A steelhead’s attitude becomes dour as the temperature drops, but two-handed rods and swinging flies are still effective in the right hands. The American made rod was designed to minimize torque, which compromises casting accuracy and distance. You will notice that a downstream “belly” will form in the fly line as the fly line swings down-and-across. Traditional swinging techniques were originally developed to catch Atlantic salmon in Northern Europe and the Atlantic Canadian Provinces becoming popular for steelhead in the Pacific Northwest during the 20th century. While all the flies I’ll cover have roots in traditional design, the way I’m fishing them is decidedly untraditional. Come fish with us in the Bahamas! Sucker Spawn Size 8 to 12 When the Time is Right a Deadly Steelhead Fly Around the great lakes steelhead run during and after the major run of the redhorse sucker. Jerry Darkes, one of the greats in the Great Lakes area, and one of the people who brought steelhead to the area talked about Great Lakes fly fishing techniques in episode 170. Enterprise . The author Jason Swingen using a Snap-T spey cast to cast a fly across the Bois Brule River. John Nagy's Steelhead Guide eBook Now Available! Never mind that there are few fish in the river right now. At the end of the swing, hold the fly directly downstream of you in the current and then follow-up with a strip retrieve. If you’re an angler that wants to do it all, nymph, through streamers, spey cast and swing flies then consider a six to eight weight switch rod. Great Lakes Winter Steelhead Moal Fly Collection. Things can change in a hurry. While these few flies are known for catching steelhead, there are many patterns that do the trick. This is a killer fly in the Great Lakes for both steelhead, trout,smallmouth and popular in Alaska. Keeping the fly as light as possible will allow the fly to have a lively and natural swimming action on the swing. Steelhead flies specifically for the Great Lakes Steelhead Alley, also excellent for Pacific Steelhead, Atlantic Salmon. Swinging Flies: Probably the least effect method but still a ton of fun and very challenging is swinging flies for steelhead. To methodically cover a pool or run after the initial swing is made with the fly, lengthen subsequent casts in increments of a foot or so until you have satisfactorily covered a desired section of water. And the water is high. This led to many lost flies and the need to re-rig. Steelhead will also eat the streamers at times when they are headed back to the lakes after the spawn. Traditional swinging techniques were originally developed to catch Atlantic salmon in Northern Europe and the Atlantic Canadian Provinces becoming popular for steelhead in the Pacific Northwest during the 20th century. Pick the holding lies carefully, envision where the fish are, and penetrate the depths effectively by slowing down the line speed and the fly speed of your Intruders or sculpins/leeches. By using sink tips of different lengths and sink rates (measured in inches per second or grain weight) for the water flow and depth being fished, you can precisely control the depth of the fly. This is analogous to changing split-shot when dead-drifting. Fuzz buster patterns have a similar resemblance to soft hackles and is a mainstay in many steelhead angler boxes. February 26, 2017 December 23, 2017 Tim Rawlins Spey Casting. Part I It has been nearly 150 years since the ova were imported from a tributary of California’s McCloud River to the Caledonia fish hatchery near Mumford, New York, that initiated the Great Lakes steelhead fishery. Most steelhead take the fly at the end of the swing (more likely chasing the fly across the current and hitting it from the side or rear as it stops) so it is important to anticipate the strike at that point. For smaller tributaries, as well as medium to low tributary flows, custom mini-tips (made out of 2 to 6 feet lengths of sinking shooting head material) and sinking leaders (7 to 12 feet) work well. In recent years, it has developed an enthusiastic following by a growing group of steelheaders in the Great Lakes region. This can induce strikes especially with large streamer, leech and wooly bugger type patterns which provide a lot of movement in the current flow. Using the composite loop to bring together UV Material, Flashabou and ostrich, this fly swims like a minnow and is tough as nails. Several fly line manufacturers sell fly lines that come with an assortment of interchangeable sink tips (of different sink rates) that cover most water conditions encountered. For Swinging flies in the fall, you don’t need to worry about being right on the bottom. Copyright 2021, The Orvis Company Inc. Along with the sinking system, leader length also plays a key role in fly depth. This will help sink both the fly line and the fly more quickly. Think like a Steelhead to Find (and Catch) more Steelhead, Weather Junkie Steelheader's catch more Steelhead, Top 10 Do's and Don'ts when Swinging Flies for Steelhead, Top 10 Do's and Don'ts when Indicating for Steelhead, Wading Strategies for Great Lakes Steelhead, Locating Tributary Steelhead Using Water Temperatures, Steelhead