Where to start when looking for steelhead

Steelhead are hard to find in rivers for most people.  This fish can be much easier to find if you know where to look for them.  First they like fast moving water because it is full of oxygen.  A place to start would be at the end or the beginning of fast moving water.  Another good place to look would be at the base of waterfalls and dams as these again are rich in oxygen.  If you are still have trouble finding them, find another fisherman and ask them if they have caught any or seen any, and if you are to afraid to talk to them just watch other people and see where they are fishing, then look for similar places to fish .

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• Fly Fishing for steelhead

Selecting a Fly Rod for Steelhead fly fishing

Steelhead trout are, in a nutshell, rainbow trout on steroids.  These fish typically weigh four to six pounds and are an average of 25 to 30 inches.   These fish are extreme fighters and without the proper rod these fish will have you beat everyday.  For regular trout fishing most anglers will use a five or six weight rod.  With steelhead you will not want anything less than an eight weight rod that is nine or more feet long.  An eight weight rod has a much stronger backbone, so to say, than a six weight rod will have.  Another important fact is that when fly fishing for steelhead you will most likely be using larger flies.  Common steelhead flies are wooly buggers which in most cases are hard to cast with a six weight rod.  One more important thing is that you want to make sure you are using at least a six pound test line or more when fishing for these monsters.  When selecting your rod for steelhead fly fishing buy what you can afford and remember its not the rod its the angler.



Redington has a great fly outfit which you can find by clicking Redington Crosswater Fly Fishing Outfit

Fly Fishing For Steelhead

When you are fly fishing for steelhead trout, you have to go with some basic knowledge of what you are doing or you will never catch a fish. First, learn how to read river charts.  You will want to know the flow of the river, and the temperature of the river.  The discharge flow when fly fishing for steelhead should be about 400 cubic feet per second or less, and the water temperature should be 55 degrees or lower for the steelhead to be active.  Also when fly fishing for steelhead your fly selection is going to play a big role.  Nymphs are great flies to use for steelhead fly fishing as are wooly buggers.  Your nymph selection will vary but if you can not figure out what will work my go to fly is always the size 12 bead head crystal prince nymph.  As for the wooly bugger a size 6 black, white, or olive works best.  Remember bright colors on bright days, dark colors on dark days. Another option is to piggy back a wooly bugger and bead head crystal prince nymph.  Tie the wooly bugger on first then add the prince nymph to that.  This is the best overall option when fly fishing for steelhead because it gives the fish two different flies to choose from.  I am still new to steelhead fly fishing but would love to help anyone trying to learn to fish these exciting creatures. 
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• Steelhead Fly Fishing With A Glo Bug