Winter Steel

[kinghunter]

I remember last December going for my first steelhead, I bought a roll of pre-tied double hooks and shrimp. I found with the double hook set up, I was getting snagged up alot more. I was hardly using any weight and still getting snagged up. So now I don't even bother with the double hooks, just seems like a waste, especially with those gammi hooks.

[jens]

I remember last December going for my first steelhead, I bought a roll of pre-tied double hooks and shrimp. I found with the double hook set up, I was getting snagged up alot more. I was hardly using any weight and still getting snagged up. So now I don't even bother with the double hooks, just seems like a waste, especially with those gammi hooks.

I rest my case. If kh is using doublehooks... :albino:

Just kiddin bud, fish with me and I'll change your views on driftfishing. :thumright

[crankbait42]

I picked up another driftfishing today. I will posta pic later. I dont understand what is wrong with drift fishing?

[Bodofish]

I picked up another driftfishing today. I will posta pic later. I dont understand what is wrong with drift fishing?

Nothing

[scott080379]

I picked up another driftfishing today. I will posta pic later. I dont understand what is wrong with drift fishing?

Nothing

Some people just see it as snagging/flossing fish.

Or just feel that true steel headers should use spoons or float eggs and jigs.

Me don't care, I prefer to catch them on spoons but some waters just aren't ideal for spoon/spinners or floats, so I will drift all day.

[jens]

I picked up another driftfishing today. I will posta pic later. I dont understand what is wrong with drift fishing?

I'll post my pic of my Steel I caught on saturday on a jig later from Saturday.

2 guys that were "drifting" below me, snagged 1 in the tail and the other in the belly both fish were coming in sideways. They were pretty close to keeping these fish, but the few of us fishing made it very clear what would happen if they tried to keep those fish.

They were fishing a travel lane very similar to Blue Creek. The water is so fast, there is no way IMO these fish are biting.

I hope you continue to fish with spoons, there is nothing like it, other then seeing your bobber disappear.

I have flossed many, many Salmon. Almost 2 punchcards this year. I have caught 7 fish either with eggs or on a spoon. The rest I can honestly say and tell, none of these fish bit my corky. I have caught a lot of fish and looked inside the mouth only to see the hook buried in their tongue or the roof of their mouth. I have to believe the equipment I am using, I can feel the slightest and most subtle feeling of my line in the fishes mouth. The saying goes, "Jerk or be one..."


I can only hope they make fishing with corkies illegal..

Then what will you driftfisherman do?

[jens]

I picked up another driftfishing today. I will posta pic later. I dont understand what is wrong with drift fishing?

Nothing

Some people just see it as snagging/flossing fish.

Or just feel that true steel headers should use spoons or float eggs and jigs.

Me don't care, I prefer to catch them on spoons but some waters just aren't ideal for spoon/spinners or floats, so I will drift all day.

getting personal are we?

[Bodofish]

Nope just realistic. What's next C&R fly fishing.... That's the kind of tune I here from them. I do all sort of different types of fishing. So what constitutes a snagging rig? length of leader?

[curado]

a treble hook and lead wrapped around is a snagging rig

[Bodofish]

I can go with that.

[crankbait42]

Fly fisherman fish with beads under an indicator, What is the difference between drifting a corky and floating a bead? And when the hooks are inside the mouth and the leader is 16 inches long there is nothing to question. I love spoon and bobber fishing but there is a place and time for everything. Oh and I have snagged 3 steelhead this year, all released. one drifting eggs and no lead, One drifting a corky and one on a Float and jig. And salmon fishing this year I snagged a lot of fish with a float and eggs.

[natetreat]

I guess this is the age old dilemma about flossing vs. snagging. I've never flossed a steelie. I've had the hook come out the mouth and get 'em in the motor, but I put them back in the drink after that because I'm a law abiding citizen. But really, if this whole thing is about the double hook thing I'll tell you what, My grandad used double hooks and a big fat fatty wooden drift bobbr painted orange, then he taught my pops to fish, and they used oakies. Until I was older, I thought that's the only way you fished, for steelhead. I'd never heard of using longer than a two foot leader. You get snagged up a bunch more, a lot more if you brush into a stick or something, but those double hooks are sticky awesome. I will use 'em, and not have fish co me unbuttoned as often. Which is okay if it's a boot chum, but when you miss a big fish because it's got a bad hookset and it was a steelhead, I just kick myself. But the flossing/snagging thing is old news guys, and here up north you'll never find steel laying thick enough for it to be a big deal.

[scott080379]

Nothing

Some people just see it as snagging/flossing fish.

Or just feel that true steel headers should use spoons or float eggs and jigs.

Me don't care, I prefer to catch them on spoons but some waters just aren't ideal for spoon/spinners or floats, so I will drift all day.

getting personal are we?

No not at all, there are plenty of peopel that have said that and feel that way.. Like I said I perfer to fish with spoons and spinners but if the water isn't made for it and it is more of a drift hole then I drift it.

hell what ever catches fish legally is the way I will use to be honest.

[BARCHASER10]

I grew up drift fishing. Caught my first Steelie in 1958 at age 14. I used to use okie drifters with two hooks. Quit using two hooks years ago, too many snags. Real men drift fish!

[curado]

AGREED

[jens]

Back to topic. Notellum River December 26th 2010. Bobberdown!

[scott080379]

Nice chrome Jens......

[HOOKEDONFISHING]

I drift fish with a 6ft leader yarn and corkie and have caught 2 steelies this winter and both were in mouth and 1 was deep down throat. I also caught 1 with float and jigg. I like to drift fish but I switch it up if there not biting.

[flinginpooh]

Ive got 7 in dec and all came from drifting. Infact every steelie Ive ever caught has been drifting. Ive caught salmon on spoons and spinners but never steel. 6ft leader, shoot Ill go 12 ft sometimes. Every one Ive gotten ever has been in the mouth. Ive never seen steel come in sideways except from boats up until a few months ago. Im sure it happens I just never seen it. Ive been fishing at Blue creek for over 20 years and Never seen em come in sideways. Jens has met alot of my family and we drift. He has a fixation though with bobbers its cool. I do it how I do it. He does it how he does it. Neither of us are right but we both catch fish so its cool. He just thinks hes cooler. lol Its all about what ya want. What you feel comfy with. Read books and articles written by the guys well known for fishing. They will tell ya there is more then one way to catch fish. Try them out then find what works for you. Another thing is finding good people to fish with. This is something Jens did. He started real nice and got in with some people that know how to fish. He took notes and learned well. Hes gotten alot of steel this year with the advise and tips hes learned. It also helps that he gets out alot more then most people. Going fishing before and after work and almost every weekend. But thats what happens when ya get hooked. Oh and since they lowered the water on the cow Its TOUGH. Gl out there everyone.

[crankbait42]

Picked up a new lami yesterday and broke it in right today with 2 fish, tho one was not a winter fish...

Float and eggs!