doc, if I were you, I would stay away from the mouths, because I can assure you someone around those parts will say, "Hey, isn't that Doc Trout!"

dudes will probably ask for patches.

i have been here since 2008 and prob. fished with more of these guys than you during you 8 year stint... don't worry I don't want to meet you either, but if the guys and I are out and we run into you, you better believe it's gonna be a funny day.  We are def. asking for patches.

For the record, I've never seen dr. trout cutting the sleeves off a southpole tee.

Doc,
You have gotten some good advice and you should be ok with that set up.
My bro-in-law uses his 5wt with a spinning reel and I've seen him catch plenty of steelies on it. I have used that type set up when I've switched over on certain waters where I prefer to flot a sack or jig in deeper water. I use this when I have to make a further cast that I wouldn't be able to reach with my fly rod. The metal guides on a fly rod will freeze up a little easier when it's real cold, but when it's that cold they all freeze up no matter what you're using. Just try it out and have fun, you'll be hooked soon enough and have steelie fever like all of us.

I'd like to fish for deer!  I'd probably have better luck.  Then I can use my 30-06 for steelhead!  See folks; in all things random; I still have a plan.  Doc  Aren't you coming to the "One Fly"?  Then you'll get to meet about 120 nice people, and one grumpy fat guy.

DarDys...

The guys like yourself that debate the deer topics without getting disrespectful are guys I would have no problem meeting or spending time with.. ... Have no fear you can always meet me and I'll take you where there are fish and DEER

Thanks for all the steelie info guys it is appreciated...

one more stupid question...

egg sacs... not finding alot about them ???

I'm not exactly sure I understand what they are. I watched youtube videos on erie steelhead last night for an hour and saw a lady from Poor Richard's tying egg sacs. Could not really see what she was doing..

are they just some type material holding a bunch of salmon eggs together??

do they sell them that way or are they something a person must learn to tie ??

Doc:
 
Poor Richards sell them ready to go out the door. just buy different colors and go feesh

Doc- To answer your question-both! You can buy egg sacs already prepared, or make your own. Before I owned a fly rod for steelhead, years and years ago, I used bait. I bought one of the egg sack tools and made my own. Making egg sacks is just dumping a teaspoon of skein into a little square of mesh, tightening the corners of the mesh together, then wrapping some elastic string (like the stuff in your socks) around the bunched together ends so it won't come open. I'm sure they sell the mesh, the tool, and the elastic string at most of the erie tackle shops today just like they did years ago.

Doc, PM address and I'll send you some flys that will work just fine also.