Steelhead

[Geordie]

Are these creatures as good of a fight as I hear about? I have never had a knack for fly-fishing, I just end up doing a lot of cussing, but am told that a steelhead and a fly-rod is a good fight and a challenge.

Can anyone verify that for me? It might prompt me to try (again) to wield a fly rod.

[Grandpa]

Wow, I have many friends who fish for steelhead but I never have. However, I think a fish weighing up to 30 lbs in a whitewater river is just a little much for a typical flyrod. The steelhead is undoubtedly one of the fiercest fighters you will ever catch in fresh water. Most of these guys are using two handed rods, some as long as 12-15 feet with a line weight of 7-9.
I have enough bad habits like backpacking, bowling, etc etc so I have avoided trying for these bad boys so be warned, once you catch one you are hooked for life. I know guys who have planned ahead to the point they refuse to have sex with their wives for a month so she doesn't get pregnant and go into childbirth during the steelhead run. Others simply say," grandma, take over, I'm going fishing".

[nealhardin]

they really fight and are well worth the effort to go after them

[gray wolf]

Originally Posted by Geordie

Are these creatures as good of a fight as I hear about? I have never had a knack for fly-fishing, I just end up doing a lot of cussing, but am told that a steelhead and a fly-rod is a good fight and a challenge.

Can anyone verify that for me? It might prompt me to try (again) to wield a fly rod.

you might want to try a 9wght fly rod .. 9' best for steelhead .. i fish the salmon river in north =central ny .... good luck