Salmon River Steelhead - Euro Nymphing for Steelhead

Salmon River Steelhead - Euro Nymphing for Steelhead
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Check out our full EURO NYMPHING SERIES here: • How To Euro Nymph Series
How To Euro Nymph for Steelhead Volume 1: • How To Euro Nymph for ...
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My Steelhead Euro Nymphing Setup:
SMITH OPTICS Fishing Glasses: smithoptics.pxf.io/kjYn9x
Diamondback Ideal Nymph 10'10" 6wt: diamondbackflyrods.com/produc...
Rio Euro Nymph Fly Line: amzn.to/2H6XNiQ
Maxima Chameleon - Main line of leader (15-20#): amzn.to/31zyBcu
Amnesia Fl Red Sighter Material (10#-15#): amzn.to/2KANKEz
Suffix Elite Hi-Vis Yellow (10#-15#): amzn.to/31zyBcu
Rio Tippet Rings: amzn.to/2N71zfI
Rio Flouro Flex Plus Tippet: amzn.to/2YY0v5f
Orvis Net Retractor: amzn.to/3k3Sc0K
Frabill Hoop Net (19x25): amzn.to/45RZqtc
Waterproof Bag: LLBean Waterproof Switchpack
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[@pierevojzola9737]

Hi, watching this video is exactly like our winter fishing on the Tongariro River in NZ! When our steelheads start their runs the volcano peaks have snow on them and the runs start after a good heavy rain storm in the water catchment highlands. This turns the rivers into near flood situations and if the flow runs at or below 35 cubits (630 cubic inches per second) we get a chance to have some mighty big action. It’s cold and hard going amongst the boulders and the water flow pushing you down river at every chance. Cold and miserable, but what the hell, there be monsters in the river! Just hope that next week will be our last chance for this year. So far, some huge flood waters, pools changed again, and trees blown down making access challenging. But that’s fishing! Cheers mate. Harera

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

That sounds awesome!!! Good luck!

[@petemartin3612]

All I can say is just a great natural video!!

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@stinoutdoors]

Electric! Love their energy this time of year. Awesome video as usual 👍🏼

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

Yeah.. Fall Steelhead are awesome! They fight like crazy and jump like crazy! My favorite time to catch them!

[@jeffreyshafran5743]

Awesome video! Great content as always! Looking forward to more videos!!!

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

Thank you! More coming for sure! The Euro Series for Steelhead is just getting started.

[@jarettlawther5531]

That looks awesome

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

It was a good trip for sure!

[@jamesfairfield9379]

Good grief Bryan! Amazing footage. Love to see you guys having a blast!

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

Thanks, James! It really is a blast!

[@westsidewil]

I asked for the video. Thanks.

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

HAHA!! Well thank you for asking! It was what got me thinking about doing it and my buddy solidified it for me. 👊

[@KwaQ...]

Beautifully !!!

[@AdiposePhin]

Rise and grind! Looks like a memorable trip

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

Hey Larry! Day 1 was definitely a grind! Day 2 was a blast!

[@pierrerivard4884]

Another great video !

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

Thank you!

[@Triberius]

I have a Diamondback View 3wt I bought several years ago before the company was bought and moved out of NY, love the thing for fishing small creeks in the early spring.

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

That's a rod I'm not familiar with... but I love small creek fishing.

[@Triberius]

@@WhiteDogTrailCompany They've unfortunately been relegated the clearance section of the Diamondback Website.

[@adamsflyco5555]

Awesome video i gotta get the 6wt diamondback and go up there or Erie I love my 1wt for trout

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

The 6wt was my first Diamondback. now I want them all! 😂😂😂

[@guitarhiker4449]

Good video!! Some nice chromers!! Thats one of my go to sections! Were going out in a few days i want a few decent steelhead. Just got back from the oak and caught my biggest brown trout ever. Now i need a steelhead. Size doesn't really matter just getting into a few will make me happy. Good luck guys! Fish on!!🐟🎣

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

My favorite stretch too. I want one of those big browns but Oak is a short stretch of water and everything I see from it is that it is really crowded... What did you think of it?

