Ive flyfished for the last eight years and hve been very succesful in the trout fishing. Flyfishing has become my passion, and just about everything I do has something to do with it.

Just recently I built myself an 8 weight Sage RPL+ flyrod and bought myself all the gear I needed for Steelhead Flyfishing (so I wouldnt have to borrow my Uncles anymore)

Anyways Ive been hitting the North and South Fork of the Nooksack regurlarly and havent even gotten a strike. Although I enjoy being outside and fishing on the river it has gotten somewhat frustrating (not while Im fishing, but having to always tell my family and friends "No didnt catch anything today")

Ive been fishing the way I think Im supposed to- casting across and mending upstream a few times and then swinging it across, while finishing with a few quick sttrips. Stepping down and repeating the whole process all over again. My fly occasionaly tics the bottom on most casts so I know Im getting down deep.

Is there something Im missing, or am I just paying my dues before I hook into one? Is there a different technique I should use? Any sugjestions would really be apreciated. Im from Bellingham so I will be fishing the Nooksack, Skagit, and Sauk if that makes any difference. Also the names of any good Steelhead flyfishing books would be aprreciated..

Thanks for any help-
Fun Fishin- Josh

Sounds like you are doing things right to me. Not sure when and how often you have been fishing. If all this has been this Winter and Spring, then you will want to keep it up as the natives are coming! Winter hatchery fish are nice for the bbq but they are not known as being as responsive to the fly as the nates. I don't know very much about the Nooksack winter runs but have had some success hooking into the summer fish (usually while chasing trout on my three weight). If you are looking for good reads I would strongly suggest Trey Comb's Steelhead Flyfishing (the bible in my opinion). Another good read is Bob Arnold's Steelhead Water.

Keep the faith and it will happen


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Try the site www.flyfishsteelhead.com. Local guide that really knows his stuff!!! Has lots of "how to" articles that should offer some insite to your frustrations.

[This message has been edited by thefishnfool (edited 03-06-2000).]

Sounds like you've got the presentation down, which is a big part of the battle. None of the rivers up our way have been exceptional yet, but the fish will be coming soon, so keep hammering away at it.

Previous posts are correct: focus on native fish (barbless, please) as they are more agressive to a fly, especially in cold winter water. Work your fly slowly near the bottom and consider using a short (4-5 foot) leader.
There are a couple good videos out there by Waller, and 2 good books by Trey Combs: Steelhead Fly Fishing, and Steelhead Fly Fishing and Flies. The latter is still available in paperback, cheap.
I'd focus on the Sauk and Skagit in the next two months. Good fish, some monsters, and you'll meet all the legends of fly fishing. Good luck.

Another book I would recommend Besides the two Trey Combs books

Advanced Fly Fishing for Steelhead
Deke Meyer / Paperback / Published 1992

Deke really covers some of the other methods of fly fishing besides the classic swing method.
This is the book of the month for March over on my site and I highly recommend it.

Tight lines



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Marty
www.steelheader.net
marty@steelheader.net

Flyguy- just a quick 2 cents worth (the books mentioned will be plenty to get you in the game). If you don't have time to read those books before your next couple of fishing trips, I will suggest a method that worked for me. Before I got an arthritc ankle from surgery I used to flyfish the Kalama R. & Washougal R. in SW Wash. a lot. I have missed it, but will soon be back at it with a new Cataraft.- If you are not a "purist", try a weighted "Double Egg Pattern" winter steelhead fly in flame red or pink color using a short 40" 10# tip leader with a short fast sinking tip flyline. For coldwater winter steelhead, that won't move as far, try casting straight out or even slightly upstream, with a strong quick mend, in the upper section or riffles of the drift. If the current is uniform, as opposed to graduating to stronger the futher away from you, then keep actively "roll mending" so as to keep the fly drifting straight & natural with the current ( same as with driftfishing conventionally) before you let the fly swing across the current. A strike indicator can be helpful in detecting pickups for hooksetting.- Any fly purists still reading better click off now.- For heavier or deeper current crimp on a split shot or two about 22" up from the weighted fly. It can also be helpful to put on a little Smelly Jelly Egg scent on the hook only (sinthetic- no bait ingredient). This method is sometimes refered to as driftfishing with a flyrod- however, it is still flyfishing & challenging. There are lots of other good fly patterns for this drift then swing method (check at your flyshop). Good luck.- Steve Hanson