In spite of the rapid approach of the shortest day of the year, there is no need for steelheaders to be as gloomy as the weather. Casting up and across and mending your line for a natural drift presents the fish with an effortless snack. Strike at any hesitation or unnatural behavior of the indicator. Time the drift with a fleck of foam. If the indicator isn't drifting at the same speed and direction as a nearby foam fleck, that's your cue to set.
Long leaders combined with heavy wire hooks usually reach the strike zone without additional weight.
Watch the line tip. It should be swinging across the current at the same speed or slower than the downstream drift. Keep the rod tip low over the water, and pointed straight down the line to avoid dragging or retarding the drift of the fly. Strikes will come as a tightening of the line, and the rod tip will pull into the water. Set with a downstream sweep of the rod to hook the fish in the corner of the jaw.