New to fly fishing salmon and steelhead

[Fishinmagician78]

I am new to flyfishing for salmon and steelhead. I learned to salmon fish from a "lifter" so that is what I have always done. However, that has lost some of its appeal and I am transitioning to flyfishing for them. I am planning on buying a 7/8 weight rod to pull double duty between salmon and steelhead. I want to swing flies, fish nymphs with indicators, and use egg patterns for steelhead. I would like to know the best all around line to do those things the most effectively. I don't want to start a long debate about what constitutes fly fishing and how I am a bad person for lifting in the past. I would just like some honest advice from the very knowledgeable and insightfull people on this site.

Thanks in advance

[Tiogafishaddict]

I am new to flyfishing for salmon and steelhead. I learned to salmon fish from a "lifter" so that is what I have always done. However, that has lost some of its appeal and I am transitioning to flyfishing for them. I am planning on buying a 7/8 weight rod to pull double duty between salmon and steelhead. I want to swing flies, fish nymphs with indicators, and use egg patterns for steelhead. I would like to know the best all around line to do those things the most effectively. I don't want to start a long debate about what constitutes fly fishing and how I am a bad person for lifting in the past. I would just like some honest advice from the very knowledgeable and insightfull people on this site.

Thanks in advance

cool deal, there are a ton of good flyfishermen here, im just starting to learn how to fly fish for salmon in the big river,, look up some previous posts . you will get a ton of different opinions. a guy taught me to use the running line, a leader of 10lb maxima floro. about as long as teh rod, then a small swivel with another 3ft section of 10 or 12lb tippet,, maxima floro.. then the fly of choice jsut enough weight to nip the bottom,, it worked well for me, now im hooked, now im gonna expierement with some nymphs and indicators also...

Good luck to ya,, oh by the way the guy who taught me this,, i watched him in action, he is a very very good fly fishermen. and is not ripper or snagger by anymeans.

[JeffL]

I got two options for you...
Airflow or Rio multi tip.- Floating, slow sink, intermediate, fast sink.

Floating for the indy fishing and sink tips for the swing

Or

floating line and make your own sink tips or buy connecting sink tips. I think orvis sells looped sink tips in different lengths.

Double tapper floating roll casts better than wf floating. Plus once it wears down you can respool the other end of the line.

[Fishinmagician78]

Thank you for the advice I really appreciate some different perspectives on setups and tactics.

What are some of the more productive patterns you use for salmon and steelhead?

Thanks

[Tiogafishaddict]

Thank you for the advice I really appreciate some different perspectives on setups and tactics.

What are some of the more productive patterns you use for salmon and steelhead?

Thanks

Well you can use stone fly nymphs, lots of em in teh river,, caddis also.. of course your egg patterns,, glo bugs, estaz etc. wooly buggers, all sorts of steelhead and salmon flies out there. Ya just have to change color and size often from waht im learning.

[fishrgirl]

Hey Magician!
I'm new to fly fishing for salmon too. When I tried last week, I had a 9wt WF line and it felt just right to me. I wish now I had a DT line to roll cast a bit better. ;) I did use a 2X tippet and also wish I had used something heavier. My tippet kept snapping off. :(

One fly that really got hits for me was a wooly bugger made with black pearl chennille and a black cone head. I was fishing with a few different patterns... nuttin. Then I put that bugger on there and POW! :fishing2:

[Fishinmagician78]

Thanks for all of your input. It is greatly appreciated.

[RJ's Addiction]

Welcome, I'm Sure you will pick this stuff up pretty easy. What reel are you going to play with? You may want to get an extra spool for it and have two different lines. That way it will be easier to which.
Have fun and good luck.

[Beards247]

I am new to flyfishing for salmon and steelhead. I learned to salmon fish from a "lifter" so that is what I have always done. However, that has lost some of its appeal and I am transitioning to flyfishing for them. I am planning on buying a 7/8 weight rod to pull double duty between salmon and steelhead. I want to swing flies, fish nymphs with indicators, and use egg patterns for steelhead. I would like to know the best all around line to do those things the most effectively. I don't want to start a long debate about what constitutes fly fishing and how I am a bad person for lifting in the past. I would just like some honest advice from the very knowledgeable and insightfull people on this site.
Thanks in advance

Now here's someone whose done some research, and knows how to ask a question to cut out the BS - kudos.

I think you are asking for a tall order to use one rod and one line to effectively do all the different types of fishing. I think what will happen is that you'll do all things just okay and frustrate yourself trying to learn everything at once. Suggestions: But based on your request, start with a 10ft 7/8wt moderate action with 7 wieght forward line and focus on nymph fishing (dead drifting can be done with eggs and some streamer/strymps). By the time you get the dead drift down, you'll better understand how to read water and what presentations work.

There's a million different ways to start, but this is probably the way to learn the fastest. This setup will also allow you to begin swinging streamers and indicator fishing (although a heavier line will help with both, a longer rod will make up for this difference).

Fishinmagician78, I think its cool lining fish is loosing its appeal, but understand compared to lining, fly fishing is a much more challenging approach - more rewarding, but just keep in mind it is more challenging when you get frustrated.

[Fishinmagician78]

Thanks for the input Beards. I just bought a 9ft 7/8 weight with 7wt forward line. I hope the rod length is going to be ok? I am going to use this rod to target steelhead but if the situation presents itself I would occasionally use it for salmon.

Part of the reason I am getting away from "lifting" is it has gotten too easy. I think thats why its lost some of its appeal. If you know how to read the water all the fish use the exact same places to move at the various water levels. Also, I can't stand the crowds standing where you should be fishing and fishing where you should be standing. I love to walk the river and I am hoping november and early december to get a few steelhead without the chaos. So for me the increased difficulty will keep me more interested.

Again, thanks for your input I really appreciate people sharing knowledge.