Cold Water Trout // How to Swing Streamers

Streamer fishing is a technique in fly fishing where anglers use imitation baitfish or other large aquatic creatures to target predatory fish such as trout, bass, or pike. The flies used in streamer fishing are typically larger and heavier than traditional dry flies or nymphs, allowing them to sink into the water column where the fish are hunting. Anglers often use a variety of retrieves, including stripping the fly back towards them or swinging it across the current, to mimic the movement of injured prey and entice strikes from aggressive fish. Streamer fishing is particularly effective in rivers and streams with deep pools, undercut banks, or structure where predatory fish are likely to ambush their prey. It can be an exciting and dynamic style of fishing, with the potential to catch some of the largest fish in the water.
Subscribe and Like for more DIY Videos like this. Swinging streamers is a fabulous DIY cold water tactic. In the absence of hatches, many river trout ar looking to opportunistically forage on baitfish. Follow along as Joe Rotter from Red’s Fly Shop teaches both basic and more advanced tactics for fishing streamers on foot.
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0:00 Intro
1:04 Why and How to Swing Streamers?
5:00 Cast, Mend, Swing
5:35 Pop Jigs
7:29 Guide it into the Deep Backwater
8:25 Fishing the "Scoop"
12:03 How to Get it Down in Deep Fast Water
14:00 Tight to the Reel, Setting the Hook
16:03 Tackle Talk
18:48 Fly Selection

[@Brian2124]

That tips about adjusting your cast angle once you've hit bottom was pure gold. You're an excellent teacher. I enjoyed your video from start to finish and, honestly, I'm glad the fish weren't biting that day. Always helps to be reminded some days are just tough and it left more time for instruction.

[@redsflyshop]

Thanks so much! My good friend Patrick filmed this more me. He does such a good job. We made plans to do this one day and even thought it was COLD we stuck to the plan. Glad it was helpful!

[@joeyharshaw3874]

Man I watch and do a lot of fly fishing. You have a real gift for teaching and demonstrating. Thank you for sharing that with us. 👊

[@redsflyshop]

Thanks Joey, really appreciate it.

[@patrickmccambridge]

Thanks for the instruction and I love the fact that you did not edit out the stick catch. That's real fly fishing.

[@jimkerr5515]

Hey, this is really exceptional quality. Not editing out the snags is a huge teaching tool, and gives the impression that your goal here is really to help people understand these complex ideas, and not just sell trips or gear. Super cool.

[@redsflyshop]

Wow, thanks! Really appreciate the kind words. Your feedback is great, very helpful.

[@blackbeansmatter1280]

Yes! Better than anything on TV. Good information too.

[@redsflyshop]

Thanks so much, really appreciate. TV has been ruined haha. Much better options out on the web.

[@justal4844]

"...and it's a stick..." If this hasn't happened to you, then you haven't been streamer fishing long enough 😂🙃

[@redsflyshop]

#truth haha. Appreciate the comment thx!

[@TheFlyFishingFilmmaker]

haha so true!

[@dangaspar1707]

I love that you left the stick section in the video.

[@redsflyshop]

@@dangaspar1707 Ha thanks, it almost didn't make it... but stick happens.

[@roblacitinola866]

Classic, right away, "never happened to me" NOT!!! If it doesn't, you aren't getting the streamer where you want it a lot of the time!

[@bradley99]

Love the quality of this video. It puts your content on a whole different level. Keep the good work up. Love you joe

[@redsflyshop]

I appreciate that!

[@rickeyvarga5432]

Awesome tutorial Joe! Gotta thank you for taking the time to make & share these vids ...you're a true ambassador to the sport!!!

[@redsflyshop]

I appreciate that!

[@tmsact]

Love your videos man. Fly fishing is truly an art. You definitely have mastered it!

[@jdigioia1130]

Thanks for the detailed instruction. Not having fished through the winter before I really have been searching out all of the intel that I can find. 🎣

[@jimsmith1242]

Thanks Joe. This is the first easy to understand swinging streamer video I’ve seen

[@aeseider]

Some of the best content on the web!! Great to see you having fun at your own expense (surfing stick!).

[@richardshara3083]

Very good tutorial, very detailed. It gives me some help swinging flies for steelhead. Thanks so much.

[@joecoopdog]

Always a huge fan of your reviews and tutorials and love that you answer most questions we would ask in your videos!

[@redsflyshop]

Thanks Joseph, really appreciate it. Looking forward to it warming up and getting out on the water some more.

[@geraldg7420]

Most excellent! My favorite way to do it! Should be a great help for novice streamer folks.

[@corndog8183]

I’ve watched this video sooooo many times …. And every time I learn something new to practice when I go out again. Thank you Joe! Love this video.

[@redsflyshop]

Thanks so much, cold water season is coming! Best streamer action of the year.

[@dong8307]

Great video and very helpful. Love the Simms jacket. Looking at getting one. 👍

[@Riverbugger]

Excellent tutorial Joe!! Well done! Picked up a few tips for sure!! Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise!!

[@redsflyshop]

Oh you bet, thanks for the nice comment. Really appreciate it!