[@vladd5291]

Thank you, this is great! More POV would be even better. Most of the fly fishing videos on the internet are all about instruction, but we really appreciate watching a fellow angler fish

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

Thanks! Most of my videos are in the "How To" realm. But it is more fun to put out an actual fishing video... They just don't usually perform as well.

[@dennisreasoner8416]

Great video. You made steelhead fishing look easy which if you have done it you know it is not easy.

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

I've put in my time over the years steelhead fishing. I've had good trips and tough trips! Day 1 was tough, Day 2 was great!

[@wildbrookies]

Wow! Whatta an action packed video! Great footage. I could actually feel your excitement when those crazy Steelies turn and take off or go airborne. Thank you for getting me even more ready to get out there and try for them! Those several Steelies you got to the net were beautiful. I love how hard and fast they fight. Your buddy and your perseverance certainly paid off. I guess moving around and finding them pays also. Thanks for the very informative and exciting video!

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

Jim, If you go out there, make sure you reach out to me first. Longtime pack members get more info! 😉👊

[@wildbrookies]

@@WhiteDogTrailCompany Awesome Bryan! Will do! Thank you! Time frame to get out there to Steelhead Country is shortly after Thanksgiving and before Christmas , weather permitting. Lake effect snows can happen at anytime out there.

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

@@wildbrookies Weather out there makes winter trips sooooo hard to plan! I've driven out 2.5 hours to fish for 2 hours and get back on the road to beat a storm and drive another 2.5 hours home just beating the lake effect bands.

[@shad3128]

NICE !!

[@robertfrancisco1193]

looks like you were having fun. what was to magic fly of the day.

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

I call it "Green Eggs & Ham". It is essentially pink chenille and chartreuse estaz. I'm planning on doing a fly tying tutorial of it soon.

[@Irideus]

Quality water and times cheers

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

Thank You!

[@gulliver180]

Love all the action great video and the fact that you make the same mistakes or blunders as I do. Could you show details of how to watch your sighter and what to do with it. I struggle with my sighter moving up and down as I am trying to keep a head of my nymph. So, it's hard at time to detect a hit.

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

Strike detection is a skill for sure... especially in tough conditions like we had on day 1. It takes time on the water to get dialed in. Most of the time I set the hook as a reflex to something that happened and I don't even remember what it was that made me set the hook lol. check out he strike detection video I did in my Euro Nymphing Series. That video goes through several situations where you can see and feel the strike. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3OXm52Ylq16qbc

[@jh9701]

Awesome video! I was there a couple of weeks ago. I'm all about euronymphing and was planning on doing so on the Salmon River but felt the river was just too big, too deep, and too fast for this technique so I went traditional indicator float fishing and just high sticked or mended when I needed distance. While you were euronymphing, did you find there were parts of the water you wanted to fish but skipped b/c it was too hard or dangerous to euronymph since it's so much about close contact fishing? I was fishing the fly fishing only section and there were so many spots I had to cast over 30 feet and didn't think euronymphing was practical. I'd love your thoughts here.

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

I tend not to skip water I want to fish. I'll find a way to make it happen! 😂😂 Indicator nymphing certainly has it's place on the Salmon River because of its size! I do find that the fish are likely to hold in certain places and in most situations I can nymph effectively by positioning myself. Big water can be tough though... you feel like the fish can be anywhere and having flexibility in your fishing style is sometimes a must on big water like that. My buddy on this trip did an equal share of euro nymphing, indicator nymphing and swinging. He got takes on all 3 methods but I think he landed all but 1 fish while euro nymphing (the brown was on an indicator). I euro nymphed 100% of the time and didn't feel handcuffed to much. I did find that if I can back cast I can launch a pretty long cast even while euro nymphing and still get a pretty good drift with my light lines and long euro rod. My first fish was probably close to a 40 foot cast. I think the upper fly zone is perfect in most places for euro.

