This is a great thread on spoon fishing for steelheads. I fully agree that the most ideal situation is in relatively clear/low flow situation. When there is more color/flow, I move to spinners.

I used to love to build my own spinners and spoons, but the prices have gone through the roof. I think it would cost more to put together a PenTac or MorTac spoon/spinner than to go buy a Blue Fox Vibrax or Lil Cleo.

The only drawback to casting spoons or spinners all day is the line-twist. I was wondering if someone's found a remedy for this. I've tried quality ball-bearing swivels and supposedly "No Line Twist" spinning reels to no avail. The baitcasting reels are definitely better at line-twist dilemma, but the spinning reel is still more versatile to cast different weights.