A Great Way To Spend A Weekend - Or A Lifetime!
Written: Jul 25 '02 (Updated Aug 27 '02)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: The absolute crown prince of freshwater fishing.
Cons: It takes time to learn to fish them, and sometimes they just plain don't bite.
The Bottom Line: Do it. Steelhead are a worthy opponent, no matter what your method of fishing!
|
|
|
| wadesam's Full Review: Steelhead |
Steelhead fishermen are the most fanatical, eccentric people you'll ever raise an eyebrow at. You can easily spot the steelheader at your local tackle shop. He's the wind-burned guy with a couple dozen packs of Gamakatsu or Vision hooks in his basket, dreamily flicking the newest G Loomis rod back and forth, mumbling inaudibly to himself about something. He has on blue jeans and a T-shirt that says "Women Want Me--Fish Fear Me." (Neither is true). He has on a hat that says something, but the lettering became illegible years ago. The hat has a sweat ring all the way around, and the bill is likely stained pink from the dye used in his egg-cure. If the bill isn't stained pink, it likely stinks of sand shrimp. He is oblivious to those he almost snaps with the rod, because in his mind, he is on the river somewhere, fighting a steelhead. Don't be surprised if, as you pass, you hear him say, "Get the net." It's best just to say "OK" and keep moving.
Steelhead, Oncorhynchus Mykiss, are anadromous rainbow trout, meaning they go to the ocean and return to freshwater to spawn. Unlike salmon, they can survive the spawn and return to the sea for multiple cycles. Regular trout have long been known as "fighters," but generally are not big enough to put up significant resistance. Steelhead, on the other hand, have the same fighting mentality, but are also equipped with salmon-like strength. Their fierce runs will test the durability of your reel, especially your drag. Steelhead are also notorious for their aerial acrobatics--especially the summer run.
Fishing steelhead is often as frustrating as it is exhilarating. Five hours of repetition can culminate in five minutes of sheer thrill. Picture it: You've been fishing all day and slowly been getting lazy and careless. You've got snacks scattered loosely around the boat, the net has slowly settled to the bottom of a pile of discarded snivel gear. The thermos of coffee, now empty, lays on the deck instead of being stowed. A tackle box is open, left that way "just this once" because you're going to change up soon anyway. Your pole sags to the water in one hand, soda pop in the other, peanut butter cracker in your mouth as you tell your partner about "that one time..." (that story never gets old, even though he was there when it happened). Your line hangs up on something--log, rock, bottom, who knows what; you casually lift your rod to free it, when WHAM it pulls back! You lift your rod to sky and keep it there. Nothing for a second then yank yank. Fish On!!
Line peels off as the fish flexes his muscles against the drag. Your buddy hurriedly reels up so his gear won't get caught in your line. You're moving with the fish walking along the edge of the boat. The tackle box gets kicked and spills, the thermos rolls about under one foot, and five Oreo cookies get pulverized under the other. Your buddy is frantically trying to get the net free from a coat zipper and the spare rod he brought. The fish goes airborne and thrashes about on the landing. Other fisherman turn their heads to watch the action. Your buddy appears at your side with the net in the air--the universal signal for "Fish on. We have the right-of-way." You grin at each other and try to look casual. Inside you feel like kings. The fish comes boat side and drifts to one side. Your buddy falls for this trick and starts to extend the net. He gets wet as the fish thrashes and dashes. Your pole stays bent signaling the fish is still on. Your buddy begins to coach you, "Tip up. Tip up. Don't muscle him too much." (The guy with the net ALWAYS knows more than the guy with the fish). Finally the fish coasts up to the boat, the net slices under him and then up, the handle going vertical to close the door on him. No matter what size, as it is lifted over the side, the netter says, "Good fish." The previous five hours are forgotten.
For a bank fisherman, the fight is just as thrilling, if not more so, because he cannot run down a strong fish with his boat. He has to get the fish turned and keep it from spooling him, without it breaking off. It is an art and as much fun to watch as to perform. Summer run steelhead will average about 8lbs and the winter run will go about 12-14lbs. 20+ pound steelies are not uncommon.
I started fishing steelhead just four years ago. My dad and I fish salmon, sturgeon, trout, and tiger muskie. We use either G Loomis or All Star rods. Our spinning reels are various models from Shimano and our bait casters are Abu Garcia Ambassadeurs. We are far from expert class, but we try to leave the river smarter than when we arrived. There are many acceptable ways to fish steelhead, but we mainly freedrift eggs or sand shrimp. We pull the occasional plug (mostly old-style Wiggle Warts) and have been known to backbounce from time to time.
If you're looking to get started in steelheading, go to your local sporting goods store and ask questions. Don't buy anything, just ask questions. Then go to a popular bank fishing spot and ask more questions. You'll then be able to buy gear that will be suitable to your local conditions. Here in Washington, if I had to fish just one rod from both shore and a boat I'd go with a G Loomis 1025S with a Shimano Spirex 4000 rear drag reel. That reel comes with 2 spools, I'd have 8lb test on one and 12lb on the other. I love mine and find it to be a very versatile setup.
Steelhead are excellent table fare. Light pink, firm meat. Not a 'fishy' fish and easy to cook. BBQ them with lemon, onion, garlic, and dill. You'll never want fish and chips again.
You'll note that this is more of a review of fishing the species itself as opposed to an epinion as to HOW to fish for them. That is intentional as most fishing advice is unique to a specific locale. I just wanted to get you fired up to try it! Soon you'll have a garage full of tackle, rods, reels, and other gear. You'll be begging your wife for permission to buy a boat, and will likely have to settle for a trip to the tackle shop, where you'll stink of old bait and not care, where you'll play with the latest fishing rods, mumbling to yourself about "that one day..." Don't be surprised if you absentmindedly instruct another shopper to "Get the net."
OLD FISHERMEN NEVER DIE--THEY JUST SMELL LIKE IT.
Enjoy it. It is a grand experience.
Recommended:
Yes
Recommended Line/Rod Weight: 10 To 12 Wt
Recommended Lure/Bait/Fly: whatever catches fish!!!
Region Where Found: British Columbia south to California, east to the Great Lakes
Recommend Guide, Outfitter or Boat: G Loomis Rods, Shimano reels, Wooldridge or Thorbilt boats
Flavor: A delicacy
Recommended Tackle: Spinning
Recommended Line/Leader Weight: 6 To 12 Lb Test
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
wadesam
|
|
Member: Wade Samuelson
Location: Centralia, Washington
Reviews written: 34
Trusted by: 34 members
About Me:
Where do you stand in the Valley of Decision?
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.