S
Shark 13
Hire a guide... 100-200$ well spent.
I have been fishing for Salmon Steel head for 2 years now. I have only managed to catch one steel head and one Salmon on a charter boat. I don't even want to know how much time and money I have put into fishing. Today on the South Santiam I watched 2 Salmon brought in and 1 steel head and at least 6 hook ups. I can't even get a hit. Tried floating jigs, row, throwing spinners and throwing every kind of corkie and yarn I could think of. It's starting to get to the point that's it not worth trying any more. I have probably been to the South Santiam at least 10-15 times this year and nothing and more then that last year with nothing. I don't know what the hell I'm doing wrong. I might give this one more season and if I don't figure this out. I'm just going to sell my gear and try and recoup some of my losses financially.
Shark, don't give up. I moved here in February and have been hard after steelhead and salmon without even hooking one. In my opinion, the pursuit is part of the fun. It will happen. Maybe we should forces in an attempt to beat this chrome skunk. Jeez, I've probably tied 500 steelhead flies. I've made quite a few fishing buddies here in Hood River, and they all say that steelhead fishing is an occasional hookup within a string of a whole lot of skunks. Landing one is an entirely different animal.
...steelhead fishing is an occasional hookup within a string of a whole lot of skunks. Landing one is an entirely different animal.
Shark, don't give up. I moved here in February and have been hard after steelhead and salmon without even hooking one. In my opinion, the pursuit is part of the fun. It will happen. Maybe we should forces in an attempt to beat this chrome skunk. Jeez, I've probably tied 500 steelhead flies.
I know I'm going to get masses of grief here, but I'll say it anyway...
Until you become proficient with the basic techniques (at least one of them), leave your flyrod at home. I know the people who are into it are really into it, but the catch rate drops by an order of magnitude.
Someone here (Chez, I think) recently mentioned something about the flyslappers, which my fishing buddy recently echoed -- on the Clack (a very popular fly stream), we never actually see anyone casting where the fish hold. But they often go stand right in the holding water to get a better cast at crummy water... ponderous.
If it's your passion in life, by all means do it. Just come to grips with the low catch rate.
Just to stir the pot..
I know fly guys who catch more fish than I do.
For a beginner though, stick with gear...
Good luck,