Amen!

Go Sox,
cds

Actually, many of the BC steelhead lodges will not allow gear anglers because the thought is that it is too effective and ... just some FYI [/quote]


How many fish are hooked and landed on a swung fly in a day of fishing? From what I've seen two would be a great day. Probably the least effective method out there.

OK, I was being a bit cynical for my buddy the fly fisherman, BUT I can land a 20lb. Steelhead in about a third the time he can and he is an expert on the fly rod.
But saying that, I have seen guys with spinning reels let a fish run 100 yards a couple times.
I will say Parker, during the summer I'll bet fly caught Steelhead or gear caught where it takes 20 minutes to land a fish will produce more deaths than those of us that can thumb down and control a bucking, jumping summer run that will be out of gas if left to thrash about to long.
I only pick on fly fishermen because I can and have been one for 45 years, just choose to use my Revo instead!

I know. I was only ribbing you abit!

I'll beat a dead horse a little more here:
I think a distinction must be made versus single-hand and two-hand fly rods to accurately say whether a steelhead can be landed quicker on fly versus gear. Can I land a steelhead on an 8 weight single hander as quickly as I could on a gear rod...75% of the time probably not...but we're talking less than a few minutes difference. I cringe when I hear people talk about fighting a fish for 30 minutes (both gear and fly mind you)...I can't comprehend what steelhead would ever take 30 minutes to land.

With a two-hander I can probably land a steelhead faster than just about anybody can with a gear rod. Using 12/15 pound Maxima, a size 1 Gammy octopus hook, an 8/9 spey rod and a saltwater grade large arbor reel with a 10 plate stacked carbon fiber disc drag, I can winch a 20 pound steelhead directly in if required.

It boils down to experience more than gear every time...most people just don't have confidence in their knots/line/hook/rod to apply maximum effective pressure. I grew up fishing for 5-10 pound trout on 5X and 6X tippets and you'd be amazed how much force you can apply to a fish on 4 pound tippet and a size 22 hook.

I've spent a fair bit of time fishing and floating the rivers of the OP, and I can't say I've ever seen any dead steelhead floating in the river that were obvious C&R fatalities...not to say it doesn't happen, but I've never seen the results of it.

I've seen multiple dead steelhead that had been CnR'ed. The "worst" two I can think of were both in the upper Hoh and both had Gami's in the back of their mouth where the angler had cut the line at the mouth (the best option considering...). Personally, I don't ever remember deep hooking a native. I've certainly killed a bunch of little ones that have had their eyes, gills, tongues, and brains pierced with "big" hooks.

The claim that the average banky fly guy is landing fish quicker than gear guys in a boat is WAY off. Boats will almost always land fish quicker and with less stress to a fish than anyone on the bank, regardless of technique used to actually hook the fish. Most hot fish that head downstream generally get chased in the boat to some degree and don't have to be pulled all the way back up to where they were hooked. There are obviously exceptions, like that horrible video someone posted (and then took down) from a guide's boat a few weeks ago.

I'm not gonna tell you you're wrong. What you are saying makes sense.

I do know that what I've seen of the sled fleet on our local river resembles the video you reference above. I don't know crap about fishing from a boat in the river or landing fish that way. I only know what I see.



Go Sox,
cds

Ha. Just the visual of skipping a steelhead across the surface is pretty funny. Not that it ever occurred to me to try to do that to a steelhead.

And I really like the TV spot idea Parker. You up to it Stam?

I'm no different than Todd, except I don't target wild fish.

Team Hatchery.

Mf

Actually, many of the BC steelhead lodges will not allow gear anglers because the thought is that it is too effective and ... just some FYI [/quote]

Thanks for the info Bob.

Yeah well guess what GBL...not everyone has a pristine watershed they are privy to fish 1K Miles from the nearest major population center. I agree with you that without human interuption, nature can do amazing things.

Everyone of use that fish for natives are not doing the fish any favors. ymmv.

Moravec-
Yes, it is sad that I had to buy a lodge to get that type of Steelhead fishing every year. It is a passion, not a huge profit center as any lodge owner will tell you.
We have taken pride in keeping the prices down so it is within reach of most everyone. I welcome you to come up and experience something 99% of Steelheaders have never had. I am sure Mr. Vedder can give you a pretty good idea of what it is like and what that watershed can produce.
I wish our own agencies would spend a few months up there and see how it can be done.

Natives kill the most Natives.

the annual early spring B!TCH thread again i see.


as long as the state okays the wild season let it be. it's legal to do. quit the ranting. you know guys i'm on the game department's email list, they're always sending notices about input on upcoming regulations. instead of ranting here why not take the rant to the regulation makers.






















yes! in before the lock!

just give up steelheading. [/quote]

I did a couple of years ago. Ya I miss is, but for me it was the right thing to do. [/quote]

Seriously? I could never do it. Call me selfish. I love fishing too much. It is essential for my spirit. Same thing with music. I do what I can to give back to the resource. Where do you draw the line? I am not gonna berate you for your decision not to fish. I just cant see doing it. The fish stocks will not magically recover just because I decide to quit fishing. My advice is to get involved,join an organization,and do habitat restoration,try and make a difference. [/quote]

I didn't say I gave up fishing, I've stopped steelheading. And I said nothing about what I am doing to make a difference. I agree getting involved is more effective than pissing and moaning on the internet.

No booze in the house Brewer?

Mf

oh! there's plenty PAL!

...I didn't mean for that to sound like an attack...if it sounded as such I apologize...just wanted to say that for the average die-hard steelheader, "weekend-warrior" status means getting their fishing fix on local waters...which are in great peril. I am green with envy for those that spend a week up in No.BC or up at a paradise like GBL, but for me as with many that have engaged in this conversation, we fish the waters we love...which are those that are close to home.