Steelhead line question

[Kingfish]

I am setting up A 7 weight outfit for swinging flies for steelhead. I was considering a full floating line, intermediate clear tip, or a standard type 3 or 4 sink tip. Any thoughts or ideas?

Thanks for your time,

Kingfish

[Mike Stroud]

For steelhead fishing the american river, you can use a floating line for most conditions, in most flows.

[nrthcsteel]

If you plan to target steelhead you will encounter differing water conditions throughout the year. As well as different line requirements for targeting steelhead depending on water flow,time of year etc. etc. I think a good multi-tip setup would be best as it would allow you to use one line with the tip of choice to match the needs of the water. may cost a little more but you will at least be able to adapt to the conditions. Kevin

[A Matthews]

Different strokes for different folks.... I only break out sink tips for swinging flies through the occasional deep hole. I almost always go with a floating line because of versatility. I can easily change from swinging flies with split shots placed throughout the leader to using an indicator for a vertical presentation. Since the winter steelhead often stay close to the bank, the water isn't too deep. So, using sink tips often means a lot more snags. And those are a passport to losing many flies and wading into areas where you disturb the fish.

[nrthcsteel]

The floating line is fine for nymphing and your point of the fish staying close to the bank is a good one. Kingfish mentioned he wanted a setup for swinging flies thus the multitip suggestion. Theres no need to wade deep just because one has a sink tip on and with the correct tip for the water one is fishing and through proper line control (mending,swing speed and casting angle) one can control fly depth and avoid excessive snagging. Kevin