What aspect of "The Fight" do you enjoy most?

of course the POWERUN!

The head shake without a doubt.  The first run is right up there as well.
 

gotta go w/ the head shake can't beat it.  then the jumping 3-4 feet out of the water is a close second for me

See the float go down.... Hmmmm; could be the bottom, could be a snag... SET THE HOOK..feel the headshake, see the explosion, hang on. Not bottom, not a snag.

Most definitely the hookset.

Never got a steelhead yet, but for trout, I think, for me, its a combination of the initial strike (theres just something intensely satisfying to me about knowing I fooled a fish!), and soon after, that moment just after the hookset when you realize that yes, the hook is set and the fight is on!

For bass, I like (1) the moment they realize something is wrong and go nuts, (2) when they break water, although thats also one of the most tense moments, and (3) just when you thing a big one is out of gas and coming to the surface, you pull the rod back to get ready to grab him, and he gets his second (or thord...or fourth) wind and takes off once again, down to the bottom.

Another favorite (but scary in a good way) thing of mine is when you're fighting a fish and its pulling, then all the sudden you hear that drag starting to go.  I dont fish big water, so thats a rarity for me, even on an ultralight setup.  When I hear the clicking, I know it's gonna be a dandy...if I can land it!

Watching the float drop.  Without doubt what does it for me.  Even with trout its the same thrill.  "The float drops the bull**** stops".  If i can get a leap or two out of the fish this also gets me going.

I would have to take the whole beginning of the process I like the strike because its basically like pre game warmup. About a thousand thoughts race through your mind like OOOOOHHH HERE IT GOES!! Then your brain finally picks the correct thought and there it is. FISH ON!

I kinda left out trolling, but for me, it is definitely hearing that zzzzzzzzzzzzzzing of the drag go off!

About a thousand thoughts race through your mind like OOOOOHHH HERE IT GOES!! Then your brain finally picks the correct thought and there it is. FISH ON!

Well put!  Yesterday, I got my first fish on a dry that I was actually drifting (as opposed to a flukey little guy grabbing it just a few feet away).  And for about a month now, I've drifted dry flys hundreds of times, watching for a take so intently that I could almost see it in my mind.  Several times, I was watching for it so much that when it repositioned itself in the current, I mistook it for a bite and pulled. 

Then, last night, it finally happened!  It looked almost exactly like I thought it would, but it took forever for my brain to go from "holy crap!  it actually worked!" to "set the hook, you moron!".  As soon as I had him, I knew he was a peewee, but that was fine by me.  Every fish I get on the fly, especially during the summer, is a huge encouragement to me, and intensifies my desire to learn as much as I can about it.

Like most others here, the float stop & the head shake.  Love the fact that I've outsmarted one, even if it's brain is the size of a pea.  It's a two hour drive for me, and I usually leave home at 4 or 5 AM after a restless night.  That first hit and hook up of the day clears the sleep from my head and gets my heart pounding. 
 
Last year was my first taste of early season steel (previously I had only caught fish in colder temps and colder water) and a couple I caught on a late September outing put on an incredible acrobatic show.  I swear one jumped as high as my head, even though it was probably only 2 or 3 feet out of the water.  THAT was a rush.
 
Steelhead fishing has, hands down, become my absolute favorite outdoors pursuit.  I still enjoy hunting, but I loooveee catching steel.  The same restlessness & sleeplessness that used to plague me the night before a deer hunt only happens the night before a steelhead trip now.  Trying to convince my wife we need to move to Erie someday, but she spent 4 years at Gannon and says that was enough for her. 

3

The float going under.

And the rush you get? Yall still get that?

ORIGINAL: Deadbolt401

The float going under.

And the rush you get? Yall still get that?

You should never lose that feeling!

I love the whole thing from start to finish.  I do get a great satisfaction by releasing them to fight another day.  But if I had to choose the initial strike and powerrun that follows takes your breath away.

I love the part where I just get them in, then they take off again.  About makes your knees knock that your going to loose it after having it sooooooo close!!