Don't forget your (digital) photo and/or video camera with memory cards and tapes! It is nice for the home front and of course your fishing friends who had to stay home!
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A 10 feet fly rod, weight # 8/9 and a 200 or 300 grain sink tip line with a 15 lbs leader will do the job properly. but especially at some wide rivers, a long two-handed Spey rod is very welcome. A 13 or 14 feet rod for a weight #9 line is perfect! |
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There are lots of good steelhead flies, but experience taught me that not to large black or dark flies are very good when the water is low and clear. When the water level is high and dark coloured, you better use some larger flies. It is wise to tie several sizes of the same pattern. The size of the fly depends partly on the season and the water level. |
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I advise at the end of the summer some larger patterns tied on size #2 and #4 and in autumn smaller patterns, size #6 and #8. The fly reel must have a reliable drag and a capacity of at least 100 meters of 30lbs backing. Large arbour models are great. A fighting butt at the bottom of the butt section of your fly rod is also very important. |
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Never forget your hat or cap and polarized sunglasses. A wading jacket and fully dressed fly fishing vest with spare leaders, pliers, scissors, hook sharpener, etc etc, is indispensable. The leader does not have to be tapered, however when you want to give it a try with a dry fly, I advise a tapered 10 or 12 lbs leader. |
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Keep your hooks sharp. You don’t get too many opportunities to hook into a steelhead so you want to make sure that when it does happen you put the odds in your favour. Through the course of the day your flies come in contact with many objects that dull the hook. Check the hook often and make sure that it is kept sticky sharp. The number one rule is don’t give up!!! It takes persistence to catch these fish. |
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Good neoprene or Gore-Tex waders and preferable separate felt soled wading boots, warm underwear, a fleece and a wading jacket are also indispensable. Because we can never predict the local circumstances, I always advise also to bring an 8 or 9 feet baitcaster or spinning rod (30-50grams). Use a spinning or casting reel with a capacity of at least 150 meters 0.35 nylon or 30lbs dyneema! |
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Don't forget your (digital) photo and/or video camera with memory cards and tapes! It is nice for the home front and of course your fishing friends who had to stay home! |
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