0 for 5...again

[jamisonace]

When I moved back to Oregon from Wyoming 8 yrs ago I brought a fly rod along that I didn't own when I lived in Oregon for the first 19 yrs of my life. For that matter, I also brought with me a passion for fishing that I didn't have previously as well.

I took my five weight fly rod up to the Leaburg hatchery and promptly hooked five steelhead on my first day. Every one of them broke me OFF.

So now, as I look to catch my first winter steelhead, in the last two trips we have hooked five and lost every one of them.

Two broke off, One wrapped around my anchor rope, one wrapped into a submerged branch, and one wiggled off at the boat. Two of these were on friends rods but still.....I'd like to just put one in my boat.

At least we've got to play some really nice fish. The one that got into my anchor line was a jumper, and although it was on the small side it was all over the place going crazy.

Good times for sure.

 

[steelhead_slayer]

I'll do what I can to help you get one in the boat

 

[jamisonace]

I'll do what I can to help you get one in the boat

I knew I could count on you!

 

[halibuthitman]

im curious, what rod=line-reel combonation are you using, in particular, the reel and tippet or leader-?

 

[jamisonace]

im curious, what rod=line-reel combonation are you using, in particular, the reel and tippet or leader-?

This time I'm not fly fishing. Every fish hit plugs. I assume you were talking fly gear.

 

[steelhead_slayer]

plugs are a technique I have yet to use

 

[jamisonace]

Come on down Wes, we'll give it a try. I just thoroughly enjoy pulling plugs.

I used to pride myself on never losing fish but I've lost at least 50% of my salmon and steelhead over the last three months.

 

[steelhead_slayer]

It happens. I have recently lost 3 fish in 3 days. Going to try to break the streak tomorrow. Should be able to make the trip in a couple weeks

 

[billfisher]

Happens to everyone, but hey, it beats the heck out of no hookups!

 

[bran_man]

Happens to everyone, but hey, it beats the heck out of no hookups!

Yeah that's what I was going to say! Ha ha. at least you're finding/hooking into them consistently. Which is more than most of us are accomplishing right now. Yes, tagging a fish is very rewarding, but so is having any action at all. You're doing the hardest part of steelheading correctly! Now you just gotta sit and look back at those losses and think of what you could have done differently during the fight that would have made you land the fish. Then apply this to the next trip there are a ton of people out there right now (including myself) that would be thrilled to hook into 5 fish in one trip. Most don't even get to hook into one. I understand this was not the intention of your post, but just thought I would throw this perspective of it out there. And I'm not even targeting you (seriously) just for in general. Alas, this is the life of a steelheader there will be dry spells even for the best of them...

 

[jamisonace]

Bill and Bran...amen to both your posts. I couldn't agree more. The fight is the most enjoyable part and as in any fight, you win some and you lose some. I'll take 0/5 over 0/0 any day.

I did think it was an interesting coincidence that I'm starting my winter steelhead experience so similarly to my summer steelhead intro.

 

[Lamiglas]

Come on down Wes, we'll give it a try. I just thoroughly enjoy pulling plugs.

I used to pride myself on never losing fish but I've lost at least 50% of my salmon and steelhead over the last three months.

In my opinion, and in your defense, steelhead are harder to land than trout. I had 2 solid hook sets yesterday on a couple nice natives...both did alligator death rolls trying to get the hook out...one did and the other one nearly did but I landed him just in time. The time before that I lost a big one because he wrapped me around a branch.

I don't know anyone who catches 100% of the steelhead they hook.

 

[DYJ]

Jamisonace, are you running single point hooks on your plugs?

 

[jamisonace]

About half and half. When I sunk my boat earlier this year I lost all my plugs with siwash hooks. The one fish that came unbuttoned was on a plug with treble hooks and when I felt the hook points they were pretty dull.

Jamisonace, are you running single point hooks on your plugs?

 

[Mad dog]

When I moved back to Oregon from Wyoming 8 yrs ago I brought a fly rod along that I didn't own when I lived in Oregon for the first 19 yrs of my life. For that matter, I also brought with me a passion for fishing that I didn't have previously as well.

I took my five weight fly rod up to the Leaburg hatchery and promptly hooked five steelhead on my first day. Every one of them broke me OFF.

So now, as I look to catch my first winter steelhead, in the last two trips we have hooked five and lost every one of them.

Two broke off, One wrapped around my anchor rope, one wrapped into a submerged branch, and one wiggled off at the boat. Two of these were on friends rods but still.....I'd like to just put one in my boat.

At least we've got to play some really nice fish. The one that got into my anchor line was a jumper, and although it was on the small side it was all over the place going crazy.

Good times for sure.

Jamie, I run a lighter drag and smaller, sharper hooks than a lot of fishermen, rarely do I have a fish pull the hook. I feel that I can coax them to do what I want with a lighter drag. The tighter the drag and the harder you pull...the harder they pull and thrash around...gonna break the line or pull the hook! I rarely fish off of the anchor for steelhead but I do for salmon, one thing is for sure...when I hook up I'm pulling the anchor as soon as possible...it's a tradgedy waiting to happen! Plugs...I think they just have a lower take-down to landing ratio just by the bulky nature of what they are, try a bait and diver rig instead, better hook ups!

 

[jamisonace]

Terry,

I never thought about it but you're right. My experience with bait divers has been that I don't lose fish but now that I'm using plugs I'm losing more fish.

Losing the fish in the anchor was just stupidity on my part. I should've backed my boat ride up to the bank and drop the anchor on the shore but I was anxious to get to fighting the fish.

I'll definitely be switching all my plugs from trouble hooks to super sharp Siwash from now on.

Thanks for the great post. You made me think about some stuff that'll definitely help.