Floating Line For Salmon

[willmullis]

Now that I got my flies squared away do you guys think using floating line will work for Salmon on the PM. The guy who runs the local fly shop and has been to the PM said most people don't use it but he doesn't think it will hurt anything. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

[jfink]

Floating line would work fine for running an indy rig. If you go to BBT (http://www.fishbaldwin.com) down in the corner Steve explains both chuck n duck and indy rigging how to fish it and set up. Hope that helps I try and use both just depends on what I feel like.

[willmullis]

I know I'll be starting off with the C&D most likely and see if I have any luck with that. Think the floating line will cause a problem with the C&D approach?

[Mike]

You'll need a running/shooting line for C&D. Use your floating line for indie's like jfink mentioned, or swing some big and ugly flies in front of 'em using normal fly casting. I've ditched my shooting line in favor of a floating line. Maybe less hook-ups, but a lot less foul hooked fish.

Mike

[SALMONATOR]

You can pick up a spool of Amnesia for around $5 at most bait/fly shops. You may need to add a little backing, but for C&D fishing, It will make things easier for you, and you don't need to spend a ton to switch over. Some guys even like to use heavy mono as shooting line. Good luck.

Al

[Shoeman]

Don't get me wrong, it works like a charm, but having to strip 15+ yards of line is for the birds.
Is it feasible to expect a decent amount of hook-ups on a floating line without using a float?

Most of my trout-fishing is done with subsurface flies. I seem to have no problem nymphing deep with either a heavily weighted fly, a cast quartered upstream or a small shot or 2 above the fly. I'm sure the depth is limited to the length of the leader, but wouldn't it be possible to fish 6-7' of water just by mending to keep the fly in the paydirt?

I sure would love to get rid of the mono/amnesia

[Mike]

How about a full sinking line? Glenn Blackwood just re-aired a show from last year. They were using full sink lines in the deeper runs and holes for salmon, and doing pretty good... I'd like to put one on my extra reel for this year, but I haven't decided what I need. Probably a couple of different lines to go between the Pm and the Muskegon.

Mike

[Shoeman]

Mike,

I had often thought about that, but the accelerated drift of a sinking line didn't sit right with me. Unless it's fished down-stream or "high sticked", it would not float naturally. Maybe a heavy sink tip could still be mended to reduce that drag.

I sure would love to see that show and the application of the full sink

[TSS Caddis]

I think a T-200 or any other sinking line is more suited for streamer fishing then any kind of drift fishing.

[Shoeman]

I think it would result in more "fouled" fish

[Mike]

Have you tried it Caddis? Just wondering, because I'm not going to put up the cash right now if the results are pretty much the same as C&D. However, from what I saw on Blackwoods show, and on an episode of Fly Fish TV(I think that was the one) with underwater cameras, it looked to be a good way to get a nice drift. So, is this arm chair quarterback speculation or first hand experience?

Mike

[mickey]

I agree with Shoe here. I get tired of stripping in all that line. I have a multi-tip line that I like for indy stuff. That way you can run a floater, intermediate, sinking....whatever. Cant go wrong. I think Im going to be doing more of that this fall...

[Scottie]

A floating line indy rig is a great way to fly fish for salmon. S/A's Pike taper line is the tickey, it has a very weight forward taper that can turn over a Volkswagen.
I've used sinking tips and full sinking lines, but unless your in the top 90 percentile of flycasters they're not very effective. Salmon will move out of the way when they see 8lb test, just imagine a T300 line floating down at them.
Chuckn'Duck is the easiest way to fish and you'll will hook more fish, but you don't need fly fishing equipment to do that. If you want to use fly fishing equipment then use a fly fishing method. The choice is yours...just my opnion.
Scott

[SALMONATOR]

Not quite sure I agree with that last paragraph 100% scottie. Last I checked, you didn't need fly fishing equipment to fish with a bobber (oops, sorry,strike indicator) either:p. There are several methods of set-up and presentation for salmon/steelhead fising with a fly-rod. They are not all what I'd consider true fly fishing. As far as C&D being the easiest, I don't know about that either. Some of the rigs involve a lot more than a more traditional setup, and this type of fishing can be a real pain in the ***** some tmes. Anyway, IMO the real fun in salmon fshing is not in the challenge of getting them to bite, or what rigging method you use to go about doing it. The real fun comes after the fish is hooked, and fighting a big fish on fly tackle is what keeps me coming back.

Al

[mickey]

I will defend C-n-D one more time here...:)
Anyone can snag a fish with that type of rig but to perfect getting the loop out of your line and presenting a fly in the right situation in the perfect manner is a quality that you don't see everyone doing.

[steeldrifter]

I have used most of the methods in the past....C&D,amniesia,full floating full sinking and for the last 3 years i have stuck 90% with one type. The T300 line,it is a floating line with a sink tip and if you fish from the upstream side of the fish,unlike some "anglers" that position themselves downstream you really avoid alot of the foul hooked tailed type hookups. You can actully flycast this line and enjoy what the rod was intended for this way. About the only time i dont use the t 300 is when i'm fishing a deep hole 6' or more then i will go to a running line like "amnesia" even though i dont like the stuff.

Just my choice for what it's worth

STEELDRIFTER

[TSS Caddis]

I'm sure that this will ruffle some feathers, but out of all methods( of fishing holes for salmon) I find indicator fishing to be the most guilty of lining fish. My preference would be chuck-n-duck with Mastery series running line if there is no wood around and 20lb Amnesia if there is wood.

[steeldrifter]

Caddis i mostly C&D in the holes so i'm not ruffled:D but i was wondering why you say indy fishing holes lines more fish?

dont agree or disagree i just wondered the reason thats all.

STEELDRIFTER

[Steve@BBT]

I agree with TSS Caddis on this one. I also see more lined fish with indies, but it is purely due to improper presentation. i.e. not mending properly and letting the rig swing & sweep, usually this is an accident, but I believe that many anglers have figured out this lining quality and let it swing in the "bucket" on purpose. The other way it works well to line fish is using too much weight, letting the weight drag on the bottom and then cause the same sweep in the fish. I hate to say it, but I know of a few (unnamed here) guides that I see have perfected this.

Using the indy method as described here (http://www.fishbaldwin.com/StevesExplanation/steves_explanation.cfm) (below the C&D piece) will result in very few lined or foul hooked fish, but I must say that I still use C&D most of the time for both clients and myself. Indy does however have it's place and can be more effective in certain circumstances.

Steve

[JWF]

I usually C&D, but I fished yesterday with a floating line and beadhead nymps/wolly buggers, without an indicator. It's kinda fun when you make a good cast and lay that line right where you want it. I really don't get any satisfaction out of a good C&D cast. But, C&D is my mainstay.

[TSS Caddis]

Steve, the other time I notice fouling fish with indies is upon taking the rig out of the water, by nature people tend to give it a good yank to get up and out to recast and you can guess what happens. From what you've seen, is this a common problem?

Over the last few years, the heavy weight technique has proven to be the staple for fishing redding steelhead on the Mo for some of the NASCAR boats(NASCAR meaning power drifters and driftboats covered bow to stern in every mfg. sticker imaginable).

[steeldrifter]

NASCAR boats :eek: :D :D

Never heard that term used before but after fishing the MO for the first time this year and seeing boats with more HP than a SBC i like the term..LOL

STEELDRIFTER

[globug]

the fine art of ripping is perfected with many methods. i have noticed that i accidently foul very few fish with the indy versus high sticking. i also love to see that little bobber plunge on a take.

globug