Flyguy,

I fish, or have fished, the same rivers you mention. I use 15' of SA type IV sink tip for at least 90% of my winter steelhead fishing. I'll use a full 30' sinking head or something like a Teeny 200 or 300 in specialized locations that are deep, swift, and narrow. I don't like my line ticking the stream bottom. I've never hooked a fish when it was. I like to fish my fly and line just above the stream bed, maybe a foot or foot and a half.

Like Native Son said, not every winter run lie is suited to the fly.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.

[This message has been edited by Salmo g. (edited 01-30-2001).]