pkk

Just because a steelhead has a red stripe doesn't mean that it is about to spawn. Yes when they spawn they are typically very dark.Just means it has been in fresh water for a while. In late spring on smaller coastal rivers I have seen females come in chrome bright and be full of eggs. They are prime when they come in and spend very little time in the river. I have had some red striped fish kick butt. Water temp also comes into play with how hard a fish fights. PK

It's is unfortunate most people don't understand. When fishing for steelhead you are not targeting spawning fish. Summer steelhead can start moving from ocean to fresh water as early as July. And continue until around oct. these fish don't spawn until spring (may ish). All summer steelhead rivers close dec 31, so that means they are left alone several months before they do their deed (protected) Then there are winter and spring run fish. These fish also spawn in spring. These rivers don't close and you might be more inclined to catch fish closer to their spawn if fishing in may ( there are ways to avoid catching these fish, you can target fresh fish). You can still catch fresh fish in May as some fish are in and out of a system in a very short time frame. Some rivers that have crossover of summer/winter/spring fish, close the upper stretches (spawning grounds) to protect summer fish that have been in the system longer and are a little more tired/fragile. Hope this helps. It is unfortunate people base decisions and make comments not knowing or having all the correct info. PK

If you we're smart you would remove the vids before someone does send them in.

Nothing about "holier than thou", bullshit. All I see in the only vid I watched (second one), was a poor half alive cutty getting dragged to and fro around a lingering bull trout. You were provoking the bull trout. NOT trying to get the cutty away. Cutties don't fight worth *hit any you can pretty much drag them around at will. You displayed it perfecting but with poor judgement. I'll bet that if I sent that video in to the CO's, you would get a call. As you should. Very poor ethics! If you don't want to be judged then don't post on the Internet!

What can u do? Reel the cutty in like you are supposed to, and not drag it around like bait. I would image what you have done is illegal.

Harassment of a caught fish! Bait fishing! What else?

Who knows what kind of encounters they have had with each other in the past. Maybe it was for the better.Hopefully the guy is OK and learned a harsh lesson that there are people out there that will respond that way. I bet people will be a lot more respectful at the boat launch now this happened.

I guess so.

Guess so.

Pinks arent much but cat food.

InvermereAngler, If you had taken a little time to look, that dumbass didn't have much choice. A weld on the swing neck of his trailer broke. He removed it and had it rewelded and fixed within a few hrs. Lucky it didn't happen on the highway! Could happen to anyone. And, "middle of the boat launch". You must be a poor driver because there was plenty of room to get around him. Who is the dumbass now!

Hmmmm?

Take some lessons. Use a sinktip with 2-3' of leader. Tailing loops are caused by 1) applying too much power to soon on the forward cast. Try apply most of the power after 12:00. 2) rod tip on the forward cast doesn't follow a straight line path. The rod tip goes from high at the beginning of the stroke to lower in the middle back to high at the end 3) the forward cast isn't 180* to the back cast Once again take some lessons. I cant understand the amount of money people spend on gear and don't take any sort of casting lessons. You will learn a lot no matter what level your casting is. PK

Perfect size!

What's with the double hook?

Go with an 8 wt. The hardy zenith 8wt is actually a 13'6 rod. Great length for a first rod, one that you will always use, even if you get any other steelhead rods later on (shorter or longer). It is a very easy casting rod that takes very little effort.I like it with a 510gr - 540gr airflow intermediate compact skagit and a type 3- 129gr 15 ft sink tip with whatever fly I want. You can also use 15 ft of type 6 sink tip if need be. For dryfly the 510 - 540gr compact scandi and a 12ft leader. My preference is the 510 for both, but almost like splitting hairs. Rio's recommendations are a little on the heavy side. The zeniths definitely don't like being overloaded. Ian Gordon designed those rods and on his website he recommends 500 - 550 gr for skagit style lines. More grains for longer lines. I seem to have gravitated towards airflow lines for all shooting heads, I like how they cast and they last longer than the rio lines. Rods are so light these days that a 8wt isn't going to give any more fatigue than a shorter 7wt. A shorter lighter rod is one that might be better for smaller steelhead on smaller rivers. Get a 5 wt (great on the bow) and fish the hell out of it. Dont get a switch, i think they are just a basterized overhead rod and a basterized Spey rod, good for neither. And also get out with the rod you will use for steelhead. If using compact lines on both the stroke is essentially the same with only small variances due to a slightly different rod length. And getting lessons is worth it's wt in gold. Dont let your casting inability minimize your steelhead experience. Don't bother taking out the line kit from fish tales, it will only confuse yourself because you won't be able to tell the difference. Go with recommends from an experienced shop. The line company's and rod company's usually give recommended line wt for each rod. I find the one from the rod company usually the closest. Are you thinking of buying the hardy at Fishtales? I am a Hardy prostaffer with 20yrs of Spey casting under my belt. If you buy one pm me and I will take you out for a couple of hours and give you the basics. Lots of good videos of different casts on utube - have a look because it with give you some great insite. Peter Kirkegaard

What Spey class?

That's a big fat pig! Nice first.

Sorry decided not to post a comment

Like bcube implied. You are using to fine a tippet.

Thanks, good info. I didn't realize that bonefish were that heavy. Very similar length to wt as a steelhead. Do you measure bonefish to the tip of the tail or fork of the tail? It looks like it would make a big difference because of the length from the fork. Did you get any chances at tarpon? Peter

Nice fish, but 36" and 16lbs. Mmm, those are estimates. Right? Cuba is a great place. You should try the tarpon fishing next time you are there. PK

Beautiful Spey and dee flys. I would love to have a couple of his ties - to fish!

Thanks, but how do I take pictures if I can't hold them out of the water?

Yes the odd fish might die. But as good fisherman we should all strive to minimize that. And one of the best ways is to minimize how much the fish is handled. Removing a barbless hook is a hell of alot quicker than barbed. NOT taking all the hero pics (listen to your wives and girlfriends - all fish pics look the same). Etc,Etc