FLYFISHINGPASteelheadAZequipment

Steelhead season here in Pennsylvania and New York is becoming more and more popular each year, especially with a fly rod. If you�re properly prepared flyfishing for Lake Erie Steelhead can be fun, exciting and above all...Easy.

This series called Steelheading A-Z will go through a variety of subjects to improve your steelheading enjoyment and success.

This first article will deal with the basic equipment to get you started.

Rod

Choosing the correct fly rod is imperative for this type of fishing. Not only are you going to be catching large fish that have a reputation for being great fighters, but your going to be doing it by casting lots of lead. You will need a rod that will allow you to do both.

The most popular steelhead rod would have to be a nine foot seven weight. I would suggest purchasing at least a 6-weight rod that is no less than 9 foot long. Anything less than that is simply not enough rod. The upper limit is probably a 9 weight, although some consider that extreme and would suggest no more than an 8 weight.

My personal rod is a 9 1/2 foot 7 weight Sage Rpl+. I find this rod well suited for this type of fishing.

Reel

Choosing the correct reel is a matter of personal preference. Some things to consider are as follows:

-Look for a reel with a good adjustable drag system. A good drag system is almost mandatory for this type of fishing, as these fish really like to run. Make sure it�s easily adjustable with smooth startup.
-Look for a reel that will hold at least 100 yards of backing. I find that I rarely have a fish take me into the backing, especially in the streams, but when they do it�s good to have enough backing on the reel. 100 yards is plenty.
-Choose a lightweight reel. You will thank yourself after a long day of fishing.

I won�t even begin to suggest a make or model of reel. There are many different reels out there that meet the above qualifications in many different price ranges. I personally use Tioga reels because they are reliable and inexpensive.

Line

Selecting a line is probably the easiest choice you will make. Any floating line will suffice considering the majority of fishing is simple nymph fishing with lots of lead. Also, because you will be mainly using a roll cast, I suggest a DT line.

I suggest not spending an arm and a leg on a fly line. A cheaper line will perform as well as an expensive line and will allow you to spend the money you save elsewhere. I personally like the Cortland Fairplay line or the Rio Mainstream lines. They are inexpensive lines that hold up well.

Leader

A good steelhead leader will be at least 9 foot in length and will be fairly stiff throughout the length of the leader. Because you are normally fishing with lots of lead, your leader should be especially stiff in the butt section.

I suggest selecting a good hard 20# test mono such as Maxima or Hard Mason for your butt section. After that, use your favorite brand of leader material to finish up the leader. Don�t go overboard with your formulas, stick with as few diameters as possible to reach your desired tippet strength, the fewer knots you have in your leader the better.

There is a lot of controversy about the effectiveness of fluorocarbon leader material, and if it is really worth the extra cost. I do believe it has advantages, especially when water conditions are low and clear. I am not sure if it is because I believe it works, or if it really does work, but I tend to have increased success by using it in clear water conditions. My suggestion is to have a few spools just for these conditions and use your regular mono for all other conditions.

That is really all the basic equipment you will need to be a successful steelheader. Next, we will look into clothing that will help you stay warm and dry during the typical cold and wet season.

Stay Tuned