Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => Fly Fishing Cafe => Topic started by: Floater on November 09, 2005, 08:58:35 PM

Title: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: Floater on November 09, 2005, 08:58:35 PM
Im gona take up the fly fishing rod this winter and give it a shot for steelhead and if i like it everything from then on. Anyone recommend some good looks or colours to go for at least if you dont wana reveal your secret weapons.  ;D
Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: Floater on November 09, 2005, 09:09:00 PM
does the squamish poacher work on any other system. ;D Yah them popsicle flys look like some good stuff its basicly like wool. How about dry flys do them work for steelhead?
Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: newsman on November 09, 2005, 09:23:34 PM
Drys are for Summer Steel. Yes, Squamish Poachers work on any Steelhead that has fed on Ghost Shrimp.
Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: nigglesworth on November 09, 2005, 09:24:12 PM
Also...

do people mostly use sinking tip lines, or does it vary on conditions.  I am determined to catch a steelie on the fly...   pause for laughter.  But just wonderin...

Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: Floater on November 09, 2005, 09:37:12 PM
Yah whats better full sinking or just sink tip?
Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: Sterling C on November 09, 2005, 09:53:25 PM
O Mykiss Maurauder

(http://gallery.fishbc.com/albums/album243/O_Mykiss_Marauder_Em.jpg)
Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: Floater on November 09, 2005, 10:08:28 PM
I dont remember mentioning line test.  :P
Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: Sterling C on November 09, 2005, 11:27:47 PM
I dont remember mentioning line test.  :P

Do you want help or not?  ::)
Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: Fish Assassin on November 10, 2005, 12:19:43 AM
Tube Flies.
Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: Floater on November 10, 2005, 08:02:43 PM
LOl my bad biff i didnt see the pic so i had no clue what you were talking about. 8) Im sure it was rodneys server overload. :P
Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: di0nysus on November 11, 2005, 10:01:07 AM
egg sucking leeches are a good bet to. Biffchans fly looks pretty nice.  The most important thing is to get the fly down to the bottom and keep it there as long as you can.  Winter steelhead won't be terribly aggressive because of the cold water temps, so they won't move far to pick up a fly. They'll be hugging the bottom.  Use a sink tip and throw a mend to get a nice drift in front of you, then let the fly swing through the water below you. You should be able to feel the fly tapping the bottom every once in a while (with a weighted fly).  A full sink won't give you so much control over the drift and you'll drag the fly too much. 

watch out when adding scent to a fly on bait ban rivers cause it's not allowed. ie. squamish system
Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: Floater on November 11, 2005, 02:53:37 PM
Thx for the advice. Just realised something TROUT SLAYER WHY YOU HOLDING OUT ON ME!!!!!!!!!! help a fly fishing noobie out plz.
Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: Walter Q on November 13, 2005, 05:46:07 AM
Hey Floater,  The flies themselves are just a small piece of the puzzle when going after steelies with the fly rod. Spend more time working on your presentation of the fly,  and no, your fly does NOT always have to dredge the bottem to get those winters fish to hit. If your fly is swinging +/- 6 inches above the rocks your close enough to the zone, no need to be bouncing off of the bottem. Some of my most aggresive hits on the fly have come from some very fresh winter fish. Spend time on the water, don't give up and good luck, cause there is nothing more rewarding then that first steelie on the flie.
Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: Floater on November 13, 2005, 04:17:48 PM
You said it. ;D
Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: Coho Cody on November 13, 2005, 06:23:14 PM
tube flies or squamish poachers ;)
Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: DionJL on November 14, 2005, 09:24:54 PM
Thx for the advice. Just realised something TROUT SLAYER WHY YOU HOLDING OUT ON ME!!!!!!!!!! help a fly fishing noobie out plz.

Troutslayer has no idea what he's doing. don't ask him! lol. I caught my first steelhead last year and it was on the fly to boot. I got mine on a muddler variation. As the season progresses the fish get more aggresive because the water temps rise. Another fly that hasn't been mentioned is a Zonker. it sounds out of date but if you ty black rabbit strip over a pearl mylar body with a red throat it works great. Ty it with red and black lead eyes.
Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: Floater on November 14, 2005, 10:28:10 PM
Yah i wish i could tie my own flies :-[ but i wont even give that a shot until a learn how to cast good and learn what flies to use in what situation. I hope i dont lose allot of flies because at A&N they are two bucks a pop and im sure i need a good variate for a successful day especially for the steelies.
Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: DionJL on November 15, 2005, 04:39:54 PM
thats pretty standard for flies. and you dont really need a huge selection for salmon or steelhead. for steelies i'd have some poachers, egg suckers, and muddlers.
Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: No_way on November 15, 2005, 11:55:36 PM
Yah i wish i could tie my own flies :-[ but i wont even give that a shot until a learn how to cast good and learn what flies to use in what situation. I hope i dont lose allot of flies because at A&N they are two bucks a pop and im sure i need a good variate for a successful day especially for the steelies.

