The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

What type of leader do I have to tie for steelehead on the Trinity river? I am going to fish it on the 29th of this month and need to know what length most people use and if they are tapered or just a straight piece of mono. Tippet strength, and some fly suggestions would also be helpful.

What I usually use is a poly leader with Maxima 6 or 8 lb monofilament as tippet. How long depends on what kind of fishing I am doing and where. I change it up depending on conditions and whether or not I am indicator fishing or how lazy I am feeling that day.

Favorite flies are golden stones, burlaps, egg sucking leeches, and a variety of other nymphs. I caught my biggest fish on the Trinity by looking at the bottom of the river and tying on a large fly that matched the insects I saw there. Don't be afraid to try something new or different than everybody else.

Hope that helps!

Dawn

I normally use a 9'-12' tapered leader because I like the way they cast although 8 lb. vanish flourocarbon is much cheaper in the end and I have used that as well. Generally I adjust my indicator to the depth of the river and normally use 1-2 size AB splitshot depending on water velocity. Favorite flies are golden stons, olive fox's pupas, hogans S&M, october caddis, burlap, herneator's,blue copper johns, and princes. My top fly is usually tied to 3X and my dropper 4X. GOOD LUCK!
PS I might be fishing that morning....
~Blaine