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Steelhead Fishing


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Steelhead Fishing    PAC 180        Michael Gorman, Instructor    

Steelhead Fishing    PAC 180
(1 credit  hour.  Prerequisite: none)         
Michael Gorman, Instructor
phone: (541) 737-3222 message    email: gorman_flyfishing@hotmail.com     Inquire in OSU PAC office, Langton Hall 123
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his course is intended to acquaint the student with the basic skills of steelhead fishing ---- rods, reels, lines, lures, baits, flies, and an array of angling techniques.  There will be a general overview of the steelheads life cycle and behavioral habits that are of interest to the angler.   IIn addition to demonstrations and discussions, there will be PowerPoint presentations and video excerpts that will serve as learning aids in this course.  There will be many in-class small group activities that involve internet research utilizing smart phones or laptops.

 Upon successful completion of STEELHEAD FISHING the student will be able to:
*Conduct a thoughtful and pertinent internet search of fly fishing topics which contribute to making the student a knowledgeable and resourceful angler.
*Intelligently discuss the life cycle of a steelhead.
*Know the components and differences among spinning, casting and fly fishing rods/reels/lines, and demonstrate basic knowledge of how to effectively use each type.
*Tie three basic fishing knots: double surgeon, clinch and egg loop.
*Identify the basic components of a fishing rod and know, generally, how the rod is constructed from these..
*Discern the basic differences among these fishing techniques --- jigs, bait, spinners, spoons, plugs, bobbers, and flies.
*Select appropriate fly rod/reel/line/leader/fly combinations for a given steelhead fishing situation.
*Name five streams or lakes in Oregon of steelhead fishing importance, their exact location, and appropriate time of year to fish these with a reasonable chance of success.                 

 WEEK 1  What is a steelhead?  Winter vs. Summer-run.  Fishing locations and sources, Oregon map.  Students to locate Oregon fishing map on Blackboard.  Power Point presentation: Steelhead Fishing Oregon. Discuss Scout and Google Maps apps on smart phones.  Prior to next class students should read and consider printing out  the Steelhead course overview and syllabus available on Blackboard.  And do the same for "Water Safety Guidelines".
Review course outline & grading. Announcement: A fishing video competition for those students interested.   Details on blackboard: "Fishing Video Competition"
Using smart phones, or assisting a student who has one, students will research these terms: Pacific salmon species, redd vs. nest, alevin, smolt vs. resident juvenile steelhead, catadromous.  A single summary of group findings, including group member names, will be sent via email to the instructor before class ends.  Prior to next class students should read and consider printing out "Useful Fishing Knots" available on Blackboard.

 WEEK 2  Demonstrate & discuss a typical steelhead leader and hook set up to fish a corkie, bait, and yarn, and combinations of these.
Small group activity:
Using smart phones, or assisting a student who has one, students will research spinning rod & reel vs bait casting rod & levelwind fishing reel, naming two pros and two cons of each these two set ups.  Locate one useful YouTube video for learning to cast both the spinning rod and casting rod set ups.  A single summary of group findings, including group member names, will be sent via email to the instructor before class ends. 
Knot tying.  Small group activity: each student will practice tying Clinch Knot, Egg Loop, and Surgeon Knot, to assemble an effective steelhead leader set up. lending assitiance to each other as necessary.  Students will search YouTube for assistance in tying the Egg loop knot.  Prior to next class students should read and consider printing out "Steelhead Fly Fishing Equipment" and "Steelhead Fly Fishing" study sheets available on Blackboard.

 WEEK 3   Fly fishing for steelhead.  Power Point presentation & discussion of fly fishing equipment, flies, and techniques effectively used for steelhead.  If time allows: Video excerpt: "Catching More Steelhead", a systematic, strategic approach.
Small group activity: Using smart phones, or assisting a student who has one, students will research one useful YouTube video for learning to cast a fly rod.  A single internet link of group findings, including group member names, will be sent via email to the instructor before class ends.   Prior to next class students should read and consider printing out "Drift Fishing" study sheet available on Blackboard.
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teelheading lures and techniques for fishing them: bait, spoons, spinners, corkies, and jigs, and diving plugs.  Video excerpt: Drift Fishing with Nick Amato and Bill Herzog.  Prior to next class students should read and consider printing out  the "Water Safety Guidelines" study sheet available on Blackboard.