[@jh9701]

Awesome thoughts and feedback! Really appreciate the detailed response. I'm probably gonna head back there in the next few week and will try to focus on just euronymphing. I'll tell you what though. I don't think I'll ever head there on a weekend though. The shoulder to shoulder fishing is ridiculous. @@WhiteDogTrailCompany

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

@@jh9701 Yeah.. I try to time my trips for midweek when possible.

[@SeaSlider33]

Looking at your fly box, I see some weighted flies. But not as many as I would have thought I would have seen in a euro Nymph angler's collection. Could you get into this further? I went the heavily weighted route with my flies. Am I doing something wrong?

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

No... you are not doing anything wrong. Many of my steelhead flies are older. I am starting to tie more with weight. Egg flies I have typically not used weight but I will be experimenting more and more with weighted egg flies. We caught fish on both weighted and unweighted egg flies. In my water, I am regulated to 1 fly so I have to add weight in the form of split shot off a dropper anyway. If i could use a double nymph rig I would totally be using 2 weighted flies to get the right drift. But since I have to use split shot I like the way the egg flies sit up a little bit and don't hang bottom.. if I hang bottom it is the split shot 80% of the time and I don't lose my fly... most times lol. My normal euro nymphing box is filled with heavily weighted flies! For steelhead my stoneflies and pink squirmies are tied in varying weights for different waters with many being well over 1 gram. The egg flies have been the exception for me so far.

[@jefflumley4088]

Nice work with these videos Bryan! I'm wondering if you are using barbless hooks on these unweighted flies that you are using (ex. Green Eggs N Ham) w the split shot tag setup on your Diamondback 6wt for Steelhead? I have used the Diamondback 10ft 2wt for trout fishing and the soft tip w smooth blank bend cushions head shakes and jumps very well so that fish rarely bounce off after the hook set. As you know barbless hooks are a staple w euro nymphing for trout but I'm questioning their use for Steelhead - seems like a micro-barbed hook makes more sense for Steelhead using a powerful stiffer rod like the 6wt.

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

Thanks.. I have not used barbless hooks for steelhead yet. With the bigger fish I find the barb does not harm the fish so I haven't gone barbless. I also have very good hookup percentages with barbed hooks so I don't feel the need to change it up.

[@SeaSlider33]

You should do more videos from more trips these are great

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

Thanks!

[@Snitchols]

Great video as always Bryan. Nothing wrong with changing plans on the "fly" (pun intended) on what type of video you were thinking of doing.

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

Thanks, Jason. I had a few people influence me and I'm glad they did!

[@clammerify]

Question, In the non fly fishing sections of the river Can one use double nymph rigs and/or attractor beads above the main hook/nymph? Thanks!

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

The entire river is single hook with regulations on hook gap and size and how far weight can be from the fly. No double nymphs. I have seen people peg beads above a hook

[@clammerify]

@@WhiteDogTrailCompany thank you! Looking forwarsd to the green ham n eggs tie

[@SeaSlider33]

Question When tying a weighted egg pattern like the estaz pattern you used or a glo bug. How much weight is added or what size bead would you use? I know in this case you used split shot.

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

I typically like to tie flies with varying weights for different conditions. I tie some without weight but if I'm adding weight I would start with a 3.2mm bead probably and might go up to a 4.0 mm bead. I'll wrap lead wire into some of my flies (like squirmies or stoneflies) as well.

[@SeaSlider33]

@@WhiteDogTrailCompany I took your euro nymphing mistakes video to heart and I’ve weighted a lot of my egg flies heavily. ie : 5.5 mm ,4 mm . Too much?

[@CrushingTheBarb]

Lol. I call it “The Drink” too 😂

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

Unfortunately, I fall into the drink too often these days. We each fell once on day 1.

[@kylemac6221]

Is it a great time to go? May hop on plane from Atlanta and fish for 2 days.

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

I love November for steelhead fishing. The steelhead are aggressive and the fights are crazy. The fishing is overall very good right now. But it's fishing, so ya never know... Our first day was a struggle fest...