Technique, Equipment and Fly Selection, The Do's and Don'ts of Fall Steelhead Fishing, Fly Fishing Tail-outs for Tributary Steelhead. Size: 2.5 -3 inch Moal Leeches . Follow up by dropping the rod tip and move it across in front of you, stopping at the point where you want the fly to swing to. Here are two great how-to videos from The New Fly Fisher that offer some great tips for making sure your swung flies are in the right zone to draw strikes. Single-handed or two-handed, 9ft or 13ft. A fly line with a floating/weight-forward taper design (including steelhead and "switch" taper fly line tapers and the very popular "Skagit" head tapers including the new OPST Skagit Commando lines) is the best fly line for this type of cast. In recent years, it has developed an enthusiastic following by a growing group of steelheaders in the Great Lakes region. Flies that are too light (like plastic tube body flies) need some weight added to them (like a light conehead) for proper leader turnover. The water is clear and it most often runs clear even in higher flows. Get your team aligned with all the tools you need on one secure, reliable video platform. Tag: swinging flies for great lakes steelhead. The Great Lakes have their own challenges and a diversity that is both enjoyable and ideal in many instances. Want to catch steelhead in the Lake Erie tributaries and elsewhere in the Great Lakes? A great way to know what is happening without actually being at the stream is the USGS stream flow charts. Fly depth on the swing is also controlled by the sinking system used in the fly line. Your email address will not be published. You can use nearly any type of fly rod to swing. If you’re new to Spey fishing for steelhead, try focusing on your swing. These fish are called drop backs. It’s done in a mindful state. Steelhead Guide, Fly Fishing Techniques and Strategies for Lake Erie Steelhead (Updated and Expanded 4th Edition), "Noodle" Fly Rod (which has gotten rave reveiws!). Jerry discusses the switch rod with a focus on swinging flies for great lakes steelhead. For a single handed cast (with a sinking leader or sink tip line) using a single or double-haul, followed by shooting the line, makes this easy. Trip Preparation is the Key for Success on the "Steelhead Alley" Tributary Streams, Tube Flies for Great Lakes Steelhead (Part I), Tube Flies for Great Lakes Steelhead (Part II), Step-by-Step Tying Instructions for Blue and White Temple Dog Tube Fly, The Tube Fly Advantage (Fly Fish America Magazine), Pro Flytyer™ (Pro Sportfisher) Introduces a New Tube Fly System, Upcoming and published magazine articles I, Upcoming and published magazine articles II, More Info and Reviews of John Nagy's Custom Made "Noodle" Fly Rod, John Nagy Custom Lake Erie Steelhead Flies, John Nagy Custom "Hot Butt" Leader and Indy Kit, The New Solitude Fly Reel....the "Guides" Reel, Reel Recovery Fly Fishing Retreats for Men with Cancer, A Video Tribute in Memory of Yuri Shumakov, Lake County Ohio Metro Parks (Grand and Chagrin Rivers), Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission Lake Erie Fishing Report, Pennsylvania tributaries (access and parking details), PF&BC Lake Erie Access Improvement Easements Map, Ohio Ashtabula County Metro Parks Maps/Access, Vrooman Rd Bridge Project (Grand River) Live Web Cam, Pennsylvania Lake Erie Near Shore Buoy Forecast, Rocky River, OH (including water temperature), Walnut Creek, PA (including water temperature). In warmer flows (above 50 degrees F), steelhead tend to look up more for a fly, so one or no mends are all that are usually needed. The traditional swing presentation allows the steelheader to see the river in a larger view, both downstream and bank-to-bank, as he fishes. The Lake Erie and Lake Ontario tributaries are two classic destinations in Northeastern fly fishing. The Egg Raider pays tribute to the Egg Sucking Leech, but it goes way beyond the traditional ESL platform. The casts and mends of your fly line become intimately intertwined with long runs, riffles and pool tail-out’s as you methodically swing your fly through likely steelhead lies. We find out which switch rod setup will work for your next trip and which other species he is focusing on now. This slower, more patient approach often rudely becomes interrupted with the jarring take of an aggressive and hard-hitting steelhead which is hell bent on taking your fly (and fly rod) back to Lake Erie! Swinging flies is simply another technique used to catching trout (or any fish). ** Most Orders Shipping Same or Next Business Day! ** 1 … For those who are interested in swinging, multiple different strains of steelhead, monster browns, Atlantic salmon, king salmon, and other salmon species are available to you. Timing your trip just right can be the difference between fishing and catching though. Here are two great how-to videos from The New Fly Fisher that offer some great tips for making sure your swung flies are in the right zone to draw strikes. Many steelhead anglers consider swinging flies the ultimate way to catch these silver rockets, and more and more Great Lakes anglers are adopting the technique. A traditional spey or double handed casting