Fishing Forum

I am currently going to school up in Moscow. Im a flyfisherman but I have been wanting to give steelheading a try. I dont have the money to get a fly rod set up but I can swing a spinning rod.

I have a few friends whos dad's own boats but I think 95% of my fishing will be from shore.

Is it worth it for me to give steelheading a try from shore with a spinning rod? Not sure where I would fish but it would probably be around Riggins and Im afraid that there are just too many people fishing there. Ontop of that I dont know if I will be living in Idaho much longer. I may be moving to Montana so I am worried about having a big rod that wont get used.

Just looking for oppinions, give steelheading a try? Or save the money and put it towards a fishing kayak or pontoon? Can one rent rods/reels from shops in Riggins?

Thanks all!
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Why waste your time with Riggins when you've got the Clearwater River much closer to home? Besides, the Clearwater is world famous for it's huge B-run steelhead and plus spring and fall salmon runs. The Clearwater, between Lewiston and Orifino, along Hwy 12, has an incredible amount of river access for bank fishing. Next time you're in Lewiston stop by Camp Cabin and Home and the guys there can give you up to date advice as to where to fish and what's hot. And yes, you can fish them with a spinning rod as long as it has some backbone [not ultralight]. It won't be long before catch & release season will start so nows the time to talk to local folks and businesses and scouting out the access points that you'll want to hit. Moving to Montana [unless it's the east side] doesn't have to be a deterrent to continued fishing on that prime water. I know of several MT guys who come over frequently for the fun and excitement.

BTW August and September are prime months for the fly flickers but most are using spey rods.
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Dont put any money into steelheading unless you are ready to get fired, drop out of school, and take a job working part time for tackle/gas money to go steelheading. It's crazy addictive. I'm obviously joking, but it is really fun and you might as well get into it when you live so close to some great steelhead and salmon waters!! My only piece of advice is to watch the people who are catching them, how they hold their rod, the distance between bobber and jig, where the drift is, etc. A lot of knowledge can be gained by sitting on the bank for an hour and watching the pros and trying to do what they do and picking their brain. Most are great guys.
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Yea I figure if I am going to get a fly rod I need to go spey and learn how to cast that and I just dont have the time or money to get a decent set up. Its my dream but right now I cant swing it.

Yup, If I do end up in Montana I will be living in Billings in the summer and going to school in Bozeman the rest of the year. WONDERFUL fishing in Bozeman area but not really steel head country.

I was always told by a few people not to waste time on the Clearwater unless you have a boat. [:/]

Ive got a question for you guys, does the rod make or break the fishing? Do I need one sensitive enough to tell whats a take and what is my weight on a rock? I was sort of looking at a "Big Game Ugly Stik" or a rod like this

[url "http://http://www.cabelas.com/product/Berkley174-Air8482-IM8-SalmonSteelhead-Spinning-Rods/738849.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3DBerkley%2BAir%26x%3D29%26y%3D2%26WTz_l%3DHeader%25253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=Berkley+Air&WTz_l=Header%253BSearch-All+Products"]http://www.cabelas.com/product/Berkley174-Air8482-IM8-SalmonSteelhead-Spinning-Rods/738849.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3DBerkley%2BAir%26x%3D29%26y%3D2%26WTz_l%3DHeader%25253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=Berkley+Air&WTz_l=Header%253BSearch-All+Products[/url]

I figure they are heavy enough? should have enough sensativity? And if I did move they would still work great for big bass and maybe even small musky fishing? Im worried about having at least an OK rod but the reel is where Im in a tight spot. I cant afford the best and Ive ruined a few spinning reels just bass fishing.
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In my opinion there is a difference in a more sensitive rod. That said, you can buy a rod that will catch fish under $100. I have caught fish on a berkley air that belongs to a friend. I have seen those on sale for around $80. I like 8'6" medium or a 9'. also shimano makes a rod called the Clarus i have seen on sale for $40 that have caught steelhead aswell. One strange thing i have noticed about steelheaders is that most have a couple of rods. You might do very well to make friends with somone on here that likes to go and they can loan you a rod. This way if it's not your cup of tea then you didn't buy a rod you won't use.
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I for sure need to look some people up, it just sucks that my schedule is so strange that I have no clue when I can and cant go... its more of a fly by the seat of my pants and go any chance I get.

I dont think its something I wouldnt like its just that I dont know what my living situations will be. Someday I hope to live in the Boise area after graduating but I will go where ever I can get jobs.. Guess if that even means Seattle. [crazy]

If I had the chance to get a Spey Rod I would do that in a heart beat but I think Im safer with a spinning rod. Just for brain food what sort of lures does one use for steel head? Fall, winter, spring, summer? I dont need indepth but im just curious at what its going to cost me to get some basic stuff. I have a whole bunch of these (various sizes and colors) that my dad got in Alaska, hopefully I can use them someday. He got them for salmon but are they worthwhile having a few of? I also have a few big spinners but again I have no clue.

