GZ: My good friend Bill, the sack, Herzog always says that float fishing is like training wheels for drift fishing. You may want to try float fishing until catching steelhead is no longer a challenge, then move on to something that requires a bit more skill like drift fishing. Also by moving to drift fishing you will get more opportunity to tie leaders and buy tackle. Maybe you can visit Bill at Sportco. He is there on the rare days he isn't guiding, fun fishing, or simply malingering. If you find float fishing too difficult you might want to try plunking.