Steelhead in the Russian

[Carl Blackledge]

Yesterday adult Steelhead were caught on the Russian river. Carl

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Carl and a handful of SH veterans over there have fly-fished the Russian River for Steelhead for many decades.

It is not like the American, Feather, Klamath or Trinity Rivers.

The Russian has some "tidewater" fishing in the lower river which is like lake fishing with tides.

I highly recommend getting a good local fly fishing guide or you could waste a lot of time.

Single-hand fly rods with slow-sinking lines are commonly used over there.

You might use a smaller two-handed fly rod upriver where there are some riffles and runs.


Jeff Putnam fly-fished over there, maybe 20 years ago, and said it is a mixture of wild and hatchery Steelhead and some are caught

very near the Pacific Ocean and can be very hot fighters.

I think the timing is around Dec/Jan/Feb?


Thanks Carl