[@captainkoo]

You're a true pro. Knowledgeable, great feel for this great sport ..

[@redsflyshop]

Thanks Brian, really appreciate that. I love what I do, so fortunate to do this for a living.

[@captainkoo]

@@redsflyshop yes. You are a lucky man !

[@blueridgeflyguy9551]

Joe, this was the best video on streamer fishing I can recall.

[@redsflyshop]

Wow, thanks!

[@iamchrisroberts]

Great tips Joe. Thank you very much on discussing wintertime strategies. It’s a little easier on the fingers not getting nymphs tangled with weight or s indicators. All the best and wil look forward to more of your tutorials.

[@redsflyshop]

Thanks Chris, hoping to do one on Euro Nymphing in cold water later this week! You are right about messing with light line, and tiny nymphs. There is a value to heavier tippet and simplicity.

[@stevemiller2288]

Nice job. You are a good teacher.

[@redsflyshop]

Thanks Steve, appreciate that. I've been lucky enough to call this a career and enjoy sharing.

[@mikekuczynski1552]

Nice explanation of how to swing different runs . I was down on the Henry’s Fork a couple of years ago 20° out nymphing was slow, put my OPST Skagit lined reel on my 6wt and started swinging some little trout Spey soft hackles, and streamers and bam 💥 that was the ticket. I pretty much always carry a spare reel with me with a Skagit line on it easy enough to just take the reel your using off and put this on and your ready to go . Thanks for sharing

[@redsflyshop]

Good testimonial, sometimes that moving fly really triggers 'em. Thanks for the contribution here on the channel.

[@dirktucker77]

Thank you for the effort! You are the brosiah of the 🪰

[@redsflyshop]

Ha thank you so much, that is funny stuff. I love that!

[@TheFlyFishingFilmmaker]

The production improvements are really nice! Well done!

[@redsflyshop]

Thanks, got some help on this one. Not quite as mobile for fishing, but YES production quality is 10x.

[@TheFlyFishingFilmmaker]

@@redsflyshop One thing I was thinking for you all, would be to look into 360 cams. Allows you to not worry about framing while you film, just face the camera in the rough direction. Afterwards can edit and reframe the shot as needed. You could continue to use a mic like the DJI Mic that records directly to the microphone but would require some sync up in post.

[@AndrewLakey]

Excellent information....I fished the exact setup this weekend on my 5wt single hand and 2wt trout spey rod.

[@redsflyshop]

Thanks Andrew, swinging streamers in the winter is great. Love the grab, but also the gear set is great for numb hands haha.

[@hotpoker4212]

Top video, and great explanation, from the Emerald Isle,🇨🇮🇨🇮

[@redsflyshop]

Thanks! 😃Appreciate the props.

[@patricklynch1338]

Nice to have you back. Missed your videos "-)

[@redsflyshop]

More to come!

[@fightthelies4349]

The ol' stickfish...thems' good eatin'

[@bobryant442]

Man what a great video! PLEASE teach me more about that Gorgous cast. As a new fly angler I really struggle throwing heavier flies. (I’m currently trying streaming for the first time on a fairly loose 6wt Orvis encounter. No hits yet)

[@wvlongshooter3912]

Great content as always!! Man, here in Wv, fishing is great for big bows and browns. The browns are starting to post spawn and the bows are early pre spawn so the bigger ones are eating vigorously. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, I appreciate it!!!!

[@redsflyshop]

Thanks for the nice comment, and always being positive here on the channel. Really appreciate it.

[@69adrummer]

dude....I need the recipe for the "soccer mom" That's hilarious!!

[@redsflyshop]

It's a pretty easy tie! redsflyfishing.com/products/rios-soccer-mom?variant=42647807164615

[@bigbadfella]

Makes me feel better knowing even the pros get tricked by sticks sometimes.

[@redsflyshop]

Oh absolutely, it gave me some serious headshakes 😂

[@raymonddoerr2523]

🤥😂🤣

[@petergeoghan7241]

I have caught so many sticks but sometimes I am surprised when those sticks and logs turn into a giant trout! I like your hip pack.

[@redsflyshop]

Ha yes, they do sometimes start to swim on ya. That hippack is really handy. It's a Fishpond Thunderhead Lumbar, it also has an insert in the bottom which compartmentalizes all of your gear and boxes. Here is the full rundown on my trout kit: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXqcd2x9ib6in7M

[@jeremiahhedeen3879]

awesome video!!

[@redsflyshop]

Thanks man, really appreciate it. We shot this on a brutally cold morning and the bite was DEAD but the camera guy is a pro so we ran with it. My fingers were numb.

[@FlyFishingChronicles]

When you referring to fast action rods do you mean the recovery speed or the taper of the rod? I figured that rods with a more regular/slower taper are better in casting sink tips and big heavy flies. Rods like Sage Payload, T&T Exocett SS or Winston Alpha Plus. Great tutorial! I really appreciate it!

[@Sirskibumsalot]

I like hucking streamers and ty my own . Im fishing all winter in some good weather conditions mostly cold nights then warm days . Im having good luck throwing one color then mixing it up and changing to another color streamer in the same hole ....finding some big rainbows mostly .

