Yeti

peacock and starling. The starling feathers were harvested from an intruder that broke into my house.

I live and fish in western oregon.

A hog of a steelhead I got to land for my friend last sunday. It was just shy of 19 lbs!

I've used rio's skagit max short and the commando heads. The both take some getting used to because of the amount of weight and short length. I currently use the Rio head with the OPST Lazar line on my 11' TFO deer creek 7wt switch. I really like the Lazar line for a running line. It really launches. I would recommend getting a heavier lb test like 35-40 because its easier to grip. I have also put that skagit head onto my 10' 8 wt redington CPX. its pretty fun to cast but it definitely wears out the wrist muscles. I guess if you are looking for a compact setup a single hand skagit is the way to go. I just like having that switch/spey handle to manipulate the rod.

I like that one! I think it could do well for many species. Steelhead as a more drab natural comeback fly to change to when you get those short strikes.

Yeah, and for comparison, I'm 6'4"! We also got some halibut on that trip that were 6.5 ft long. absolute barn doors!

yeah Joe, its a long-nose skate. And, yes, that is what you think is coming out of it. Except, not for that reason. I might have put the gaff through it and caused a leak.

This is me working as a fisheries observer on commercial boats in Alaska.

A summer steelhead pattern I fiddled with, and a tan antron caddis pupa. clear cure goo over the body and a realistic caddis bead head.

I dont really know much about ohio steelhead, but if you are flying somewhere to target them I would go Northwest. There are a lot of rivers in Oregon and Washington that have summer runs. The rogue river has a really fun "half-pounder" run in september-ish. google it. I can't imagine the scenery is any better than the northwest. I know its a difficult river to learn, but if you are looking for a guide, get one for the North Umpqua and fish some of the most fabled and legendary steelhead water in the world.

my guess would be emu.

Funny you mentioned spinning it. I tried that on a dubbing loop for a small sculpin pattern the other day. I liked it. think i'll keep it.

It could be a piece of Robin Williams' knuckle hair.

I found some American Buffalo as I was going through some things. Worth keeping? Any ideas?

same here.

I use the OPST lazar line in 30 or 35lb on my 7wt switch rod. I use larger lb test for a larger line diameter to grasp. It takes some getting used to for how you hold it during casting (slipping through your fingers) and managing line for setting up skagit casts. Overall, I like it. After a lot of casting it can get some twist in it. Every once in a while, I will attach a nice ball bearing swivel to the end of the line and attach that to a stationary object (tree or my truck hitch) and pull off about half the line and pull it tight to solve that.

A little combination of a San Juan worm with a lowly glowly egg fly I thought of for the upcoming winter steelhead season. Hopefully it works out. If it catches a fish, I may call it the fertile myrtle. That's my rule, it has to catch fish in order to earn a name.

I've had that phone for nearly 2 yrs now and I love it. It has survived boat work in alaska, winter steelheading storms, and even a full wash cycle when I left it in my pants. It just came out really clean and works fine! Its the perfect phone for a fisherman!

durability is probably the most significant factor. More layers will likely last longer against wear, friction points in folds, and common places that would rub against rocks (ankles and knees).

I got this nice rainbow on a yellow stimulator I tied last week. If it doesn't look all that big, it's because I'm 6' 4".

I've had the 4wt 8.5 ft. for a few years now. i really like it. I've landed a couple of larger trout on it (18-20 inch). lots of fun! I use it primarily for dry fly fishing. The tip is real soft which can cause some issues with hook sets of nymphing set ups. I have a 4 wt line on it (wolf I think) and its a little light. I notice that it struggles with short casts until I work out enough of the front taper to load the rod. I feel like a better line like rio gold would load the rod a little better. I have a ross fly rise reel on it.

Thanks for the line weights Crackaig. I think I will just make it down to the local fly shop and have them pull out a new line and compare. I'm going to be putting it on my new 3wt switch rod and I didn't want to overload it. But, like you said, I am just going to have to get out and cast it.

So, I have a rio gold line that I can't remember whether it is a 5wt or a 6wt. I have heard that the best way to tell is by weighing it. Does anyone know if fly line grain weights are the same as ammunition or reloading grain weights? Or any tips on determining the line weight another way since I don't have a sensitive scale?

WOW!

This is one of my favorite march brown soft hackle patterns. It has been very successful over the years and it's a very simple tie. The other is a little caddis pattern. The hackle is natural grey rabbit spun in a dubbing loop. I call it the "middle aged caddis" for the touch of grey.