Steelhead are one of the most majestic and alluring fish around, their beauty, lifecycle and raw power make them an absolute god given treat. Steelhead fishing is something any American fisherman, has respect for.

Steelhead are essentially a rainbow trout, that goes out from the sea to migrate up rivers during the spawning run. This migratory behaviour gives rise to the steelhead name, hence the silver colour of the fat pre-spawn females.

In many of Californias large rivers, the steelhead run is hugely anticipated by the around 100,000 anglers that fish for them each year. Chasing these fit, fresh steelhead is a ritual and something that can only be described as a gift to anglers.

Steelhead fishing involves using fly gear, and i'll outline the techniques below. Lets look at the typical gear used to fish for these majestic beauties...