Carp Rod for Steelhead

by Eric Shiflett
(Cleveland, Ohio)

I wanted to try something different. When I visit family in Ohio during the cold months, there are only a few options for productive fishing. Muskie, Steelhead, and one trout river. I took my new Red Dragon carp rod out for a spin. The water was slightly high, but dirty, so my options were swing streamers, or drift bright eggs. I went with the latter for simplicity.

The first couple of hookups were heart dropping. The sheer power of these fish is amazing. Finally got the chance to land one, and disaster struck. As I was holding the line, the level line to tippet knot let loose! So, I got watch a 25-26in (approx.) steelhead swim away from my feet. That being said, the rod handled the fish quite well. I never felt under powered at any time. I had my camera with me, so I did get a few shots of the adventure.

“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten” - Benjamin Franklin

"Be sure in casting, that your fly fall first into the water, for if the line fall first, it scares or frightens the fish..." -
Col. Robert Venables 1662

As age slows my pace, I will become more like the heron.

We've all had situations where seriously chewed up flies kept catching fish after fish after fish. It is no sin to tie flies that come off the vise looking seriously chewed up.