Steel Tactics

So since we are well into another Steelhead season what tactics do you all use?
What gear & so forth.
Personally I am all fly and fish the same as I would for Trout here at home.
Just various nymphing and streamer fishing methods for me.
8wt. for the SR fits for all species for me, and a leader tapered down to about 3X, or 10 lb. flourocarbon tippet. Nothing fancy.

Here are a few things I practice to help insure a fish will live beyond the catch.

*Don't over play a fish. Land them quickly.
*Wet your hands before lifting a fish if you take it out of the water.
*Don't squeeze the fish too much.
*Keep your fingers out of their gills.
*Return the fish to the water quickly to insure its survival.
*If the fish is tired get it into faster oxygen rich water to help it to recover until the fish is recovered enough to swim strongly away on its own.

And don't forget to watch your own health. The SR is a dangerous place and we should always think "safety First".

Now lets here what you all have to say.....

 
I employ all methods which are ethical towards the sport.
which is to say , I use what my fishing arsenal dictates for the conditions to better my chances at fooling the quarry into taking my offering
I fly fish traditional methods when the water temps are above 40 deg.
I spin fish in a drift method during colder months
but I’ll also mix & match
I don’t like to become one dimensional because I love all methods of fishing
even in the warmer months I’ll use what the fish dictate.
to me it's called an all around angler

ORIGINAL: gebbyfish
Don't take the fish out of the water for a photo if temps are below freezing, as the gills might freeze.

 
Unless you are a total azzhat that keeps the fish out of water for minutes - that is an urban legend, old wives tale, or total BS - take your pick.
 
 
 
 

I have a nice Rhino rod I got for fishing salt on vac. for relaxation. It has a Zebco 333 reel on. I caught a huge skate with it. I know it would work ok & I take it on my trips, but I just can't part with the fly rod. Maybe some day if I'm getting skunked, or the riva is running 1200 plus.

He's right w/ little weight it's a beoutch to cast--but the salmon at 1000cfs is hardly a boy's river----just look at the lack of pics from the experts

ORIGINAL: metalslayer

He's right w/ little weight it's a beoutch to cast--but the salmon at 1000cfs is hardly a boy's river----just look at the lack of pics from the experts

Too many peeps. Fish this year may be educated more. Sure isn't much talk about the almighty PW. Only Trout Eggs can catch a fish now I hear.

Both the Sportsmans and the Tressel had 10 cars in the lot(s side) yesterday---why I "don't go there".

ORIGINAL: waDerboy

Slayer knows I was just saying that you have to be able to get relatively close to your work with that rig. Bin thar dun dat. Try the tressle at 1800 cfs. It can be done but its work. Thats why, in an era before longer softer rods were readily available, some people started to carry a spinning real in thier vest so they could slap it on the 6 wt when the river came up every day at 8 am or so.

I know...
I fished the Tressle @ 2200. Didn't catch any. Had to add a little more weight that day.

ORIGINAL: waDerboy

I may look like an Idaho spud balancing on 2 swizzle sticks

I was thinking more like an out of shape,hairless sasquatch

I only make the trek over to the SR a handful of times each year, but my experiences there agree with Tuna's approach.  I prefer the fly rod when conditions are favorable for it--warmer weather and lower flows.  In the winter I generally use spin gear as there is much less trouble with ice freezing in the guides and its much easier (for me at least) to get down in the deeper holes where alot of the fish are.  I generally use nymphs, various egg imitations, San Juan worms or sometimes various types of softbaits. All that being said, I haven't been terribly successful--if I catch a fish its been a great day.  My trips in the winter are usually to get out of the house, so they are all theraputic regardless of whether I catch anything or not.  I'd be over there alot more frequently if the cost of gas wasn't so high.

You are kidding about them tasting great aren't you? Not even as meatballs.

Slayer- I just sent a package to Michigan. It got there in 2 days. WTF?
As you were men...