[@Charactermatters650]

Question: Just looked at Salmon River Fly section regs - I fish a mono rig with my 6 weight euro - obviously, I have to change this - at least 20 feet of fly line and no more than 15 foot leader - besides this sucking, what fly line do you use? Will “Euro fly line” pass the test or is that no good as well - I read no comp euro fly lines in a website but did not see that in the actual NY regs? So give us a little intel on how to euro at the fly sections beyond what you have in this video - please

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

I use the Rio Euro Nymph fly line. I've never seen anything about not being able to use it there. It is considered a floating fly line. I use that line (braided core) and I build a micro loop in the fly line (I have a video on that), then 6 feet of 15# Maxima, 18" 15# red amnesia, 18" 12# Hi Vis Yellow, tippet ring and then I save up to 6 feet for my tippet length. I'll go through all of that in upcoming videos along with a ton of info on how I target steelhead in different seasons and different types of water.

[@SeaSlider33]

In the fly fishing section your 15 foot leader must be attached to a tapered fly line. Lee Wolff triangle taper lines have a very thin front section.

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

I just reviewed the regulations again and they do NOT mention a tapered fly line. This is what is says exactly "From September 1 - April 30: Floating, sinking, and sink tip fly lines are permitted." The Rio Euro Nymph line is a floating line.

[@SeaSlider33]

Sorry for the confusion. I just read 2 different DEC web pages one says 20 feet of floating, sinking, sink tip. Etc. And the other says conventional fly fishing equipment. Which can be interpreted a couple different ways. www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/37926.html It would be nice if they were consistent. Tight lines

[@paulconklin]

@@WhiteDogTrailCompany There's a lot of grey area with the regulations on the Salmon river. DEC definition of traditional fly line is a line that can cast out with no added weight. They wanted to get rid of the chuck and duck rigs used in the fly zone. A euro nymphing line would fall under that too. DEC used to check from time to time, make a angler take off any added weight and have the person try to cast the line out. On the other hand someone using a skagit short head swinging flies would be illegal if it's under 20'. Or out of the Fly zone for more grey area - Take a centerpin rig with a shot line of split shot. Your only allowed 4' from the split shot the fly or bait, which starts at the first weight. Most guys have a shot line 3'- 4' long plus tippet and a short distance from the first split shot to the float so those rigs are illegal. Are you going to get a ticket, probably not unless your doing something else to trigger a DEC to look over everything.

[@paulkuzia9236]

In the 2nd half of this video you are fishing the upper most portion of the SR fly zone, north side of the river. Are you crossing to gain access or are you walking in from the north side? Recently found your series, subscribed & looking forward to watching them all. Didn’t realize it but I have been sort of “euro nymphing” the last few years up on the SR. I guess now I’ll have to go out and spend a bunch of money on official equipment.

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

Yes. I generally cross the river when conditions are good for it. I have walked in once and it is a long trek. You have to be careful crossing though and only a few areas are good for it. It’s hard to explain where those are. One of my guides just got back from the SR and he said very few fish in the fly zones. The spawn was really early this year. Also if you’re gonna invest in euro for steelhead just go right to the Diamondback 6wt. It is worth every penny.

[@paulkuzia9236]

@@WhiteDogTrailCompany Geezzz, what took so long for a response? About 20 years ago I crossed just above your spot in this video & even at 335cfs it was still a challenge. Haven’t been up this spring yet, waiting to read about the presence of an Atlantic or 2 from the Douglaston reports. Jay Peck posted a video a few weeks ago with footage from the hatchery, lots of fish. Unfortunately it seems for the last 10 years or so all the SR steelie smolts are released directly from the hatchery so come spawn that’s where most of the adults end up. E. Glenville resident.

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

@@paulkuzia9236 I usually cross below the riffle below paradise. The last trip we crossed the tail of paradise and it was pretty easy. I don’t remember what the river was running that day though.

[@free-rangingmorgans2920]

Were you on public or DSR?

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

Both... Day 1 was DSR and was a tough day. Day 2 was upper river and was a great day! I don't typically do DSR for steelhead but my buddy already had a pass and I saw it as an opportunity to learn more stretches of water from someone who knew it well... which I did!

