Fly Fishing for Steelhead: Things You Need to Get Started
So you want to chase some chrome! Who doesn’t, these are majestic fish. If you’re going to get into steelhead, you want to sure that you have the right gear.
Rod
Big IS better. These are powerful fish. Any species of sea run fish that comes back to tributaries are strong fighters, and steelhead are no exception. You want to be up there in length and weight.
I like the versatility of a one handed switch. My go to rod is the TFO Axiom II. It’s 11 feet long, has a great backbone with its Kevlar embedded blank and is great for line management. I have both the 6 weight and 8 weight. At $399, it’s a great rod for the money. If you’re not going to go switch and want to stick with a 9 foot rod, think 8 weight to even 10 weight. You’ll be glad you did.
Reel
When it comes to Steelhead fly reels, invest in a good one. Steelhead will get you into your backing and on your drag. Make sure the reel has a good sealed drag system. I’d consider The Whale by Risen, BVK SD by TFO, or SDP Traxx by Maxxon.
Line
The water is cold, so make sure your line is manufactured to withstand the conditions. In terms of single-hand lines, a lot of single-handed angling for Steelhead involves nymphing. You can also swing flies with a single-handed rod. Always match the line weight and the rod weight. The Scientific Anglers Amplitude Anadro is good choice.
If you get into the switch rod game, which I personally favor, your going to want a line with a long head and aggressive taper. I like the Scientific Anglers Great Lakes Switch. Its designed to turn over heavy flies and indicato
Flies
There are so many flies for steelhead its not even funny. We have quite the offering. One thing to keep in mind is that steelhead don’t feed when they go up river to spawn. The strike out of aggression and territorial instinct. This is why so many are bright and flashy. Color selection is greatly dependent on water clarity and weather.
Why are eggs in our fly offering for steelhead? Well, all salmonids will kill others eggs out of instinct. They are protecting their spawning grounds for the next generation. That’s why eggs are so effective.
That’s it for now my fishy friends, until next time…..
Tight Lines and Screaming Drags
Dave