Howdy Cracker,
With an attitude like yours I like you already. The thrill of the chase is the only aspect our current existence can't furnish more effectively.
My advice to people getting started Steelheading is to pull out of snags with their hands instead of the rod(except when using kevlar braids, which will slice flesh)in order to avoid the loud report which your moniker refers to.
A super cool Summer Steelhead plan I have for Reiter is open Aug1-Sept1 C&R only at the hatchery stretch. Many novice and luckless anglers would be recruited as motivated proponents of this most excellent summer pastime. The table quality of the fish shouldn't suffer much during the extra month. And the opener will still be fun to watch Sept.1. RUN!!!!!!!!!
Let me know if you need a couple tips where to try until Aug.1