 WEEK 4  Water safety overview and trip planning.  Discussion of waders and polarized glasses.  Small group activity: Listing of preparation steps, necessary skills, equipment & lures, and thoughtful strategies for catching a steelhead.  Include those things that might go wrong and how to sensible prevent them. Each group will present their ideas to the class. 
Small group activity: Using the students' choices of research. list: 1.  four items an angler can wear of have with them that contribute to safety while fishing  2. three possible injuries or health-threatening conditions in a fishing environment. 3. What is hypothermia?  4. Name three symptoms that indicate an angler may have hypothermia.  5. List three measures that can be taken to prevent hypothermia.  6. Name three things you can do to help someone with hypothermia while waiting for medical assistance.  A single summary of group findings, including group member names, will be sent via email to the instructor before class ends. 
Prior to next class students should read and consider printing out  the "Oregon Fishing Regulations" study sheet available on Blackboard.  If possible, each student should bring THREE 2014 Oregon Fishing Regulations available at Fred Meyer, Bi-Mart, Big 5, or any other retailer selling fishing licenses, or any ODFW field office.
Prior to next class students should read and consider printing out  the "Fly Tying Overview" and  "Caballero" fly tying sheets available on Blackboard.
Thursday, January 30: Winners of video competition will be announced.

 WEEK 5  Oregon fishing regulations.  Small group activity: Students will research the questions posed on the "Oregon fishing Regulations" study sheet.  Then, the group findings will be shared with the class. 
Discussion of what licenses and tags are necessary to fish legally for steelhead in Oregon.

Thursday, Feb. 6
: GRADING QUIZ.  Steelhead fly tying demonstration.
Fly ting demonstration: The Caballero steelhead fly. 

WEEK 6  Class fly tying: the Caballero steelhead fly.

Thursday, February 13: OPEN-NOTE MID TERM EXAM All students will prepare two questions for guest speaker David Noakes, OHRC director.


WEEK 7
  Guest speaker: David Noakes, Director of the Oregon hatchery Research Center
Effectively fishing jigs.  Small group activity: Research to find an effective YouTube video on how to fish jigs for steelhead.  If time allows, an excerpt of "Jig fishing with Nick Amato and Rob Crandall"

All students will prepare two questions for guest speaker OSP trooper concerning Oregon fishing regulations and laws.

WEEK 8   Guest speaker:  Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Enforcement Division
Students will tie a lead-head jig.
All students will prepare two questions for guest speaker fisheries biologist.

WEEK 9
  Tuesday, March 4: CLASS PROJECTS DEADLINE.   
Guest speaker: local ODFW biologist.. Prior to next class students should read and consider printing out  the "Midwest Steelhead Fishing" study guide available on Blackboard.
Midwest-style Steelhead Fishing methods: video excerpts.  Prior to next class students should read and consider printing out  the "Outdoor Photography Tips" study guide available on Blackboard.

WEEK 10  Power Point presentation: Fishing photography tips. Small group activity:  Using smart phones, develop some creative ways for photographing a fish --- 1. with angler    2. with rod & reel     3. with angler and rod & reel   Students will email instructor with photo attachments for the entire class to view. 
Thursday, March 13, OPEN NOTE/OPEN BOOK FINAL EXAM.

