What lb. test should I use for salmon and steelhead?

Personally, I'd spool with 10 lb test mono. Then tie on 8 lb test Flouro with a Uni-to-Uni knot. This way you have "Shock" resistance for the hard hitting Steelies and strength for the Salmon. Also be sure to pre set the drags to 4 lbs of drag resistance on the reel and leave it there. You'll be able to fight the fish very well without breaking the lines. I'd stay away from Fireline. I've never had ANY good results with that line. I was "Sponsored" by Pure Fishing and used that line in competition and had nothing but poor results. I stopped using that line and went back to their Trilene. I fished in Tourney's all over the world for 9 years, so I have plenty of experience with Pure Fishing products.

for you id go with 14 but i have 17 on for salmon, steelhead and striper in the american river south of the klamath, go for the whale thats in the klamath ;)

I have been most successful with upper limit of test, (20 lb test), trolling for 15-pound humpies (pinks), 20-pound cohos (silvers), and an unexpected 35.2-pound late chinook (king).

I think you can get buy with an 8lb test.

Personally, I think line strength is underrated. I've fished with people who have caught 30+ pound catfish on less than 15lb test.