Steelhead out west

[Moses2531]

I really appreciate being a member of this forum as it makes me a better fisherman all the time and plus its just so much fun bouncing stories and reports off one another. Long story short, school has taken me out to Oregon and with my Minnesota roots it didnt take me long to find water. Steelhead is a big deal out here and I was wondering if anyone had any rigging ideas for drift fishing them. I dont know if there is a known technique for catching them on Superior or something, but I know that rigging up for walleyes hasnt worked and the fishing communication just isnt the same out here it doesnt seem like. Anyways any tips or rigging ideas would be great! Thank you!

[Nate McVey]

Moose, you fly fishing or spinning? If you're fly fishing my go to set up for spring steelhead is a heavier stonefly and a yarn egg (just make sure you can fish 2 hooks out there). I tie my stonefly nymphs with some weight to get them down (or I'll add a couple split shot) with the goal of getting it to the bottom in whatever current I'm drifting. I was told a long time ago "if you're not getting snagged, add more weight" and that is pretty accurate. If I can't feel the sinkers or stonefly bouncing off the rocks I add more weight. You can also "swing" some streamers, but that is a little more challenging and frustrating. Lots of spin guys will rig with a crawler or spawn sack and fish it the same way (close to the bottom).

Looking forward to some great pics!

[Moses2531]

Hey I appareciate that Nate, I am actually spinning for them so yeah I will have to give those couple of rigs a try and let you know what happens. Ill be out giving it heck again Saturday! Thanks!

[JigginGopher]

I know exactly what you are going through. I moved out east for a couple years and quickly found a nice steelhead river coming out of Lake Ontario (Salmon River). I loved fishing them all winter long! Warning - Steelhead fishing is addictive! If you are going to dive into it be prepared for it to consume you! This is the set up i used. I bought a noodle spinning cast rod (11.5 ft. in length). Its important to have a longer rod so you can get leverage and turn the fish's head in the current of the river. I used 8lb test line tied to a three way swivel. Off of the three way swivel i used about 12-14in of 4lb leader. Off of the third part of the swivel i added my weight. What i did was buy slinky weights (split shots in parachute cord) and cut them into different sizes and burning the end to close it off (some with 4 splits shots in them, some with 5, etc., etc.). I would attach the slinky weight using a snap. When fishing its important to keep contact with the bottom of the river. Say you attach a slinky weight with 5 split shots in it and you are not feeling bottom, unsnap it and put on a slinky weight with 6 split shots and so on until you are ticking the bottom throughout the drift. As far as flies go, ask your local fly shop as i'm sure what i used out in New York would not be the best in Oregon. I only had the pleasure of fishing steelhead for 2 years so i'm by no means an expert but I did have a certain amount of success with this rig so give it a try and tweek it as you get more experience and figure out what works for you. If what i wrote was confusing let me know and I can try to post a picture of the rig. Good luck!

[Moses2531]

Hey thanks Jiggin! i appreciate the insight and tips! I will definitly give that rig a shot considering I am still empty handed as far as bringing a Steely in! I agree its addicting though, I try and get out every weekend!