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Tips, Ties And Tactics |
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Tips, Ties And Tactics
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 BC And Pacific Steelhead Tactics: Double Vs. Single Handed Rods
Posted by jeremy on Friday, November 17 @ 10:54:42 PST
I have a question. I am aware that double handed rods are all the buz these days in BC and other Pacific Northwest Steelhead Rivers. But, what if I wanted to bring both a double and single handed rod and for various reasons use both. It may sound stupid, but there must be hope for a guy with a single handed rod right? Do guys still use them and if so, what might the advantages and disadvantages be when comparing the long vs. short rod. And, one final question. If I were using the single handed rod is nymphing a good tactic to use? Is it the same conceptual strategies and tactics as the great lakes steelhead fishery? Are egg patterns a very
popular pattern or not nearly as popular as in Great Lakes? Ok. I know it was alot of questions wrapped up into one, but I am just looking for a firmer understanding of the Pacific Northwest Steelhead game or at least understand in some respects to the same degree that I understand the Great Lakes Steelhead game. So, single and double handed rods both effective for certain applications? Dead drifting nymphs with indicator, effective or not? If eggs are not that productive but dead drifting nymphs is, what kind of nymphs would be wise to use? And finally, if double handed spey is being used does everyone do the swing thing or do any guys use indicators on the double handed rods too? Thanks
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Re: BC And Pacific Steelhead Tactics: Double Vs. Single Handed Rods
by KodiakCommando on Friday, November 17 @ 17:20:18 PST http://www.fishalaskamagazine.com | Honestly I can't really help you on the two hand rod thing as I have never used one for steelhead. I've always done best using a standard 9 foot fly rod. However most of the rivers i fish are not that big, i have fished the karluk on kodiak which is 50 to 100 yards wide and did just fine with my single hand rod. Honestly I think Spey fishing is so in vogue right now that some would make you believe single hand rods are usless when in fact there are very few situations i've encountered where a spey rod is a must. The only time a spey rod is a must in my opinion is when you need to make a 70 foot plus cast with very litlle room behind you. I have found this is rare where i fish even on the big rivers.
As far as techniques and patterns go first off yes in my experience egg patterns are killer, by far and away the best type of patterns for steelhead at leas in alaska are egg patterns. Regular colored glo bugs are always a good bet. My favorite egg patterns would be 10mm beads or a jerry garcia which is a multi colored glo bug. I like the ones that are orange, red, chartruse and blue, they are awesome for steel. When i'm not using egg patterns i'm using leech patterns most likeley. Bunny flies, esl's and bead head wooly buggers in olive, black or purple are always a good bet. Even attractor colors like chartruse or pink have caught me fish. Fresh from the ocean steelies can be aggressive, if you don't spook them they will hammer big gawdy attractors in my experience. Also dark sculpins are good too. I have tried nymphs but honestly never had much luck with them, however i have never fished them much as egg patterns usually work. I usually do best with a wet fly swing, to me the fish like the fly on the swing better and it covers more water quicker. I also can get well above the fish and not spook them, i generally like to be at least 30 feet upstream from steelhead in clear water. However when i'm fishing egg patterns i will use an indicator and pick of fish on the dead drift. |
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Re: BC And Pacific Steelhead Tactics: Double Vs. Single Handed Rods
by jason-c on Sunday, November 19 @ 15:15:17 PST http://www.fliesandfinswest.com | | As far as rods go it really depends on the river. Big rivers have fish spread out and you must cover a ton of water to find them. There are plenty of smaller river that you could use a single hander but you will really wear your self out on a big river. What it really boils down to is the about of time your fly spends in the water. You can't catch them false casting a single hander for distance. The two hander gets it out there far and fast maximizing fishing time. Eggs work swinging on the double or dead drifting on the single. I have seen people using indicators on the spey, but it seems to be frowned upon. Why? I don't know. It is a little difficult to do because you need heavy tippet or you will break off with all that torque, both casting and catching. It is also a little difficult to cast with all that "stuff" on the end of your line. I have never fished nymphs for steelhead anywhere but the north east. So I am not really sure which would work. Maybe other can fill us in on that. Hope that helps. |
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Re: BC And Pacific Steelhead Tactics: Double Vs. Single Handed Rods
by AvidDavid on Monday, November 20 @ 16:55:11 PST | | Since one of the advantages of two-handed rods is the extreme distance that one can cast to "cover more water," isn't there a practical limit to how far one's eyes can see for visual strike detection (indicators and dry flies)? I know that I can hardly see small dry flies within 30 feet of me and I assume that at some distance it becomes difficult to see whether an indicator is detecting takes. Therefore, given my sight limitations, I would guess that tactile detection of takes would be a preferred method when two-handed casting to the max. However, a longer two-handed rod may be beneficial to achieving longer drifts with a "high stick" method, too. |
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Re: BC And Pacific Steelhead Tactics: Double Vs. Single Handed Rods
by jason-c on Wednesday, November 22 @ 08:55:35 PST http://www.fliesandfinswest.com | | That is a valid point with any type of indicator fishing. Even with the single handed rods the take can be difficult to detect. The farther away the harder it is to see. As far as the double hander goes, you really would not want to be fishing one with an indicator and casting it way out. It would not work well. Current seems, weights, vision and disappointed looks from your peers are just a few reasons. Granted I have done it. But it has been basically "high-sticking" as a last resort when was too tired, lazy or short on time to get my single handed rod. |
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