Post by Nick Pionessa on Sept 2, 2009 8:57:32 GMT -5
Swinging flies for steelhead pt 1.
Traditional Wet Fly Swing
Traditional Wet Fly Swing
The first part here will go over the basics with more to come on advanced techniques. This technique is older than dirt and goes way back to the beginning of the sport of fly fishing. What I want to go over is how this relates to our modern steelhead fishing in the GL.
To cover the water well with this technique we would start at the head of the pool and make short casts first, just into the drop off. Keep extending the casts until you are reaching the far side. Cover it good with three or four casts and then begin to step down the run. This will ensure the angler shows the fly to every fish in the pool by making arced sweeps across the pool and working their way down. How fast a pace depends on the quality of the water. If it looks great and you “feel” there are fish around then spend more time and move through slowly. If you start and realize this pool doesn’t “feel” right in this area then move through it at a faster pace. Sometimes I get surprised but it’s rare once you develop a feel for good swing water.
In essence the technique is performed by casting across current and somewhat downstream. A mend, typically upstream, is used to take tension off the line and allow the fly to sink a bit and also keeps a downstream belly from forming in the floating line. The mend allows for sink and then also slows the flies speed as it swings across the current. The straighter (more parallel) to the current the floating line is the slower the swing will be. The more the line is perpendicular to the current the faster it will swing. In the majority of situations we want a slow swing so the mend is upstream. Later we will go over times we need to speed up the swing.
Once the cast and initial mend have been made the line will begin to tighten up as it approaches the 45 deg position downstream from the angler. From this point on it is essential to maintain that line position through mending to keep the fly slow and deep as the current wants to belly the line downstream. For the most part steelhead like a slow steady swing, so mending just the floating part of the line while trying not to disturb the fly is key. You are moving the floating part, going from the rod tip to where the line goes under the water, upstream in subtle movements that will position the line but not move the fly.
This is the point where the majority of the takes will come, just as the line tightens and the fly begins to swing and move. My belief is that this triggers the predatory response of chasing prey that is fleeing from them. If no take is detected the fly is swung all the way over to the anglers side and allowed to hang directly downstream. Fish will, at times, follow the fly and take it as it slows on the hangdown. It is important to fish every cast right to the end and after hooking a few on the hangdown you will see the reason for this.
If we do get a take on the swing the best way to hook them solidly is to do nothing at all but hold the line tight. This sounds like no great revelation but it is of utmost importance. When the line is tight and the fly moving there is little cushion on the tippet and damn near any pull back by the angler results in anything from poorly hooked fish (in the tip of the mouth) to sudden break offs. If the fish is allowed to take the fly well, it will turn and hook itself in the corner of the jaws perfectly. Once the fish has the fly and the line is tight to them, then a firm pull to the side and downstream with the rod sets it good. This also needs to be done with some care and with the line at 90 deg to the rod tip so to cushion the blow with the rod tip. I also like to strip set in this situation but it does take some practice. Once I feel the weight of the fish on the line a small tug on the line itself with my left hand will bury it. The strip strike also works well for not pulling the fly away from the fish if it’s not taken it fully.
This is, of course, only scratching the surface and is intended to keep it simple while promoting discussion of the topic. Coming up will be the deep greased line method and the pendulum swing and the equipment needed to make it work so stay tuned and feel free to add your own input.