In December I went to a local fly shoppe to purchase a fly rod. I gave the salesman the range I wanted to spend and the purpose (Steelhead fly fishing trip on the Hoh). After testing a few out I ended up purchasing a Sage DS2 890. I spent a month flailing the waters of western WA in search of those chrome beasts. After talking to my guide I went back to the fly shoppe to purchase a multi-tip fly line. I had the exact specifications I needed. The fly shoppe did not have what I was looking for and said "This brand is equivalent to what you are looking for". Not knowing enough to tell the difference of 100gr sink tips and 300gr sink tips I trusted the "Professional" behind the counter.

Enter the Guided Fly Fisihing trip(1/31/2002)... With Bob.
Here is a professional who took the time and effort to demonstrate and teach a novice like myself. I now know the difference in 100gr and 300gr heads (huge difference!). I also learned a very effective method to shoot the line out (YAAAAYYY!!! No more flailing with false casting). I learned many more things from Bob. All I can say is thanks. Bob hooked the only fish of the day and let my Uncle and I fight it until it got off (my Uncle needs to learn to run down the bank faster, the fish outran him). This was an awesome experience. For most of the day we used Bob's gear, as ours were not prepared to fish the Hoh at all. Bob, you are a great guide and even better person. Thanks for a great day on the river.

Enter the fly shoppe again...
I returned to the fly shop yesterday to voice my complaints. The gear I was sold was not capable of the method of fishing I had done on the Hoh. I spoke to the store owner and he exchanged both the rod and line for items I had requested in the first place. I now have a GL3 1178 and the RIO Dredger VersiTip. On top of exchanging the used gear back, the owner also gave me a 20% discount.

Now I feel that I have the correct gear and basic skills to find a metalhead...

Bob, without your knowledge and candor I would still be stuck with ineffective gear and many frustrations (and I know, that is good water... for gear)...

If anyone is thinking of a guided trip (Gear or Fly), I would highly recommend Bob.

Bob, I also would like to thank you for this forum. I have learned many things here and hope to learn more.

-Stephen
No longer a Rookie...But, a Migrating_Smolt

You got an excellent rod and my favorite single-handed steelhead line.

The 1178 GL3 is probally one of the best steelhead bug rods out there...even when compared to its $600 cousins!!

And the Anadramous Dredger is one Hell of a line considering you get 3 24 ft. heads. Another thing I love about that line is that the head isnt spliced directly into running line. You actually have about 6ft of heavy belly section which reduces hinging and also reduces wear on the line.

If you would like to also make that line more versatile...go into a shop and look at the 15' Rio heads. Find a type 3 and a type 6 that are around 225 grains. Most likely the 10 or 11 weight. With these in hand you not only have the 3 24' heads but will also have two 15' heads that will fish better in shallow tailouts and soft inside seams.

Good luck to you in your futute flyfishing endeavors!!

Ryan,
I did pick up a 700gr SA Deep Water Express and created a 12.5' 292gr head, a 8.5' 165gr head, a 6' 169gr head and a 3.5' 92.5gr head. I will be testing these out this weekend. The choice for the 1178 was simple, it is what Bob had along for the trip and it had no problems throwing the 300gr heads (That does not include the problems I may have had).

All I need to do now is make or find a floating head and pick up a few of those 15' VersiTip heads... I should be able to cover most all waters then...

-Stephen

ahem....could you too speak english like corkies, bobbers mono???/

Ynot,

You'd better run before they start talking about roll casts, mending, tippets, indicators (that isn't where your aunt lives), leeches and green butt skunks.

MS,

Got my first ever steelhead on a fly on a guided trip. The price is well worth it when you consider it is a class AND a fishing trip. Did you make the same mistake I did on my first fish? I got my thumb in the way of the reel handle. It's amazing how many times that little knob can whack you in thumb before you wake up and move it. Keep at it, hook up with knowledgeable folks, and you'll start catching more fish.

Andy

Great post Migrating Smolt! The only thing you neglected to mention was the name of the fly shop that did you right by getting you the equipment that you requested the first time , on the second go round. In my opinion this seems like a place that deserves repeat business even if they goofed up the first time at least they took the time to hear you out and then make it right with a good discount to boot! Wow! Good service like that deserves mention.

Dogfish,
Fortunately I did not what the thumb... Bob's rods were rigged up backwards (no offense Bob) and I am not used to reeling with the right hand. I do remember reaching to grab the handle with the left hand and noticing there was no handle...Then it clicked, palm the darn thing!

SkaGuy,
At first I did not want to post the name of the fly shoppe. I did not want to convey the wrong message. They did make things right and it really did not impact the guided trip (at least Bob was prepared ). For anyone buying new equipment, do your research prior to entering the store. Ensure the salesman knows your intended usage of the equipment. NEVER accept any substitute unless it was an option you have already researched. Always buy the highest quality you can afford (not always the most expensive). "the Morning Hatch" in Tacoma did everything possible to ensure a happy customer, in doing this I have become a loyal customer.

-Stephen

Thanks for the note and kind words Steve. I'm glad that the time we spent on the river taught you some things that'll you'll be able to put to good use down the road ... especially in respect to the three items we worked on most: casting (which you fellas caught onto quite well once we got the basic principles down); presentation (BIG mend ... feed it some line!); and choosing your water wisely (wouldn't you like to throw some gear into THAT pocket )

I'm also glad to hear the the Morning Hatch took good care of you by letting you exchange for the line you had requested to begin with. I've always heard good things about them and and happy to see them take good care of you.

Best of luck this spring and maybe we'll see you next year!