With pre-spawn, spawning, and post-spawn steelhead crowding spring time creeks and rivers, now is the best time to attempt one of fishing's top feats.  This feat would be to land the world's feistiest rainbow with a fly fishing rod.

1. THE CAST The amount of weight on your fishing line makes a traditional fly cast nearly impossible, so try not to focus too much on technique.  Facing perpendicular to the current, judge the distance of your intended cast and pull the required amount of line off the reel.  Lift the fly rod tip above and behind your head and lob your weighted rig up and across the stream when fishing for steelhead.

2. THE DRIFT When fishing for steelhead keep your rod tip high and as much of the fly line as possible off the water as you dead drift the fly through a promising run or pool.  This will keep the drift looking natural.  Your weight should be lightly tapping the bottom.  If you can’t feel any bottom contact, add additional weight in increments.  However, if you're constantly getting hung up and snagged on debris, start remove weights.

3. THE STRIKE You might feel a fish grab your fly, but more than likely, you'll simply notice that your fly stops drifting.  Lift the rod tip lightly as you may be hung up.  On the other hand, you may sense the mushy weight or subtle wiggling of a steelhead.  Set the hook with a quick sideways jab.  When in doubt always set the hook, it’s better to be wrong than to miss a fish.

4. THE FIGHT Don't touch that reel handle! First, always let your fish run if it wants to so you steelhead will tire resulting in an easier catch.  After the steelhead has calmed down, engage your fly fishing reel and apply heavy pressure only when your fish allows it.  When fighting with a fish keep the rod low, bending it deeply to the side.  If you can't stop a fish from running downstream when fishing for steelhead, carefully follow along the bank until you can turn him to avoid losing the fish and be sure to have a large fishing net handy.

THE RIG

Use a No. 7 split shot and leave about 3 to 4 feet of leader between your swivel and the fly.

THE FLY

Nymph: A size 10 or 12 black stonefly is standard, but Hare's Ears and others work.

Egg Pattern: Go with a Glo Ball or Estaz Egg.  Other local egg patterns will work as well.

Streamer: Use size 8 to 10 Woolly Buggers or Egg Sucking Leeches.

The Outfit

Here is the gear you will need when you’re fishing for steelhead:

The Rod: A long fly rod like the Fenwick Eagle GT Fly Rod 9 foot Weight 6 improves line control which allows you to make drag-free drifts through a run.  It also offers excellent sensitivity for detecting strikes.

The Line: Choose a thin-diameter running or shooting line with no taper.  Another good option is to use an old 3- or 4-weight, but spool it backward so there is no taper.

The Reel: Because steelheads are such strong and hard-fighting fish, a smooth drag is key like the one on the Okuma Helios 78 Fly Reel.  The reel should also allow you to retrieve the line quickly.

Do you have any fishing tips and techniques that you would like to share with other anglers? Please leave a comment below on the outdoor news section and find all your fishing sporting goods at PoorFish Outdoors.