Early Season Steelhead Set-Up

Early Season Steelhead Set-Up

If you’re like me, then you’ve got a problem neglecting people in your life, but never neglecting the fish. When July hits, I start focusing my fishing efforts on steelhead here in Idaho. The numbers are low, yet you can still get one to eat a fly on the right day. I tend to find steelheaders, new or old, who are curious about what kind of early season set-up I like to fish.  Conversations of different set-ups and ideas of what to use are an everyday occurrence here in the shop.  Here is what I have learned and what I like to use for early season steelhead.

Do you have the gear for your set-up? Check out our selection of fly gear.

Early Season Steelhead Set-Up

Airflo’s Polyleader

These are a great tool to put into your bag that allows you to have awesome performing casts. They are better than a straight monofilament leader due to the diameter of the polyleader. This means that they will stick to the water allowing the rod to load with ease and transfer the perfect amount of energy into the cast.

Do you find joy in swinging a dry line in the summer chasing steelhead? Read more about it here.

Early Season Steelhead Set-Up

Rio Versileader

Rio has the Versileader which is easily as reputable as Airflo’s polyleader. The Versileader is designed to do the same exact thing and that is to allow the angler to make smooth crisp casts. Each selection of leaders have different sink rates. They can leave your fly high in the water column or get it down into the water column. Depending on the time of year, as well as how you like to fish, each one has its purpose.

So just how are the steelhead in Idaho doing? Read about the status of Idaho's steelhead run.

Earlier in the season, fishing a floating one is ideal. It will leave your fly right below the surface of the water. Why is it fun to have it right below the film? It’s fun because you can see the fish boil on the fly. It’s a very exhilarating experience that drives me to try to repeat it with every swing.

Early Season Steelhead Set-Up

After the Polyleader Comes the Leader Connection to the Fly

I prefer a decently long leader, about a rod length and a half.  I taper Ultragreen Maxima off of the polyleader. I then do roughly four feet of 20-pound, followed by one foot of 15-pound, then 3 to 4-feet of #10. I was given this recipe from a long time Clearwater River steelheader. It has been a very effective combination for me.

Looking for the right fly line for your set-up? Check out our selection here.

Steelhead season around the Idaho area lasts a long time. You have plenty of time to fish, to learn, and to figure this game out. Stay confident and be patient when fishing. The fish will come to you. If you have any more questions or just want to talk, come on into the Lewiston Fly Shop and we will talk your ear off!