Ross Flow Center Pin Reel

Ross Flow Center Pin Reel

The sport of centerpin fishing is loaded with incredible history and tradition, but rather than simply reproducing a reel design that so many have done before us, we have incorporated our fifty-plus years of fly reel design into the Flow; a reel that has become the new standard for all centerpin reels.

This reel is SMOOTH! Precision machining, high quality bearings and perfect balance result in a spool that spins effortlessly and without interruption. More details...

Reel Specs:

• Diameter: 4.45"
• Spool Width: .80"
• Weight: 8.8 oz.
• Capacity: 300 Yards 12 lb. + 50 Yards 20lb. Backing

“Man…how do I rig up for this?”

…how do I rig up for this?

by: John Garrett – Feb, 2013 
So, here we are on the verge of a Centerpin explosion in the Pacific Northwest. A lot of folks are intrigued and asking questions. Northwest Fisherman are quickly learning what our Northern neighbors in Canada have known for years! And that’s the efficiency and the effectiveness of using a centerpin rod & reel to catch steelhead. All you have to do is watch someone who is remotely experienced with the technique and you are left in awe. In my conversations with friends and clients, we’ve often mentioned that it should probably be illegal. In my opinion there’s no other technique that’s as deadly effective when it comes to bringing steelhead to hand. I’m sure there are a few side-drifters out there that would beg to differ, but when you put a float on the line…centerpinning is the champion – Hands Down!

Photo of the Week: Clackamas Steelhead

Clackamas River Steelhead | Center pin Catch

Submit your photos for "Photo of the Week", or to submit a story to: webmaster@nwcenterpin.com

Slow Down for Winter Steelhead Success

These days it is so common to see boat after boat glide down drifts side drifting. Of course this technique is deadly and one I use quite often only with floats and center pin rods. However, time and time again I have found success by slowing down and really working a piece of water. Savvy side drifters will run laps in a piece of water but only certain water types allow for doing laps. Run and gun steelheading certainly pays off when conditions are right. However, when water and air temperatures plummet, slowing down is often the ticket.

Late December catch on the Clackamas

Using center pins, I like to sit on anchor almost in-line or just off to the side of the water I want to fish and I work it. With cold winter-water temperatures, fish are less eager to move. Sometimes almost bouncing your offering off their noses is the only way to get a response. The picture below was taken in late December when the air temperature was in the high 30’s and water temperature on the Clackamas River was 39 degrees. I spent over an hour in a small piece of water working different lanes and changing presentations, and it paid off. Multiple boats had gone through this water making a quick cast on the way by, finding no takers. Of course it helps to know where fish are caught consistently so you can feel confident spending a lot time in a piece of water, but when air and water temps are cold, try slowing down and put in time giving fish multiple looks, and it just might pay off.

Northern Oregon Coastal Catch

Here is one last example to illustrate my point. Last winter I fished a popular northern Oregon coastal river and found the usual crowds on a Saturday during winter steelhead season. As we headed up river to launch we counted boats at each put in looking for the “less crowded” drift. We settled on putting in very high up knowing that we were behind around 35-40 boats. Almost all of these boats were side drifting and covering a lot of water. We took our time sitting and working water content to be last. By moving slowly and using center pins we ended up landing 11 fish and hooking may others.

Some days slowing down can be the ticket.  

- Todd Harris, Harris Anglers