approach will allow the steelheader to stand much closer to the river bank and effectiveily reach most target zones. Brian spends some time on the water talking about swinging flies for steelhead. “Active” steelhead in the warm water tributary flows of the fall and spring (above 40 degrees F) are … Take the tips from this article to fill your box and the Great Lakes won’t know what hit them, tight lines! There are tons of different techniques you can use including spin fishing, centerpinning, indicator fishing, euro nymphing, streamer fishing, and swinging. Often the steelhead and suckers will be competing for the same gravel. Swinging flies is like Tai Chi. In may of last year, on one day I hooked 2 late running steel while swinging soft hackles for trout. These flies all have been tested, and have caught many, many Steelhead. Deep, strong currents on big water may call for 24 foot sink tips or “heads” (which are available in 150-600 grains). Steelhead use these breaks as resting areas on their upstream migratory movements and you will want to concentrate on swinging your fly through these areas. They provide opportunities to catch Steelhead, King Salmon, Coho Salmon, Atlantic Salmon and Lake Run Brown Trout. Nymphing tactics rule, and rightfully so, because they are effective and can produce huge returns. The size of the belly will determine the “swimming speed” of the fly as it swings across in the current. By minimizing line mending you can keep the fly line belly large, causing higher fly speeds on the swing but with higher fly position in the water column. For big tributaries and high run-off conditions standard sink tip lines (as long as 15 feet) work better. Visualize the fish in his lie. Try standing almost directly upstream to the area you want to swing your fly through (the “target zone”) and begin by casting your fly line at a 45 degree angle downstream to the left or right of the target zone. Many steelhead anglers consider swinging flies the ultimate way to catch these silver rockets, and more and more Great Lakes anglers are adopting the technique. "Perhaps fishing, is for me, only an excuse to be near rivers." They will all work, but if you are going to primarily swing for Great Lakes migratory fish you will want an 11ft 7wt two-handed switch rod (a two-handed rod that allows for spey casting as well as overhand casting). On my trip, for example, some guys who were swinging down and across with much weight were foul hooking a ton. The fish had eaten the fly just as it transitioned from drifting to swinging. Never drop your fly and disconnect mentally. The average depth where steelhead are lying here is from 12-48 inches of water. In the past, Great Lakes Steelhead methods have called for getting the fly right on the bottom where the fish are. The tributary water temperature will determine at what level you need to get the fly to on the swing. “Lake Erie produces great numbers of steelhead and moderate numbers of brown trout. You become more in-tuned with the larger flow of the river. Soft Hackles most certainly will take steelhead - even those not tied specifically for them. When those two visions come together, you’re onto something good. Don't work the fly too fast. Interlocking loop systems allows these leaders and tips to be easily interchanged on the stream depending on the water flow and depth encountered. Next, take a few steps downstream and begin the entire sequence again. I think that steelhead on popular rivers see so many flies that even the most unique fly pattern becomes a routine disturbance. Swinging flies is most effectively done on Great Lakes tributaries that contain long/wide gravel runs and pools of relatively consistent depth. Leaders in the 4 to 9 foot range will keep the fly higher up in the current flow versus a shorter leader (less than 4 feet) which is ideal for keeping the fly down close to the stream bottom when steelhead are moving less for a fly. As the fly line makes contact with the water, immediately throw an upstream mend in the fly line. The beads will slide down to the front of the fly during casting and on the swing. When trying to get the fly down deep on the swing it is best to rely on your sinking system versus using a heavily weighted fly. Here are twelve great winter, custom tied, Steelhead flies - Winter Moal Collection. Jerry Darkes, one of the biggest names the Great Lakes for steelhead and numerous other species, is here to break down Great Lakes Fly Fishing. True, swinging a soft-hackle on a greased line is pure poetry. It’s so great to see this technique for chasing Steelhead on a fly really growing in the Great Lakes Region. Steelhead caught on swung flies are often referred to as “players” due to their willingness to chase a fly and hit it extremely hard on the swing (some steelheaders have described the take like being mugged on the stream!). HOSTED Fly Fishing Trips w/ Dave and Guides from the Podcast! Bright colors and flash are a must with steelhead flies and if presented properly, your reel will likely be screaming! Custom steelhead, salmon and trout fishing tackle! Swinging flies for steelhead in the Great Lakes. Host Bill Spicer and guide John Valk