[@coasterbrookie]

C’mon Joe! That ain’t cold water! That’s summer here!!! Minnesota. Love the vids. Appreciate all the time you guys put into them. Thanks for teaching us neophytes how to “swang that thang!” 🙏

[@patches152]

:eyeroll:

[@MrPachellid]

As far as "tippet" goes for this technique/setup... don't waste your money on specialized "X" sized tippet. 6-12 lb. Maxima Ultragreen is all that is needed for swinging streamers. For bigger soft hackles, the 6 lb. Maxima Ultragreen works well. Smaller soft hackles, you can use your 4X or 5X tippet or a lighter test monofilament. Fluorocarbon is NOT needed. The trout are seeing the fly first when swinging and regular mono works great. Save some bucks and go with a "regular" fishing line such as Maxima Ultragreen vs. mono tippet or fluoro tippet.

[@jabunkyy]

awesome video. what length and how heavy is the Tippett attached to your poly leader? it looks like you have 2 kinds of tippet attached

[@redsflyshop]

Part of it is the core that in mono, that comes out of the polyleader, then I typically run one straight piece of tippet (0X - 3X) depending on the fly size, water clarity, etc. Sometimes I'll run a combo OX - 3X which is what I believe I have here if my memory serves me correctly.

[@duncanpenfold5793]

Great Vid Joe Where do I get that I presume Forceps/Tippet zinger round your neck Looks Awsome

[@redsflyshop]

Oh I made that out of elastic cord, and a pair of scissor clamps. The tippet spools that I need for that day simply slid down over the knot and are ready at all times. Super simple!

[@Salixspp]

What are your thoughts on using intermediate sinking line for this purpose? Great video. Thanks.

[@redsflyshop]

I love a Skagit Intermediate for pure swinging, but don't care for an I-line nearly as much on single handers. The slow swing of a iSkagit is very nice in cold water. It is a bit harder to fish the slow water with it as it simply doesn't "pull through" so there are definately pro's and con's. If I had to choose one line, it would for sure be floating/sinking not intermediate/sinking. For rivers anyway, nvmd lakes and coastal fisheries.

[@Salixspp]

@@redsflyshop Extremely helpful! Thanks so much.

[@jonathansnyder8686]

Would it be okay to add a sinking tip to a floating, weight-forward line?

[@redsflyshop]

Yes absolutely, the best route is a "sinking leader" redsflyfishing.com/products/rio-medium-versileader

[@andrewdavenport6215]

How about without a sink tip? Can you use this method with just a floating line or does the sink tip sell this that much better?

[@bobconley6954]

Andrew, It's all about getting your streamer to sink, easy way to not have change from your standard floating dry fly line. works great for me.

[@hotpoker4212]

Have you ever used a streamer and smaller black fly, to give the impression, streamer is chasing smaller fly,??

[@redsflyshop]

Not with any success that warrants making it a strategy. I've fantasized about the strategy, but not any regular success. Great question.

[@craigwheaton2506]

Be really keen on a setup like this, can I ask what the rod is please?

[@redsflyshop]

That is a 9' 5 weight Sage X with a 175 Grain OPST Commando Shooting Head, sinking SONAR polyleader, and 25# RIO Slick Shooter running line. Call the shop here and we can set you up with a rig just like this.

[@sardog1966]

Never happens to me. The stick issue. Ever. LOL

[@redsflyshop]

Everywhere always. I can find 'em.

[@Boydegravesvlogs]

Show how to cast that roll cast 😊

[@redsflyshop]

Good suggestion, that is all single hand spey casting. Really should put together a video on that.

[@CN-re5ut]

Would you ever consider using split shot on the line to sink it?

[@patches152]

he talks about that at the end, using a sink tip with a short leader and you can use completely unweighted flies on this rig

[@cachi-7878]

Soccer Mom hahahaha! Who names these patterns?

[@patches152]

incels

[@Subaruuu12]

Echo Trout X review, please

[@redsflyshop]

Hey good suggestion, there isn't much available for those rods. I haven't even cast one yet. Need to do that. I like what they were going for in that rod, actually looking forward to doing that.

[@Subaruuu12]

@@redsflyshop Yeah, me as well. Best looking rod theyve ever put out imo. It looks very similar to the loomis nrx+ lp, which i find funny because steve and tim are brothers. Look forward to the review when you get around to it.

[@jimgillon5099]

What state is this

[@redsflyshop]

Washington State. East side of the Cascades.

[@toshko04]

Hi Joe , what size is your shouting head ( grains) ?

[@redsflyshop]

175 Grain for a #5, and I was running a 4.0 ips RIO Versileader on this rig. I hope to post a full blog article today with some more insights on the tackle that has worked for me and why.

[@canadiangemstones7636]

I dunno about swinging streamers in cold water. Think nymphing would have produced.

[@redsflyshop]

Sure it would have. Always does.

[@KevinSmith-qh9di]

would be better doing an instructional video on a river with fish in it LOL

[@redsflyshop]

Yea I should be in Alaska in July. It would be a video of me reeling in fish after fish.