STEEL HEAD: MAKE YARN BALLS FOR STEEL HEAD FISHING

It always seems that some one out there is always trying to make a better mouse trap. The definition of better may be heavy duty, more attractive color, newer materials, easier and more cost effective to make, what ever. There are plenty of us anglers that always interested in new ways of catching fish. Just like a new and improved mouse traps slight modifications to fish lures could make a world of difference.

Curtis Palmer owner and operator of River Secrets Guide Service shares with us his new way of making yarn balls for steel head fishing. Throughout his life Curtis has had the chance to live and fish several North West states, during those times he has also used many of so called new mousetraps in quest of Salmon and Steel Head.

According to Palmer the yarn ball idea is not new at all. They were made to resemble a free floating chunk of row (salmon eggs) and usually tied on a fly tying kit at home or purchased at the local tackle dealer. Anglers would then apply some egg sent to the yarn ball attach it to their drift rig and fish it as if were fresh row. Today Palmer takes a magnificent short cut in making his own yarn balls and places all of his components in a small tackle box so he can tie more while out on the river.

He explains,"First I select the colors I want. I usually have my yarn pre cut into short lengths and assorted by color. I'll grab some lengths line them up then in the middle Ill rap several turns of Ghost Cocoon." Ghost Cocoon is a stretchy self adhering thread available to Palmer at Waldron's Outdoor Sports. "About eight or nine turns is all you need then simply break off the thread. Now take your scissors and start trimming."

Palmer takes just a few steps in trimming and shaping and in a matter of moments WALLA a ready to fish yarn ball. "I'll put a little scent on it," Palmer continues, "place it on my drift rig and I'm ready to fish.

The cool thing we have noticed is all the colors he had ready in his tackle kit. His reasoning is that steel head especially are attracted to the colors and while he may have a preferred color combo for a particular river. He admits sometimes he needs to make a change to make a slow day into a great day.

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