swing for steel on southern Ontario’s Saugeen River. Approaching the likely steelhead water often causes the suckers to scatter, which in turn spooks the steelhead. The Great Lakes are not the Pacific Northwest. Rod. You want to present your flies where the fish are. Fly depth can be fine tuned by crimping a small amount of shot to the leader or adding various size brass or tungsten beads to the leader. John Nagy's 4th Edition of his popular Steelhead Guide Book is available here in both soft and hard cover print editions (signed by John Nagy, including a fly tied by the author). and seasoned steelheader everything he needs to know to hook-up with these magnificent fish! But, it’s a low-probability game, and there’s a lot of risk of “lining” and “flossing” fish. He noted that Swinging flies, nymphing and stripping streamers for steelhead are the top techniques and that all are tested these days in the area. The Steelhead Guide Book is also available in an eBook version here. A list of steelhead flies to help Michigan and Great Lakes anglers identify flies that fish well & likely become favorite, producing staples in the … These conditions will require at least 1 or 2 mends to get the fly down. On his second cast, Mike's reel began to scream, and a nice summer steelhead cartwheeled through the air. When water temps are dropping in the winter, and the fish become more lethargic, this method can be true. Before beginning your swing technique, first wade into position (usually toward the middle of the river) and look at the water surface texture to locate current breaks at the head of pools, along parallel “seams” that run through pools and runs and also in pool tail-outs. Unfortunately, it’s also a low-percentage play for catching Great Lakes winter steelhead. In the warmer tributary flows of fall and spring (above 40 degrees F) steelhead are more aggressive and will actively move for wooly buggers, streamers, leeches, tube and spey flies on the swing. And whether you consider these creatures steelhead or simply lake-run rainbows, there is clearly a shared spirit with their… The heavy taper of this line casts sinking leaders and sink tips well while the floating component allows for easy mending when swinging the line. Multiple mends of the fly line eliminates or reduces the fly line belly size, slows the speed of the fly and makes the fly sink deeper. It is quite a different experience versus the more localized and focused dead-drift method. Every season anglers from all over the country flock to the northeast to fish for Great Lakes Steelhead. Should I Hire a Lake Erie Steelhead Guide? Jerry Darkes, one of the big names in Great Lakes Fishing, shares the history of fly fishing in the Great Lakes region with a focus on swinging flies for steelhead. They actually will “look up” to take a fly swinging fly (above 50 degrees F) and will even chase dry flies “skated” on the surface. Spey fishing and swinging flies has come a long way with many new innovations. makes a great companion book to his popular Steelhead Guide Book! Home to Trick Em Beads, Trick Em Bead Pegs, Trick Em Jigs and Trick Em Steelhead and Trout Worms! Your email address will not be published. You want to keep the fly in the strike zone long enough to aggravate the fish into taking it.. Although there is some swinging of flies on the Great Lakes tributaries, it’s not the predominate method of catching steelhead there. I remember the early days when we would get funny looks on the water by other Anglers, when fishing this technique. Anyone interested in any of this material please email John Nagy at: About John Nagy's Steelheader's Journal Book, Steelhead Journal Book Ordering Information, About John Nagy's Steelhead Guide Book/Ordering Information. Roderick Haig-Brown, A River Never Sleeps, 1946, Steelhead guide, author and photographer John Nagy, All the photos and articles on this website credited to John Nagy are the exclusive property of John Nagy and. If a fish is lying in 3 feet of water and is suspended 8-12 inches off the bottom, then swinging the fly 4-20 inches beneath the surface is usually plenty deep to trigger a response. In really cold flows (less than 40 degrees), multiple follow-up mends are needed to initiate strikes from sluggish steelhead. Steelhead Guide, Fly Fishing Techniques and Strategies for Lake Erie Steelhead. Visualize the motion of the fly. The rod transfers power from butt to tip smoothly. Density compensated sinking leaders and sink tips (which have a tapered design) compensate for the thinner diameter front section by adding a denser sinking material to the front portion of the leader or tip. In colder flows (below 50 degrees), steelhead tend to keep tighter to the stream bottom and prefer slower fly speeds. Making an initial cast greater than 45 degrees is also helpful to get flies down to bottom hugging fish. Since 1856. 2 Great Switch rod for Great Lakes steelhead The Scott L2H has everything a Great Lakes Steelheader needs. Tactics for Swinging Flies for Winter Chrome in all Types of Water. The steelhead are down deep and may opportunistically grab a swinging fly. 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