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large spinners and spoons like the one you posted will catch steelhead but so will crokies and yarn , pulling plugs bobber and jigs lots of things will catch steel head i would just not try not to over think it people have been catching fish for along time and if you live in the lewston area i would check craigslist there are always steelhead rods and reels for sale up their also dont forget bait casting rigs you can pick up a abu ambasor for around $60 new and that is a great steelhead reel throw that on a $40 cabelas pro guide pole for steelhead and you have a pretty good steelhead set up for around $100 bucks
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Spent more time on that river during my 4 years at U of I than I did in the classroom. Get yourself some RVRFSHR spoon and swing em in the same places as the spey guys, just don't low hole em.......... 2 step your way through the run just as they will do. Floats and jigs are pretty popular from the bank as well. A single hand 8wt will provide hookups in certain areas! Have fun, I live and work in Salmon because I am addicted to steelhead fishing!
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Oh Im not trying to over think it all, Im just trying to figure out what types of stuff works. It seems I have a fairly large assortment of tackle that I somehow just accumulated over the years from yard sales, landfils, and family. Anything I dont use is getting packed and sent to Montana, so I want to make sure I keep everything that is potentially usefull.

Speaking of useful should one have a landing net? I know how much of a PITA it is to land some slippery 15" trout so would a net be a worthy tool to have?

So far I am looking at an 8'6" Ugly Stike Lite Salmon/Steelhead but I cant not find a reel.

I guess Im sort of spinning reel shy. In the past 4 or 5 years I have destroyed 3 reels. I dont even spin fish much but they have all failed. First was a cheap shakespear reel. Next was a $50 Pfleuger, last was an older yet pretty expensive shimano. The spool literally came loose and went flying when I was casting. Something inside sheared off. I dont abuse the reels and they only get used for bass/blue gills but they dont hold up.
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Check out some of my prior posts from this spring. All Clearwater fish all from the bank. I too prefer to fly fish for steelhead but catch my self slinging gear on a bait caster for them from time to time. Usually when my kids are with me. I just got in to swinging for them this spring but I love nymphing for them on the SF of the Clearwater. I love living 10 minutes from the Clearwater. Pm me if you want some advice or would like to hook up some time and I can show you what I know.


By the way I took the Spey rod out last Thursday morning and hit a run. I never hooked up but the fella that was swinging in the lower section of the run hooked a nice one that did a cartwheel about 5 feet in the air. He fought it for about 2 minutes then lost it. Headed out again in the a.m. Pretty fantastic that its August and you can start targeting steelhead here.
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The sensitivity of the rod varies from essential to completely unimportant depending on which methods you use. If you are using roe or a jig under a bobber, the sensitivity is a non-issue because you're watching the bobber the whole time. Rod length and weight is much more important than sensitivity because you have to mend the line and keep your rod tip high to keep the line off the water and prevent drag.

If you're casting spoons or spinners, sensitivity is good to have but not essential because you have some tension on the line and with sharp hooks they practically hook themselves.

IMHO, the only method where sensitivity is important in a steelhead rod is when you are drift fishing. You need to be able to feel the difference between a pickup and the weight hitting the bottom or a snag. Even then it's difficult and the difference takes a lot of time to learn. Drift fishing used to be the only method for steelhead, and is one of the primary reasons they were called "the fish of 1000 casts." People would literally go YEARS and lose lots of gear to snags before they managed to catch one.

That looks like a Blue Fox Pixie spoon. They work well on coho, so I don't see why you couldn't try them for steelhead. If they have trebles, cut them off and rig a single hook with the point facing the convex side. They'll hang up a lot less.

I actually own a 8'6" heavy action Ugly Stik Lite. Personally, I'd recommend going with a different rod for steelhead. They're heavy for their size, not very sensitive and don't have much backbone. I bought it for casting heavy saltwater jigs (4+ ounces) for salmon in Puget Sound because the lack of sensitivity wasn't an issue and the bwoingy action makes the rod load up well so those heavy jigs fly really, really far. It's also good for flinging heavy sinkers a country mile when fishing for catfish. But those advantages don't count for much when fishing for steelhead. You really need something that can cast lighter gear and has enough backbone to turn a fish on a run right into a snag.

