Chrome-Magnum

[4x4bassin]

Nice bows Mike , they are some real "Brutes"

[Jet]

Beauty fish Mike! Been wondering about the Steelhead you've been getting into . . . nice to finally see some pics!

[Musky or Specks]

Its nice to have a non polarizing poster in our midst. Those are some great fish Mike. 42 degrees is still warm I hated those December mornings when moving water was actually below freezing and you had to wait for the water temp to climb a degree or two for the fish to start moving.

[TJQ]

Fish!!! and Beauty Fish too!!!

[fishnsled]

A couple of beauties Mike! Nice report!

[Jds63]

Hey Mike , nice fish ... LUNKER !!!!!!

[MJL]

Those are tanks for sure Mike. Well done . Hopefully I can get some time off next week and hit the rivers again

[highdrifter]

I can't speak for Mike, but I've been running almost the same rig this year and I've only found a few that will stand up.

 

Gammy Octopus in size 6 or better, and Raven Octopus Strong also in 6 or better.

 

True. I've found that the thinner wire ravens just don't cut it, even of 5 drennan tipet.

 

The Raven octopus strong seems like a better hook but it's a thicker wire than I prefer.. I'll have to give them a try though.

 

cheers

[highdrifter]

 

Kamasan B983's in 8 & 10.

 

 

Nice. That wide gap specialist pegs em every time!

 

Let's get out soon!

[kemper]

True. I've found that the thinner wire ravens just don't cut it, even of 5 drennan tipet.

 

The Raven octopus strong seems like a better hook but it's a thicker wire than I prefer.. I'll have to give them a try though.

 

cheers

 

I'm still searching for the right hook.

 

I should have mentioned that my landing record is absolutely awful this season. I'm hooking more fish than ever before, but pulling a ton of hooks.

 

Might be simply that I'm not so worried about landing them anymore, and most fish are on full lockdown as soon as theyre hooked up?

 

What I'm trying to say is I've been on a terminal tackle search ever since I went to the XST 3 piece for bigger water. I finally found a lead that I like, that seems to stand up to the abuse I give it, but hooks are still a challenge.

[BillM]

Kemper, are you straightening hooks or just popping them? My hookup/landing ratio is pretty good.. If I get hooks into them, they rarely if ever come off.

 

Although my Loomis IMX and IM6 is nothing like that XST, lol!

Edited November 16, 2012 by BillM

[kemper]

Kemper, are you straightening hooks or just popping them? My hookup/landing ratio is pretty good.. If I get hooks into them, they rarely if ever come off.

 

Although my Loomis IMX and IM6 is nothing like that XST, lol!

 

 

I was straightening hooks, until I went to the octopus strong.

 

Problem is, they just aren't great and a lot of fish come unbuttoned after 5-10 seconds.

 

If I really try to fight the fish carefully I bank most of them, but the fight is so much better when you really put the boots to them on heavy equipment.

 

Next experiment is those Kamassans.

 

Sorry for the hijack Mike.

[kemper]

Kemper, are you straightening hooks or just popping them? My hookup/landing ratio is pretty good.. If I get hooks into them, they rarely if ever come off.

 

Although my Loomis IMX and IM6 is nothing like that XST, lol!

 

Also have a new build in the works to tone it down a touch when I'm not on the big water... stay tuned for that one.

[Skud]

Good stuff. Working only two days a week sounds pretty sweet.

[DRIFTER_016]

Good stuff. Working only two days a week sounds pretty sweet.

 

Those two days are double shifts though.

Don't know if I could handle back to back 16 hour shifts.

[chris.brock]

if there's such a thing as reincarnation, I wanna come back as Solopaddler!

[msp]

I wouldnt expect anything less Mike.

Well done

[TDunn]

Wow! Now those are steelhead!

Great report mike

 

 

TDunn

[Moosebunk]

Very solid bows Mike. Wouldn't expect anything less from ya. Ti's your season!!!

[S.M.05]

Awesome chrome and great pics.

[Paulus]

Sweet giant chromers, Mike! Thanks for sharing. Those fish naturally invite discussions about hook strength, for sure. Pulled hooks are possibly the number one cause of lost steelhead, at least in my own experience!

 

Daiichi are good but kamasans are the best IMO. I've tried other shapes than you suggest and have always had good results.

 

Of course, if you can get them on jigs, those bigger hooks are the best.

 

P.-

Edited November 19, 2012 by Paulus

[Ed Newton]

Beauty fish mike! Nice work

[ccmtcanada]

I don't remember the last time I fished for steelhead....and I even have a pin now! LOL. Still in the box it came in...

 

Gotta get out a few times this fall.

 

Awesome fish Mike! You are the king!