I hooked my second steelhead ever on my fly rod yesterday. Like a beer soaked newbie, I was drifting the boat into a tailout with the fly line played out about 30 feet, when a nig native munched a bunny leech and headed in the opposite direction- no chance of getting an anchor down. Within a few seconds I verified it was a fish and not a rock. A few seconds later I was down to the backing- oops, POP! There goes my fly line, shooting head, and bunny leech (not to mention the fish, and my inaccurate sense of control).

I'm using a Hardy St. Aidan and a Cortland 8/9 wt rod that was given to me for my birthday last year. I don't like the rod and intend to replace it, but I think the reel with the disc drag is adequate for smaller streams. On big rivers I've been told that a reel with a good drag system is referable, but I like the Hardy.

Which leads to my question, line replacement. I'm thinking a system for the Santiams, Mckenzie, and Upper Willamette.

Is a good steelhead taper the smoothest system for larger waters? Is the Express system as easy as it sounds? Floating line, just shorten the head for smaller situations.

Deke Meyer has a section in his book on shooting tips and express heads, but I thought I would get some other feedback. I would rather put my own system together with looped ends, but thought I would find out how much smoother the factory taper is.

Any affordable rod suggestions would be great, too. I was thinking maybe a ten footer, 7 or 8 wt., gl2 or comparable?

Thanks, Harold