Nice bright fresh steelhead

From the Mail Bag:

Randy, I found a book called Fly Fishing for Salmon and Steelhead of the Great Lakes, by Kenn Filkins, to be very instructive (but not quite as helpful as your web site, of course).

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By the way, congratulations with the success of your 12'6" 7 wt. Orvis. It sounds like a great rod. I went with the 11'6" 8/9 wt. Loomis, which I am loving, but (as you pointed out) it may not be the most appropriate for winter steelhead on the Salmon River. Maybe I need to get another rod . . .

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Who would have thought that less than two years ago I had never fly fished for steelhead or salmon. This year, by contrast, I've had seven great days of steelhead fishing and 13 great days of salmon fishing and my confidence (if not my skill) is growing by leaps and bounds as is my interest in the sport.

Thanks again for all of your help these past two years. I look forward to more instruction next year.

Have a great holiday season.

Mark

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Mark, I could not be happier for you! The fish gods have been smiling down upon you for sometime now. Happy Holiday's, Randy

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Hi Randy, how are you. Was wondering if you could give me some fly rod/reel equipment recommendations without me having to rob a bank to purchase stuff. Would be looking for a 9 foot, 9 weight outfit.

A place near me has some St. Croix rods with lifetime warrantees for between 150 and 200 bucks but as far as reels go, I have no clue. Would like to keep the reel under 200 bucks.

Perhaps I will see you this summer. Thanks Dave

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Hi Dave, Great rod for the bucks! Buy it!! Try an Orvis Battenkill Large Arbor 9-10 reel. Its one of the most reasonably priced L-A reels out there. I have used one for about 2-3 years, on a year round basis for steelhead, Salmon and Striped Bass. If you buy a lighter weight rod for Steelhead, then use it on that rod also. All of my 5, 6, 7 weight Steelhead rods all have 9-10 reels on them. Why buy another reel when the larger reel picks up more line, better drag, etc. Who cares if it does not balance with the rod perfectly. The fish dont seem to mind!

Hope this helps,

Randy

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Fun photo's:

(Photo's - www.yankeeangler.com)

I like this photo of an iceberg floating down thru the lower end of the river while getting a nice Steelhead photo. The fun part of landing this steelhead was hoping these ice bergs wouldn't hit your leader and break you off. It's always FUN when your fishing and 1 of these run's into you. SURPRISE!!

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(Photo's)

I had a celebrity in the drift boat today. It was Dave Claus. (Santa's brother)

Dave, Myself and Miss Steelhead are fishing you all a Safe and Happy Holiday!

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(Photo's)

Floating thru the Cow Pasture in the drift boat during a dark, overcast, fresh snow, Winters day on the Salmon River Pulaski NY. (Looks pretty cold and miserable to me, care to join me? Didn't think soooooooo..............)

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(Photo's)

My niece Kate says, the fishieeeeees are thiiiiiiiiiiis BIG on the Salmon River NY!

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(Photo's)

Jen decided to spend some quality time with her boyfriend while he fished here for steelhead during the Winter. (yukyuk)

A funny reaction to when the heater runs out of propane in the middle of the day, in the middle of the Winter on the drift boat.

She was hanging around for the day while her boyfriend fished for Steelhead. (We hit our fair share) In return, she was promised a day of shopping in Montreal.

Done