| |
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
This 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.
Steelheading 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.)
3.
For 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?
Click here to return to OSU PAC classes menu page
|