A name like "ieatfish" is about as totally inconsistent with the notion of fly fishing for steelhead in WA as can possibly be. I've read quite a few times on this very forum that fly fishers don't catch any steelhead. Have you discussed this desire to fly fish for steelhead in WA waters with your therapist? There might be a cure, but I don't know what it is.

If you're experienced in steelhead fishing and have actually caught some, that is a great head start and immediately places you in the top 10% of newb steelhead fly fishers. The reason is that steelhead in WA have never been less abundant than they are these days, so most of the hours and days spent fishing for them is spent fishing water that isn't holding any steelhead at the moment. Therefore the probability of positive reinforcement, even for fishing well, is a longshot. If you already know how to fish for steelhead, it helps you avoid fishing so much water devoid of steelhead.

The next step is to edit water that is suitable to a fly fishing presentation, which is less than can be drift fished or bobber-dogged.

If you're new to both fly fishing and Spey casting, I can only add that learning to cast while you're simultaneously trying to fish is something I would catagorize along with "a horrible way to die." It's a whole lot better if you already know how to cast, since casting half-assed decently is a prerequisite to fishing effectively. Please don't take this personally, but I wouldn't waste a day fishing with someone who wants to fish for steelhead but who cannot even cast worth a hoot. And I'm known as a pretty tolerant guy. So learn to cast. Fly shops can set you up with instruction, as can most of the fly clubs in the region.

Single hand casting is easier to learn than 2-handed rod casting. Spey rods are sexy and all, and they do have some advantages, but I've caught way more steelhead on an old 8 1/2' 8 wt. fiberglass rod than all my Spey rods combined. A basic workhorse outfit is a 9 or 9 1/2' 8 wt rod, any reel that will hold a line and some backing, a WF8F line. Cut the forward 15' off the line and loop the cut ends. If you have no idea what this means, the internet is your friend, as are some fly shops, but they would more likely prefer to sell you one of their combo lines. With this line you need two 15' sink tips, a type III and type VI, plus the original floating tip you cut off. You now have the fly lines that are applicable to 90% of all steelhead holding fly water. Buy a spool of Maxima 10# leader. Use 4' with sink tips; get a regular 9 or 10' tapered leader for floating line work in the summer and fall.

Tie or buy some flies in sizes 6, 4, and 2. They will work in 99% of all steelhead fly fishing situations. Sharpen the hooks.

You need waders with felt or studded felt soles.

This has been the easy part.

Now the hard part. Find water that actually has steelhead in it at the time you are actually there fishing. This is the number 1 reason for not catching steelhead. The second is presentation. It ain't complicated, but unless done right, it's possible to not hook fish even when they are there. This is such a long odds game that you'll want to check out this presentation gimic. I cannot overstress the importance of making at least half-assed decent presentations. There are books on this sh!t that are almost good. IMO the best alternative is to have someone who has caught a few steelhead on flies show this simple thing to you.

Sg