Winter Steelhead Essential Items
Many of our rivers are wide and at times require a fairly lengthy cast (though not always).
For ease and distance, local anglers tend to primarily use Spey rods, requiring very little back-casting room or arm strength. This enables the angler to cover more water as well as use heavier sink tips and weighted flies.
This method is commonly used to fish for Winter-run Steelhead on our fast flowing West Coast rivers.
Rods in the 8 to 10 weight range are the most common; and Rio Spey lines make casting easy and relatively simple for the beginning Spey fisher.
There are a multitude of flies to use while steelhead fishing.
Flies tied with materials that seem to pulsate in the water appear to move and tend to hook their fair share of fish.
Most any color will work, with bright colors being particularly productive.
Clothing for the River
A trip to the coastal rain forest of the Northwest is always exciting and can be extremely enjoyable, providing you are prepared.
Being a coastal climate, the locals always say “If you don’t like the weather, just wait ten minutes”.
The climate varies between being wet, overcast, sunny, cloudy, rainy, snowfall, hail and wind.
The layered approach is the best way to ensure comfort on the river.
Layer 1: Next to the skin use a wicking material that allows your skin to breathe while removing moisture at the same time. Many of the outdoor companies provide this performance material as it is truly the best way to optimize comfort throughout the day. These articles are worn in the form of long sleeved shirts and long underwear.
Layer 2: A cotton sweater or a cotton long sleeve shirt.
Layer 3: A Polar Fleece sweater or something of the sort. We recommend that you bring a lighter weight and a medium weight fleece at the very least. If you are fishing early spring or late fall you may prefer a heavier polar fleece sweater.
For your legs you can also use a polar fleece pant of varying weights depending on the river's water temperature. Obviously if you are using a Gortex Wader in the late fall you will want a heavy fleece pant. If you are using neoprene waders then a lighter fleece may work better.
Layer 4: Gortex Fishing Jacket (Patagonia, Simms, etc.) with hoods.
We do not recommend fishing vests since they tend to get really wet in continuous rain. Gortex jackets all have pockets and storage for fly boxes, tippets, leaders, etc.
Waders: We recommend a Gortex Wader with a built in Neoprene Sock and separate wading boots without cleats (or with screw in cleats for hiking).
If you are using Gortex waders then polar fleece pants worn under them in the spring and fall will be required. Gortex is very light weight and does not limit flexibility. It also breathes to keep you cool during those warm summer days.
Hat and Polarized Sun Glasses
Make sure you have both a hat and sunglasses, not only for protection from the sun, but also for safety from barbless flies that may accidentally find themselves headed towards your face.
Either a baseball style hat or full rim hat works best.
For sunglasses use high quality polarized lenses so your eyes do not get fatigued while glaring into the river all day.
Polar Fleece Fingerless Gloves
For those cold spring and fall days you may want to use polar fleece gloves with the finger ends cut off.
Most of the fly fishing gear manufacturers make them and they work excellent. If you are fishing in March or early April, late October or November, you may want to bring a pair of full polar fleece mittens with you so you can warm your hands on the side of the river. Additionally, a polar fleece hat that covers your ears may not be such a bad idea as well.
Fishing Gear
Most of our customers bring their own fly rods and fly lines, however we do have complete equipment if you do not have your own preferred equipment.
We suggest the following:
- 7-9 Weight Single Hand Rods with a weight forward steelhead taper
- 7-9 Weight Spey Rods (two handed rods) with line of choice, though we suggest Rio Skagit lines to help turn over heavy sink tips and weighted flies.
Camera
Each of our guides bring a digital camera to the river to photograph that trophy fish of yours, however we advise customers to also bring their own.
Skin Protection
It is always a good idea to have protection from mosquitoes and black flies in the event that they're out and biting.
A good sun block, SPF30 or better, should be brought along.
Miscellaneous
Items that are useful to bring along on your trip are as follows:
- A knapsack to carry your personal stuff (camera, sunscreen etc.)
- Hook Sharpener, you don’t want to lose the big one because of a dull hook.
- Various lengths of sink tips, from 5’ to 20’.
- Spools of tippet in various sizes.
- Your favorite flies that you would like to try out on these incredible fish. You never know...you may just have the secret weapon in your fly box!
