Now, I’m no CSI, but the narrow river, lust vegetation, muddy banks and green back steelhead don’t scream high desert to me. Think the spot is plenty safe.

On my 4wt, I’ve got 5WF line with 4x or 5x tapered tippet down to first fly. Fly fishing general rules include tippet=Hook size divided by 3. Example-size 12 hook should be tied to 4x tippet. Hope this helps🎣

I use 10-12’ of 1x to an egg pattern(size 6-8 hook) with 18-24” 2 or 3x to a size 8-12 bead head nymph. All this is under a bobber (a corker pegged with a toothpick) at the top of my tapered tippet. Put a couple BB weights 18-24” above the egg. Make sure you’re bouncing off the bottom. I like my 7 weight 12’6” switch rod to manipulate my lures. I’ve also had success with egg sucking leeches with a trailer as well. If Spey fishing, purple, black, blue and pink our typical colors. Good luck and please post some pictures

Found this in a steelhead’s stomach I caught a couple summers ago. Skinniest 35” steelie I ever caught! It was the only thing in it’s belly. Poor thing must have been starving. And a picture of the fish too.

Not much difference. For what it’s worth, I have a few friends who guide the deschutes. They mostly use 4wt. When euroing there myself, I am using my 3wt.

I’ll be in your area this weekend. Probably be fishing the Nehalem from beaver slide down to the rock pit. Water should be decent by then. I’ll be tossing eggs and nymphs on a 12’6” switch. Probably do a little jig fly twitching as well. Local lakes get stocked this month with bows. PM me if you want more info 🤙🏼

Oh....guess you figured out that a steelhead is just an ocean going rainbow.

I’ve been chasing steelhead with nymphs for 35 years. I’ve tried every fly at the fly shop. Spent the last 25 years using an egg pattern with a trout sized nymph trailer for a reason. The only problem I see with euro nymphing is the distance of your casts. I’ve always had a hard time getting that close without spooking them.

I tied up a few of these that seem to be working out for me this year. Size 12 with a tungsten bead. Works well when low and clear. Hope the information helps 🤙🏼

Not necessarily a local, but definitely a dude with a fishing problem. Tons of rivers to target in your region. Steelhead season is in full affect right now and all the streams have fish in them. A lot of possibilities for you, so grab a rod and start making some casts. You’re welcome to PM me for additional information. I just don’t know how you fish, I.e. spinner, bait cast, or fly. All tactics work well. Tight lines

Welcome. The Elk is mostly a drift boat game ever since the river changed. Used to be able to float the bottom section and take of at cape Blanco state park. I believe that you have to go into the ocean now. There is a little road side access, but much is private. There are definitely steelhead currently in the river and fishing has been okay using the normal tactics. Bobber/eggs, jigfly, or bead all work well. Some guys are running eggs with a bead trailer. If I were a smart man, I’d introduce myself to the Knapp family. They own the last mile of river on both the north and south. The Elk is one of the few rivers in the state that the landowners own the soil under the water. Locals are known for arguments with boaters who anchor. The Elk’s best season is for fall chinook. But gets the usual runs throughout the year. I’ve never fished the sixes, but believe it’s the same. You’re located in a great place, with many different options. I’m sure you’ll be posting pictures soon. Tight lines

IMO, I’d buy a fly rod. You can always put a spinning reel on a fly rod, but never a fly reel on a spinning rod. Good luck and tight lines🤙🏼

Merry Christmas. I’ve been hucking flies towards steelhead for about 35 years. I’ve used just about every fly known to man to try and entice them. That being said, I’ve found that I have my best success with an egg pattern (size 8) followed by a small nymph (size 12). Typically 2 small BB 18” above the egg, all under an indicator. I use a corkie pegged with a toothpick all the way up to the fly line. Hope this helps. If looking for more tips, send me a PM and I’ll send some more tips. Good luck and tight lines

I have the shimano 2500 with 8 lb p-line fluoroclear paired with a 8-15 lb 9’6” cabella’s rod that I use exclusively for twitching. That being said, I’m on year 2 with the reel. Doesn’t perform well in the rain. I typically fly fish for steelhead, but a twitched jig is deadly for all salmoniods. Most run it under a bobber, I never have. I have noticed that when I’m elevated above the river, my success goes way up. I’ve had pretty good luck with Okuma fly reels. Great reel for the price.