GRADING STEELHEAD FISHING, PAC 180
Instructor: Michael Gorman         
gorman_flyfishing@hotmail.com                                                                                                                      
541-737-3222  Phone message

1.  Grading: the final grade, scored on a point basis.  230-250 points, A;    225-229 points, A-;      221-224, B+;    205-220, B;     200-204, B-;     196-199, C+;     180-195, C;     175-179, C-;     171-174, D+;     155-170, D;     150-154, D-,     149 points or less, F.
The point total is determined by the sum associated with the following criteria:
*Participation: 80 points.  After the first week of the term, 4 points are subtracted from a starting total of 80 for each absence from participation in class.
*Grading quiz, week 5, Tuesday of Week 5: 20 points.
*Timed open note/open book demonstration of knowledge (mid term exam), Thursday of Week 6: 40 points.
*Summary of fly fishing outing taken during the current term, due beginning of class, Thursday, Tuesday of Week 9 and line may be checked out to the student from Langton 127 by the instructor only.)
*Extra credit: Satisfactory completion of one of the projects listed in #3 below, due beginning of class, Tuesday of Week 9 10 points.
*End-of-term open note/open book demonstration of knowledge, week 10, Thursday of Week 10: 70 points.
Maximum point total: 250.

Students must have an ONID account in order to access their grade at the campus Blackboard site. To get an ONID account, go to http://www.onid.orst.edu   Once the student has logged into Blackboard, access this class. If you cannot access the course,
you are not correctly registered for this class. Again, you must have an ONID account in order to access your final grade.

2. Submit a type-written summary of a steelhead fishing outing taken during the current term: 150 – 200 words, not including the headings. Hard copies only, no emailed projects.  Deadline: beginning of class, Tuesday of Week 9.
Task #1:
Copy/write out the first five heading items below on your paper (not just the numbers "1", "2". etc.) . Under each heading, write your response for that heading. (5 points)
1)
Date and stream or river fished, and its general geographical location (5 points). (Pretend your instructor does not know geography except for Corvallis.
Example: On Saturday, Sept. 31, I fished Steelhead Creek. From Corvallis, travel south on Hwy 99 for 26 miles to Harrisburg. Turn west (right) onto to Hwy 66. In 13 miles arrive at Steelhead Creek Park. Fished immediately below the bridge.)
2)
Equipment used, including brand names (rod, reel, line strength) and lures, bait, or flies used. (5 points);
3)
Description of the fishing (not casting) techniques/presentations of the lures used. Describe/explain how you presented the lure to the fish (5 points); These are not a total description of the techniques:. "I used the drift fishing technique" or "I used the dead drift nymphing technique".  Mention the direction of the cast, where the lure is in the water column, how you affected (or not) the drift of the lure or bait, and any adjustments you made in an attempt to draw a strike from a fish.
If you used the "natural drift" or "drift fishing" methods to present your lure, you must describe/explain what the "natural drift" or "drift fishing" method is.
4) Get any strikes? Catch any fish?
5)
Significant fishing “lessons” learned (5 points).
6)
Place a photo of yourself at the river during your fishing day on the bottom portion of your paper. (5 points)
7)
Use spelling and grammar checks on your summary, AND write at the bottom of the page: "I have used grammar and spell check when writing this report", followed by your hand-written signature. (5 points).
8)
Papers should include PAC course number and class meeting days and time (4 points), and papers should not exceed more than one side of a page of 12-point typed text (5 points). Due at the beginning of class Tuesday of Week 9.
9) On the back of your paper, or on an attached second sheet, place a photocopy of your fishing license. (5 points)

Only typed summaries submitted at the beginning of class will be accepted.  Late submissions  for ANY reason will receive no (zero) credit.
(To fish public waters in Oregon, the student must have a current, valid Oregon fishing license issued at most retail stores that sell sporting goods.  A one-day license is about $16 for residents and nonresidents alike.  Licenses of longer duration may be obtained at great reductions in per day cost. Also, the student is responsible for acquiring terminal gear, such as leaders and flies for their fishing outing.  At no cost, a rod, reel, and line may be checked out to the student from Langton 127 by the instructor only.)

 3For extra credit, select, complete, and submit one of the following on or before the beginning of your regular class meeting, Tuesday of Week 9: Maximum 10 points.

A. Read 3 chapters of Steelhead Fly Angling, written by Michael Gorman..
1. For each of the three chapters, write the chapter title.
2. Under each chapter title write a two sentence summary of the chapter.
3. Under each chapter title write a two sentence comment about its understandability, level of interest for the reader, and anything found to be humorous.
4.
To receive credit for this project, at the conclusion of this paper write "I have read these three chapters in their entirety.", and, then, place your signature under this statement.

