"How-To" Drift Fishing for Steelhead

[@tommcclellan1133]

Love drift fishing a lost art, and been back to it this year and getting lots of fish, great video

[@SiuslawOR]

Well done 👍 Very comprehensive yet crystal clear explanation. Thanks!

[@1stensen]

Great video Duane, I like your definition on drift fishing and side drifting vs Flossing, spot on. We use to catch plenty of fish drift fishing with short leaders, after taking a long 20plus year break from fishing the Cow and then going back a couple years ago to check out the old stomping grounds I couldn't believe all the long leaders, fishing the old school way I did get a fish, but could not understand what the deal was with the new way. Oh well! Fish on!

[@ronwall9923]

Thanks Duane for another great video!

[@tj4039]

Great video! Going to try stick leads on my drift fishing set up

[@kyleoden3015]

Awesome info, thanks

[@tylermckinney9423]

Totally agree with the pencil lead, but it seems like alot of weight on your presentations? I find I can use as little as 1/4 oz of weight and still fish effectively. Of course it changes on water condition but it looks like you have about 3/4 of an oz or more?

[@FishHuntNorthwest]

A full length stick-lead weighs about a half oz. I definately cut the lead when needed. I probably should have mentioned that water conditions height and flow/speed, dictate the amount of lead. 😉

[@rickysimmonds2681]

Stick lead is my go to as well. You can just get a better feel for river bed.

[@FishHuntNorthwest]

Completely Agree.... ;-)

[@dominikreitberger1888]

Thanks for the video. Is there a reason you prefer mono over fluro for the leader? I know most guys like to run fluro so its more or less invisible underwater. Either way I appreciate the video.

[@FishHuntNorthwest]

Dominik, mono tends to be more abrasive resistant and fluro can be brittle.. However, I will use fluro when water conditions have high visibility. When conditions are cold and clear, fluro is a great go-to. If you have a nice green to the water with 3 ft. or so of visibility, mono works great as the conditions are not gin-clear... D-

[@dominikreitberger1888]

@@FishHuntNorthwest 10-4 I hear you loud and clear. Makes a lot of sense. Ive been fishing lots of low and clear water lately so I'm doing everything I can not to spook all the chrome away. Happy Fishing and thanks for the response.

[@nicholasyebra1988]

If I blurr my eyes that Logo looks more like the buffalo wild wings emblem 😆 lol

[@FishHuntNorthwest]

That's a new one, never heard that before LoL

[@Anonymous...............]

the only thing that has changed from back in the day is sales tactics and prices.

[@ernievegajr7058]

Gear ratio recommended for casting reel drift fishing

[@FishHuntNorthwest]

Hey Ernie, it really comes down to what you do most of the time. If I am pitching spinners and spoons a fast retrieve isn't needed. 5:1.1 or 5:3.1will get it done and not retrieve too fast. For drift fishing and bobber fishing, there is no down side to a faster retrieve. It just equates to more time in the water. Some of the newer high-speed reels are 6:3.1 or 7:1.1 or faster. It comes down to how much you want to spend. ;-)

[@ThaxorSmash]

did I miss the part where you described making the stick leads? are you using solid core? do you bother putting the wire in there?

[@FishHuntNorthwest]

I didn't really go into the making of stick leads. I really don't make them anymore because Beau Mac does and the come in multiple lengths and you can hook them on your swivel from either end. It's worth the purchase because they are seldom lost. If you want to build them, get .035 stainless spinner wire shafts, 1/8" hollow core. Cut the lead to the length of the shaft, push it on and bend over the end with pliers, back on its self to secure. Weighs about .048.

[@KushMaster5]

mack's in the alpine. glows d. hooks

[@KushMaster5]

lakes... rare creeks

[@RagNSteel]

Tons of great information...rags dont work..dont ever use them😉

[@briangrendahl4635]

It isn't flossing if they are bitting its flossing if you are hooking them before they bite. I'm sick of hearing people making there own rules .I have never seen anybody using 20 inch leaders. Pencil lead is all over the bottom because people like you .(pencil lead) .I have never heard of stick lead .

[@FishHuntNorthwest]

Seem a little angry Brian and accusatory. 20" leaders and pencil lead is what we used long before the creation of so many options today. Learning to Steelhead fish at 10 and 11 years old and growing up Drift Fishing in the 70's & 80's, that was the technology, that is what we did. So yes, me and thousands of others, more than likely left our pencil lead in the river bottom when it would pull out of the surgical tubing. Stick lead has been around for about 15 years. If you are using long leaders and hook setting multiple times each drift, you are flossing... Period! If you are using a longer leader, say even 36" and set the hook when you feel the bite, you are drift fishing. No one is making up rules, calling it what it is and clarifying terms, is all it is. If it makes you mad or you feel the need to be defensive, there must be a reason. 😉 But thanks for watching..