100 THE OREGON SPORTSMAN 



tion of having allowed a big steelhead to seize and retain their 

 flies, which necessitated their playing and landing the creatures 

 in order to recover their property. 



Before this experience on the Rogue I entertained a modest 

 idea that I had some notion of fly casting. After fishing with 

 and watching my two companions, both masters of the -art, I have 

 concluded that I know more about pragmatism or the fourth 

 dimension. 



In order to catch a Rogue river steelhead one must first 

 locate the likely water. This is really quite important. The fish 

 do not lie in every pool, nor on every riffle. On the contrary, 

 you may walk a long, long way and may pass many otherwise 

 likely places before you find proper steelhead water. But finally, 

 when you do find a long, swift, rather choppy stretch flowing 

 over seamed bed-rock, at a depth of from four to twelve feet, 

 get ready for business. The first requisite is supplied. 



Now as to the fly. A No. 6 is perhaps the best size. There 

 are many favorites. A ' ' Grizzly King, " " Silver Doctor, " " Brown 

 and Gray Hackle," ''Queen of the Water," or "Royal Coach- 

 man"; each may prove a winner. I know of a Rogue river fish- 

 erman who, by way of experiment, took seven consecutive steel- 

 heads on as many different flies' in one afternoon. 



Use the heaviest quality of gut leader. A steelhead, once he 

 feels the sting of your hook, is as wild and reckless a fighter as 

 you can find in any water that flows. 



Now wade out. Not up to your ankles or your knees or 

 your; waist, but up to your neck if need be. Get out where the 

 big fish can be reached. Find a reef of bed-rock if you can, 

 which will afford shallower water for your footing. If you can't, 

 hang on to the bottom with your toes. The famous "Big Kelly" 

 of Rogue river says he doesn't believe in deep wading. He says 

 he can't cast after the water begins to run into his ears. He 

 refuses to go any deeper than his neck. 



Now cast. If you can whip out forty feet, then whip some 

 more. Forty won't do. Neither will fifty — nor sixty. When 

 you get out seventy feet of line, you are beginning to reach the 

 fish. At this distance your fly is quite submerged. It ought 

 to be. Your steelhead wants it from four inches to a foot below 



