Most of those newer books I have read, but in all honesty I think I might have been concentrating more on the how to's and the what withs, and wasn't retaining much about habitat and the targeting of a single species.

Being a saltwater guy the beauty of ocean fishing is that you present a good looking bait and anything out there that swims will hit it, the idea that one need target either salmon or steelhead was a train of thought that has kept me confused somewhat. Now using a rod rated for 8-12 is making more sense to me.

I think I'll give all the books I read a second read, and hopefully take different information away this time.

Thanks for all the advice. YBD, no big deal, life is too short to sweat the little stuff. I get that to some who are experienced, that the basics seem like common sense, but one needs to get the mindset directed in the right direction first. The fact that you all target one or the other, leads me to believe I need to hit the reboot and start over, because my mindset has been set for salmon and steelhead at the same time.