Steelhead gear

[Joel Thompson]

Hey all of you Steelheaders out there! I am looking to pick up some gear for a steelhead fishing trip I am taking in January. I have only been Steelheading a couple of times and I have always borrowed other peoples stuff and I am not in a postion to get my own gear. (It helps that I am a guide and I run a fly shop! :))

I am looking for recommendations for rods, reels, and fly line. I am looking at the new TFO Axiom because I can get it so darn cheap and will only be using the rod a handful of times a year. For the same reason I was looking at TFO’s 375 reel but I know absolutely nothing about these reels.

Thank you all in advance for your help on this!

Joel

[Tim Pommer]

Joel,

You gonna swing, use an indicator, or chuck and duck?

[Joel Thompson]

Tim,

I have a few trips planned. Two in Idaho on the Salmon and Clearwater and one in California on the Trinity. I will probably fish all of the methods you mentioned. I have always had my best luck on the swing but have also done well using an indicator. I love to chuck and duck but it has been my least successful method.

Ten foot huh. Why?

Joel

[Eric Weller]

Joel,

[spencer ballard]

I steelhead in MI, I think a 9-10′ 7-8 weight rod will work fine.

[Michael Exl]

Other then a two-hander, I would get a 10′ 7wt. mod-fast action such as a Scott A2, Ross CLA 4, with a Rio Versi-tip for a good setup with limited use.

[Tim Pommer]

Joel,

I’d do the 9′ TiCrX #8 and since you get such a good deal, throw the conversion to 11’3″ in with it.

[kevin sloan]

Joel

The Clearwater and Salmon are both big water swing rivers.

[Rick Marcum]

10′ 7 or 8 wt. is the way to go… if you’re only using it a handful of times a year.

[Anonymous]

I dont have too much to add to what has already been offered.

I do agree with Tim that the shortest rod length you want is a 10 footer.

[Mark Schafer]

Joel

[patrick mccormick]

For nymphing its hard to beat SA’s steelhead line.

[Tim Pommer]

However I do fish for kings, which is kinda like fishing for steelhead down in America,

[anonymous]

If you enjoy swinging flies on the bigger water, by all means pick up a two hander.

[patrick mccormick]

However I do fish for kings, which is kinda like fishing for steelhead down in America,

[rich knoles]

Good advice here so far. I would add that I prefer a 9 foot 9wt for Steelhead. I find it’s more versatile and better for fish fighting. Here in Michigan the amount of woody debris in the rivers make it tough to land any fish. I also think a wider range of lines can be managed with a 9wt. I can swing an 8-10-12 sinking shooting head from a 9wt. Not so with the 7 or 8 wt. 15 or 20 feet of T-14 would be tough too.

Last time I checked Patrick, Alaska was still part of the North American Continent. ;D
Rich

[patrick mccormick]

Last time I checked Patrick, Alaska was still part of the North American Continent. ;D
Rich

[bob bolton]

Joel,

You might enjoy this if you are into steelhead.
http://www.hatofmichigan.org/uploads/TyingFlies_ebook.pdf

IMHO there is no more fun in fresh water than steelhead. But to each his own.

Godspeed,

Bob Bolton

[Joel Thompson]

First off I would like to thank Bob Bolton for sharing his book with me. I have only read a few pages so far but I intend to read them all real soon. Thanks Bob!

Second, thank you all for your comments. I can see I will probably go with a ten foot eight weight. Still not sure on the make of the rod yet and still trying to pair it with the right reel. Keep the advice coming as it really does help.

Joel

[patrick mccormick]

like I said a good floater is the sa steelhead line, its sooo perfect for nymphing I basically do nothing but nymph for salmon.

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