If you are really strapped for cash, get an Okuma Celilo. They run about $45 and are a much better rod for steelhead. If you have a bit more to spend, get an Okuma SST or Daiwa DXS, both around $65 if you catch them on sale. The DXS only came out last year, so the Okumas are probably easier to find.

For the reel, I'd go with a Pflueger President. A great reel and the best value in the $50-$60 price range IMHO. I bought one last year and it has performed really well on cats up to 12 pounds. Should be fine for steelies.
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I'll take a Vandal, over chrome any day.


Idaho
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Thanks all! I was at cabelas and checked out a whole bundle of rods. Checked out the okuma sst it was on sale but the only one they had I thought was a little too light. It was only rated for 10lb line?

Checked out the berkley air liked the feel but they didn't quite have what I wanted in that model.

The salesman was dead set on me getting some lamiglass rod. It was a 10' light rod, he tried telling me the extra length would help make up for the light rod and make it fish like a medium rod.

I ended up walking out with a shimano clarius (spelling?) Price was right and it fealt good. Still got the receipt if anyone thinks I can do better?

I didn't get a reel I have an older shimano TX4000 reel that I was hoping would work. Its rated to hold 160-180 yards of 12lb test. Use it or get a newer reel?

Still browsing for nets might have to bear hug a fish if I can't get a net haha.
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I run a clarus rod and love it. That said mine is a bait caster. I love looking at cabelas but pretty much hate the staff. I'm young so they don't offer much assistance to me. I'd guess they think I'm poor. Guess they have a sharp eye! However a spend a small fortune on fishing gear. My advice is as follows. Buy what you are comfortable using that is strong enough to get the job done. I love my ugly sticks when I don't give a... about feel. But they got they got the job done before I knew better and bought a pole for every species I fish now lol.

Good luck!

PS all fishing is fun so what r u worried about!
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There is something about being young and shopping there. I can't get them to help at all around the gun counter when I do its total BS they try to feed me. I just love there wide selection of gear its nice to be able to check out a wide variety.
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I guess I shouldn't feel special! Yup I love to look too.
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[quote flyfisher117]I didn't get a reel I have an older shimano TX4000 reel that I was hoping would work. Its rated to hold 160-180 yards of 12lb test. Use it or get a newer reel?[/quote]

If it works, use it. Those measurements are almost certainly for mono. If you want to use braid, you can get a lot more line on it.
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It looks to me like that reel will hold all the line you need. The biggest concern with a reel for steelhead is the drag. Since you will be using barbless hooks, and particularly the Clearwater River will push you towards fighting bigger fish on the lightest line you can get away with - you need a good smooth drag that isn't too hard to break loose.

Of course you don't want it to go into virtual freespool once it breaks loose either. Let's just say that you need the drag to be smooth and consistent, because those steelies will usually make several good (and often sudden) runs, and if your drag is jerky at all it will promote either your line breaking, or that barbless hook coming out.
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I've only hooked 3 fish that have tested this reels drag. A 26" pig of a walleye, 21 " walleye, and a large mouth that I didn't get to measure. Walleyes don't really fight they just swim back down to the bottom of the water but the drag smoothly worked. I don't know how it will do with a running steelhead. Wish I could go hook into a large carp and test it out real good.

If ya'll don't mind I've only got a few more questions to ask before I head out and give it all a try.

#1: what is the essential tackle I need? Weights hooks swivels? My brain hurt looking at all of the stuff at cabelas. Slinky weights rubber tube weights giant lead cast weights, tons of different hooks and sizes.
I planned on getting some of those 3 way swivels but what else do I need/want? While I'm still around boise should I get a small variety of those colorful beads and little cork spinners?

#2: I tie flies, never really tied any steel head flys but can a person fish a fly under a bobber and have possible luck? Might be worth it to get some steel head colors and materials if there's a possibilty.

#3: I'm not asking for honey holes but I'm just curious some of the areas on the clearwater that produce the best? Do you guys fish through the reservation? Where do I go on the reservation to get any tags/permits I need aswell as to find their laws? Is it worth it to fish near lewiston or get as far away as possible.

When I go through riggins I'm thinking about stopping for a few hours and fishing a bit, since ill be going through I figured its worth a shot. Anyone have a favorite tackle shop that would be willing to help me out?
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Camp Cabin and Home in Lewiston is the BEST shop in the area IMHO they will have everything you need. If you can tie flies you can tie your own jigs just make sure you buy jig heads with heavy gauge wire or the steelies will bend em out. You'll be hooking fish anywhere from 20-40+" that will drown a walleye tied tail to tail......... I'd advise you to drop some coin on a quality reel with a reliable drag. Lastly go out and buy some quality floats not the ridiculous rainbow fantasy tower of powers the crackers use.
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