
I think they make up to a #10 suitable for the Wee Dick Nites. One day back in the 90s I hooked 5 or 6 springs in the Harrison on a Copper Wee Dick Nite. Didn't land one of them but the hook ring didn't open though the hooks may have. I was using a #6 fly rod.
The "wee" or size 0 has a #8 siwash hook, the size 1 has a #6 hook, and the size 2 has a #4 hook. Aside from bending, has anyone found a solution for the hook constantly getting caught on the leader or in the top ring/swivel?  Seems like sometimes it will be every other cast, but you don't find out until the end of your drift.
Title: Re: Dick Nites for Steelhead
Post by: RalphH on January 04, 2021, 05:07:58 PM
I just opened an unused #1 fresh from the pack...no idea how long I have had it but it's not likely older than 5 years. I measured it on my hook gauge and it measured as a #8 though the beak is very long compared to the gammie siwash.  I switched out the hooks on the other Dick Nites I have for gammies. I've got 2 stamped as "Wee Dick Nite" which are approaching to 1/2 the size of the #1. Not sure that corresponds to the 0 size or not. I put #8 gammies on those.
Title: Re: Dick Nites for Steelhead
Post by: clarki on January 04, 2021, 07:24:43 PM
If interested in a comparable product (from a Canadian company), consider the Gibbs Mini G. Although I have not used it for steelhead, I fish the G3 size often, with ultralight spinning gear, for cutthroat. They dig it.

The Mini G comes with welded rings top and bottom and I swap out the hook for a #6 open eye siwash gammie.
Title: Re: Dick Nites for Steelhead
Post by: redside1 on January 05, 2021, 07:37:13 AM
What brand makes #8 or 6 open eye siwash?

Gamakatsu. Sizes 8 & 6 are available in the BC market place.
look for these model#'s
Gamakatsu 10006 Siwash Hook, Size 8 Needle Point, All Purpose, Open Eye Nickel, 10 per Pack
Gamakatsu 10007 Siwash Hook, Size 6 Needle Point, All Purpose, Open Eye Nickel, 10 per Pack
Title: Re: Dick Nites for Steelhead
Post by: redside1 on January 05, 2021, 07:38:45 AM
I've got 2 stamped as "Wee Dick Nite" which are approaching to 1/2 the size of the #1. Not sure that corresponds to the 0 size or not.

yes, "Wee" dick nites are size 0.
Title: Re: Dick Nites for Steelhead
Post by: redside1 on January 05, 2021, 07:42:41 AM
If interested in a comparable product (from a Canadian company), consider the Gibbs Mini G. Although I have not used it for steelhead, I fish the G3 size often, with ultralight spinning gear, for cutthroat. They dig it.

The Mini G comes with welded rings top and bottom and I swap out the hook for a #6 open eye siwash gammie.

Mini G's are copies of Dick Nites. They come in a size 1, 2 & 3 which are comparable to the Dick Nite 0, 1 & 2.
Mini G's have some unique colour finishes that are not available on Dick Nites while Dick Nites have a pretty extensive colour selection available.
Title: Re: Dick Nites for Steelhead
Post by: RalphH on January 05, 2021, 10:28:26 AM
I think I bought a couple of the Gibbs Mini Gs some years back and as I recall they didn't have a comparable action. Ditto with the Li'l Shavers. I thought the D Nites had better action at slow speeds. They are very popular with Kokanee anglers in the US. Of course the right action is going to depend on circumstances.
Title: Re: Dick Nites for Steelhead
Post by: CohoJake on January 05, 2021, 11:20:32 AM
I think I bought a couple of the Gibbs Mini Gs some years back and as I recall they didn't have a comparable action. Ditto with the Li'l Shavers. I thought the D Nites had better action at slow speeds. They are very popular with Kokanee anglers in the US. Of course the right action is going to depend on circumstances.
They are also many Washington angler's top choice for pinks - especially on the Skagit and Snohomish rivers.  In 2001, a 14.5 lb pink (then a world record) was caught on a 50/50 dick nite in the Skykomish river (tributary of the Snohomish).  Google "humpzilla" for pics of that dinner plate.
Title: Re: Dick Nites for Steelhead
Post by: MetalAndFeathers on January 05, 2021, 11:22:32 AM
They are also many Washington angler's top choice for pinks - especially on the Skagit and Snohomish rivers.  In 2001, a 14.5 lb pink (then a world record) was caught on a 50/50 dick nite in the Skykomish river (tributary of the Snohomish).  Google "humpzilla" for pics of that dinner plate.
After years of trying to figure out the best lure/fly for pinks dick nites imo are on top. Very surprised they havent caught on here in BC like they have in the states
Title: Re: Dick Nites for Steelhead
Post by: bigblockfox on January 05, 2021, 09:47:31 PM
If your under 18 you might not want to google image search humpzilla like I just did lol. 
Title: Re: Dick Nites for Steelhead
Post by: redside1 on January 06, 2021, 02:08:23 PM
After years of trying to figure out the best lure/fly for pinks dick nites imo are on top. Very surprised they havent caught on here in BC like they have in the states
they are mainly sold into lake trolling trout fisheries in the interior of BC.
under utilized clear water coho spoon in BC for sure
Title: Re: Dick Nites for Steelhead
Post by: CohoJake on January 07, 2021, 02:38:50 PM
If your under 18 you might not want to google image search humpzilla like I just did lol.
Oh jeeze, that didn't even occur to me.  Here's the clean link: https://www.gamefishin.com/wa/features/humpzilla.php (https://www.gamefishin.com/wa/features/humpzilla.php)
Title: Re: Dick Nites for Steelhead
Post by: danielk on January 07, 2021, 07:19:04 PM
That’s a massive pink. Crazy   Well good bye to that bloodline
Title: Re: Dick Nites for Steelhead
Post by: lapa on January 08, 2021, 11:32:43 AM
  There are way more productive colors for pinks then 50/50  ;)
Title: Re: Dick Nites for Steelhead
Post by: CohoJake on January 08, 2021, 01:02:49 PM
  There are way more productive colors for pinks then 50/50  ;)
I've found it is very specific to the river you are fishing.  50/50 is the best I have found on the Snohomish system, but pinks the greens do better in the Skagit and Nooksack.