While its true that on the Vedder R most float fishermen use baitcaster reels,on many of the Vancouver Island rivers you will see a preponderence of spinning reels. Either type can be a good float reel.
I find a little better accuracy with a baitcaster but If I depended on a spin reel I think it would be equally accurate.
Certainly if you want to fish light weight perhaps 1/4oz then the spiunning reel will do it. Baitcasters seem to reqire about 1/2oz to give accurate casts of 100 feet;however most steelhead water requires at least 1/2 to get good drifts and keep the lure on the rocks.
To get good drifts with a spin reel you must leave the bail open and use your thumb and finger on the lip of the drum to feed line softly and smoothly. therefore you have to hold the line tightly against the drum flange in order to strike quickly. The strike with a float must be "right now" so you dont have time to close the bail. After the initial strike with an open bail you need to reel in any slack and stretch the line and then sock the hook home again to make sure its well set.
If you deside on a spinning reel I suggest you consider a rear drag adgustment. Your drag ajustment is the only way you can fight large fish so it must be readily accesible and not interfere with the line running out.
In contrast with a baitcaster you can set your drag light and use your thumb to vary the amount of drag.
In the final analysis its really a matter of personal preference however I must admit I prefer a baitcaster for most floatfishing situations. The calcutta 250 is my choice for light line light weight situations.
coot