[@SeaSlider33]

What size tippet did you use on this trip ? I think I found the answer to my question. 8lb I believe is the answer.

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

I was using Rio Fluoroflex Strong 3X (8.8lb)

[@dennisreasoner8416]

You mention a fly in the video called green eggs and ham will you be posting the recipe to this fly? Thank you

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

I do expect to do a fly tying video for it this winter. It is super easy though. It is basically fluorescent chartreuse estaz and some pink chenille. I'm looking for the right beads now to do a weighted version.

[@The_dmill_show]

@@WhiteDogTrailCompany Do you tie in the pink starting at about the point, all the way up to the eye, then tie in the Estez leaving a bit of the pink exposed? Or a pink tail section then Estez right to the thread wrapped shank up to the eye?

[@SeaSlider33]

Great trip, Basically I just got back from my yearly Salmon River trip. November 8,9,10,11 I hooked 4 while euro nymphing , I only landed 1 buck and it put me thru the ringer. Question: was your fly weighted ?

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

The fly that caught all of my fish was not weighted. I started with a pink squirmy on day 1 that was weighted but it never got touched. I switch to the Green Eggs & Ham (basically fluorescent chartreuse estaz and hot pink chenille) which was not weighted. That fly caught all of my fish. They were both very low light days and the estaz really showed up and got munched!

[@SeaSlider33]

Thank you for the reply What hot pink chenille are you using for the tail on the ham N eggs. Thank you

[@northeastfishingadventures3700]

I had a fish with an identical scar on her belly this past February, talked to a local guide and he said it was from a bald eagle… heading up for the weekend hoping to slay them

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

Yeah... we looked back at it and the wound was not circular enough to be a lamprey. We thought it might have been a bird too. Good luck this weekend!

[@Charactermatters650]

Great fights thanks for sharing- just back from Erie tribs (Ohio/PA and Seneca Nation- NY got rain Wed night last week but no rain for Erie or Ohio) - no rain…low and clear, so tough, but we caught anyway - worked from dawn to dusk and kept moving and fishing hard - I am using a T and T 6 weight contact 2 - also 7/8 switch - love your vids - Salmon River is in the plans for future

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

The Erie Tribs taught me how to be more stealthy and where I learned I needed lighter lines and a softer rod. I struggled out there until I got that dialed in. I haven't been out that way in a long time... Hope you make it the Salmon River!

[@Charactermatters650]

@@WhiteDogTrailCompany Fished with friends who know what they are doing - one of them scored in a very shallow clear pool (where they will avoid almost any offering) with a dry dropper - caught on a tiny disco midge - later in the week I got two on a barbless purple perdigon (Cattaraugus)- but also threw a meat whistle at the end of one tough day in a deep pool (pretty much out of spite) and scored a very nice steely (Ashtabula). Erie is a yearly trip with a good friend who grew up there (we are just north of Boston) - the Salmon is actually closer for us. Been watching film of it for years now - time to go.

[@Anibal_Torres]

Salmon River, NY?

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

Yup! Great river!

[@jamesfairfield9379]

Do you ever keep fish for the table? Steelhead + lemon slices + dill + capers makes a memorable meal. :)

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

I have never kept a steelhead. Most of the sections I fish for them are catch and release only. To be honest I'm not a fan of eating fish and no one else in my family will eat any... so I never take any.

[@jamesfairfield9379]

@@WhiteDogTrailCompany While an advocate for catch and release am not adverse to those wishing to harvest responsibly - fish, fowl, or game. It’s in our nature as carnivores. :)

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

If I could fly fish up a steak, it would never go back! 😂😂😂

[@msalt19]

You guys need a bigger, deeper bucket steelhead net.

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

Yeah... my buddy's net was more of a trout net. Mine that I use to land them on my own is plenty big.

[@msalt19]

Love the videos. Tied up some euro egg patterns the other day and yesterday caught a bunch of lake Ontario run browns. Have you done a fly tying pattern for your steelhead Euro flies? If you have I'll check them out, but maybe in the future if you could do a couple that'd be great. Thanks. Cheers