B. A display of 12 different (altering the size or colors is NOT "different") fly patterns, or spinners (which can vary just in color or size to qualify as "different"), tied by the student during the current term.  These will be mounted, labeled (in type, not hand-written), and neatly displayed.  Typed labeling accounts for 5 points of the total.  Display method is the choice of the student.  A reminder: the difference between student-tied flies and commercially-tied flies is often extremely obvious.
To receive credit for this project, at the conclusion of this paper write "I have personally tied these jigs (or flies) during the current quarter.", and, then, place your signature under this statement.

 Links of interest:
"Know Your Quarry --- The Steelhead Life Cycle"
"Locating Productive Steelhead Water and How to Fish It with a Fly"


Late submissions, for any reason, will not be accepted for credit
All summaries and projects are due no later than the beginning of class Tuesday of Week 9.
Note: Students absent from class, for any reason, are responsible for securing notes from another student in class.
If there should be an obvious typing error or conflict of dates concerning deadline dates, or dates concerning the quiz, mid term exam, or final exam, the student will not be excused for missing the deadline.  Announcements will be made in class lectures as deadlines or testing dates approach.  These announcements will supersede any typo errors.  Students are responsible for knowing this.

A few recommended books and authors:                                                           A few recommended video titles:
Steelhead Trout by T. Combs                                                                                Fly Fishing for Pacific Steelhead, 3M
Fishing in Oregon by Casali and Dinesse                                                               Catching More Steeelhead, 3M
Steelhead Fly Fishing by T. Combs                                                                       Advanced Strategies for Trout, 3M
Jig Fishing for Steelhead by J. Bradbury                                                                Fly Fishing for Trophy Steelhead, 3M
Drift Fishing for Steelehead  by Ed Luch                                                                 Essence of Fly Casting, Kreiger
Steelhead Fly Fishing and Flies by T. Combs                                                        Advanced Fly Fishing for Pacific Steelhead, 3M

Please note:
Oregon State University provides clear definition and sanctions for academic dishonesty.  As a result, academic dishonesty of any kind is not tolerated. Students caught cheating, plagiarizing, or participating in any form of academic dishonesty will receive an F on the assignment or test (and possibly an F in the course). A formal report to the chair of the Department, to the Dean, and to the Student Conduct Program will be made.

If you have any questions about the extent and severity of sanctions that may result from dishonest behavior, I suggest that you take time to read the OSU Student Handbook or access the OSU Student Conduct Website at: http://www.orst.edu/admin/stucon/achon.htm

 Statement of Risk: Risk is associated with many of life’s activities, including PAC classes.  The College of Health and Human Performance and Dept. of Exercise and Sport Science will seek to minimize these risks by providing safe activity areas where possible, adequate equipment, and capable instruction.  It is highly recommended that you provide yourself with a student health/accident insurance policy.  These are available through the University, private carriers, or through a family policy.  If uninsured, minor accidents or health problems can lead to great expense.  If you have a condition that might affect or be affected by participation in this PAC class, you are encouraged to so inform your instructor either verbally or in writing.  Should you become ill or injured during class time, please inform the instructor or have a fellow student do so.  If you must leave class because of illness or injury it is recommended that another student accompany you.
    Sharp hooks and tools used during this class have an obvious inherent danger.  Use common sense and precautions at all times.  When on a fishing outing, common sense and precautions are urged when using sharp hooks (wearing polarized eye glasses is recommended at all times to protect your eyes and assist in safe wading) and wading in swift currents or walking on slippery rocks.  If you perceive dangerous conditions that cannot be counteracted with common sense and reasonable precautions, desist and/or speak with your instructor.

Statement for Students with Disabilities
            Accommodations are collaborative efforts between students, faculty and Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD). Students with accommodations approved through SSD are responsible for contacting the faculty member in charge of the course prior to or during the first week of the term to discuss accommodations. Students who believe they are eligible for accommodations but who have not yet obtained approval through SSD should contact SSD immediately at 737-4098.
 

