want to get into steelies

[Salmonfan]

I have never fished for steelhead, and have only been fishing the salmon river a couple of years (during the fall salmon run), but I would love to do some early springtime fishing on the SR. Could someone please clue me in on how best to get started?

[metalslayer]

Hire a guide.

[woolybugger65]

watch water flows, for me that's first and foremost. this site has a link to it. weather also a factor, plan your trip around both. oh yeah, guides are a plus for first timers going after steel. there are 2 very qualified one's as members of this site.

[stackmend]

The guys here are right. A good guide will cut years off the learning curve for you. If you can't afford one or just like doing things yourself get some fresh egg sacs, some simple egg flies, and some nymph imitations and hit the river every spare second you have. :)

[champlain fisher]

If you have done any stream fishing for trout then you should have the basics of drifting already. This is my first year that I have made more than a couple of trips to fish for them and I have hooked at least one fish every time out. The only difference I see is that these trout are larger but the concept is still the same. After all a steelhead is a strain of rainbow trout. You can't sound like a barge when wading the river you have to be stealthy just like when fishing for brook trout.

[Kinghookjaw]

Very well put champlain... thats about the best way to go into it. Dont let all the various techniques available overwhelm you. All the techniques used by members on this site will catch you fish.. bottom bouncing, fishing indicators with a fly rod, or running floats with a noodle or float rod, etc... some will outproduce others, but that is heavily dependant on water flow and other variables. Remember that basic rule... K.I.S.S.... keep it simple stupid. Hiring a guide for your first time will definitely cut down on the learning curve... not only will u learn technique, but also learn how to read water that is favorable under diff. conditions. If you dont think u can afford a guide, just post when ur heading out next, and I'm sure a couple of us from this site will offer to show u the way. good luck!

Mo <><

[the happy salmon]

the fastest way to get into the steelies is go with a guide. they will know where to fish and what to fish with no matter what the river flow is. if you are an experienced fisherman(you said you fished for salmon) than your fishing trip with a guide should be a great one! they will show you the tecniques and equipment you will need so when you hit the river on your own, you will be ready!!!!! the money will be well spent! the price for a guide is VERY reasonable.... they provide you with poles, reels, bait, a AWESOME trip down the river that you could never see on foot. and they also give you the knowledge to try it on your own the next time! so... GOOD LUCK!!!! :D

[Craydaddy]

We even have some guides on this site. Don't be afraid to PM them and ask them anything. But hiring one of them will definitly speed up the learning process.

[the happy salmon]

craydaddy hit the nail on the head..... its a learning process. but it is so much fun and rewarding when the learnings turn into CHROME!!!!!!!! :D