Wild Steelhead United - Myers

Wild Steelheaders United- Myers from Trout Unlimited on Vimeo.

Wild Steelheaders United was established to educate and mobilize the numerous wild steelhead advocates wanting to engage in the Initiative. It is a place where anglers can become more informed about wild steelhead biology and ecology, keep abreast policy issues, and learn about Trout Unlimited's conservation work. We may not always agree. We may not always have the answers. But we steelheaders share a common vision and for the future of wild steelhead. Together, we are a community with strength. With millions of dollars invested on the ground, Trout Unlimited supports this vision through the Wild Steelhead Initiative. Learn more at wildsteelheaders.org and tu.org

It's Almost Time

It's almost time to breakout the long rods and start swinging. There has been a decent number of steelhead caught swinging on the Salmon River already. Get away from the crowds and hit the fast water.

Thanks Zak for the photo

A nice shot of a Salmon River Steelhead, along with the Rod, Reel and Fly.

Underwater Steelie Video

I forgot I had taken this video footage with my underwater case for the video camera. Check out the visibility in 750 cfs.....Enjoy!

Underwater Steelie Video from Zack Brooks on Vimeo.

This video was taken in 750cfs. Check out how far you can actually see underwater. This big buck was in the mid teens even though you can't really tell from the video. Taken on a really small fly.

Stay shallow, cast further



about as deep as you want to wade


I just want to share an observation regarding line management and wading depth in high water flows. There are a few occasions when wading deep is necessary, like when using long lines. You may have to wade away from the bank unless you want to single spey all day long. I see more and more anglers wading out into the river at least knee to mid thigh immediately upon entering the river! This can not only spook those early fish sitting close to the bank (the easy ones), but also can cause problems with casting. As you wade deeper, you need to adjust some things in the casting stroke because the path of your rod tip is now a little closer to the water. No biggie but needs to be addressed for sure.

With Skagit lines, we obviously have to strip in line and this results in loops of line dangling in the water. Loops of running line in the water mean more resistance on the flight of my skagit head, which in the end equals a sacrifice in distance. So I have discovered that by wading calf deep to just above my knees, far less of my running line sits in the swirly currents below me. I figure this allows me to have an extra loop and a half of running line to shoot. For me this is about 6 strips, or somewhere around 20ft. Yes, I have measure how much line I pull in on each strip! This allows me to judge my casting distance with very good accuracy. SO, I ask you, is wading out an extra 3 feet towards the middle of the river worth 20ft less distance?? Not to me. Now don't get me wrong, there are times when I am belly deep into the river. However this is more for presentation and angles than trying to cast across the river.

So try to stay shallow when you can, I promise you will gain more distance on your cast no matter what type of line system you fish and you may even pick up an extra fish or two.

Muddy Chrome

Now this is what a Steelhead on the swing is supposed to be like:

First day back...

Here is a short clip of my first venture back into flowing water in over 3 weeks. Been down with a disc issue in my lower back. Casting was a bit rusty, but I did manage to break in my new 2010 Taupo Perfect, which isn't as loud as my originals but she'll work just fine. I just need more time on the water with it so she gets that lovely patina of an old hard used reel overflowing with soul and purpose. I was also late on the hook set but as you can see it didn't matter in the end. Watch as my rod bobs 3 times before I set. Oh well, thankfully the fish hooked himself.

Gear Set-up:

2010 Hardy Taupo Perfect

11'7" 5/6/7 Meiser MKS (custom built) 400-600 grain window

425 Rio Skagit Flight (really weighs 441 grains)

10 ft T-14

10lb Maxima tippet material