1.I personally believe that metalic blue and green are two of the best colors to use. Then I go to silver, brass, and then copper, These colors are mainly for somewhat clear to clear water.
2. I don't have enough expeirience for this scenerio.
3. Females have a mor rounded head and the hing in their jaw is infront of their eyes, males have longer noses and the hing is behind the eye.
4. I haven't caught enough to notice a difference.
5. I fish any water that looks like it might hold fish! Remember these are basically just big trout that is the approach I try to take with steelhed. So if the water looks like it might hold fish fish it. I have seen fish caught in places that I walked past and didn't think were worth fishing.
6. I always carry two rods. Spinning and bait casting, I use my spinning rod for drif fishing, I have a better feel for with that rod, I use my bait caster for jigs or spoons.
7. Contact the game dept. and they will tell you what you need to know.

Good luck fishing.
Buck