Floatin Hells Canyon in a week. Need.. bigger. rod....

[basinbeater]

So I am headin up for a four day float down the Snake on the ID/OR border next week. I will be takin up my regular trout getup, but am beginning to hear that I need a steelhead setup for catchin the big lunkers. Anybody have any ideas on where to get one for a long weekend? I am in SLC.
If anyone in SLC or Boise (leaving from Boise Thursday Morning early) has a setup I could borrow, I would be happy to pay fair rent rate, and anything that I break I would replace.
Also, any tips for fishing on that stretch of river are welcome. I have never been up there before but am stoked for catchin some big'uns.
Thanks!

[G. Gordon Liddy]

are you looking for fly fishing gear? Or are you a gear chucker? I'm in Hailey, and could loan you some fly gear, but it's kind of out of your way. If you have a 6 wt, you could probably use it, but I'd suggest a 7 or 8 if possible. i could even loan you my spey gear, but you'd probably stab your eye out with a fly going the speed of sound.

[basinbeater]

haha, yeah Hailey is a bit out of the way, thanks though, I am lookin for like an 8 wt. I prefer tossin flies, but have never fished for something that big before. Should be exciting. What is spey gear?

[adipose]

I've done that float in September; great trip. You'd do better and have more success focusing on the smallies (one behind every rock) and shooting chukkars. Take a saltwater level wind set-up (50# test) and when in camp chuck a hunk of meat into the bay and wait for a sturgeon to come by.

[Lumpy]

Get a 8-10 foot spinning rod, 10 lb test (braided non-stretch "spider wire" works well) , a couple of Thill (Frog hair works too) slip bobbers and some marabou jigs (www.firstcastjigs.com). You'll have much better success for steelhead if you are a novice at fishing them. Work the slots and seams around and behind boulders. Don't mess with a Spey setup if you are just learning to fish steelhead on the river, unless you have someone to show you how to do it. Have fun...but honestly, the spinning rod is the way to go.

[schwerty]

If you're concentrating your time on floating and not stopping on runs, holes, etc.., for steelhead specific fishing, you are most likely fine with your trout rig. Although, an 8wt wouldn't be a bad idea for huckin' big junk for whatever is eating, (Smallies, Steelhead, trout). My point is that I wouldn't expect to hammer the steelhead, especially any larger fish, if you're cruising by. I'm not a Steelhead pro but spent plenty of days hunting steelies and its always been a get outta the boat and cast a couple hundred times in every possible spot....and then maybe hook into a few fish a day.

My .02 anyways....

[G. Gordon Liddy]

Spey fishing is using a 14th two handed fly rod. It's basically a fancy roll casthttp://www.albagamefishing.com/packages/img/NedSalmonFishingTay.jpg
It's unbelievably addicting, but you had better have a good teacher or it's going to be a long day.

[basinbeater]

I am taking my regular trout gear, and I borrowed a 10 wt fly setup from my buddy here in SLC. I need to open it up and check it out to see what I really have. We are only going to try to float 7 miles a day or so, so I think we are going to stop frequently to fish and perform 12 oz curls.

[mc_roon]

i once hooked a steelhead(or at least thats what i thought it was) on the snake river with a 6wt fly rod. I remember seeing my indicator disappear, then ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. :D

have fun!

[schwerty]

Take lots of flashy, ugly, nasty shit in all sizes.

[G. Gordon Liddy]

Take lots of flashy, ugly, nasty shit in all sizes.

Ditto: This is all I use in those parts - Chartreuse Dredger:
http://www.riverbum.com/images/products/big/Dredger-Lead-Eye-Chartreuse-Black-Side.jpg

[basinbeater]

Sweet, I'm stoked, we got some ugly buggers to put on the line, and I picked up a spin setup yesterday, a 7 ft two piece ugly stick and shimano reel, and I am ready to go. Now if only the work day will end so I can grab the mutt and hit the road. Thanks for the pointers. We'll see if I can catch any good lookin fish!

[Lumpy]

Spin fishing= bobber and jig= deadly. Bring some spinners and spoons in sliver, gold, green, blue. The spinners work great for quick shoot and retrieve as you are floating by. The spoos you can swing just like a fly. Work them by swinging, jig, pause, retrieve...keep changing it up. IF you know a fish is sitting in a run and you can work the gear past him several times, switch up the gear on the second and third try. Steelhead this time of year means fishing them early, early, early. Usually after the sun hits the water chances go way down!

L