Jeff Hickman is back again. You know him as a go-to steelhead guide in Oregon. He is also part of the Ross and SA Professional Advisory teams, Guideline Eyegear pro staff and a Signature tier for Idylwilde.
Jeff will be returning to host a group at BC West this summer and he is already counting down the days.
Here’s the setup that Jeff prefers for removing sea lice from chrome steelhead on the Dean.
The Summary
- Ross Reach 7130-4
- Ross F1 size 5
- Scientific Anglers Skagit Extreme, 520 grains
The Detail
- 275 yards of 30lb Dacron backing, attached to the spool with an arbor knot
- Scientific Anglers Floating Monocore Shooting Line 25lb, .030″ ”I loop both ends of the running line. This is best done by doubling the end over itself and securing a 10″ loop with two nail knots of 16lb Scientific Anglers Freshwater Tippet. I loop one end to a non-slip loop knot in the backing.”
- Skagit Extreme Head, looped to the other loop in the front end of the running line
- Scientific Anglers T-12 tip, cut to 8 – 14 foot lengths, attached to the Skagit head using the factory loops
- 4″ Butt section of 25lb Scientific Anglers Freshwater Tippet attached to the leader end of the tip using an Albright knot
- 2 to 3 feet of 16lb Scientific Anglers Fluorocarbon Tippet, looped to the butt section with a non-slip mono loop
- Pink/Purple Hickman’s Sid Fishes tied on using non-slip loop knot
The Commentary
“In mid July on the Dean, having higher water conditions with a fair amount of color is common. This means that the steelhead are more comfortable and will typically travel and hold closer to the edges in fairly shallow water. It’s often not necessary to wade deep, cast far or try to dredge the bottom. The lighter setup with the 13’ 7″ weight rod is plenty to put 15+ pound steelhead on the beach, and it’s much more enjoyable to cast and fish all day than a heavier, longer rod. What is important is that you have a reel with a reliable drag system and one that can hold a lot of backing! I have been spooled on the Dean – it happens regularly. The new Ross F1 size 5 reel can hold a ton of backing and the sound it makes when it’s spinning at warp speed is one of my favorites!”
Dean river steel eat any and every fly. They eat cig butts.
I SEE YOU USE THE ROSS REACH 7130 SPEY ROD WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS SETUP FOR STEELHEAD FISHING. I CAN BUY BUY PRETTY MUCH ANY ROD I WANT BUT IM WONDERING IF SPENDING AL THAT DOUGH IS WORTH IT. I AVE ALOT OF REELS FROM ROSS AND THEY ARE GREAT. IM WONDERING IF THERE RODS ARE AS GOOD. THANKS SCOTT
Scott, the Ross Reach spey rods are without a doubt the best value rods I have ever played with. They are super light and responsive rods with a crisp fast action. The 13ft 7 weight is a great all around steelhead rod, winter or summer from CA to BC its a great choice for one steelhead weapon that can do it all.