Saukit

No problems with your characterization of the problem down here in WA; I think a lack of enforcement is one of the major management problems down here.

But I do not believe "lining" is a big enough problem in WA streams to have leader length restrictions, particularly for steelhead. I habitually run a 4-5' leader in the winter and up to the length of my rod when throwing flies in gin clear water during Aug/Sept. There is a clear advantage to do so, in my opinion, when working deep or bouldery water.

I can't recall ever hooking a steelhead on the outside corner of the mouth, which is typical of lined fish. I've certainly unintentionally snagged a few, as do we all, especially at terminals, but I think steelhead are less likely to be lined because of their smaller mouths and the fact that they don't pack together in tight schools like salmon.

I think blatant 'snagging rigs' should be outlawed, like a bare hook with split shots at the eye and a foot above, or weight below the hook on a dropper.

But I believe, having leader length restrictions will simply make illegal, an effective means to fish by good anglers trying to catch fish during non-optimal periods (low/clear summer water).

Good point obsessed. The length of the leader does not determine the real intentions of an angler. Rather, an angler lining will employ a leader length based on the river's size and flow. No, you'll not see ten foot leaders on small rivers and little creeks, like Kennedy. Conversely, twelve-inch drift leaders will not hook many fall kings, in the mouth, on the Satsop.

Lining and snagging are two different fishing techniques (yes, snagging is a "technique," i.e. paddlefish or look up "Alaskan grey fly"). My belief is that lining is not accepted here in Washington, like in Alaska, because there are no huge sockeye fisheries in our rivers. But, wake up folks - chums are not that far behind. Yes, chums can be caught in the salt on herring and in the rivers with shrimp. But a good percentage are hooked "legally" by lining...Hoodsport, Chico, Kennedy, the Green, The Sky, the Stilly, etc., etc...Why do you think the same guys always slay them (in the mouth), while most struggle and snag them? The answer is because these anglers understand that the chums ARE NOT BITING, but they do open and close their mouths while they swim...

Gubby, some beads float providing a tad-bit of lift but does not interfere with the hook gap, or sometimes an oval-shaped bead is strung on. Some think the oval shape slides through the mouth better. But in most cases it's probably there for decoration...

you are right on Hoh.
the beads or corkies used are the smallest just to keep the hooks off the bottom, ie: none floating lure rules in the reg's.
even the best flyfishing people line when they are out for none biting species. now talk about threating a style of fishing with no long leaders, you will have the bug slingers all over your b#*T.

elmtree (woody)

[This message has been edited by elmtree (edited 06-20-2000).]

Can you say JIM TEENY.

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Tight Lines!!

So why is it they can't get sockeye to bite in alaska when we can do it here? Lack of patience? or accepted practice? Just sad with as many fish as they have up there.

Gubby the bead is so you can tell the game warden the fish bite the bead.


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Marty
Steelheader.net marty@steelheader.net

Lining is a form of snagging....and Snagging is snagging under any definition.