Swinging Flies for Steelhead and Salmon at the Right Depth with the Right Presentation

From many years of watching clients and friends swing flies, it's become obvious that many don't put much thought into what they're doing. It's simply a matter of casting downstream at a 45° angle, make a mend, let it swing out, take a step, rinse, repeat. Oftentimes their fly isn't sinking at the depth they're aiming for and neither is the presentation the best for the conditions.
In this video we'll look at casting and mending options to produce the right presentation for the conditions.

[@MrSurfangler]

Nice one Peter! Regarding the boulder filled flat water piece , I have seen experienced anglers target pockets of water using a combination of rod tip and feeding or pulling line , essentially having the fly dip into the pocket and quickly pull/ swing away . Treating every pocket as a mini swing. Modern anglers euro nymph these pockets now that steelhead specific euro rods are available.

[@hooked4lifeca]

Yup, that works, though the fly has to sink like a rock to have it be really effective. I caught a lovely hen on the Maitland River doing exactly that, sliding the line over a boulder, dropping line to sink it, then bring it under tension and there she was. I found that the most effective line for larger pockets was the old Guideline DDC with an intermediate belly and a fast sink tip. The intermediate belly would slide over the boulders and then be sucked down by the hydraulic and the entire rig would drop drastically. For smaller features, the intermediate belly had less drag than a floater, so that when we drop tension, the rig sinks faster.

[@letterzx]

really great explanation, helped alot. I have the airflow steamer max short on my 7wt single hand rod, would that be a good option for swinging or should i go for my floating line (rio outbound short) with a polyleader?

[@hooked4lifeca]

I prefer either the Streamer Max Short or an intermediate line for swinging streamers, depending on depth or current flow. I do use floaters occasionally, but sinkers work better.

[@graysondavis8252]

I have some confusion concerning the point of view between your diagram and the little stick you hold. The diagram shows a lateral view of the line beneath the water. Does the stick represent the rod in the air or the surface of the floating line on the water?

[@hooked4lifeca]

I've used the white wire to indicate mostly the line position in relation so the current, but also rod position when mending.

[@ORheff]

Thanks for the video Peter, I’ve been out a few times this season, had a few grabs but hadn’t landed one. I caught your video last night then headed out this morning. Had a few grabs and finally landed one today. I’ll admit I trout set the first one, little too excited. Your tips on controlling the drag really helped. I had some sections with rock ledges and these tips helped me avoid hang ups too. Fantastic content.

[@terryc9685]

Peter, Ive enjoyed and learned from all your videos the past few years. In the past you talked about fishing Cape Cod, Im heading there first week of June. If you happen to be there I would love to connect. Thanks Terry

[@hooked4lifeca]

I haven't firmed up my dates yet, but the first week of June will probably be included, so we can see if we can meet up.

[@nicholastorenvliet9464]

Newbie here.. I find myself allowing the casted line to free-drift for a moment to allow the tip and fly to drop into the zone. Is this a bad practice? (Potential to lose strikes because there's no tension for a bit?) ... looking for the best practice. (Fishing a Loop 7x w/Airflo F.I.S.T. Skagit 450 gr with T10)

[@hooked4lifeca]

All depends on the circumstance. If we need to drop the fly fast as it is approaching a deep feature, then yes. If there's no need to get the fly down quickly, then we're missing out on that part of the swing. A dead drifting steelhead wet fly looks like drifting debris until it's under tension, so it won't appeal to the fish until it's swinging.

[@CatDaddySteve]

😁👍