Flies are expensive! that's one of the best reasons to tie them yourself.  Besides, if you start tying them now you'll know how to tie what you need when you learn what you need.  Plus you can use your ugly first ones for practice  ;)

It's also important to know that fly tying, while it is a hobby that is closely tied to fly fishing, is also a hobby in and of its self.  There is a satisfaction to the art that is separate from the actual fishing aspect.  There is also the satisfaction of catching a fish on your own fly that is missing with store bought flies.  Not that catching fish on store bought flies isn't fun (or at least I hear it is, I've never done it  ;)  ) but there is the added joy in using your own fly that can't really be explained.
Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: Floater on November 17, 2005, 11:52:50 AM
One more question well two. ::) The backing for your fly reel is that just basically braided line? and is 4 or more piece rod better for casting than a 2 piece?
Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: BwiBwi on November 17, 2005, 11:55:47 AM
I got both 2 and 4 pcs 5wt can't feel too much difference when casting. But 4 pcs is easier to hike around with.
Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: cohokid on November 17, 2005, 05:51:45 PM
4 pcs has alot more flexing pionts. and 2 peice it alot eaisier to pack from piont to piony. 4 peice is a pain to breack down into 4 peaces with your line still though the eyes is hard to peace it back together. thats my opionon tho and a couple others i know
Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: Steelhead King on November 17, 2005, 06:47:50 PM
why would you want to break the rod down into 4 when you moving from spot to spot??  Why can't you just break down in half like a 2 piece ??? ??? 
Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: cohokid on November 17, 2005, 07:00:11 PM
haha ur a genus, but if you have a tube them its better to be safer.
Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: Sterling C on November 18, 2005, 01:51:22 PM
If you can justify the extra expense, 4 piece all the way. Considering how much flying I do, I really wish I had of forked over the extra cash on one of my rods for a 4 piece.
Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: BwiBwi on November 18, 2005, 02:21:40 PM
Don't bring the tube with you. Leave it in the trunk or at home. When moving from spot to spot just break down to two piece if for moving long distance unthread the hole rod strap it to your back pack and walk.
Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: Floater on November 18, 2005, 03:37:56 PM
Yah 2 piece seems to be the logical choice if only gona be traveling from run to run with it so why would i wana put a 4 piece together each time. ::) So since 4 or piece doesn't give you better casting 2 piece it is. Gotta save some money for them flys ;D
Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: BwiBwi on November 18, 2005, 03:43:31 PM
As long as you don't hike alot to fish. just pick a 2 piece.
Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: Sterling C on November 18, 2005, 04:08:18 PM
How many of you guys break down your drift rod while walking from spot to spot?
Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: Fish Assassin on November 18, 2005, 04:10:42 PM
Depends whether I have to drive to another spot.
Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: BwiBwi on November 18, 2005, 06:17:06 PM
If moving spot to spot in car, yes I would take apart the rod,
If moving through bushy area yes.
If just walking along river bank then no.
Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: Floater on November 18, 2005, 07:41:39 PM
I dont break my rod down till i have to get back into the car. As for bush hiking without breaking your rod up i manage. ::)
Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: Floater on November 18, 2005, 08:31:01 PM
So about that backing? just braided line will do?
Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: BwiBwi on November 19, 2005, 01:27:50 AM
30lb braided would probably be good.
Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: slammin_steelies on February 13, 2006, 05:28:47 PM
I dont see the point in using braided line for backing as it is more expensive than acctual backing
Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: newsman on February 13, 2006, 06:27:04 PM
Backing I love this topic! Did you know that dacron backing and trolling line are the sam product? So why is backing more expensive?
Since standard black or white backing is the same fancy colored stuff, and the only person who realy sees it is you; why do people pay the extra buck for the neon colored stuff? Lastly given the fact that all dacron is manufactured in the same way and and in the same factories, why do you pay more elite tackle company labels? As for the question of backing or brain? My questions would be: Is it dacron? Does it work? Do I like it? The rest is allot of hot air.
Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: Steelhead King on February 13, 2006, 06:28:33 PM
I don;t agreed with you Slammin Steelies...  Braided line ie, Tuff Line is way smaller in diameter then actual fly line backing other words, more backing can be put on same size reel and line. Sinces now, most ppl go for large abor or ultra large abor reel, you do need thinner diameter line to compasate the sapce taking by the abor. Also, most saltwater fly fisherman speical Tapon fisherman switch from backing to braided line becase its stand better with the abuse of saltwater, way stronger and smaller diameter.  
Title: Re: Steelhead flys for a noob!
Post by: stickler on February 13, 2006, 06:37:53 PM
Braided line is useful due to its smaller diameter.
You can also coax a late spring SH to a dry.
I like tossing a black G.P., for summers and winters.
Its a great way to catch a SH, flyfishing!
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d107/troutsky/1234.jpg)
Nice doe caught greaselining 2/0 black G.P.