ORIGINAL: indsguiz

Yankee Fly Fishing is more common than you would think and even occurs on the tribs.  It will get you a nice fine if you are caught.  If you see a person who is constantly tossing a fly out right in front of a fish and then almost immediately ripping the line through the water they are trying to get the line to go in the fishes' mouth (or close to the head) so they can snag the fish on the retrieve.  This is also calld "lining".  Keep your eyes open and I'm sure you will se it often.  Just don't do it.   Please.
    Anoher "trick" is to camouflage a big treble hook with some yarn and do the same thing.   Just remember the golden rule:  If it isn't hooked in the mouth (or very close) it could cost you some gold.

 
 
I've seen it many times in Erie. Cast... drift a couple seconds then YANK!! I couldn't understand how this one guy was hooking up every 4-5 drifts but never landing one and the fight only lasted 10-15 seconds. When I got close I saw what he was doing and told this guy that was easily 2 times my age what he was doing illegal. He was clearly not happy I called him out on it. Probably because of my age. Who knows. There's was nothing more I could of done as my phone was dead and he didn't seem to care as he kept on "fishing" this way.
 
 

Cold: I was at cabelas today and they had a row of steelhead rods starting at $24.95. I didn't really look at them but they were out.

If you think you can handle the additional length then the 10'6".  But if you have trouble with alonger rod, or you plan on using it on smaller streams, then go with the 9'.   The 10'6" really does increase the working distance for the rod though.