Fly Fishing

crandog · Posted: Tue 02/27/07 11:15 pm Post subject: pacific steelhead nymphing

Just a few questions everyone,
I've been handicapping myself for years because all I know how to do is swing for steelies. Granted I've had some memorable days but I keep hearing of these 50 fish hooked days around the great lakes. Is this even possible out west? I would imagine not. Multiple would still be great. The best I've seen was 6 hook ups in 2 hrs swinging. I have family in the Salmon, Id area and I see all kinds of pocket water that would be nice to nymph or bounce. I know that the salmon aren't here in the numbers the Great Lakes recieves (ironic) so why would a metalhead consider eating it? All my patterns are supposed to stimulate aggresion and designed for the swing with calf hair wings. I read folks in Oregon using caddis and mayfly nymphs as small as 14. These fish have gone 900 miles by the time they get here so it seems their metabolism would be completely shut down.
Down below North Fork where the water really channels up seems like a great place to nymph I just don't know how to go about it as far as rigging and flies and if it is even worthwhile. Any thoughts and thanks for listening to me ramble.

jeremy · Location: Portland, Maine

jason-c ... over at Flies And Fins West .. could answer that ... I have only fished for steelies on the east coast and its true that if you find some big pods of steelies ... you can have off the hook days -- but, that is NOT always the case ... i have had many days of not being able to find a single fish .... from what jason tells me .. the west coast ... is much different .. much more water ... and the fish are harder to come by ... but the sense of satisfication when they do is awesome ... anyway, your question might best be posted over on his site www.fliesandfinswest.com as i know he fishes often for steelies all over idaho, washington, alsaska etc...... ok .. good luck ....

crandog · Posted: Thu 03/08/07 12:13 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the info Jeremy.

SteelieP17 · Posted: Thu 05/03/07 11:31 pm Post subject:

Crandog, I'm totally new to this site, but I've spent my time on the river. Over on the Rogue (Oregon) where I do 99% of my steelie fishing we drift nymphs (princes, copper johns, hares ears, 10's-12's-14's) behind an ugly bug (weighted 4's) under an indicator. You put your indicator 5-6 feet above the ugly bug and trail the nymph about 12-16 inches behind. I've never had a 50 fish day, but the guy who showed me this will take 8-10 fish 26 to 30+ inches in a day consistently like clockwork. My best is four and three lost in a day (and God knows how many misses). Don't know if that helps, but it's how it's done over here.

KodiakCommando · Location: Kodiak, Alaska