My first experience with "Greased line" or "Dry line" Steelheading.

About 40/50? years ago we had an angler come into the shop with a list from his Oregon guide.

He was headed up to the Deschutes river for Fall Steelheading for the first time.


His guide had sent him a list of what outfit he would need, rod, reel and line.


He recommended the Fenwick fiberglass 8'6" #8 line in 2 piece.

He also recommended the Pflueger Medalist 1495 1/2 fly reel.

His guide told him to get a double taper #8 floating line.

This combo held 100 yards of 20# Cortland Micron braided backing.



Were all using 9' #9 fiberglass fly rods with a set of 30 foot shooting heads in different sinkrates in Nor Cal.

I had read about "Greased Line" or "Dry Line" fishing for Atlantic Salmon and now Steelhead?



In the next 20 or so everything changed and shooting heads we only used in the tide water or lakes.


Then everyone was fishing Steelhead up rivers with full lines.

Cortland 444 SL (Long Belly) weight forward floater and a 444 SL 10' type 3 sinktips.



Integrated custom/spliced sinktips were developed by top anglers and Steelhead guides in Oregon and Washing back in the day.

Then the big fly line companies caught on.......



Then came two-handed /Spey casting..................heads again.......but mostly floating ths time.



We have Poly/Versi leaders now that are really convenient.

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