Steelhead Tactic?

[flyXing]

Hi everyone. Just wondering what others are running in terms of setup and tactics for steelheading success

I've only managed to land 2 so far on maybe 7 or 8 outings. Still quite new to the game. Only started fly fishing really this year.

I've nymphing usually with a double nymph pattern, egg at bottom and stone fly or large prince higher up. Thingamabobber up top. I think I'm getting the flies down enough as i get snags occ. I think one issue i've got is reaction time lol. Still a bit slow on the take.

Been going mostly to the credit cause of distance to home, but water level uber low. Need to venture out a little more to the other tribs.

1. How often are you guys switching flies? I currently don't very often. Maybe that's one issue as well.
2. What kind of leader setup do people use? I've got a couple of 2x and 3x trout leaders i've been attaching maxima 6lb to. Thinking of gettng some fluorocarbon.
3. Any suggestions in terms of presentation? Do most of you use strike indicator? or high sticking as well?

I gotta say, i'm quite jealous of the float guys i see and read about on in the steelhead section... The 2 i did land were unbelievable. I'm on a hunt to chase that high again... this is like crack!

 

[point defiance]

Nice fish, How do you like the Tfo switch? I have the same rod. I mostly indicator fish for them. I dont switch flies often either. I use egg patterns 90% of the time. I run about 5 ft. 10lb flouro to 2ft 8 lb flouro. Proper drift is most important. And dont be jealous of float guys. 2 steelies so far us pretty darn good.👍

 

[schnip]

i dont know much but thats a very nice reel--looked at one to buy--very nice reel and fish--i cant wait to catch a steel on the fly

 

[flyXing]

Nice fish, How do you like the Tfo switch? I have the same rod. I mostly indicator fish for them. I dont switch flies often either. I use egg patterns 90% of the time. I run about 5 ft. 10lb flouro to 2ft 8 lb flouro. Proper drift is most important. And dont be jealous of float guys. 2 steelies so far us pretty darn good.👍

i like the TFO switch a lot, been playing around a little with spey casting with some streamers just for the hell of it

yeah, my drifting is improving everytime i go... I think i need to invest in a switch line though.

The line i've got is more of a shooting head (Wulff Ambush), and so far haven't needed it that much. Controlling drift with the shooting head is ok close up, but pretty hard at any distance

 

[flyXing]

i dont know much but thats a very nice reel--looked at one to buy--very nice reel and fish--i cant wait to catch a steel on the fly

Thanks!

the reel is a good budget reel = ECHO Ion (you can find it at SAIL)

I got it as a package (rod & reel whole outfit) from a US fly shop called Red's Flyfishing (great customer service)

 

[grubman]

Nice catch Fly and welcome to the forum. What size prince you running?

 

[AnglerAnonymous]

Nice fish, 2 fish on the fly is an accomplishment. I plan on heading to the same water tomorrow.

 

[Madriverfisher]

i will try to answer all your questions for changing flies it all depends ever 20 or minutes i would change fish will get bored of the same thing you cant switch between running a dropper dropper patterns like you run to swinging streamers or swnphing witch is swinging nymphs like you would a stream you have the right set up as for leaders nothing wrong with what your using i go back and forth between mono and fluorocarbon but both work and strike indicators use them they just make it easier for steel head dont worry about high sticking i dont use it much expect for euro style nymphing in the summer for big browns its a hard tactic to master and useing only done in short distances hope that helps if you have any more questions feel free to ask

 

[weemalky]

Nice fish! I'm an occasional fly guy still learning. If I stay in a spot for a while I'll change quite often just to try everything say 20 drifts or so, I figure if they see the same thing over and over they might hit anything different. I only have a few streamers which I'll use, mostly use nymphs and will add a small split 24" or so above to get it down, or beaded nymphs. Egg patterns, egg sucking leeches to be honest I think 2 in 7 or 8 outings is a decent success rate on the fly. Better success than I've had anyways. Spoke to a guy Thursday at GTA trib using an 8wt 14' spey with a bigass Hardy reel using big streamers. He said expect your catch rate to be lower at first while fly fishing.

 

[flyXing]

Thanks for the pointers everyone! With each outing I'm definitely learning more. Figured this season will be a lot of trial and error on my own and trying to absorb as much knowledge as I can. Next fall I'm definiltey hiring a guide to get some hands-on pointers.

Anyone have suggestions for some tribs to check out in the jan-feb winter months? I'm usually on the credit because of proximity but would certainly like to venture a little further.

I'm thinking out near Oshawa/Cobourg area?