How to Swing Flies for Winter Steelhead in Small Rivers

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Swinging Flies for Trophy Steelhead in the PNW -
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[@Paulpoission]

I find that confidence matters way more than the fly!!

[@savageandsmith]

Totally haha I literally swung a fish on a 6 inch intruder on Friday if they’ll eat that big thing they’ll eat anything

[@JeffDeibert]

I always thought when I was younger that I would someday be the old man that knew it all. Now I’m the old man who knows that you will never know everything. Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge.

[@koreysmith3635]

Nice video. Your descriptive explanation of where steelhead might be...validating. Thanks. -Korey

[@savageandsmith]

Glad it was helpful! Key areas include slack water along seams, behind/near cover such as logs and big rocks, tail outs in the 2-6 foot deep range, and tucked right up in the head near fast water. We've got them in places we didn't expect at all too haha, its best to learn a river and then fish all your best spots hard.

[@chalillo2268]

Beautiful Hardy!😀

[@savageandsmith]

Thank! Shes been through war hahaha

[@jsf8145]

What kind of fly line are you casting? I’m new to steelhead fly fishing. Is that a dry fly line you are casting? I have a 6 wt Orvis hydros rod with dry fly line a large arbor batenkill III real. Thought about trying to rig it for steelhead with the 6 wt dry fly line I’m currently set up with. Fishing near my home in central Idaho.

[@savageandsmith]

In this video I was using a commando skagit head with a sink tip

[@koreysmith3635]

I'm re-watching all Savage and Smith winter steelhead stuff...getting excited for 2023/24 winter. Cheers.

[@savageandsmith]

Epic! We’ll have a ton of great videos dropping this winter steelhead season 🤘

[@johnfak4034]

5.25 ish - at that higher water /faster water - especially if water is depper - do you need to add weight to your fly to get down better ?

[@aJwilliams555]

In general, it's not a super great idea to fish with anything bright on, you're dry bag is very bright. You spent some time giving good points on being stealthy on small water, might not be a bad idea to get something more drab for a bag. On big water it's probably not a deal breaker, unless its clear. Enjoy the videos though 👍

[@willisbrow]

38 degrees....

[@robertheal261]

From a steelhead and Atlantic salmon nut! That was some of the best video i've seen. Well done, guys!

[@savageandsmith]

Thanks Robert!

[@Casting.for.dreams]

For a newby, would you recommend a click reel? Or something with drag? Also, for the 7 wt renegade, where is the sweet spot for reels? Looking at a reel that is 8.9 oz. But wondering if that’s still to light. I do Like my reel to be on the heavy side.

[@savageandsmith]

8.5-9oz would be fine in my opinion. That should be perfect actually. If your beginning then a disc drag reel set to a medium drag would probably be best. It will prevent you from playing the fish too lightly.

[@ddt1352]

hey great videos, agree 100% on the single spey/scandi style casting with skagit heads. Critical for Coho in clear or low water conditions too!

[@savageandsmith]

You know it!

[@sheldonkauffman3210]

Helpful commentary. Thanks.

[@savageandsmith]

Glad it was helpful!

[@everythingflytv507]

What state you guys in?

[@savageandsmith]

Were in WA

[@johnkenny694]

Wow! you are using exact same set up as me, sage x 11ft 7wt commando head, now you have a Switch sports car.