Focus Questions and Important Info to know --- Have in your notes
   
*What is a steelhead? Is it a member of the salmon family?
     *What does "anadromous" mean?  What does "catadromous" mean?
     *Life cycle of a steelhead: nest, redd, alevin, parr, smolt.  KNOW THE DEFINITIONS / DISTINCTIONS.
     *Where do most steelhead go once entering the ocean?  How long do they remain in saltwater?
     *Timing of spawning runs, winter vs. summer steelhead.  Generally when do these fish actually spawn?
     *Describe general activity differences between winter and summer steelhead.  Main factor for difference?
     *Describe "ideal" holding water in a stream where a steelhead would tend to linger.
     *Name 10 Oregon streams that have winter steelhead fishing opportunities.
     *Name 5 Oregon streams that have summer steelhead fishing opportunities.
     * Name 3 Oregon streams that have both winter and summer steelhead.
     *What is unique about the Siletz River and its native summer steelhead.
     *Spinning rod/reel vs. level wind reel/casting rod vs. fly rod/reel.  Pros and cons.  Rod actions: fast, medium, slow/full flex.  Pros and cons.
     *Spinners, spoons, corkies, diving plugs, jigs, various baits, flies: differences, pros and cons.
     *Spinners, spoons, corkies, diving plugs, jigs, various baits, flies: describe methods for fishing these.
     *List four items an angler can wear of have with them that contribute to safety while fishing.
     *List three possible injuries or health-threatening conditions in a fishing environment.
     *What is hypothermia?  Name three symptoms that indicate an angler may have hypothermia.
     *List three measures that can be taken to prevent hypothermia.
     *Name three things you can do to help someone with hypothermia while waiting for medical assistance. 
     *Trooper Mary Branson: what did she discuss?  What was the average angling violation fine mentioned?
     *The local fisheries biologist, what did he discuss?  What months find the peak of the steelhead and salmon smolts migrating in our valley rivers and streams?  What is the most important environmental factor for their survival?
     *Where is the adipose fin located?  Why is it important to anglers who catch a steelhead?
     *Know: operculum, lateral line, nares, pectoral, ventral, anal fins.
     *How can you readily identify a male vs. female steelhead?  Looking at a fish photo, how can you most likely tell a living steelhead from a dead steelhead?
     *Can you tie a clinch knot, surgeon knot, and an egg loop?  What is an egg loop for?
     *Why is it important to use a leader when fishing spinners, spoons, bait and corkies?  Leader length?
     *What knot would you use to attach a swivel to your main line and leader?  What does a swivel prevent?
     *What is a slinky?  How is it attached to your line?
     *Describe the materials used and how to construct a "spawn sack".  How is a spawn sack fished?
     *Name three commonly used steelhead baits.
     *Caballero fly: name materials and tools used to construct the fly.  Factoid: originally designed for winter steelhead.
     *What is a "hackle"?  Bird (and gender) producing the most commonly used hackles?   What is a half-hitch knot?
     *Describe the Hybrid Line System.  For what fish species the HLS designed and particularly effective?
     *List three outdoor photography tips which contribute to taking better photographs of fish and fishermen.
     *What is a "polarized" glasses lens?  What does polarization do for the angler?  Name three benefits.
     *Name 10 handy and/or necessary items to carry in your fishing vest?
     *What type of fishing waders are considered the safest if you go for an unplanned swim while fishing?
     *What advantage do you have wearing synthetic felt soles on your wading shoes or boots?
     *What requirements must you meet to become a certified fishing guide in Oregon?

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Contact Information

Telephone
541.207.4000

Postal address
Michael Gorman
330 NW Autumn Place, Corvallis OR 97330
Mckenzie River fishing guides & Rogue River fishing guides specialists

EMail
To contact me please cut and paste the following email address to help prevent spam emails,
and please include the word "fishing" in the subject line of your email so your important note is not screened out by the spam filter. 
Many thanks.
Please cut and paste this email addressgorman_flyfishing@hotmail.comPlease include the word "fishing"

 somewhere in the Subject line of your email note

 

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